Top 10 most-read Glenside Local stories of 2024

Through Google Analytics, we were able to see which stories had the greatest impact with you in 2024. These are the results, along with each story’s opening line:

#10. Willow Grove to be one of the first locations in Federal Donuts & Chicken’s franchisee expansion plan

***April 10:*** Federal Donuts & Chicken announced that Chris Magarity, Mike Sloane, and Michael Heller are the franchisees who will oversee the Philadelphia suburban expansion plans, among them a location at 4021 Welsh Road in the Willow Grove Pointe shopping center in Willow Grove.

#9: Story of Jamison Bachman, a ‘serial squatter’ who killed his brother in Elkins Park, to be made into a movie

***July 28:*** Jamison Bachman, an Elkins Park native, will be featured in an upcoming (and so far untitled) movie based on the Netflix series “Worst Roommate Ever”.

#8: Body of 29-year-old woman found near Pennypack Park woods in Fox Chase, police searching for suspected killer

***Nov 8:*** Police recovered the remains of Melody Rivera, 29, on Thursday afternoon near Pennypack Park’s woods along the 900 block of Tustin Avenue in Fox Chase.

Side note: On December 3, The City of Philadelphia and federal law enforcement offered a $25,000 reward for tips that lead to the capture of Geovanni Otero, who is accused of kidnapping Rivera before killing and burying her in the woods of Fox Chase.

#7: Moma Mediterranean Kitchen to open in Glenside in April

***March 25:*** Moma Mediterranean Kitchen is set to open at 24 E Glenside Avenue, the former Pinto Restaurant location, next month.

#6: Gov Shapiro issues statement on Trump’s presidency, may be a front-runner for 2028, experts say

**Nov 8:** Governor Josh Shapiro responded yesterday to the results of the 2024 General Election. Following Tuesday’s loss, Democrats will now look to rising stars for the 2028 presidential election cycle, among them Governor Shapiro.

Side note: You can read our summary of the popular governor’s highlights from 2024 here.

#5: June Fete Fair and Horse & Pony Show in Huntingdon Valley cancelled due to safety/security concerns

***May 25:*** The Abington Health Foundation Women’s Board announced that the annual June Fete Fair and Horse & Pony Show has been cancelled this year.

Side note: Three days later, Upper Moreland officials explained their rationale for the cancellation. In early June, Abington Township Commissioner John Spiegelman, Ward 11, shared his insights regarding the controversial decision.

#4: Phase II of Willow Grove Shopping Center construction complete: Amazon Fresh, other tenants on the way

***March 4:*** Upper Moreland Township officials announced that Phase II of the Willow Grove Shopping Center’s construction has been completed (or is very close to completion as of this writing).

Side note: Following a series of delays, Amazon Fresh hosted a grand opening on November 7.

#3: ‘House of Magic’ coming to Glenside’s former PNC building in 2025

***Oct 16:*** The former PNC Bank building at 101 S Easton Road is on its way to becoming greater Glenside’s one and only magic theater.

#2: Owner of Jenkins Court in Jenkintown and the former Old York Road Skating Club in Elkins Park profiled by Inquirer for ‘notorious’ landlord activities

**Sept 1:** Philip C. Pulley, owner of the Abington Township-based SBG Management Services, Inc., which manages Jenkins Court at 610 Old York Road in Jenkintown and the former Old York Road Skating Club in Elkins Park, was recently profiled by the *Philadelphia Inquirer* in an article titled “The law finally caught up with notorious Philadelphia landlord Phil Pulley … but for voting fraud“.

Side note: Two weeks later, Pulley had a $60 million federal lawsuit filed against him by Fannie Mae over seven defaulted mortgages. Two weeks after that, the landlord pleaded guilty in a Philadelphia federal court for falsely registering to vote and casting multiple ballots in several recent elections.

#1: The end of an era: Keswick Tavern has been sold

***April 15:*** The Keswick Tavern, a Glenside staple since 1998, is closing its doors for good next month.

You can read Glenside Local’s top stories from 2023 here.

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