The Week in Philly: An arena greenlight, a temporary setback and a ‘Special’ holiday for city students

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Protestors tried to stop a City Council vote on the 76ers arena project, but despite the disruption, all measures needed to move the project forward passed. What are the next steps?

Although we still have a few more days until Christmas, this Philly nonprofit is reminding area residents about their annual Tree-Cycle event, which helps feed goats through the spring.

And with such little concrete information on the drone sightings in New Jersey, the assembly is demanding answers from the federal government.

Look back, look ahead, and get a better understanding of the stories shaping the Philadelphia region on “The Week in Philly” with Matt Leon and KYW Newsradio’s team of reporters. Listen on KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM Saturdays at 5 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Episodes are also available as a podcast or, you can check out individual segments below.

There was a delay, but not defeat. Despite opponents huddling on the floor in protest in the main chamber of City Council, the final vote approving the 76ers’ new arena project on an East Market Street site adjacent to Chinatown ultimately prevailed. KYW Newsradio City Hall Bureau Chief Pat Loeb paints the picture of what she saw during an unforgettable moment in recent Philadelphia legislative history, and previews what happens next.

There was a little something extra in the stocking for Philadelphia schoolchildren on Tuesday. Each of the city’s district and charter school students received a gift, courtesy of the Philly Specials, better known as Eagles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, as well as retired Eagle Jason Kelce. KYW Newsradio’s Mike DeNardo visited a couple schools as kids received their gifts and met their football heroes.

Drone sightings that started in New Jersey have been increasing nationwide — but is that really what people are seeing? The FAA has banned drone use in some parts of the Garden State out of caution, although Homeland Security says there is no public safety threat. KYW’s South Jersey reporter Mike Dougherty gives us the latest on these mysterious sights in the sky.

You can recycle your Christmas tree after the holidays by feeding it to goats from the Philly Goat Project! KYW Newsradio’s Shara Dae Howard visited their farm at Awbury Arboretum to pet some goats and hear about the program.

Chinatown staple Sang Kee Peking Duck House was shut down indefinitely on Dec. 13 as city officials tried to figure out why dangerously hot steam was billowing from the restaurant's basement and onto the sidewalk. KYW's Vik Raghupathi has the details.

All 76ers fans want, says KYW Newsradio’s Tim Jimenez, is a normal team that can shoot, dribble, and play defense. Yet year after year, the franchise seems to fall short of delivering such a product. Call it karma, quirky luck, mismanagement, or a combination of all three. Jimenez, a dieheard fan, laments some of the latest travails of Philadelphia’s pro basketball team.