NEast Links: arrest in Wissinoming shooting, a movie filming and more

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

The man who allegedly shot 22-year-old Rachel Marcelis has been arrested. Michael Elliot, 25, of the 6100-block of Hegerman Street, is the suspect in the shooting of Marcelis early Wednesday outside of Fat Pete’s Bar on the corner of Torresdale and Devereaux. He was showing off his gun when it allegedly went off, according to police.

Keep reading to learn how you can star in movie, and for more news briefs from around the Northeast.

A retired Philadelphia Fire Department captain and the father of slain Police Sgt. Patrick McDonald, died Wednesday. Capt. Lawrence J. McDonald, 61, collapsed while riding his bicycle near Red Lion and Drummond Roads near Northeast Philadelphia Airport. He was pronounced dead at Aria Health-Torresdale after being rushed there. Capt. McDonald had been training for a bike-athon in Atlantic City, which will raise money for the families of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty.

Director Doug Sakmann is searching for extras to work tomorrow on the set of “Play Dead,” a horror/thriller/comedy about an undead high school football team back for revenge against the enemy team that murdered them. The shoot will take place somewhere in the Northeast, and will be the big game between the zombie Killington Jackrabbits and their murderers, the Elmwood Badgers. Sakmann is casting for male football players. For more information, visit the film’s site.

Itka Zygmantowicz, a local Holocaust survivor, will join more than 300 other local survivors in a celebration of life at a cafe on Wednesday, May 5. The fifth annual event will be hosted by the Philadelphia Holocaust Survivor Community Supportive Services Program of the Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia. It will be free to all Holocaust survivors in the Philadelphia area.

The Samuel Paley Learning Center hosted the US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Wednesday to talk about health care reform. Sebelius spoke to many families, including some whose children have pre-existing medical conditions, and others with children who are about to graduate college.

Star Career Academy announced its new location at 2371 Welsh Rd. The school, which generally offers programs in the medical, culinary, hospitality and business fields, will now offer programs in professional cooking,commercial cooking, professional baking and pastry and hotel and restaurant management.  A ribbon cutting ceremony will occur on Tuesday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to noon to officially open the Star Career Academy.

Our best-read story this week: Q&A: Mayfair native serves up cheesesteaks in Ireland

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