PECO strike ends after 3 days
A three-day strike by about 1,600 PECO workers ended after the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 614 and the utility reached a new labor agreement, concluding the first strike in PECO’s 145-year history.
The union said the contract includes cash-balance pension plans, full retirement medical coverage and general wage increases for all members. Additional provisions allow workers to use their own doctors for required medical certifications, require 24 hours’ notice for mandatory overtime in PECO’s call center and increase upgrade pay for employees performing work outside their job classifications from 5 percent to 10 percent.
“Our members’ top priorities were restoring pensions and retirement medical coverage for all members, and we won that and more,” Local 614 President and Business Manager Larry Anastasi said in a statement.
The strike began July 4 after contract negotiations that started in January failed to produce an agreement. Union members had been working without a contract since April 1. Local 614 represents about 1,800 workers, including 1,600 PECO employees across southeastern Pennsylvania. ••
City to mailing property assessments, offers tax relief options
Philadelphia homeowners, including many in South Philadelphia, will soon receive updated property assessments as the city begins mailing 2027 Notices of Valuation.
City officials said the median-valued residential property is expected to see an estimated $97 increase in its annual real estate tax bill, though actual changes will vary based on a property’s assessed value and eligibility for tax relief programs.
Alongside the new assessments, the Department of Revenue is launching a citywide outreach campaign to help residents access tax relief through door-to-door visits, mailings, text messages, community meetings and multilingual materials.
Mayor Cherelle Parker said the city is also hiring an independent consultant to review the fairness and accuracy of the 2027 property reassessment. “We are making an unprecedented effort to ensure homeowners — especially our most vulnerable residents — know about the tax relief programs available to them,” Parker said.
Available programs include the Homestead Exemption, which will reduce the taxable value of owner-occupied homes by $100,000, along with payment plans and tax freezes for eligible homeowners. Property owners who disagree with their assessment can request a First Level Review by Sept. 1 or file a formal appeal by Oct. 5. ••
PGW warns customers to watch for utility imposter scams
Philadelphia Gas Works is urging customers to remain vigilant after reports of utility imposters targeting residents, particularly older adults and other vulnerable people, have increased across Pennsylvania.
The utility advises customers to verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a PGW employee before allowing them into a home or business. Legitimate PGW workers carry identification badges, wear PGW-branded clothing and drive white vehicles displaying PGW logos and municipal license plates.
PGW also warned customers never to share personal information, including Social Security numbers, or make payments with gift cards, prepaid cards or cryptocurrency. The utility said it never requests account numbers over the phone or accepts those forms of payment.
Customers should also be wary of threats of immediate service shutoffs. PGW said delinquent customers receive written disconnection notices at least 10 days before service is terminated.
Anyone unsure whether a person claiming to represent PGW is legitimate should call 911. Philadelphia police can verify a worker’s identity directly with the utility. Caregivers are also encouraged to remind vulnerable residents not to open the door to unexpected utility workers. ••
Apply to become Philly police officer
The Philadelphia Police Department is accepting applications for new police officer recruits through Aug. 2.
The department has expanded its recruitment campaign with a new series of professionally produced videos highlighting the experiences of officers. The videos provide prospective applicants with an authentic look at the people behind the badge, the many career opportunities available and the reasons officers chose to serve the City of Philadelphia.
“We know today’s applicants want to hear directly from the men and women doing the job,” said Capt. John Walker, commanding officer of the Recruitment Unit. “These stories showcase the purpose, opportunity and sense of service that define this profession. If you’re looking for a career where you can make a real difference every day, we encourage you to explore what the Philadelphia Police Department has to offer.”
Prospective applicants can learn more about the hiring process, salary and benefits, qualifications, specialized career opportunities and view the department’s new recruitment videos by visiting www.JoinPhillyPD.com/Reels
Additional information about becoming a Philadelphia police officer is available at JoinPhillyPD.com. ••
New website for Review
The South Philly Review has returned to the website patimes.media.
The website includes news, arts and entertainment, crime, sports, opinion and a way to sign up for a free newsletter that will bring stories to your inbox. The site also includes a way to read the paper in “flipbook” style and a link to subscribe to the print edition. Copies of the paper can be found at the locations in this link: https://patimes.media/pickup-locations/#spr
Readers are also encouraged to follow the newspaper on Bluesky, on Facebook and on X @SoPhReview. ••
Phillies game fundraiser
Home Runs for Holly, a charity that benefits cancer patients, will be holding a fundraiser at the Phillies vs. Washington Nationals game at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, Aug. 3, at 6:40 p.m. Tickets cost $36, and the seats are in the 400 level behind home plate. There will also be a pregame tailgate party. For tickets, call Christine at 215-906-8179 or Nick at 215-964-1944. ••
Come on down to Price is Right casting call
Rivers Casino will host a casting call for The Price is Right on Wednesday, July 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Event Center. Doors open at 10 a.m. Producers are looking for energetic, outgoing people to appear on a television taping of the game show. Auditions are open to people ages 18 and older who are legal U.S. residents. Potential contestants will meet with producers and have about one minute to show off their personality, enthusiasm and excitement. Two people will win travel to and accommodations in Los Angeles. One will be guaranteed a chance to be a contestant. Register at https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/the-price-is-right-contestant-search-philadelphia-july-22-2026/ ••
North Catholic 100th anniversary events
A number of events are planned for the 100th anniversary of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales ministry in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the opening of Northeast Catholic High School.
Here is the schedule:
• July 25: Norphans at the Beach, Keenan’s, North Wildwood
• Sept. 8: Photos on steps of North Catholic building
• Sept. 22: Alumni Association Golf Outing, North Hills Country Club
• Oct. 3: Homecoming/all-year reunion at Cannstatter’s, 1-5 p.m.
• Nov. 1: Mass at North Catholic building, coffee and doughnuts afterward
• Nov. 8: Gathering of Alumni, family and friends, FOP Lodge 5
• Nov. 11: Veterans Day at St. Dominic
Call 215-543-1051 or necathalum@aol.com ••
Committee of Seventy holding democracy summit
The Committee of Seventy is gathering national and local civic leaders, scholars, policymakers, organizers and engaged citizens to reflect on 250 years of American democracy and discuss the path ahead. This two-day Promise of Democracy Summit on July 15-16 will serve as a celebration of how the nation has grown and a call to action for shaping the next 250 years.
The opening session on July 15 will feature writer and historian Jon Meacham at the National Constitution Center followed by a cocktail reception. On July 16, the invitation-only gathering at the University of Pennsylvania’s Hall of Flags will feature panel discussions on the information crisis, voter apathy, political polarization and more. The summit will culminate in a keynote featuring bestselling author and New York Times writer Roxane Gay alongside PBS NewsHour and The Atlantic contributor David Brooks, moderated by WHYY’s Cherri Gregg.
Featured panelists include:
• Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters of the United States
• Jeh Johnson, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and co-chair of the Board of Trustees at Columbia University
• John Lapinski, director of the NBC News Election Unit and Director of Program on Opinion Research and Election Studies at the University of Pennsylvania
• Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League
• Glenn Nye, president & CEO of the Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress
• Ramesh Ponnuru, nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute
“Two-hundred and fifty years in, we’re not here to simply celebrate; we’re here to do the hard, honest work of asking what comes next,” said Lauren Cristella, president and CEO of Committee of Seventy. “The Promise of Democracy Summit brings together the people who know that the answer to democratic backsliding isn’t nostalgia, it’s building civic muscle. I can’t think of a better city, a better moment or a better organization to host that conversation. It will be the civic event of an unforgettable summer.” ••
Host foreign exchange student
ASSE International Student Exchange Program is seeking local families to host foreign exchange students. Students come from countries such as Italy, Denmark, Spain, France, Ukraine, Japan and Australia. They are ages 15-18. Host families may be single parents, couples and single persons.
The exchange students have pocket money for personal expenses and full health, accident and liability insurance.
If interested in hosting an exchange student, call Holly at 800-677-2773, visit asse.com or send an email to asseusasouth@asse.com to request more information or start the application process. ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road.
Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.
If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW. ••
