Briefly... CITY/REGION

Teen shot in Nicetown

An 18-year-old youth was hospitalized yesterday after being shot in the head in Nicetown, police said. The shooting took place on Germantown Avenue near West Seymour Street about 3:30 p.m. Police reported no suspects or motive.

Man shot in carjacking

A motorist whom police have not identified was hospitalized last night after being shot multiple times during a carjacking in East Falls, police said. The shooting occurred on Fox Street near Abbottsford Avenue about 8 p.m., police said. Suspects were seen fleeing in the victim's white Bonneville, possibly with a window shot out. No other information was immediately available.

3 more animals decapitated

Three more animals were found decapitated in the Greenmount Cemetery in Hunting Park yesterday and Sunday, investigators for the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said yesterday. Eight goats were found sacrificed two weeks ago.

A beheaded rooster was found hanging from a tree about 4 p.m. yesterday, with a bloody plate and knife nearby. A goat and another rooster were discovered Sunday morning. The rooster was found hanging from a tree; the goat was left in a road.

PSPCA investigators say the incidents are connected.

'Rage' case hearing delayed

A preliminary hearing for Christian Squillaciotti, who faces an attempted-murder charge in the alleged road-rage shooting of Thomas Timko on the Schuylkill Expressway Oct. 5, was postponed yesterday to Feb. 11. Timko, who was shot in the side of the head, has been released from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

PGW shutoffs increase

The Philadelphia Gas Works reported a 16 percent increase in residential-heating shutoffs in the city this year in its annual Cold Weather Survey, submitted to the state Public Utility Commission. The survey shows that PGW terminated 31,519 customers in 2008 compared with 27,067 in 2007. Of those terminated, PGW has restored service this year to 23,952 (76 percent) as compared to 20,227 (74 percent) in 2007.

Walmart $ for school books

The Walmart Foundation will present the teachers at 85 of the city's most challenged schools $50 gift certificates to buy classroom supplies. The announcement of the $213,200 gift was to be made today, with Mayor Nutter, Gov. Rendell and other city, state and Walmart officials on hand at the district's Education Center, on Broad Street near Spring Garden. *

- Staff and wire reports