Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Ron Castille is running for retention this fall, after serving two terms on the court.
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By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent HARRISBURG — Judges in Pennsylvania typically have no problems securing their offices in retention races. In 45 years, only Supreme Court Justice Russell Nigro lost his seat in 2005, after an infamous pay raise lawmakers gave themselves in the middle of the night inflamed state voters. Eric Epstein with the government reform group Rock the Capital thinks the ease with which judges are retained should give voters pause as Supreme Court Chief Justice Ron Castille campaigns for 10 more years this fall. “Why should people automatically vote yes?” he asked. “And what does it takes before somebody calls into question the ability of someone to serve on the bench?” A new Rock the Capital voter guide urges …
Upper Southampton fire crews worked late Monday night extinguishing a fire that spread from a fire pit.
Flames from a fire pit in the backyard of Surrey Road "spread only slightly" late Monday night and took about 15 minutes to extinguish, a fire official told Patch. Southampton Fire Co. No. 1 Chief Tom Brown said the fire, which began after 11 p.m. Monday in the Burgundy Hills development, originally started in an outside fire pit and spread from its original location. The fire could have been prevented altogether. While fire pits and bonfires may be fun ways to roast marshmallows, both are illegal in Upper Southampton. "The take away for residents is that Upper Southampton Township has an ordinance that prohibits open burning regardless of the container," Brown said.
The Centennial School Board recently approved graduation project changes beginning with the William Tennent High School class of 2014.
In order to graduate from William Tennent High School, students will need to complete college preparatory tasks throughout their high school career under graduation project revisions approved recently. The Centennial School Board adopted the changes, which are applicable beginning with the class of 2014, at its meeting last week. Assistant Superintendent Joyce Mundy said that in the past, the graduation project was "largely completed during a required class." "We are moving this from the class to an independent process for students that is supported by our faculty and administration," Mundy said. "The plan allows our process to be scaffolded over the four years with the development of core artifacts for career and college readiness." …
Donating money to organizations that help victims is quick and easy.
Americans across the country are reacting with shock to the devastation caused by a two-mile wide tornado in Oklahoma. Dozens have died, and President Obama has declared the path of the tornado a major disaster area. If you would like to help, you can do so from your computer or mobile device right now. Patch will be posting stories of local folks who are working to help victims from afar. If you know of someone local was affected by the tornado or who is working to help the victims, please contact your local editor.
Monday, May 20, 2013
The primary election is Tuesday. Check the list below to see who is running for open positions on the county level.
Though it may lack the glamour of a national campaign, this election year is no less important, especially if you believe in the old adage, "All politics is local." The following are the candidates running for office at the county level and seeking the nomination from the Tuesday's primary (incumbents are bolded). The list has been provided by the Bucks County Board of Elections office. Pennsylvania has a closed primary, meaning that only party members can vote for candidates in their party. Democrats vote for democrats, and republicans vote for republicans. Independents cannot vote in the primary election. The general election takes place Nov. 5. The last day to register for the general is Oct.r 7. State Office Vic Stabile (R) Joseph C. …
The Office of Administration says server outages may be a thing of the past once its new contract for web services with NIC is up and running.
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent HARRISBURG — A state lawmaker continues to raise red flags about a website redesign and management contract. Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver, said this week he’s concerned the administration of Gov. Tom Corbett knew it would pay millions to NIC USA, a government website design and management firm, even though the contract was entered as a “self-funded” agreement. NIC provides “eGovernment” services in 28 other states, all of which operate on a self-funded model, relying on fees added to transactions business and individuals may make online. Pennsylvania is the only state to authorize a sole-source contract. Matzie said three work orders totaling about $2.6 million are proof the administration knew this …
A look at some of the top headlines in Bucks County.
Middle School Relay for Life Raises $233K for Cancer Society The 10th annual Relay for Life of Central Bucks Middle Schools, which was held Saturday, raised $223,000 for the American Cancer Society. Stackpole Elementary Demolition Underway Centennial School District closed the school in 2012 as part of a plan to reduce the number of elementary schools within the district. Students in this region now attend Davis Elementary School. Brad Fox Family to Marshal Memorial Day Parade The family of the fallen officer have been named grand marshals for Warminster's annual Memorial Day parade. New Owner, Same Nostalgia at Newtown Hardware House Newtown Borough resident Bill Newell purchased the Newtown Hardware House in October 2012 from longtime …
Someone pretending to be an FBI agent called a Bucks County resident Thursday and demanded personal information, according to police.
The latest in impostor scams has hit Bucks County, according to information from the Newtown Township Police. A Newtown Township resident was the target of a phone scam in which the caller claimed to be an FBI agent seeking personal account information, police said. The victim told police he received the call Thursday and the impostor asked for personal information. The resident told police the scammer said if he didn’t cooperate, then police would come to his home. According to published reports, the hoax is the latest in impostor scams in which a person pretends to be someone they are not in order to get money and personal account information. The local resident did not comply but rather called police and gave them the number. Police …
Centennial School District closed the school in 2012 as part of a plan to reduce the number of elementary schools within the district. Students in this region now attend Davis Elementary School.
Capt. Obvious
1:11 pm on Tuesday, May 21, 2013
lol Why is this news worthy. I used to make tons of prank calls as a kid and all I got was spanked. The resident knew the call was fake when the supposed FBI Agent asked if his refrigerator was running. more ›