Thursday, April 25, 2013
Local governments are preparing for the start of a new West Nile Virus season.
It's that time of the year again—mosquito season. Area governments are urging residents to take precautions to avoid West Nile Virus. Both Montgomery and Chester counties have already issued out a release offering residents tips and precautions on the virus. Last year, 60 human cases tested positive in Pennsylvania and four died, according to Pennsylvania's West Nile Virus Control Program. But good news comes to the Southeastern Pennsylvania area: $727,010 in grant money was acquired for West Nile surveillance and prevention this year for Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, and Bucks counties, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer. The state's West Nile Virus Surveillance and Control Program offers tips on how to prepare your home …
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Still missing from the home is an expensive picture of a famous composer.
A former housekeeper of a Bryn Mawr home pleaded guilty on Monday to charges related to the theft of a rare and valuable bust of Benjamin Franklin. Andrea Lawton, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court to burglary and conspiracy, according to CBS. The theft took place on Aug. 24 and was recovered a month later in Maryland. The bust has been valued at about $3 million. In December, Lawton pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of stolen property. According to CBS: Montgomery County prosecutor Kevin Steele believes they know the motive: “the theft of something very valuable, and the second, I think, came as a result of her being fired.” Steele plans to ask for significant jail time because she hasn’t …
Friday, April 19, 2013
Joseph Passarella had led the county's Voter Services department since 1994. He reportedly was terminated Wednesday.
Last updated 4:45 p.m. Thursday Montgomery County officials were tight-lipped Thursday about the circumstances surrounding the apparent dismissal Wednesday of Joseph Passarella, who had run the county's Voter Services department since 1994. Passarella's termination was first reported Thursday morning by The Intelligencer, which cited unnamed sources who said Passarella was called into a noon meeting by unspecified county administrators on Wednesday and informed he was being immediately removed from his post. County Commissioner Leslie Richards, who also serves as chair of the county's Board of Elections, cited the county's policy of declining to comment on "personnel issues" when asked Thursday about both Passarella's departure and whether…
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Don't count the county commissioner out just yet.
As Patch has previously reported, Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce Castor is still undecided on whether to run or not in the 2014 Pennsylvania governor race. Castor's run against current Republican Gov. Tom Corbett once before, and it is unclear if he'll make a run in the coming year's primary. According to TribLive.com, Castor may want a rematch of the 2004 attorney general primaries. Castor told the Trib "he doesn't want the GOP to repeat the mistake it made in 2006 by backing then-Sen. Rick Santorum for re-election." "Castor, 51, called Corbett a 'ham-handed' politician who has failed to deliver on a conservative agenda," said the Trib. "He said Corbett blew his opportunity to push through conservative priorities, such as a right-…
Sunday, April 14, 2013
It's not too late to register to vote in the Primary Election.
The last day to register to vote in the May 21 Primary Election is Monday, April 22. Individuals applying to register to vote must be: Montgomery County answers some questions about voter registration here. Download a voter registration form in the pdf section of this article.
Friday, April 12, 2013
A gallery of the county's most wanted criminals as released by the Sheriff's Department.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Department has released information on the eleven most wanted criminals in the county. The gallery shows photographs, along with the last known address of each individual and what crimes they are wanted for in the caption. Residents can submit an "e-tip" via this link or call 610-278-3340 to report any information about the whereabouts of any of the 11 wanted persons. The persons were still considered "wanted" as of Thursday evening. Those wanted for Domestic Relations active warrants can be found at this link. Anyone with additional questions, concerns or suggestions, can contact the Montgomery County Sheriff's office at sheriffoffice@montcopa.org.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Projects may be suggested for winners of this annual planning and design award.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, April 11
The Montgomery County Planning Commission is seeking project nominations for its 2013 Montgomery Awards. This annual program recognizes the best in planning and design in Montgomery County, and acknowledges the high quality work and commitment of communities, organizations, and professionals. All nominations must be submitted by May 17. Eligibility, award criteria, and an online entry form are available online at www.montcopa.org/MontgomeryAwards. In 2013 the program categories were expanded, providing a greater opportunity to recognize diverse projects in the county. The categories include land development projects that promote excellence in design and planning; revitalization projects that contribute to the revitalization of a …
Sunday, April 7, 2013
The effective interest rate of about 2.39 percent on the county's new debt compares favorably with other recent municipal bonds issued in the region, Uri Monson said.
Montgomery County successfully auctioned $55 million in bonds this week, garnering interest from ten banks and investment firms before agreeing to sell the bonds to PNC Capital Markets at an interest rate of 2.39 percent. Uri Monson, the county's chief financial officer, said the county did "very well" in the bond issuance, with interest costs that he said compare favorably with other recent municipal bonds sold in the region. A much larger, $950 million bond issuance by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hit the market at the same time as the county's bonds and obtained an interest rate of about 2.9 percent. Monson said that Moody's Investors Service rated the state's debt at Aa2, a notch below Montgomery County's Aa1 rating. A $65 million …
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Free vaccines remain available from the county; 11 people have died from the flu in Montgomery County this flu season.
Montgomery County is approaching the end of one of the more severe flu seasons on record, but it's not over yet, said Mike Baysinger, deputy director of personal health services for the county health department. "Pennsylvania is still considered [to have] regional [flu] activity," Baysinger said Thursday at a meeting of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. "We've peaked early, but flu season is not over yet. Flu vaccines are still available [from the county]." According to Baysinger, the county recorded 1,600 cases of influenza during this flu season. 287 people were hospitalized for influenza, and 11 people died. "It was almost as bad as when H1N1, swine flu, hit in 2009," Baysinger said. The county recorded about 2,200 cases of …
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Local judge is taking the required retirement age to task.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, April 4
If you've served jury duty in Montgomery County, there's a pretty good chance you've met long-time Montgomery County Judge Arthur Tilson. He speaks to most all jurors before selections begin. Tilson, however, may sit on the other side of the courtroom come May. Tilson is taking Gov. Tom Corbett to court over a "retirement mandate," according to PennLive.com. "They are arguing that it violates their civil rights under the U.S. and state constitutions," said PennLive.com. "Last week, the state Supreme Court agreed to hear and fast-track one of those cases filed by [Tilson]. The state's highest court is to hear arguments on the Tilson case in May." A federal judge is allowing the Pennsylvania Supreme Court the first hearing to decide "…
Steve Michaels
4:55 pm on Monday, April 8, 2013
Maybe the Board of Commisioners should come clean about how much money they are directly and indirectly receiving from the pharma industry. A cursory bit of research would show that according to the Cochrane Library review of virtually all flu vaccine research is biased and/or fraudulent and even ignoring this fact, flu vaccines are mostly ineffective, even in the best matched years. And what did… more ›