Philadelphia

[Diomedes]

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news%2Fcrime&id=8498642

You know what I take from this?  You had better watch out who you farg with.

[ice grillin you]

Philadelphia Police have arrested the man they believe threw the first punch in a "vicious" post-Winter Classic attack outside Geno's Steaks in South Philadelphia.

"This was a very, very vicious beating," said police Capt. Laurence Nodiff.

Police confirm that the suspect, 32-year-old Dennis Veteri of Glassboro, N.J., turned himself in around 2 p.m. Thursday, just after a warrant was issued for his arrest. He went to his attorney's South Jersey office and that's where he was taken into custody, cops said.

Veteri was arraigned around 2 a.m. Friday and bail was set at $100,000, according to Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams. He is due back in court Jan. 31 for a preliminary hearing.

Veteri was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, conspiracy and reckless endangerment. He was released after posting bail early Friday, according to court records.

Police sources say Veteri started the Jan. 2 incident between Flyers and Rangers fans about an hour after the two teams faced off in the NHL's Winter Classic.

"The instigator was clearly Veteri," Nodiff said. "The punches were clearly thrown first by Veteri and his associates."

That attack left a New Jersey cop and decorated war veteran, identified as 30-year-old Neil Auricchio, knocked out with a concussion and facial injuries that require surgery, cops said.

Auricchio's 26-year-old fan was also attacked but didn't need medical attention, cops said.

The entire attack was caught on cell phone video and made its rounds on the internet getting thousands of views.

In the video, a Flyers fan wearing a No. 28 Claude Giroux Flyers jersey is seen taking off his coat as he goads on a fan in a No. 24 Ryan Callahan Rangers jersey -- believed to be Auricchio. The Flyers fan swings at the Rangers fan and a melee ensues right in the middle of the street between Geno's and Pat's Steaks.

The Rangers fan punches back, but is quickly taken to the ground where a man in a No. 68 Jaromir Jagr Flyers jersey jumps in and begins pounding him. The man in the Giroux jersey -- and a third man wearing a black coat -- start punch another Rangers fan, also taking him to the ground.

As others jump in to try and stop the fight, both Rangers fans get to their feet. The fight appears over, but not before the Flyers fan in the Giroux jersey lands a loud blindside punch to the side of the head of Auricchio, dropping him to the ground.

"As we all saw on the video it is a vicious beating with the conclusion of a knock down punch which knocks the police officer unconscious," Nodiff said.

Police say that video led to many tips, which, in turn led them to the South Philadelphia Bar and Grill -- almost directly across the street from Geno's -- where the suspect and friends were allegedly drinking on the day of the fight. A search warrant uncovered a credit card receipt for a bill totaling more than $225 that was paid just before 7 on the night of the fight.

That credit card matched the name of the man, Veteri, believed to have thrown that first punch at about 7:15 p.m., police sources said.

Earlier this week, three different people -- including the two victims -- identified Veteri from photo lineups, according to police sources.

A witness told police that he said, "Welcome to South Philly mother f%#*er" after knocking out Auricchio, police sources said.

Police say Veteri has a history of run-ins with the law in Pennsylvania and other states. He pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, conspiracy and possessing an instrument of crime stemming from a 1998 incident and was found guilty of drugs charges in 2003, according to court records.

He received probation in both Pa. cases, according to court records.

The investigation continues to try and track down the other men involved in the fight, according to police.

Philadelphia Police say one of the victims alerted them about the violent fight but cops were unaware graphic video of the incident was posted online until NBC Philadelphia gave them the heads up the day after the Classic.

The video became news around the country as yet another example of why Philly sports fans -- still known for throwing snowballs at Santa Claus -- are seen as savages by fans in other cities.

Nodiff said Veteri was known to law enforcement in Pennsylvania and other states.

Veteri's Facebook page lists one of his interests as "Broad Street Bullies." Property records indicate he has also lived in South Philadelphia.

Court records show he has a series arrests in Philadelphia dating back to 1998 and that he has been sentenced to probation for aggravated assault and drugs possession.

Veteri, who also has lived in Florida, was arrested in Broward County in 2004 for heroin possession and had been arrested in 2001 in Fort Lauderdale for battery, Florida records show.

He was sentenced to three years under community supervision for the heroin charge.

In 2006, he was arrested in Vero Beach, Fla., for probation of a felony conviction.

[Diomedes]

and they say snitching is bad

[Zanshin]

Sounds like a prince of guy.

[ice grillin you]

kobyashi is running away with wing bowl after round one

[MDS]

i thought they got rid of the pro eaters

isnt just supposed to be a bunch of fat guys eating wings?

[ice grillin you]

nope....they even invited him back for next year

[MDS]

lame

i went once. probably cleaner and more convenient to just go to a strip club

[ice grillin you]

Wursthaus Schmitz, a German-themed stand from husband and wife Doug Hager and Kelly Schmitz of the South Street beer hall Brauhaus Schmitz, is due to open around Memorial Day at Reading Terminal Market.

The stand, facing Center Court in the former Spice Terminal location, will offer a mix of hot foods, German deli and prepared foods to take home, and imported German specialty food products. Construction should begin in April.

The opening will fill a major niche created when longtime merchant Siegfried's European Gourmet closed in 2000.

The Brauhaus Schmitz-ers got a taste of the "stand" life over the holidays when they sold wurst at the Christmas Village at LOVE Park.

[phattymatty]

http://youtu.be/WNJkwFbknBI

[SunMo]

some pretty outrageous stuff going down with the sale of the Daily News and the Inquirer

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/16/business/media/in-philadelphia-papers-editorial-independence-at-issue.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1

[Sgt PSN]

Wouldn't expect anything less in Shadydelphia.  The 2nd to last paragraph is really all you need to know.

In late October, Mr. Osberg met with Mr. Norcross and Mr. Katz to discuss the Rendell group's plans. Mr. Rendell has said Mr. Osberg is "doing a fine job" and signaled his group would keep Mr. Osberg on as chief if the deal went through.

[MDS]

it would be so awesome to work there

[Sgt PSN]

Considering that journalistic integrity doesn't seem to be required and ass kissing appears to be a desired skill set, I'd say you've got a shot. 

[MDS]

the joke would have landed better if you said "skill" instead of "integrity."