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  • After delays, Lehigh Avenue apartment project is ready to begin construction under a new owner

    After delays, Lehigh Avenue apartment project is ready to begin construction under a new owner

    A six-story apartment project at 2001 E. Lehigh Ave. is moving forward with a new owner after years of delay amid a difficult development environment.

    Five-lane Lehigh Avenue divides the southern portion of Kensington, which has experienced development more akin to the boom in Fishtown, from the parts of the neighborhood to the north that are at the heart of the city’s opioid crisis.

    But along the northern edge of the avenue, next to the Conrail tracks, a series of auto-oriented and light-industrial properties have been redeveloped as housing in recent years.

    “That whole corridor has continued developing. It’s even pushing over the tracks further up north, too,” said Brian Corcodilos, CEO of Designblendz, the architect for the project. “We’re confident that … this area continues to rent up.”

    The former owner of 2001 E. Lehigh, developer Isaac Singleton, secured zoning approvals for the project in 2023 and 2024. City records then show the property sold for $2.5 million in January 2025.

    A demolition permit for the property was issued this week to an address associated with developer Roman Ovrutsky — whose home The Inquirer profiled last year — and Corcodilos said their team expects construction to begin by early spring.

    Ovrutsky’s version of the project will feature 146 apartments, a slightly smaller number than Singleton proposed, and a little over 6,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor. The project will also have 54 underground parking spaces.

    Designblendz has updated the visual palette for the project by adding darker grays and slate-colored hues.

    Corcodilos said that changes in federal tax policy in President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill have enabled clients to begin building again. A lull in recent years was caused by heightened interest rates and an apartment glut that made it hard for developers to charge the rents necessary to pay back the loans on their projects.

    The former design for the building included greens and browns. The new vision features slate-colored hues.

    Corcodilos said developers have also found that more projects are making sense if they use either the city’s mixed-income housing zoning bonus — which allows taller or denser construction in exchange for an affordability component — or if they base their financing on catering to some tenants who use federal rent voucher subsidies.

    “That’s how a lot of these projects are getting done,” Corcodilos said.

    It’s illegal in Philadelphia to discriminate against renters using vouchers, but it’s common for landlords to discourage those tenants, and many buildings owners don’t proactively advertise to subsidized tenants.

    But in recent years, increasing numbers of landlords have seen the advantage of tapping into a large tenant base with almost guaranteed payments.

    Another property just north of Lehigh Avenue at 2200 E. Somerset St. was sold last year to the Philadelphia Housing Authority, after many of its tenants ended up being voucher holders.

    “A lot of these big buildings that are going up, the only way they’re penciling is if there’s some sort of an affordability component to it,” Corcodilos said.

    Beyond Kensington, Designblendz is seeing an increase in work this year due to developer-friendly changes in the federal tax code, opportunities in affordable housing provision, and an easing of the overall apartment glut, he said.

    “I’m not getting a sense at the moment that clients are worried about not filling their units,” Corcodilos said. “Obviously things slowed down a little bit over the last year and a half for the industry. But what we’re seeing right now, it’s busier than ever.”

  • Pa. leads in making breast cancer screening more accessible

    Pa. leads in making breast cancer screening more accessible

    Pennsylvania is leading the way on breast cancer screening policy. Thanks to Senate Bill 88, a decisive move from the commonwealth, patients with state-regulated health plans will no longer face high out-of-pocket costs when an abnormal screening requires follow-up breast imaging.

    Many Americans assume this is already the case, given the Affordable Care Act’s promise of no-cost preventive services. With breast cancer, however, that’s not always true.

    Patients whose routine screening mammogram reveals an abnormality require additional imaging for a more detailed look. Those who are at high risk due to family history, dense breast tissue, or a genetic abnormality may need an MRI or ultrasound for their routine screening, rather than a standard mammogram.

    Cultural, economic, and other social factors, including access to health care, may influence the lower rate of breast cancer screening.

    Neither meets most health plans’ technical definition of “preventive care.” And, in many parts of the country, both can cost hundreds, even thousands, of dollars out of pocket.

    By eliminating out-of-pocket costs for patients, Pennsylvania is establishing itself as a national leader in breast cancer treatment. But this state legislation can only go so far, and many people still face major gaps in coverage when they need breast imaging beyond a screening mammogram.

    As it turns out, that lack of coverage doesn’t sit well with voters.

    Support for treatment

    In a national poll of 1,000 Republican primary voters commissioned by the Alliance for Breast Cancer Policy, sentiment on the topic was clear: If a patient needs breast imaging, they should get it — with the full cost covered by their health plan.

    A full 95% of polled voters said insurers should cover the full cost of all recommended breast imaging, not just the standard screening mammogram. After all, preventive care means preventive care. Voters recognize that. When health plans split hairs and argue technicalities, they do so at the patients’ risk.

    A bill before Congress would help, covering many in Pennsylvania who will still fall through the cracks even after the passage of SB 88. Known as the Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD) Act (S 1500/HR 3037), the federal legislation would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for patients’ necessary breast imaging.

    And 85% of polled voters responded to the legislation’s primary goal: ensuring women get the answers they need before it’s too late. When breast cancer is caught early, treatment is more effective, less invasive, and far more likely to lead to positive outcomes — with five-year survival rates as high as 98%. Early detection saves both lives and dollars.

    Respondents expressed support for the ABCD Act, especially given the impact the bill would have on those who often can’t get the help they need: rural, lower-income, Black, Hispanic, and younger women.

    With costs for healthcare so high, many, especially younger women who make up 10% of all new breast cancer cases in the U.S., are looking toward high-deductible health plans to lower their monthly costs. But this often comes with less comprehensive coverage before a deductible. Two-thirds of polled voters say the full cost of necessary breast imaging should still be covered for those with high-deductible health plans.

    Pennsylvania is proving that bold, patient-centered policy can save lives and reduce costs. Yet, in more than half the country — and still for some in the Keystone State — outdated insurance rules still force patients to choose between lifesaving breast imaging and paying their bills.

    It’s time for Congress to follow Pennsylvania’s lead and make comprehensive breast cancer imaging a priority.

    Breast cancer doesn’t wait. In 2025, an estimated 43,000 women and men in the U.S. lost their lives to the disease, including 1,800 in Pennsylvania alone. Access to early diagnosis should never hinge on the state you reside in. Congress should take note of Pennsylvania’s recent legislation and ensure lifesaving screenings are within reach for everyone.

    Molly Guthrie is vice president for policy and advocacy at Susan G. Komen and leads the Alliance for Breast Cancer Policy.

  • Letters to the Editor | Jan. 20, 2026

    Letters to the Editor | Jan. 20, 2026

    F for Ford

    Donald Trump was at a Ford factory last week to continue his lies about the great state of the economy. As the president shuffled through, employee TJ Sabula called Trump a “pedophile protector.” Our illustrious leader replied with an expletive and flipped Sabula the bird. The company then suspended Sabula because Ford has a “core value of respect and values its policy against anything inappropriate … within our facilities.” Facts are stubborn things. Based on the facts of the incident, it was Trump, not Sabula, who should have been escorted from the factory floor. But facts do not exist in Trump World. The PR team for the tired, old, thin-skinned, wannabe king issued a statement saying that “a lunatic was wildly screaming expletives.” On that much we agree.

    Jim Lynch, Collegeville

    Hate the sin

    Much has been written by Donald Trump’s supporters alleging that his detractors are afflicted with Trump Derangement Syndrome: an extreme, negative, and hateful reaction to the sitting president. While there are many folks from the progressive (and moderate) side of the political aisle who may detest the man, I would suggest that the number of voters who abhor his policies, declarations, edicts, tweets, and contemptible rhetoric far outnumber those who irrationally “hate” him. Separating the man from his (un)presidential actions will be necessary if the nation is to begin the process of extracting itself from bipartisan discord.

    While it is not our right to judge any person as moral, amoral, or immoral — that determination rests solely with the Creator — it is our responsibility, as citizens living in a democratic republic, to voice concerns and criticisms when elected leadership fails to lift up the human condition. Christians are instructed explicitly and frequently to love all people at all times, but that axiom does not prohibit disapproval of deeds and words that fall short of righteous norms. Blind followership and ad hominem attacks are counterproductive to achieving that elusive more perfect union. A more judicious approach is to avoid hate and embrace critical analysis of executive decision-making.

    James L. DeBoy, Lancaster

    Fair’s fair

    I appreciate the update regarding just how much the violent crime rate has decreased in Philadelphia and other cities since DNA and a willingness to put the guilty in prison rather than “convenient suspects.” The slap on the wrist for the retired officers who lied about DNA evidence and helped send a man to prison for a crime he did not commit is yet another example of the brutality and disrespect for the people. These past practices have caused crime rates to stagnate, and “defunded” families of justice, people of their freedom, and taxpayers of their dollars. Maybe the call to defund the police would be better stated by saying they defunded us first.

    Mara Obelcz, Hatfield

    Living with pain

    I am writing in response to the recent op-ed by Ira Cantor regarding the growing crisis in pain management. As a patient with chronic pain, I can attest that responsibly prescribed opioid medication has allowed me to function, work long hours on my feet, and participate meaningfully in family life. Before receiving proper care, pain controlled every aspect of my day. Since beginning treatment, my quality of life has improved dramatically, without misuse, impairment, or adverse effects. Unfortunately, increasing restrictions and pharmacy shortages now threaten that stability, leaving responsible patients fearful of withdrawal and a return to debilitating pain.

    Abuse of any medication should be addressed, but eliminating access for everyone is neither compassionate nor medically sound. Patients who follow their treatment plans shouldn’t be punished for the actions of a minority. I believe pain medication, when practiced carefully and ethically, restores dignity and functionality. That should be protected, not dismantled.

    Shea Roggio, Phoenixville

    Move on

    Regarding “Murphy’s veto may doom N.J. town’s Groundhog Day.” When Pennsylvania’s Groundhog Day began in 1887, women couldn’t vote. People could be jailed for insolvency. The Prohibition movement was active and strong. Times change, as they should. It is long overdue for the good folks of Milltown to recognize the evolving public sentiment about forcing animals to participate in gratuitous spectacles. Using any animal as a marketing tool should be relegated to the dustbin of history. Groundhogs are shy, solitary animals. Their burrows are engineering marvels, going many meters deep with multiple rooms for specific purposes, like nesting and waste. Although they like to wander, they can climb trees and are good swimmers. It’s time to stop exploiting animals for “entertainment.”

    Jennifer O’Connor, senior writer, PETA Foundation, Norfolk, Va.

    Plain truth

    It’s both terrifying and a shame that President Donald Trump and minions all think their job is to protect the MAGA brand at all costs. Even in the face of a murderous shooting, their first instinct was to go public with easily discreditable lies about what occurred. They did so because they needed to inform the MAGA cult how to think about the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis, even before seeing the various videos themselves. That’s their instinct. Not to show leadership to the whole country and calm the situation.

    If you saw the videos — saw Good say, “Dude, I’m not mad at you,” saw the shooter look her in the eye with his own camera while also holding a gun, saw her vehicle turning away from the shooter (not into), saw the shooter walk over 100 feet back to his vehicle without a hint of a limp or injury — and still believe the shooting was justified, then you are part of the cult. In the final passage of 1984, George Orwell wrote, “The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears.” That’s why Trump et al. spoke out before the body was cold. Maybe this will become Trump’s Kent State moment.

    Richard Golomb, Philadelphia

    Power of suppression

    The sudden cancellation of a 60 Minutes segment about Donald Trump’s immigration policy and El Salvador’s notorious Terrorism Confinement Center is just the latest example of the suppression of news perceived as critical of this administration. It seems like every day another media outlet or news source is being compromised, co-opted, or crushed by the powerful, unrelenting forces opposed to independent, objective reporting. I must express my gratitude and appreciation to the owners and editors of The Inquirer for their steadfast commitment to fair and accurate coverage of what is truly a sad and frightening state of affairs in this country.

    I hope my fellow Philadelphians realize just how fortunate we are to still have this voice speaking truth to power when so many others have been silenced. Thanks especially to The Inquirer’s opinion and editorial writers, who every day demonstrate that there is still integrity and ethics in journalism, and who give me hope we will get through this dark period and that our republic may yet endure for another 250 years.

    Arthur Meckler, Philadelphia

    Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 150 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.

  • Dear Abby | Daughter concerned about parents’ heavy screen time

    DEAR ABBY: My young daughter and I had the pleasure of spending three months with my parents while my husband was deployed. We had a lovely visit, but over the course of our stay, I noticed my parents were spending more time on their phones than previously. Both are retired and in their mid-60s.

    I’m glad they are keeping up with technology, but I’m also concerned that their phone use may have a negative impact on their social health, behavioral health and mental acuity as they age. Growing up, we never had the TV or computers in our main living space, and screen time was limited. We ate dinner together every night, and socialization and conversation was an expectation.

    During my stay, my parents brought their phones to the dinner table and grabbed them midmeal to answer messages or search things on the internet. Throughout the days, I’d look up from what I was doing and see them glued to their screens. This new behavior is so different from the way they raised me. How can I speak to them about my concerns and encourage them to consider decreasing their phone usage?

    — NOTICED THE CHANGE IN WASHINGTON

    DEAR NOTICED: Yes, many things have changed since the time when you were raised. But if you think the day has arrived for you to parent your parents, forget about it. It not only won’t work, but it could also cause resentment because they are adults and not impressionable teenagers being educated about social interaction.

    ** ** **

    DEAR ABBY: My college roommate and I became close friends. I always thought he was a little bit arrogant. When I caught him getting upset that a girl liked me and not him, I realized he has always been about comparing and competing.

    At age 30, after we ended up working for the same company, we had a falling-out. I’m sure he has his complaints about me, but I am no longer interested in being his friend. We’re 36 now and still involved in our fantasy football league, so we see each other from time to time. We’re generally civil to each other, especially for the sake of the league.

    Well, he now wants to rekindle the friendship and keeps asking me to hang out. I’ve made excuses so far, and I wish he would take a hint, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to eventually tell him (again) that I’m not interested in hanging out. I don’t want to hurt his feelings any more than I have to. Please help.

    — NOT FEELING IT IN KANSAS

    DEAR NOT FEELING IT: You are not obligated to have anything more to do with this person than you wish. If the only time the two of you interact is during the fantasy football season, he shouldn’t be too hard to avoid. When he asks to hang out, continue doing what you have been, which is to say you are busy. Eventually, he may take the hint.

  • Horoscopes: Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026

    ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’ve been a bit detached, which has served you well. Think of it as protection. But today, nothing feels stormy or overwhelming. The emotional climate is gentle enough to set your defenses down and experience things more directly.

    TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The majority won’t get it, and that’s actually a good thing. Relish your moment. Originality makes the world go round. Better to be truly seen as yourself by one person than to blend into the background.

    GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your high standards aren’t just about turning in good work or making lifestyle choices. You extend your expectations to matters of character and attitude. You seek the company of those who are considerate, fair and compassionate, like you.

    CANCER (June 22-July 22). Even though you know intellectually that feelings are neutral — not wrong, not right, just information — you still judge yourself for having certain emotions. Instead of analyzing your process, just give yourself credit for having one.

    LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The one you care for could get attention from different directions, but there is no care quite like yours, and this will become increasingly obvious. Let it be a source of pride to you. You will keep the relationship in balance by never forgetting the value of your love.

    VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Achievements will magically spill over from one domain to another because the way progress is made stays consistent. Skills grow through sequencing, patience and repetition. Break it into manageable pieces and build them one at a time.

    LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Scorekeeping turns giving and receiving into an accounting job instead of a spiritual or pleasurable gesture. Share without worrying about who gave what. The real benefit happens inside your heart as you give.

    SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’ll gather insight and construct a few stronger boundaries, not to keep people or experiences out of your life but to protect yourself from their effects the way a wetsuit allows the diver to explore depths.

    SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You are loyal to the ones who are loyal to you. You are also loyal to the ones who are (SET ITAL)not(END ITAL) loyal to you. Because to you, loyalty is a value, and the rules do not change when circumstances do.

    CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). It’s hard enough to resist the influence you can feel. But what about the influence that is so much a part of the culture, you don’t even notice it? Awareness keeps you in charge. Ask, “What am I missing?”

    AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). People react well when they understand the full scope of the situation. Many just don’t have the experience to know the layers and depths in play. This is why it’s important to have the right mentor. Such a person is coming into your life.

    PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). We change. We are changed by one another. To interact with someone is to change them, and to change yourself. Today, you make extra efforts to be sure people are lighter, brighter and better for knowing you.

    TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 20). Life buzzes with fresh experiences in this Year of Firsts — some are on your list, and many drop out of the blue to delight you beyond anything you could have planned. Close relationships are your treasure. More highlights: You’ll break ground and pour the foundation for a project you’ll keep building on for years. You’ll be proud of how you earn money, and you’ll have adventures in foreign territory. Leo and Taurus adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 3, 10, 31, 8 and 21.

  • Sixers takeaways: More urgency needed, Tyrese Maxey’s rising ceiling, and more from win over the Pacers

    Sixers takeaways: More urgency needed, Tyrese Maxey’s rising ceiling, and more from win over the Pacers

    The 76ers must play with a sense of urgency against bad and/or undermanned teams.

    Tyrese Maxey is a newly minted Eastern Conference NBA All-Star starter. But the Sixers point guard, and coach Nick Nurse, believe he has more to give.

    And the Sixers need more production from their bench.

    These things stood out in Monday’s 113-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    Lack of energy

    Maxey and Joel Embiid’s play, especially late in the game, enabled the Sixers (23-18) to avoid an embarrassing loss to the Pacers (10-34).

    Maxey scored 14 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder also had four assists and four steals while playing 10 minutes, 35 seconds in the quarter.

    In the quarter, Maxey was able to get to the paint more frequently and finish at the rim.

    “We kind of opened the court up a little bit,” he said. “Me and Joel didn’t play a lot of two-man game. So it’s kind of like just getting him the ball, coming off screens, and doing that.”

    But before Embiid reentered the game with 5:01 remaining, Maxey was paired with Quentin Grimes, Jabari Walker, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Adem Bona.

    “And with that unit, I know I have to be ultra-aggressive for myself, for my teammates as well, getting to the paint, kicking it out, generating threes. That’s what I tried to do. Got a couple of corner threes with that group, and that’s good offense for us.”

    Sixers’ Tyrese Maxey named starter in NBA All-Star Game

    For the game, Maxey made 12 of 24 shots to go with eight assists, four rebounds, a career-high eight steals, and one block.

    “I was just trying to be aggressive, you know, make plays for my teammates,” Maxey said of his steals. “I think it gets us going when we get out in the open court [after stealing the ball] and get some easy baskets.”

    Meanwhile, Embiid scored nine of his 30 points in the fourth quarter. The center also finished with nine rebounds and four assists.

    But it was like the Sixers fell into a deep slumber against the Pacers before they took over.

    Sixers center Joel Embiid poured in 30 points in a combeack win Monday over Indiana.

    At the start of the game, they looked like a well-oiled machine.

    Embiid had 10 points on 5-for-5 shooting. Oubre, who started in place of Paul George, had six points on 3-for-3 shooting. And Dominick Barlow had the other two points on 1-for-2 shooting, as the Sixers had an 18-15 lead with 6:19 remaining in the first quarter. They had made 9 of 12 shots at the time.

    They couldn’t shake the Pacers and clung to a 33-30 lead heading into the second quarter. And things only got worse for the Sixers in the second. They shot 26.3% and trailed by as many as 10 points against the NBA’s second-worst team. Much of the defending Eastern Conference champions’ struggles are down to injuries.

    On Monday, they were without Tyrese Haliburton (right Achilles tendon tear), Bennedict Mathurin (sprained right thumb), and Obi Toppin (right foot stress fracture).

    The Sixers struggled through 3-for-13 three-point shooting over the first three quarters. They ended up making 5 of 17.

    But struggling against an undermanned squad isn’t uncommon.

    On Jan. 5, they put forth an inexcusable effort against a Denver Nuggets team playing without its entire starting lineup and three key reserves.

    This time, the Sixers woke up from their slumber and escaped with a nine-point victory. But they need to do a better job of putting teams away that have no business competing with them.

    The Sixers are still struggling with inconsistency at the NBA’s halfway mark. How will they address it?

    Maxey just scratching the surface

    Maxey impacted the game in many ways on Monday. But the belief is that the sixth-year veteran is just scratching the surface.

    “I think I’m most definitely nowhere close to where I could be, as far as basketball-wise,” Maxey said. “I feel like I can keep getting better. And my thing is I just want to be better. You know what I’m saying, for my teammates, for this organization, my family. And I know I have a coach, an organization, and teammates who believe in me. And when you have that, it kind of pushes you to be even better than what you are.”

    Right now, he must do a better job of adjusting when teams trap him. But Maxey is most proud of his leadership and the strides he’s made on defense. He was a good defender growing up. But he’s found that the transition to the NBA has been more challenging.

    Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey had a career-high eight steals in Monday’s win.

    “I feel like I figured it out a little bit on how to be impactful,” he said, “and impact the game on the [defensive] end of the floor.”

    But even though he needs to regain his rhythm, Maxey is in the midst of a career season.

    He is third in the league in scoring (30.2 points per game), second in steals (2.1), and 15th in assists (6.7). He is also fourth in made three-pointers (140), and has scored at least 30 points in 19 of 39 games.

    “We’re trying to give him every opportunity to be aggressive and go do his thing,” Nurse said. “And he’s very talented. And I keep saying there’s still a lot of room for growth, which I think is exciting.”

    Sixers utilize six-game homestand to connect with the community during MLK Day weekend

    More needed from Sixers bench

    The Sixers were outscored 35-14 in bench points, and even that was misleading. They only had eight heading into the fourth quarter.

    Grimes had five points on 1-for-7 shooting. Walker had five while making 2 of 5 shots. He was, by far, the most productive reserve, finishing with six rebounds and four steals. Bona (two points, 1-for-2 shooting) and Trendon Watford (two points, 1-for-4 shooting) were the other bench scorers.

    Justin Edwards and Jared McCain didn’t attempt a shot after playing only the final 47 seconds. But the Sixers must get more production out of their bench if they expect to remain competitive.

  • Travis Konecny scores twice, Flyers snap six-game losing streak with 2-1 win at Vegas

    Travis Konecny scores twice, Flyers snap six-game losing streak with 2-1 win at Vegas

    LAS VEGAS ― The Flyers put all their chips in.

    And it paid off.

    The Flyers snapped their losing streak at six games with a 2-1 victory on Monday against the Vegas Golden Knights. They ended the Golden Knights’ seven-game winning streak in the process.

    After allowing at least five goals in the past five games, the Flyers were stingy, allowing just one goal for the first time since Sam Ersson stopped 20 of 21 shots against the Chicago Blackhawks on Dec. 23.

    Vegas gave it their all to tie it up during a gut-wrenching end as Owen Tippett was called for delay of game with 1 minute, 33 seconds left in regulation. But Nick Seeler made a big block on Shea Theodore, and Sam Ersson stopped a slap shot by Jack Eichel with 23 seconds left on the clock. Golden Knights forward Pavel Dorofeyev was blocked twice, by Cam York and Travis Sanheim, as Vegas had six shot attempts in a final flurry.

    Travis Konecny played his cards right and scored both Flyers goals. He gave the Flyers a 1-0 lead 3:46 into the game

    Bobby Brink to return Monday; Dan Vladař placed on injured reserve

    Skating just inside the Flyers’ blue line, Vegas forward Tomáš Hertl was getting pressured by York and tried to feed a pass to his defenseman as he crossed in front of him.

    The Flyers winger poked the puck away from Kaedan Korczak and took off. He skated in one-on-one with goalie Adin Hill and beat him glove side.

    Konecny then gave the Flyers a 2-1 lead in the third period on a similar play — this time while shorthanded.

    Eichel carried the puck across the Flyers’ blue line and passed it backward, thinking the Knights had numbers. Instead, it went right to Konecny, who outraced the defense for a breakaway. After beating Hill glove side, he went blocker side this time for the Flyers’ fourth shorthanded goal this season.

    Asked postgame if he went blocker side on the second goal to switch it up, Konecny said with a smile, “No, that’s just more about, I’m just trying to mess with his head a little bit,” he said. Konecny knows Hill and his dad, as the Flyers forward spends his summers in Calgary, where the Golden Knights’ goalie grew up. The two also won gold at the 4 Nations Face-Off last February together.

    Konecny now has 17 goals and 43 points in 47 games this season. He missed one game with an upper-body injury.

    The first goal by Konecny came 42 seconds after Ersson made a spectacular save on Alexander Holtz. Ersson’s Swedish countryman got behind Sean Couturier and Emil Andrae for a tip-in chance off a centering pass by Cole Reinhardt.

    It was one of several big-time saves by Ersson in the first period as Philly was outshot 11-4. He also read the play perfectly and stopped Hertl from the bumper during a Vegas power play. In his 18th start, it was the fifth first period this season that he did not allow a goal.

    In the second period, he got some help when Seeler made a fantastic play on a two-on-one. Skating alone after Noah Juulsen pinched, Seeler stayed up as Mark Stone tried to go back to Ivan Barbashev and knocked the puck away.

    The Flyers’ penalty kill, which allowed eight goals in 21 opportunities during the six-game losing streak, looked good across the first three power plays for Vegas. But if you keep giving the NHL’s fourth-best power play (26.5%) chance after chance, it is going to strike.

    So on the fourth one, they did. Hertl, making up for his mistake earlier, glided through the slot and deflected in the shot-pass by Eichel past Ersson.

    Ersson stopped 24 of 25 shots to earn his first win since Dec. 23.

    Breakaways

    The Flyers’ penalty kill went 6-for-7, and the power play went 0-for-2. … Konecny had his first multi-goal game of the season. … Center Lane Pederson made his Flyers debut after being recalled from Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League on Sunday. He played 8:38. … Winger Bobby Brink returned after missing six games with an upper-body injury. He played 13:28 and had one shot, two missed shots, and blocked two more. …

    Up next

    The Flyers head to Utah to take on the up-and-coming Mammoth on Wednesday (9 p.m., NBCSP+).

  • Cold spell costs St. Joe’s in a 79-72 loss at VCU

    Cold spell costs St. Joe’s in a 79-72 loss at VCU

    St. Joseph’s seemingly was in command with a seven-point lead in the second half at Virginia Commonwealth on Monday. However, the Rams held the Hawks without a field goal for a stretch of five minutes and snapped their three-game winning streak with a 79-72 victory at the Siegel Center in Richmond.

    St. Joe’s women can’t keep up with George Mason

    St. Joe’s (11-8, 3-3 Atlantic 10) got within three points in the final 30 seconds following a three-pointer by guard Derek Simpson, but the Rams (13-6, 4-2) hit four straight free throws to seal the win.

    Simpson led St. Joe’s with a career-high 27 points and four assists. Forward Michael Belle had a career high of his own for VCU, scoring 20 points.

    Hot and cold on offense

    The Hawks entered the game last in the A-10 with a three-point percentage of .280, but they took a 12-7 lead by making four shots from deep. On two-pointers, though, they started the game 0-for-7.

    St. Joe’s ended the half on a nearly four-minute scoring drought as VCU held a 34-29 lead at intermission.

    The second half was much of the same. St. Joe’s took a 46-39 lead five minutes into the half, making six of its first seven shots. Then it missed seven of its next eight. St. Joe’s ended the game shooting 47.3% from the field and outrebounded the hosts, 37-33. But turnovers were their downfall.

    Steve Donahue’s Hawks saw their three-game winning streak snapped on Monday in Richmond.

    VCU entered the game forcing 12.7 turnovers per game and forced 13 in the first half. The Rams forced five more after halftime, converting them into nine points. They turned the ball over only 10 times in the game.

    The hosts powered through St. Joseph’s press in the first half and then Belle became the go-to player. The 6-foot-8 forward scored 14 points in the second half. Brandon Jennings finished with 18 points for the winners.

    Anthony Finkley and Justice Ajogbor added 10 points apiece for St. Joe’s.

    Up next

    The Hawks will host Dayton (14-4, 5-0) on Saturday at 6 p.m. (CBS Sports Network).

  • Two men charged in decade-old N.J. home invasion homicide case

    Two men charged in decade-old N.J. home invasion homicide case

    Almost a decade after a 37-year-old New Jersey man was killed by home invaders, two men have been charged with his murder, the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office announced Monday.

    Norman Mosley was fatally shot in September 2016 when intruders wearing masks broke into the trailer he shared with his girlfriend in the Browns Mills section of Pemberton Township.

    The investigation went on for years without arrests until detectives found DNA evidence on gloves located near the crime scene.

    Kevin D’Costa, 45, of Irvington, and Daemen Hodge, 32, of Brown Mills, were charged with first degree felony murder, first degree robbery, and unlawful possession of a weapon, among other charges, after their DNA matched what was found at the scene, according to the prosecutor’s office.

    Both men had already been named as suspects in the case.

    D’Costa was in custody at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark for unrelated charges when he was served last month with his warrant. Hodge was arrested at his girlfriend’s home in Bordentown Township on Friday and subsequently held at Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly.

    The next step in the case will be presenting it to a grand jury for potential indictment.

  • Bobby Brink to return Monday; Dan Vladař placed on injured reserve

    Bobby Brink to return Monday; Dan Vladař placed on injured reserve

    LAS VEGAS ― The Flyers’ chips are down right now, but do they have a wild card up their sleeve?

    Bobby Brink is hopeful to return Monday night when the Flyers take on the Vegas Golden Knights (8 p.m., NBCSP+). The Flyers activated Brink from injured reserve about an hour before puck drop.

    “Bobby’s got a good shot to get in,” Flyers coach Rick Tocchet said during his pregame availability. “He had a good day today, so [it] looks like he’s going to go in for us.”

    Flyers lose their sixth straight to the lowly Rangers amid boos. Can they keep their season from slipping away?

    The forward missed the entire six-game losing streak due to an upper-body injury suffered in the Flyers’ last win, a 5-2 victory against the Anaheim Ducks on Jan. 6. In the first period of the game, Brink was blindsided by Jansen Harkins and did not return.

    While Brink did not travel on the Flyers’ last road trip to Buffalo and Pittsburgh, he did practice on Sunday at T-Mobile Arena. At practice, he was back on a line with Matvei Michkov and Noah Cates.

    “Having Bobby back, he’s a pretty smart kid,” Tocchet said. “He’s a quick kid. He adds more speed through the lineup for a forward position, which is good. [It] helps us there. I think he’s anxious, excited to play. It’s been a while.”

    In a corresponding move, Dan Vladař was placed on injured reserve. There was no update on the goalie, who was injured in the Flyers’ loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday. The move is retroactive to Jan. 14, so he is eligible to be activated seven days after that date.

    On a positive note, Vladař did make the trip to Nevada after Tocchet said that if he wasn’t going to play at all on the three-game road trip, then he wouldn’t travel.

    “At this point, I’d say day to day,” Tocchet said Saturday regarding the goaltender’s status. “It depends [on] how he feels after therapy. So it’s like, one of those things every 24 hours … you get better or not? What percentage? So it’s hard to really pinpoint things exactly.”

    The coach said that the game against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday (9 p.m., NBCSP) was a possibility. The Flyers also play the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday (9 p.m., NBCSP).

    “He was on the ice today,” said Tocchet, updating his status on Monday. “He had a good day. So that’s good, that’s a good [one] for us. So, we’ll see the next couple of days how it reacts. But seemed like he had a good day today.”

    Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar was moved to injured reserve. He is eligible to be activated beginning on Wednesday.

    The reinsertion of Brink should help boost the forward lines — after all, the losing streak started when he got hurt. Brink works well with Cates, and the duo has a natural, connected chemistry on the ice.

    It should help a Flyers team that, as defenseman Travis Sanheim said, needs to get back to fundamentals. It is something Cates and Brink have showcased since last season. And coupled with Michkov, the line has brought offense. According to Natural Stat Trick, across the nine games the two Minnesotans played with the Russian winger, beginning Dec. 16 in Montreal, the Flyers scored five goals and allowed one with a 64.63% expected goal share.

    Flyers place Rodrigo Ābols on injured reserve, recall Lane Pederson from Lehigh Valley

    Brink has 11 goals and 20 points in 41 games this season. The 24-year-old is one goal away from tying his career high set last season in 79 games and is shooting a career-best 15.5%.

    “He’s definitely a guy that you can count on,” Tocchet said. “He’s a consistent player for us. You lose guys like that, and then your depth gets challenged. But that’s where guys have that opportunity to shine. … But having Bobby back, he does settle things down for us.”

    Breakaways

    Rodrigo Ābols has been replaced on Latvia’s Olympic roster. The Flyers forward was one of the first players named to the squad, but he suffered a lower-body injury on Saturday against the New York Rangers. He was placed on injured reserve on Sunday. No timeline was provided for his potential return. … Sam Ersson (6-8-4, .855 save percentage) will get the start against the Golden Knights, while Lane Pederson, who was called up Sunday, is in Vegas and is “a possibility” to play, Tocchet said.