Top 6 stories of the week in Northwest Philly

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

1. OARC may be target of FBI probe

The FBI has reportedly questioned four people about the Ogontz Avenue Revitalization Corporation, a once-powerful and politically connected nonprofit in Northwest Philadelphia. Read (and listen to) Aaron Moselle’s story for more on this developing issue.

2. New Directions for Women’s former leaders discuss recent closure, hopes for future

New Directions for Women, an organization that helped female offenders re-enter the community from its Germantown base for the past 25 years, recently announced its closing. Alan Jaffe’s story offers more context and reaction.

3. Scenes from the 2014 Philadelphia Folk Festival

The 53rd annual Philadelphia Folk Festival, which is run by the Mt. Airy-based Philadelphia Folksong Society, drew droves of people to Schwenksville last weekend. Check out Howard Pitkow’s photo gallery to get a better sense of the strummin’ scene.

4. Mt. Airy Bantams youths meet the Eagles, receive $4K football-equipment donation

Players with the Mt. Airy Bantams youth-football program headed down to South Philly to watch the Eagles practice on Monday (and get some autographs while they were at it). The program recently received a $4,000 grant for new uniforms and equipment from the Eagles and a non-profit called Good Sports. Brad Larrison’s story has more details.

5. Judge dismisses numerous charges against Valley Green thefts-from-vehicles suspect

Though police maintain they watched Daniel Duncan attempt to break into a car, and say the suspect is saddled with an alleged history of doing just that, a judge threw out many charges filed against the suspected thief this week. Check out Michael Buozis’ story from the preliminary hearing for more.

6. Youths to Pope Francis: Please come visit Germantown in ’15

During Aug. 10 masses at St. Vincent DePaul Church on Price Street in Germantown, Father Sy Paterka asked youthful parishioners and DePaul Catholic School students to write letters inviting the Pope to visit both the church and the K-8 school when he comes to town next year. So, they did just that. Check out Brian Hickey’s story to learn more about the rationale behind the invites.