🚀 Philadelphian could feed astronauts on Mars

The Academy of Natural Sciences, the oldest natural history museum in the Americas, opened to the public one last time on Sunday. The weekend nor’easter didn’t deter thousands of Philadelphians and out-of-state visitors from flooding its exhibit halls before the museum’s closure.

• Philly Rallies for the Academy. After the Academy closed at 5 p.m., guests and supporters gathered outside the museum to march to City Hall for a vigil, chanting “Save our dinosaurs!”
• Local Nonprofit Offers a Lifeline. The William Penn Foundation has offered to cover the operating costs for the Academy, buying the institution time for another year to explore different options for the museum’s future. Drexel University, which oversees the Academy, did not indicate whether it would accept the offer or not. A spokesperson for the university said: “No proposal has been presented that would provide a permanent, sustainable path forward for the Academy’s museum.” But the Academy of Natural Sciences’ board chairperson, Suzanne Biemiller, was receptive to the idea.
• City Hall Fights Back. City Council has scheduled a hearing on Oct. 7 seeking information about the closure. Lawmakers also introduced legislation last Thursday to rezone the area for civic and public use, which would limit Drexel’s options if it chooses to sell the building.
• Take Action. The Save the Academy coalition suggests action items for those upset about the closure, including contacting elected officials, voicing concerns to Drexel University (especially if you are an alum), and signing this petition.

Hear about Sunday’s rally, and get our takes on the future of Philly’s institutions, on today’s episode of City Cast Philly.

Historic Train Station Could Be Philly’s Next Museum

Roxborough’s Shawmont Station, considered the oldest passenger station in the country, could soon be renovated and transformed into a community hub. SEPTA intends to hand off the abandoned 200-year-old building to the city, which in turn plans to lease it to the Historic Shawmont Station Society. [Philly Voice]

Next Phase of Olney ‘House of Horrors’ Investigation Involves Bulldozers

Police are restricting traffic on the 400 block of Chew Avenue as the FBI, having obtained additional search warrants, gears up to bring large construction equipment to R.C. Horsch’s Olney home. Seven missing women have been linked to the house, but human remains have not yet been found. [CBS Philly, 🎧City Cast Philly]

Philly Rolls Out Mobile Methadone Clinic To Treat Addiction

The new treatment vehicle provides speedy service to patients with walk-up exams, consultation for addiction treatment, and a first dose of methadone. The mobile clinic also refers patients to other resources to aid in recovery, such as housing and food. [WHYY]

ICE Wants an ‘Amazon Prime’ Model for Mobile Detentions

Immigration and Customs Enforcement wants to expand its immigrant detention efforts in Pennsylvania with mobile detention vans. One former military analyst suggests the move is due to several Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies being barred from collaborating with ICE, limiting available space for detained migrants. [NPR]

• Related: Philly argued in court last week that the Trump administration can’t force the city to work with ICE. [🔒 The Inquirer]

Philly Woman To Help Feed Astronauts on Mars

Northeast Philly resident Chinyere Ukeje won NASA’s “Mars to Table” competition to design a way to feed our space explorers without sending pre-packaged food. Ukeje’s idea includes portable electric lunchboxes with cubes of food that turn into recognizable meals. [🔒 The Inquirer]

• If you were stuck in space, what meal (a signature Philly food or favorite dish from a local restaurant) would you wish you could eat? Let us know!