Catalina Jaramillo

Philadelphia has given community gardens and urban farms the green light to operate during the COVID-19 shutdown with new safety and social distancing measures in place.

COVID-19 is not transmittable through water, experts say. Tap water is safe and there’s no need to buy bottled water.

At the same time, business owners find themselves with food that will never be served, more children and adults find themselves in need of meals.

“It’s significant for reducing asthma exacerbation, heart disease and heart attacks,” said Marilyn Howarth of UPenn’s Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology.

Big parks are great for social distancing and to reduce stress and anxiety produced by the coronavirus pandemic.

A housing development planned for a gentrifying area was hit with a firestorm of resistance from neighbors who will lose land that they use as gardens.

After 11 years of negotiations, Pennsylvania completed the acquisition of over 1,700 acres of land for preservation in southern Chester County.

If approved, the lead concentration allowed on the first 2 feet of sites like the PES refinery complex would rise from 1,000 parts per million to 2,500 ppm.

The South Philly green space will get a new sprayground, two separate play areas, safety surfacing, and seating. Work should be done by early 2022.

First, Philadelphia Energy Solutions and buyer Hilco Redevelopment Partners have to meet several legal obligations before the sale can close.

Also approved: a $29 million settlement with Philadelphia Energy Solutions’ unsecured creditors that includes a $5 million severance fund for workers.

Bilal Motley’s 48-minute documentary, “Midnight Oil,” chronicles the last days of the South Philly complex. Some of his former coworkers are not pleased.