Man slain in west Phila.

A 29-year-old man was shot to death shortly after 1:30 a.m. yesterday on Arch Street near 56th, West Philadelphia, police said. He was pronounced dead at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania at 2:20 a.m. Police had no motive or suspects.

'Bottle bomb' found in NE

The Philadelphia police bomb squad was called to Forrest Elementary school in Mayfair early yesterday when an assistant principal checking the grounds found a "bottle bomb," said school district spokesman Fer-nando Gallard. The bombs contain toilet-bowl cleaner or another chemical, which reacts to aluminum foil by exploding, he said, adding that no one was hurt and that classes went on as usual.

HOME wins with Phils

Philadelphia's Project HOME is $2,000 richer, thanks to the Phillies' victory over the Colorado Rockies in the National League Division Series.

Mayor Nutter and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper decided to skip the traditional food-related bets made by mayors of competing sports teams. Instead, they agreed that the winning city in the series would get $2,000 and the losing city $500, to go to homeless programs.

Sister Mary Scullion, the founder of Project HOME, said that the funds would finance a safe-haven program for women living on the streets this winter or help pay for a green roof on a residential building that Project HOME is developing in Center City.

Roman to honor James Binns

Roman Catholic High School will honor attorney James J. Binns with the 2009 Greater Philadelphia Area Leadership Award. Binns sits on the school's board of advisers. He is well- known for his work with the Fraternal Order of Police through the Hero Cop and Hero Firefighter Plaque Program, and the Police Thrill Show. The award will be presented at the 18th Annual Greater Philadelphia Area Leadership Award Dinner tomorrow night at the Union League.

'Personal Best' book-signing

Jeff Johnson, motivational speaker and journalist, will sign copies of his book "Personal Best" at Borders, 1625 Chestnut St., beginning at 12:30 this afternoon. The book offers tips on how to achieve your personal best in all aspects of living.

Man nabbed on Texas charge

Jeffrey Connolly, wanted on a felony aggravated-assault charge in Harris County, Tex., was apprehended yesterday at his parents' home in Aston Township.

Connolly, 29, apparently didn't know that the house had been surrounded by local police and the county's SWAT team for roughly two hours when he went to get in his car yesterday afternoon and was grabbed.

- Staff and wire reports