🌱 $300K Raised For Fire Victims + SWAT Team Shoot Out

Happy Saturday, Philadelphia! Let's get you all caught up to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 30 Low: 21.

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Here are the top four stories in Philadelphia today:

1. Over $300,000 in donations have come through three different fundraising efforts to support those who are impacted by the fire in Philadelphia on Wednesday morning. The fire took place in the Fairmount area, claiming 12 lives displacing others. Donations to the families affected will be used to replace items that were lost help them rebuild their lives. (Philadelphia Patch)
2. The Philadelphia police have identified the suspect killed in an apparent shootout with the Philadelphia SWAT team. The SWAT team was serving a search warrant on the 1900 block of South Bancroft Street on Tuesday night for aggravated assault and firearms violation. When the SWAT team knocked on the door Vincenzo Rudi, 44 began shooting. (FOX 29 Philadelphia)
3. Walmart in Northeast Philadelphia has temporarily closed its location so it can be sanitized by a third-party cleaner. Managers made the decision to close and sanitize the store amid the surge in COVID-19 infections. The store will reopen at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday and will be restocked during the closure. (PhillyVoice.com)
4. The FEMA run COVID-19 testing site in southwest Philadelphia has reopened on Friday. The site, at the Cibotti Recreation Center, was originally closed due to Thursday evening’s snowstorm. The site will be open seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CBS Philly)

Today in Philadelphia:

• Former Eagles Kicker David Akers At The Ultimate Pre-Game Block Par (5:00 AM)
• Science and Activism Museum Tour At Science History Institute (2:00 PM)
• Crush the Celtics At Misconduct Tavern (8:15 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Philadelphia Police Department has released a video of the suspects wanted for Commercial Robbery in the 22nd District. (Facebook)
• Let someone know how much of a difference they've made in your community by nominating them for a Philly Hero Award! Nominations close Jan. 31 (Facebook)

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That's it for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Dan Casarella

About me: Dan Casarella is a writer, podcast producer, and small business development specialist who formerly worked in late-night television. He’s produced many talk segments, including with President Joe Biden, Kobe Bryant, and Chadwick Boseman. Dan studied Media Studies and Production at Temple University. He also enjoys running, painting, and the highs and lows of Philadelphia’s sports teams.