PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — With the war between Russia and Ukraine raging on in its second year, a new war erupting in Gaza and Israel, a prison escape that had all of Greater Philadelphia on edge for weeks, and gun violence wracking the city, it may have, at times, felt like all hope was lost this year.
Amid all the tragedy and sadness, we took a moment to reflect on some of the good things that have happened: local heroes making a difference, celebrating our four-legged friends in the workforce, and anticipating some meaningful changes happening throughout the city.
‘Stayin Alive’
2023 started off with a bit of a jumpscare for a man in New Jersey, when he had a sudden heart attack in the middle of enjoying a meal with his wife and daughter at Kettle & Grille in Marlton. But, thanks to Tim and Jackie Curtis, a former EMT and lifeguard who were sitting just inches away, Ken Hogan got a second chance at life.
“We jumped into action with CPR, pumping to the beat of the Bee Gees song, ‘Stayin Alive.’”
Hogan was unconscious for about 30 minutes and medics used the defibrillator on him nine times to finally get his heart started again.
A person from the restaurant said all they can remember from that day is an EMT or paramedic coming out of nowhere, sliding across the floor, having the AED device ready to go, and pads on Hogan before they could even blink.
During that time, Hogan said he was in one of the happiest experiences of his life, reconnecting with his grandparents.
“We were laughing, we were joking, I just couldn’t believe it. And then, all the sudden, my grandmother says, ‘Kenny, you have to leave us now.’”
He reunited with Tim and Jackie in late January, thanking them for what they did, and returned to his normal work routine a few days into 2023 after growing tired of watching so much television while recovering.
A SEPTA savior
In the beginning of the summer, a SEPTA bus driver of nearly seven years was honored for helping rescue five children who were left alone in a squalid Germantown house.
On Memorial Day, bright and early at 6 a.m., Dysheena Donerson said she was driving her bus along Germantown Avenue when two nonverbal, disheveled-looking six-year-old boys, ready for school, wanted to board.
Donerson, knowing no schools were in session that day due to the holiday, knew she had to do something. So she contacted SEPTA’s control center and police then went to the kids’ house, where she found three more children alone in poor conditions.
DHS removed the children from the scene and a few months later, the transit system recognized her actions.
"This was a terrible situation that would never have been brought to light if it was not for the compassion that operator Donerson showed for those children," said a police officer who responded to Donerson's call.
Furry friends spotlight
Let’s hear a big “woof” for Yoda and Rom, two Belgian Malinoises that helped track down escaped prisoner Danilo Cavalcante back in September.
During what felt like the years-long search for Cavalcante, local law enforcement turned to State Police K-9 units for backup. Among that large group was Rom, who specializes in narcotics detection and tracking, and his partner, Trooper Dan Reed.
While police say Rom came close to sniffing out the escapee — in the end, it was actually 4-year-old Yoda who led to the take-down. The dogs had a “shift change” due to bad weather conditions, and that’s when Yoda was able to zero-in on Cavalcante.
The good boys were praised for their hard work and, in November, Rom and Reed were honored at the 22nd annual National Dog Show.
And we certainly can’t forget about the newest member of Philly’s Fire Marshal’s Office!
Agnes, an 18-month-old black Lab and ATF-certified accelerant detection canine, was welcomed to the team in December. Her job? Putting her nose to the ground to help the department sniff out gasoline and other accelerants that may have been used by someone to intentionally set a fire.
While the department has been using ATF arson detection dogs for three decades, this is the first time they have more than one dog on-hand.
Agnes will be working alongside Dona, a yellow Lab who has been in the department for about six years.
Make way for new landmarks
After a few bumpy decision-making months, a new statue is coming to City Hall.
In 2022, a statue of Harriet Tubman leading a child to freedom was on display for about two months at the Northeast apron of City Hall. It was in honor of her 200th birthday.
The statue got a lot of positive feedback, and, in turn, the city decided to commission its own permanent statue of her.
But here’s where things got a little sticky. Instead of putting out an open call for artists, the city picked Wesley Wofford, a white sculptor from North Carolina, who designed the temporary statue.
The public wasn’t so fond of this decision and was quick to make it known.
After experiencing such intense pushback, a public survey was sent out for people to weigh in on what the statue should look like and how to make it unique to Philadelphia.
In October, a Black artist named Alvin Pettit was selected to craft a nearly 10-foot-tall sculpture of Tubman, to be displayed in the same location as the temporary one.
Pettit wants the piece to be called “A Higher Power: The Call of a Freedom Fighter” to show a side of Tubman many do not know. It will be the first statue of a Black female historical figure in the city’s public art collection.
But you might have to hold that excitement just a little while longer, as it’s not expected to be on display until 2025.
And one more thing… A new playground at FDR Park!
The Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation created a redevelopment plan for 350 acres of land at FDR Park. Anna Verna Playground, named after the late City Council president, was one of the first projects to be completed there.
It’s a 3-acre nature playground that sits on Pattison Lagoon. Park goers can get super close to the freshwater and watch the ducks, turtles, and frogs swim around. There’s also tons of shade thanks to all the mature tree canopy.
But the perks don’t stop there. It also has custom equipment — like tower tube slides which are accessible by a rope net ladder — for all your climbing, sliding and swinging needs.
The playground even features a mega-swing that can fit 27 people at once. It's the largest swing in North America.