NEast Links: Wissinoming grave robbers, a new supermarket and more

By Shannon McDonald

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

Two teens were arrested Wednesday for stealing corpses from a crypt in Wissinoming’s North Cedar Hill Cemetery. Hector Cruz, 19, and his 17-year-old brother, whose name is being withheld, stole bones from a mausoleum, which housed a family of six burried between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The brothers took the bones of three adults and one baby to a lot near their home in Kensington. When discovered by police, the teens said they stole the bones to sell to a man who was willing to pay $800 per skull. It is believed the man intended to use the skulls in a cult practice. The bones will be examined and re-interred.

Donna Bretzel, 45, of the Northeast, married Eagles punter Sean Landeta last weekend. Bretzel works for a nutrition company, but the Inquirer story did not say which neighborhood she is from.

The dentist with a Rhawnhurst practice, 51-year-old Michael Kushner, had bail set at $750,000 for charges of viewing and distributing child pornogrpahy. Kushner si facing 59 felony counts after his arrest last Wednesday.

Rumors are circulating about the proposed Giant supermarket at Grant Avenue and Bluegrass Road. There is concern the new store will replace exisitng ones, resulting in job loss. Not to mention more traffic.

Wildwood Crest has launched a tourism Web site, with news and information catering specifically to its yearly visitors. The site is still being developed, but features the most up-to-date information on hotels, dining and entertainment, with photos of the borough and links to related sites.

State Rep. Brendan Boyle of the Northeast upheld House Bill 1567 earlier this week, which would lengthen prision sentences and eliminate early parole. Currently, violent offenders have the chance to obtain parole after serving 50 percent of the sentence. The Bill will go before the House next week, and Boyle hopes legislature will vote on the Bill before summer recess.

Our best-read story this week – Food For Thought: Kashmir Garden

Our most-commented story this week – Food For Thought: Kashmir Garden

What was your favorite story of the week? What do you think about these other stories? Do you know which neighborhood Donna Bretzel is from? How do you feel about the supermarket on Bluegrass Road?

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