Top 5 stories to watch in NW Philly

Here’s a look at what’s to come:

1. It’s been a tumultuous summer for the Philadelphia School District. Though the waters are still rough, the public school calendar is starting on time, a fact that became a guarantee just a few weeks ago. We’ll fan out across Northwest Philadelphia on Monday to see how parents and students feel as a difficult school year gets underway.

2. Northwest Philadelphia is no stranger to violent crime, but theft from auto incidents are also a constant concern. Often times, residents make it easy for criminals by leaving their car doors unlocked or their belongings in plain view. Check back next week to learn more about what makes your car an easy target.

3. In the spring, a group of Mt. Airy civics and a community development corporation announced that they were forming a fund dedicated to helping neighborhood public schools. The Educational Improvement Tax Credits allow local businesses to help fill funding gaps by directing their state tax dollars to area schools. As the school year gets underway, we’ll bring you an update on the program.

4. Wednesday marks the 12th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. In Roxborough, residents from the neighborhood and beyond are gathering at the Gorgas Park War Memorial to pay tribute to those killed when the Twin Towers fell. Check back next week for a full recap of the event.

5. A group of central Roxborough residents are on a mission to protect the neighborhood’s historic charm from development interests. Neighbors recently met to discuss a zoning overlay that, if approved, would help keep some of the area’s physical characteristics intact as new construction projects continue to pop up. Check back next week for more details.