"It's pretty disappointing," said Bob Taggart. He's worried about the future of youth athletic leagues like the one his son and daughter play for in Northeast Philadelphia.
"Certain kids are going to get pushed out, and that's not fair to the kids," he said.
The School District Of Philadelphia is now charging for the use of public school gyms and fields for practice and games. They've been free for decades, but now it will cost $57 an hour to use grade schools and $72 an hour for high schools on weekends. During the week, it's free until 7:30 p.m., but if teams go until 9 p.m. the hourly rate kicks in then, too.
"It'll cost us $20,000 dollars at least," said Fran Young. He's the Youth Athletic Director for the Sommerton Youth Organization and said the programs will be cut drastically. Young says unlike most organizations, they have their own gym but still rely on the use of school facilities because they serve such a large number of kids.
"The exercise is number one. That's very important, but the activities also keep them off the streets," said Young.
The district maintains it's strapped for cash. But organizations say they can't afford to pay either.
"With the way the economy is, who has it?" questioned Taggart.
Sommerton officials have asked their City Councilman, Brian O'Neill, to intervene. But the city has it's budget problems, too.
O'Neill says council hasn't weighed in yet, but the fight isn't over.
He said, "Action has to happen. The city needs to dig a little deeper and pay for Saturday and some more time and hours during the week."
A spokesman for the school district says the changes went into effect before the end of last school year and that some organizations are adjusting and already paying the fee.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:20 AM EDT2013-05-19 12:20:57 GMT
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
Finding a job without a college degree can be a difficult task, even if you're a war veteran. Now, they have the opportunity to turn their military training into college credits.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-19 11:58:46 GMT
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Once hailed as a hero after surviving a shotgun blast to his face in 2007, a former police officer is now charged with raping and sexually assaulting two women at gunpoint he met at a party.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:45 AM EDT2013-05-19 05:45:51 GMT
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery.
A Powerball jackpot-winning ticket worth an estimated $590.5 million was sold in Florida, but there were also million-dollar winners sold in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to the lottery's website.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:28 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:28:06 GMT
Rain moved in Saturday afternoon and the chance for it will stick around through the seven day forecast.
It becomes very unsettled across our area with clounds and showers again Sunday. The best chance for rain is in the morning and afternoon thunderstorms are possible towards our south.
Sunday is cool but we do warm up well into the 80s by Tuesday. With the warm weather comes a better chance for thunderstorms.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:44:01 GMT
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:38:13 GMT
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
