UPPER DARBY, Pa. (CBS) — A Drexel Hill, Pa. man faces a hearing next week on charges he stole narcotics from his employer, an ambulance company.

Ronald Ferrell, 35, faces a dozen counts of theft, acquisition of a controlled substance, and receiving stolen property.

Upper Darby police chief Michael Chitwood says the medical technician, who worked for Stat Medical Transport, would empty leftover vials of morphine and fentanyl, then drink the drugs.

“Here’s a guy who’s trained — a medic, whose job is to help people in distress, in need — and then he’s stealing the very drug that he’s allegedly using to help those people,” says Chitwood.

This was on top of what Ferrell says were legal prescriptions for Percocet and Dilaudid, which Ferrell says he takes for Crohn’s disease.

Chitwood says they have had no complaints from any patients treated by Ferrell.  Police were alerted by the ambulance company, which found morphine and fentanyl disappearing at four times the normal rate when Ferrell was on the job.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Ryan Howard continues to take steps in his return from that Achilles injury he suffered while making the final out of the season in Game #5 of the NLDS against the Cardinals.

Today in Clearwater,  he took live batting practice for the first time since the injury.  Afterwards he sat down for an extended session with reporters.

Howard says he is pleased with how his rehab has gone to this point, but isn’t setting any specific date for when he hopes to get back in the line-up.

“I mean, I don’t know.  I’m not a time limit on it.  I’m going to listen to my body and see where we are.”

He talks about working his way back.

“When I was cleared to kind of start doing some stuff, I tried to attack it the best that I can and obviously like the cardio aspect of it was limited pretty much to just doing the stuff on the bike, and then I was able to get in the pool and kind of start doing some running and stuff like that in a pool.  But, really, in January I was able to kick it up a notch.”

And Howard says he is very confident that his teammates will be able to fill-in in his absence.

“We’ve got a bunch of good guys here, between (Jim) Thome, between Ty Wigginton, between (John) Mayberry, I feel like whoever they put there will be able to go out there and do the best they can.”

Howard hit 33 home runs in 2011.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Even though it’s the middle of February, spring is in the air today.  Some folks decided to spend part of the day outside in the sun.

Wednesday’s 60+ degree weather was just what the doctor ordered for many in and around Independence Mall.   Bob and Rosemary spent the afternoon taking a carriage ride through Old City.

“We’ve seen all the really important stuff, and now we’re just going to laze away the rest of the day here in beautiful spring February,” Bob said.

Other folks read books, ate lunch, and watched the flowers reveal themselves.

“We’re watching the bulbs starting to penetrate the ground,” one man said.

A group of 4th graders from Cassidy Elementary School, on a field trip to the Liberty Museum, spent some time playing on the grass of Independence Mall.

“We were just racing each other and stuff — it was real fun,” one girl offered.

Angie’s List, the nation’s premier provider of consumer reviews, surveyed contractors across the country to determine what the common home aches and pains are, and how to remedy them before you have to seek emergency care.

“Your home really can tell you where it hurts,” says Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List. “You just need to understand what it’s saying.”

Paying attention to the basics of home care is a lot like brushing your teeth or exercising and eating well, Hicks said.  “Taking care of the basics will save you stress, time and money. Neglecting them won’t just cost you more down the road, it could actually put your family in danger,” she said.

7 Signs Your House Needs Professional Care

1.    Up on the Roof: A small issue with your roof doesn’t mean you need to replace the whole thing. But letting the little things go only means you’re in for big bills later. If you notice loose shingles, have attic leaks, suspect chimney issues or see other signs of damage up high, call in a reputable roofer, gutter or chimney expert or a handyman to give you great advice about what you need done.

2.    Leaks don’t fix themselves: Leaky faucets and running toilets will just get worse, so do yourself a favor and get those fixed before major damage occurs. If you notice a jump in your water bill but haven’t increased your usage, you likely have a hidden leak, which left undetected could lead to mold, wood rot and severe water damage. Don’t work with anyone who isn’t happy to show you his or her plumbing license.

3.    Caulk it up: The caulking around your tub and shower prevents moisture penetration, which can lead to mold, tile and wall damage and warped cabinetry. Keeping everything watertight will save you a bundle, so be sure to repair any caulking failures. But don’t stop there. All homes get cracks and voids in their outside walls over time. Look closely at where two boards come together, because cracks often start there. Also look for damage from animals that are looking for a way in. Caulk any cracks you see to avoid water penetration, subsequent wood rot and to keep the critters out.

4.    Sparks fly: Lights that dim on their own schedule aren’t just annoying: they’re a clear signal that you have an electrical problem. Experts say too many homeowners tolerate this situation for too long, which puts their homes at risk for electrical fire. Another often tolerated-too-long issue is when using one device causes another to switch off because you’ve blown a fuse. This is a sign you have a capacity or circuit box issue. Less dangerous but still signal-worthy are springy outlets that don’t hold plugs. If you have any of these issues, call in a licensed, reputable electrician.

5.    Drafty doors and windows: Improperly sealed windows and doors will bring cold air inside during the winter and let cooled air out in the summer, costing you big bucks on your energy bill. An energy audit can tell you where your leaks are and how to seal them up.

6.    Filter it out: HVAC experts say 60 percent of their service calls result from systems stressed by dirty air filters. Changing air filters regularly (every quarter or so; more if you have pets) can save you up to $100 each year on your energy bill, and will keep you from needing emergency repair. Many highly reputable heating and air conditioning companies offer maintenance plans that include an annual inspection. Doing this will give you an early alert to any issues you have with your entire HVAC system so you can stave off breakdowns.

7.    Pump it up: Take a look at your sump pump from time to time. If it’s in good shape and its batteries are good, it could save you thousands of dollars in flood damage. But you don’t want to find out it needs repairs after the water starts rising. Get an annual inspection and check the batteries at least quarterly.

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This article originally appeared on Angie’s List.

Consider using this seasoning to help with:

Restoring enamel fixtures:  Salt can be mixed with turpentine to create a cleaning paste that will restore enamel fixtures around the house. This mixture can help whiten older surfaces that have turned yellow with age, such as sinks, bathtubs and toilets. Apply to the damaged area and let it sit for 15 minutes. Afterward, wipe the surface clean with a damp sponge. A mixture of salt and baking soda can also act as a cleaner that is good for stovetops and silverware.

Removing carpet stains: Spilled liquids on the carpet, such as wine and gravy, can be difficult to soak up without pushing some of the liquid further into the carpet fibers. After soaking up the majority of the liquid with a dry towel, pour salt on the area to absorb the remainder of the liquid. You also can mix one part salt with four parts rubbing alcohol to remove grease stains by rubbing the mixture in the same direction as the carpet fibers. After rubbing, thoroughly rinse the area with water. As with any carpet cleaning solution, test first on an inconspicuous area to ensure the solution doesn’t cause damage.

Revitalizing furniture: If a wooden surface in your home has been marred by a hot dish or water, remove the mark by applying a thick paste composed of salt and salad oil. Simply spread the paste over the affected area and buff the surface slightly with a soft cloth.
Cleaning dishes: White or lighter colored tea cups, coffee cups and other dishes can easily become stained after continual use. To remove these stains, sprinkle salt on the affected area of the dish and use a damp cloth or sponge to scrub the stains away. Use circular motions when scrubbing for effective results.

Washing clothes: When treating stubborn perspiration stains in clothing, mix 4 tablespoons of salt and 1 liter of water for an effective cleaning solution. Sponge the shirt with the mixture until the stain is completely removed. Rust and mildew stains on clothing can be removed by soaking the clothing in a mixture of lemon juice and salt for about 20 minutes. Afterwards, lay the clothing out in the sun for a few hours then rinse and dry.
Although salt can be an effective cleaning material for certain surfaces and household items, it is not a cure-all solution for every area of the home. If you are unsure of how certain areas should be cleaned, contact a professional.

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This article originally appeared on Angie’s List.

Though cleaning a mattress doesn’t come with the same simplicity of other bedding items, that doesn’t mean the mattress shouldn’t deserve equal attention. Cleaning your mattress can be effective and efficient with the right approach. Follow these steps so that you and your family can sleep on fresher bedding by nightfall.

Vacuum: When cleaning your mattress, use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner to tackle dust, dander and dust mites that can build on the surface. Repeat this process every six months, or more frequently if the mattress is used by a person with allergies.

Shampoo: After vacuuming, apply an upholstery shampoo to the surface of the mattress to fully remove dirt and soil. If you don’t have upholstery shampoo, apply a solution of water and mild detergent to the entire area of the mattress. Wipe the shampoo or detergent solution clean by using a sponge that has had warm water wrung from it. Turn on the ceiling fan and portable fans to allow the area to dry quickly.

Cleaning spills: When cleaning spills and stains from your mattress, start by soaking up all liquid using dry towels. Once the stain has been completely soaked up, immediately toss the towels into the washing machine on a hot water setting to kill all bacteria. After doing so, lightly spray vinegar on the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes to fully disinfect the mattress and eliminate odor. Afterward, sprinkle baking soda over the stain and let it sit for 12 hours to soak up the rest. After the 12-hour period, vacuum the remaining baking soda.

Drying stains:  Place the mattress outside in the sun for a few hours to speed up the drying process and allow the mattress to fully air out, or pull back the blinds or drapes in the bedroom and open the window to expose the mattress to the maximum amount of sunlight and outside heat. When you replace the mattress, make sure to place the stain side down to prevent concentrating multiple stains onto one region.

In addition to cleaning your mattress, you can prolong its life by flipping and turning it every six months to ensure even wear. Use a mattress cover to ensure protection in between cleanings. To prevent dust mites, choose a mattress cover that is specifically designed to protect against the invasion of these tiny critters.

It’s also important to replace your mattress after about seven years of use, according to The Better Sleep Council, a nonprofit agency that represents the mattress industry. With repeated use over time, a mattress can gradually lose its ability to fully support you. This can lead to sleepless nights as well as the feeling of cramps and stiffness upon awakening.

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This article originally appeared on Angie’s List.

Despite challenging economic conditions in Europe, Ferrari has reported both record revenues and record unit sales, thanks to strong growth in China, the U.S., Germany and Great Britain. Ferrari recorded revenues of 2.251 billion euros ($2.96 billion), an increase of 17.3 percent over 2010.

More significantly, its 2011 performance marks the first time the automaker has exceeded 2 billion euros ($2.63 billion) in revenue. The automaker’s return on sales, which is net profit divided by sales revenue, came in at 14.1 percent, among the highest in the automotive industry. Net profit was up over 2010 as well, rising to 209 million euros (approximately $275 million).

Worldwide, Ferrari sold a total of 7,195 cars last year, including a record high of 1,958 vehicles in the United States. While the U.S. is still the Italian automaker’s largest market, the greater China market posted growth of nearly 63 percent, with deliveries totaling 777 units.

German sales were up by 14.6 percent, rising to 705 units, while Ferrari sales in Great Britain totaled 574 units, an increase of 23 percent. Even sales at Ferrari’s online store grew by 25 percent, while Ferrari’s website traffic grew by 30 percent. Not to be outdone, the Ferrari Museum in Maranello booked a record of over 240,000 visitors, with 60 percent coming from outside of Italy.

Look for Ferrari to launch a new 12-cylinder model to replace the 599 at next month’s Geneva Auto Show. Per chairman Luca di Montezemolo, the new car will deliver “extreme performance,” thanks to “unprecedented power output.”

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This article originally appeared on Motor Authority.

When it comes to reminiscing about old TV shows, we find they fall into one of two categories — shows we really miss, or shows so bad they make us cringe to think about.

Electra Woman and Dyna Girl — a 16 week live action kids show from 1976 — most certainly falls into the latter category, but does at least have one redeeming feature according to our editor Marty Padgett.

The heroines drove an electric car.

Admittedly, it looked more like a three-wheeled speedboat than a regular car. It also had no doors, windows or creature comforts and looked about as stable as a unicycle.

It could also fly into the Earth’s upper atmosphere.

But back in the gas-starved ’70s, the Electra-Car (or ElectraPlane when it was flying) at least gave kids a hopeful future where electric cars could fight crime, good won out over evil, and everyone wore bright orange spandex costumes.

Luckily for us, Electra Woman and Dyna Girl’s fashion sense hasn’t caught on, but is their taste in cars responsible for many Generation X car buyers making the switch from gasoline to electric?

Perhaps we’ll never know, but if you have fond memories of the short-lived show, there’s a healthy selection of Electra Woman and Dyna Girl clips on Youtube, plus the not-aired pilot of the more adult, comedy version from 2001.

What classic (or cult) TV shows inspired you to go electric? Let us know in the Comments below.

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This article originally appeared on Green Car Reports.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Volunteers have returned to a neighborhood in the Germantown section of Philadelphia to resume their effort to restore an old, abandoned property that once served as an anchor for the community.

Wister Neighborhood Council president Anita Hamilton (wearing pink hardhat in top photo) watched as one of her neighbors tossed tables, chairs, and other items  out of a second floor window onto a heaping pile of debris outside the Waring House, on East  Penn Street.

“This is our second step to try to get the remainder of the inside cleaned out,” she said, “so that when the professionals come they can have a clear view, can do some measurements. We need plans drawn up, we need all that stuff.”

Story continues below photo…

(Credit: Paul Kurtz)

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And they will need a lot of money. Council executive director Debra White-Roberts says the building needs a complete makeover.

“It could range from… I’ve heard $300,000 quotes, $500,000 quotes, I heard million-dollar quotes,” she tells KYW Newsradio.

Built in the mid-1800s, the Waring House was one of many now-decaying architectural gems that dot the Germantown landscape.  The property was abandoned about ten years ago by Germantown Settlement, after the social services agency went belly up.

Hamilton says it’s been sorely missed.

“(They) were a comprehensive service.  People didn’t have to go ten places to get what they needed,” Hamilton recalls.

Now, Hamilton and her gritty band of determined neighbors are hoping to breathe new life into this old house, one small step at a time.

“We are rebirthing. We will be here until the next generation takes over,” she adds.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — There was a coup of sorts today at Philadelphia City Hall.

Mayor Michael Nutter surrendered his office for the day to Police Athletic League delegate Erin Dwyer, from the Tacony PAL club.

The mayor also welcomed 25 other PAL Day student representatives to a “takeover” of City Hall offices, under the careful watch of their mentors who actually hold them.

Dwyer, a 17-year-old senior at Nazareth Academy High School in the Northeast, says she is interested in working to find solutions to the rise in crime and violence in the city.

“There’s only so much that schools and government can do, and it really starts in the home,” she said, “and it’s like we have to challenge our parents and even our teens.”

Nutter praises his protegé for her insight.

“All of us working together — with community, with parents, with guardians and our young people — we can have a safer city,” he said.

CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) — Patco high-speed line passengers are getting lessons in etiquette.   The Delaware River Port Authority, which operates the Speedline, is trying to address commuter complaints about rude riders.

A video on Patco’s web site offering humorously helpful tips on what not to do on the train is just part of the “Courtesy Counts” campaign, launched after a rider survey found four recurring complaints.

“Number one, don’t hog a seat…”

Most Patco riders — indeed, commuters everywhere — have likely had experience with the offenses.  In addition to seat hogging, there’s blocking the door, playing loud music, and talking loudly on your cell phone.

“The doctor says I just have a rash, but I can’t scratch it. I’m on the train!”

Patco president John Matheussen says the video is meant as a gentle reminder.

“And we hope it has an impact on people when they travel on our trains,” he tells KYW Newsradio.

Matheussen says Patco is also taking steps to address those noise issues.  Beginning March 1st, the last car of every train during the morning and evening rush will be quiet cars.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – After a strong first two months of the 2011 season, Placido Polanco’s production was limited by injuries. He hit .398 in March and April, then ran into a back problem and a sports hernia. He wound up hitting just .277 with five home runs. He hit .105 in the Phillies division series against the Cardinals.

In 2012, the Phillies need his production, and he says he’s ready to go. “I feel pretty good actually. I’ve been hitting and running and taking ground balls. I haven’t felt any pain,” Polanco told 94 WIP’s Michael Barkann and Ike Reese on Wednesday.

Polanco said he wasn’t the only one in the clubhouse hurting in the playoffs last season. “It was very hard. Sometimes you’re a 100 percent, and it’s still hard. Imagine when you’re hurt. I looked around, and everybody had some pain. And they just kept going. I think now that everybody’s 100 percent, or close to 100 percent, I like our chances,” he said. “Our goal is to win the World Series. Not to make it to the playoffs.”

Listen to the entire interview with Placido Polanco:

Though Phillies fans have come to expect a World Series every year, Polanco knows what wins over Philadelphia fans, and that’s effort. “You just go out there, and throw your body out there, and play hard. That’s all they ask for.”

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The Red Cross received a significant donation today for its Red Cross House in the Powelton Village section of West Philadelphia.

Cathy Engel Menendez, with the electric utility Peco, says her organization’s parent company, Exelon, is donating half a million dollars to the Red Cross House to help victims of disasters transition back to their normal lives.

“We certainly spend a lot of time dealing with local emergencies,” she said today, “be it from weather or from fire or other emergency situations.  And a lot of times the Red Cross is there, and they’re a partner with us, helping the customers that may be displaced or affected by the emergencies that we’re also battling with.”

In honor of the donation, Menendez says Peco workers are volunteering at the Red Cross House, assembling furniture for one of the lounges (top phot0).

Red Cross CEO Renee Cardwell Hughes (below) says the most common reason for Philadelphians to make use of the Red Cross House is fire.

“And in fact, in the region we will see almost 1,000 fires in the course of a calendar year,” she tells KYW Newsradio.

Story continues below photo…

(Renee Cardwell Hughes, CEO of the Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania chapter. Credit: Hadas Kuznits)

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The Red Cross is a donation-supported organizaton, and Hughes says they are gearing up for their annual Red Ball fundraiser, on March 10th.

Hear Hadas Kuznits’ interview with Renee Cardwell Hughes about the Red Cross’ upcoming “Red Ball”…

Download podcast for later listening

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Despite numerous high-profile examples of the pitfalls of oversharing on social media, some just can’t seem to help typing and tweeting too much.

A forum this afternoon (3pm-4pm) at La Salle University aimed to impress upon students and others the benefits of self-censorship.

Read about the Roland Martin controversy

Read about the Gilbert Gottfried controversy

The advice is simple enough.

“Stop and think before you post,” says La Salle business school associate dean MarySheila McDonald.

But she notes that it’s so easy to tap out a controversial opinion or put up a picture when judgment is impaired, and there are real-life consequences.

“More and more, I’m seeing cases of employers using it in the recruiting process — just putting aside applicants who have questionable Facebook posts or Twitter posts, and we’re seeing others get fired because of posts,” she tells KYW Newsradio.

The consequences translate to the courtroom: with no expectation of privacy or privilege in social media, McDonald says most judges consider it fair territory for damning evidence.  “There’s priest-penitent, attorney-client, psychiatrist-patient,” she says. “But there’s no friendship protection on Facebook.”

What happens online not only stays online, but also jumps off the screen, she warns.

“It can follow you forever.”

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Plans for a new museum in Philadelphia devoted to the Revolutionary War are inching forward, following a vote today by a City Council committee.

Council’s Rules Committee gave an initial okay to a zoning change for the southwest corner of Third and Chestnut Streets.  The change will allow a nonprofit organization to move ahead with its plans for what is to be called the “Museum for the American Revolution.”

The group’s attorney, Neil Sklaroff, says the museum will feature a vast storehouse of material:

“We have General Washington’s tent, called ‘The First Oval Office,’ that was used by him at Valley Forge and elsewhere.  We have his silver drinking mugs, Madison’s dress vest, a whole host of things — along with documents.”

The group is about halfway toward its $150-million fundraising goal, and Sklaroff says they hope to begin construction next year.

He says it would be the first museum in the country devoted exclusively to the Revolutionary War:

“While some museums have portions of their facility describe the American Revolution, we believe we will be the first that is totally dedicated to that, and certainly the one with the most expansive collection and story to be told.”

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — If Governor Tom Corbett’s budget plan remains unchanged, blind people in the Philadelphia will have more difficulty borrowing a book from the library.

Corbett wants the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to move Philadelphia’s much-used audio (“talking books”) collection to Pittsburgh.

At a rally today outside the main branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, on Logan Circle, Jim Antonacci — president of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania (at lectern in photo) — stood with his cane and guide dog, saying he can’t understand the governor’s rationale, because such a move would produce no savings.

“Neither library for the blind wants to go ahead with this plan. Tell them, ‘Don’t take our books away!’ ” he urged the crowd.

Bob Heim, chairman of the board of trustees of the Free Library of Philadelphia (second from left in photo), says there are 17,000 clients served in Philadelphia’s five-county area, while Pittsburgh serves just 8,000.

He says the proposal came from a consultant who had minimal input from the libraries and none from the blind community.

“Nobody did any studies of what it would mean to have audio books shipped from Pittsburgh to people in the eastern part of the state,” he told the rally.

Advocates seek at least a year’s delay to more thoroughly look at the issue and come up with a more comprehensive strategic plan.

By Steve Beck

SOUTH WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) – Two people were killed in a house fire in Lehigh County early Wednesday morning.

The fire started at about 2:45 a.m. inside a home in the 1900 block of Walbert Avenue in South Whitehall Township.

According to the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office, one of the victims has been identified as 43-year-old Russell L. Hutchinson. Hutchinson was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital where he pronounced dead.

The second victim, who was not immediately identified, was also taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital and was pronounced dead several minutes after Hutchinson.

An autopsy is scheduled to be performed on both victims to determine an exact cause of death.

The fire reached three alarms and officials say the second floor of the home collapsed as firefighters battled the blaze.

It took firefighters over two hours to place the fire fully under control.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Gola Arena should be rocking tonight as La Salle hosts #22 Temple in Atlantic 10 and Big 5 action.

The Owls bring a ten-game winning streak into tonight, but the Explorers also have some momentum after that thrilling 72-71 win at UMass on Saturday.  La Salle became the first team this season to win on the Minutemen’s home floor.

“It was a timely win,” La Salle head coach Dr. John Giannini tells KYW Newsradio. “Because every win in the Atlantic 10 seems to move you two, three, four spots in the standings.  And of course we beat an outstanding team on their home court where they hadn’t lost all year.  So it was important in the standings, it was a good achievement and just beating a good team is always a positive.”

Listen to Matt Leon’s interview with Dr. John Giannini:

That victory improved the Explorers to 18-9 on the season and 7-5 in the Atlantic 10.  Temple is 21-5 and they sit alone a top the A-10 with their 10-2 league mark and Giannini says they are a difficult match-up at both ends of the floor.

“They make it hard on you to get good shots and even when you play good defense, they have that ability to pass and work and be patient to get the best shot possible.  A lot of it comes down to shot selection, and they are just good on both ends of the court in terms of helping themselves that way.”

Giannini says this match-up with the Owls really is a great challenge and a great opportunity for his squad.

“Everyone in this league is good, but they have risen to the top so that makes it obviously extra special on top of the local rivalry.  And a win would do a lot for us in terms of our post-season aspirations.”

These two teams met at the Liacouras Center back on January 18th.  Temple won that match-up 76-70 behind 19 points and seven rebounds from junior forward Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson.  Sophomore Tyreek Duren had 18 points for the Explorers in defeat.

Temple and La Salle tip-off at 7:00pm tonight at Gola Arena.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Even though they were winning, Doug Collins mentioned to the press that he’d seen “slippage” in the Sixers offense without Spencer Hawes, scoring fewer points per game and shooting a considerably lower perecentage. They made up for it by playing strong defense and limiting turnovers. Recently, the slippage has been too much to make up for.

The Sixers (20-13) have lost four in a row, scoring 87, 75, 91 and 76 points. The defense has been tougher, but the half-court offense has completely stalled. Injuries to Spencer Hawes and Elton Brand haven’t helped, and an offense that was successful making open jump shots has stopped making those shots. They haven’t been getting to the free throw line either, out-shot by their opponents in five straight games, including shooting only eight free throws to the Grizzlies’ 29 on Tuesday night. Their most dependable offensive weapon, Lou Williams, has gone cold as well.

The Sixers haven’t scored 100 points or more since January 23rd, against the Washington Wizards.

The Rockets (19-14) come in having won two in a row, including a 97-93 victory over Memphis on Monday. They’re led by a backcourt featuring Kevin Martin and Kyle Lowry. Kevin Martin is having a very Kevin Martin-like year, averaging about 18 points per game. Villanova product Kyle Lowry is having a career year, averaging 15.7 points per game, 5.2 rebounds and 7.7 assists. Lowry has cemented himself in the discussion when talking about the best point guards in the NBA. Not in the Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Rajon Rondo “elite” category, but the best of the rest.

After facing Marreese Speights last night, the Sixers will see another member of the Sixers not-motivated-enough-frontcourt alumni club tonight in Sam Dalembert. Dalembert, once signed to a mega-contract in Philadelphia that he never quite lived up to, has generally done as he’s been asked in Houston, grabbing rebounds and blocking shots. Dalembert lost his starting job briefly to Patrick Patterson, but has since gained it back.

The Sixers will again be without their starting frontcourt of Spencer Hawes (Achilles) and Elton Brand (thumb). Coach Doug Collins started Andres Nocioni in Brand’s place on Tuesday night, without much success. The Grizzlies exploited Nocini immediately, and once he left the game never returned.

It’s the Sixers last game before the All-Star break.

The game starts at 8pm and can be heard live on 94 WIP.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The William Penn Foundation has announced it will foot the bill for a $1.4-million consulting contract to help the School District of Philadelphia streamline its operations.

The district last week hired the Boston Consulting Group to help restructure operations as it works to close a $71-million budget hole this fiscal year, and a $269-million dollar gap next year (see related story).

The William Penn Foundation says it will also help the district to find other private donors to aid in the restructuring effort.

CBS Philly Education Stories

The accident happened at about 11 a.m. in the 100 block of Route 130. in Brooklawn.

Fire crews and medics were called out to the scene and worked to extricate the man from underneath the train.

Police are investigating. Stay with CBSPhilly for updates.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A new study says Philadelphia’s efforts to turn around its worst-performing schools are bearing fruit.

The first year of the “Renaissance schools” effort last year yielded improved student performance and attendance, according to a new study by the group Research For Action.

Six schools were turned over to charters, and seven others, called “promise academies,” were run by the district with extra resources.

“We found that across the board, student achievement at these schools improved at a significantly higher rate than did achievement at some similar schools that were not in the initiative,” notes RFA executive director Kate Shaw — 18 percent higher on standardized reading and math tests in the K-through-8 schools.

RFA found no significant improvement in the two Renaissance high schools: Vaux and University City.

Read the Full RFA Study (.pdf format)
And the study points out that even with the significant gains, the 13 first-year Renaissance schools remain among the lowest performers in the district.

Shaw says that while it’s too early for the study to provide definitive direction for the Philadelphia School Reform Commisison, she hopes the SRC will find it useful in charting the future of the Renaissance effort.

Shaw says the study also found no evidence that the charter schools were shutting out low-perfoming students, as some have charged.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Philadelphia Union have signed starting right back Sheanon Williams to a new contract, the team announced on Wednesday.

Williams, 21 years-old , has started 40 games for Union since they acquired him in August, 2010 from the Harrisburg City Islanders.

“Sheanon has become an important member of our club and we’re very pleased to reward him with a new contract that better reflects his value,” said Team Manager Peter Nowak via press release. “He took full advantage of his opportunity with us after coming over from Harrisburg in 2010 and he continued to improve last season. Keeping Sheanon in Philadelphia is an important investment in our defense, both for the present and future.”

“The past 18 months has been an amazing experience and I’m very excited to remain in Philadelphia,” said Williams via press release. “I would like to thank the organization for their confidence in me and the fans for their incredible support. We made a lot of progress last season but have a lot more work to do to achieve our goals in 2012 and beyond.”

Union defense has improved by over a half goal per game since 2010, ranking second in the MLS in 2011.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent on the Christian calendar, and many of the faithful get ashes on their forehead as a sign of repentance for sins.

“Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return…”
One local Episcopal church knows many people are too busy to go to church to get ashes, so they came up with an unusual way to help.

Early morning commuters at Septa’s Market East station were surprised — and often delighted — to see two priests, each with a bowl of ashes, standing on either side of a sign reading “Ashes To Go.”

“I didn’t know if you were protesting, or what,” one young woman said with a nervous laugh as she approached.  “And I was wondering, how am I going to get my ashes today?”

This is a first-time effort for the Revs. Ledlie Laughlin (right) and Clair Nevin-Field (left, with back to camera), of St. Peter’s Church, at 3rd and Pine Streets.  They had no idea how commuters would react, so they were surprised with how many takers they got.

“Oh, yes — hundreds.  Really, it’s been amazing. I mean, who knew?” Nevin-Field told KYW Newsradio.

She says clearly they are on to something.

“I think it’s really good for the church to get outside the walls and go to where the people are,” she added.