Top 5 stories of the week in Northwest Philadelphia

Here are stories you may have missed this week in Northwest Philadelphia:

1. After facing closure, Mt. Airy independent bookstore finds a new owner

The Walk a Mile Crooked Mile bookstore in Mt. Airy won’t be closing after all. Having been located at the Mt. Airy regional-rail stop for 18 years, the store hosted concerts and flea markets outside their building. SEPTA won’t allow these events to be held anymore, so the store is Germantown Avenue-bound. Read the full story by Neema Roshania for more.

2. Roxborough student ambassadors bring together old and new in the face of transition

In an effort to help integrate the nearly 150 students from the now-shuttered Germantown High School into nearby Roxborough High School, an ambassador program was created. After the first post-merger school year, students and staff report that the program was a success and concerns of territorial tension were largely absent throughout the year. Check out Michelle Barrett’s article on the program here.

3. Mother of Mt. Airy murder victim hopes this week’s trial provides justice

Sharon Armstead, whose son Nafis was fatally shot in Mt. Airy, has waited two years for justice. The trial for the man accused of murdering her son, Brian Tootle of East Germantown, started last week. See more background from Jana Shea’s article, and Marcus McCarthy’s report from the courtroom.

4. Young Germantown boxer continues quest for pugilistic greatness

Last summer, James “Too Sharp” Barnett was a 13-year-old aspiring boxer from Germantown with dreams of adding his name to the list of legendary Philadelphia fighters. This summer, the dreams haven’t changed and Barnett has traveled the country fighting (and beating) bigger foes. Read Brian Hickey’s update on the young pugilist’s progress here.

5. ‘Philly 2035’ effort targets Ivy Ridge station, Wissahickon Gateway and East Falls business district

At the second meeting between city’s Planning Commission representatives and residents regarding the “Philadelphia 2035” development plan, specific areas of focus were identified. City planners will target the Ivy Ridge regional-rail station and the Wissahickon Gateway, which was expanded to include the East Falls riverfront business district. Read Matt Grady’s full coverage of the meeting for more.