NEast Links

Here’s a summary of the week’s Northeast news we didn’t cover. See others here.

Aquan Spearman will soon go to trial after being charged with the sexual assault of three eighth-grade girls from Cooke Middle School one year ago. The assaults took place in December 2007 and January 2008, though Spearman is still awaiting trail for committing statutory rape of a 14-year-old girl in June 2006 in the Northeast.

Keep reading for news on a Washington High football player, police news and more.

Sharrif Floyd, a two-way lineman for George Washing High School’s Eagles football team, will announce his college choice Saturday during the broadcast of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Floyd is ranked by one publication as the No. 1 defensive tackle in the country. Coaches from various schools have visited Floyd, though he is expected to choose either Ohio State or Florida. The event will air live on NBC at 1 p.m.

The Philadelphia Police Department will buy 1,000 Advanced Taser X26 Electronic Control Devices from Taser International in order to overcome uncontrollable people without harming them. Five hundred officers have been trained in proper taster use at the Police Academy on State Road along the Delaware River.

The Philadelphia Foundation will manage $14 million of the Scattergood Behavioral Health Foundation’s assets. This agreement between the two organizations will expand their relationship. The Scattergood Foundation was established in 2005 with money that came from the conversion of Friends Hospital in Northwood from nonprofit to a for-profit joint venture with Horizon Health Corp. of Lewisville, Texas.

A ruling by Pennsylvania’s second-highest court has dashed the Fox Chase Cancer Center’s hopes of overtaking 19 acres of its neighboring Burholme Park in order to expand and create 1,000-plus jobs.

What was your favorite story of the week? Will you watch the U.S. Army All-American Bowl? Do you agree with the court’s decision regarding the Fox Chase Cancer Center?

Our best-read story this week — The Parent Trap: Goodbye, old fiend

Every Friday morning, we make sure you didn’t miss any Northeast Philadelphia news with NEast Links.