Weekend News Briefs: 4/15 – 4/17

Friday — The School Reform Commission honored Karen Olszewski last week for her work in saving a fifth-grade student earlier this month. The lunch aide at Sullivan Elementary in Wissinoming was recognized for saving the student, who was choking on a Dorito.

— Former Police Inspector Daniel Castro has admitted to charges of extortion. While on the stand last week, he admitted he hired a debt collector who would use violence to get back $90,000 he’d lost. The Somerton resident pleaded not guilty when he was arrested in November.

Saturday — A Good Samaritan is credited with helping save two men from a fire early Saturday morning. When Dennis Weiss, Jr. spotted the second-floor fire in a home on the 5500-block of Torresdale Avenue in Wissinoming, he parked his car and went in. Firefighters arrived on the scene to save the men, who were treated for smoke inhalation, while neighbors knocked on doors to alert everyone of the flames.