Trash-collection plans stem moveout hassle
To facilitate the moveout process for students living off-campus while minimizing the accumulation of trash in the streets, several local organizations have combined their powers to add a number of trash-collection dates, among other initiatives.
The four extra city trash-collection dates are May 23, 27 and 31 and June 6.
Trash-only bin locations include 3337 Walnut St., the 3800 and 3900 blocks of Walnut Street, the 3900 and 4000 blocks of Spruce Street and 130 S. 39th St. and are available until May 21.
Until June 7, other trash bin locations include the 3900 block of Sansom Street, the 4000 block of Delancey Street, 40th and Pine streets, 41st and Filbert streets, the 4100 block of Spruce Street, 41st and Sansom streets and 45th and Pine streets.
Furniture may be picked up by landlords for a nominal fee or can be taken to University City District's Maintenance Shop at 4056 Powelton Ave.
Trash left on the sidewalk on non-trash-collection days may result in city fines.
The initiative was organized by University City District, the Philadelphia Streets Department, Campus Apartments, University City Associates, University City Housing, Sherman Properties, Penn's Office of Off-Campus Living, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs and Facilities Services.
-- Cynthia Yeung
Prof receives national Red Cross award
Professor of Hematology and Oncology Scott Murphy received a national award from the Red Cross earlier this month for his work in improving storage methods for platelet cells, found in blood.
The Food and Drug Administration uses his methodology to determine post-transfusion viability of stored platelets.
"Platelets help cancer patients, mainly," Red Cross Blood Services spokeswoman Kristy Kane said, adding that burn victims and others who need assistance with clotting blood are the primary beneficiaries of Murphy's research.
Murphy, who is also chief medical officer of the American Red Cross Blood Services Penn-Jersey Region, collaborated with his colleagues to develop a post-collection processing technique that deactivates bacterial contaminants found in platelet products.
This procedure can reduce the risk of disease-transmission arising from blood transfusions.
The prestigious annual Charles R. Drew Award -- which carries no monetary value -- is awarded in honor of its namesake, a blood-research pioneer who developed a model for blood storage that is still in use.
-- C.Y.
Jury reaches verdict in pay-to-play trial
The federal jury in the City Hall pay-to-play trial convicted former Philadelphia Treasurer Corey Kemp and Commerce Bank executives Glenn Holck and Stephen Umbrell of participating in a corruption scheme in mid-May.
Detroit fast-food empire CEO La-Van Hawkins was convicted of perjury and other charges.
Local businesswoman Janice Knight -- mistress of the late Center City bond lawyer Ron White -- was found guilty of lying to the FBI. White, a top fundraiser for Mayor John Street, remained a defendant until he died of cancer in November.
"These convictions should send a strong message that people who violate the public trust will be prosecuted, tried and convicted. That is the way it should be," Street told The Associated Press.
-- C.Y.
