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Abuse Scandal Grows In Souderton
North Penn Now's weekly newsletter
James Kratch
February 18, 2025
Welcome back to North Penn Now’s weekly newsletter! Applications are now open for Montgomery Township’s Citizens Police Academy, but the deadline is fast approaching. More details can be found here.
In This Week's Email:
📆 Events powered by Access Network Ticketing
Saturday, Feb. 21-Sunday, Feb. 22
🎶 Upper Dublin Fire & Ice Festival | Fort Washington Technology Center | Times vary, more details here
You can find a calendar of events for the towns in the NPN region by following these links: Franconia | Hatfield | Hilltown | Lansdale | Lower Salford | Montgomery Township | North Wales | Sellersville | Souderton | Telford | Towamencin | Upper Gwynedd
🚗 North Montco Tech Car Show | May 3 in Lansdale
Got a showstopper on wheels? Show it off at the Montco Tech Car Show! Secure your spot now and be part of this must-see event. Amazing cars, food trucks, raffles, awards, and more! Get your tickets now and join the fun! Click here to learn more.
🕵️♂️ Murder at Morgan: Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner | May 3 in Lansdale
Step into a swanky speakeasy at Morgan Log House, but watch out — a murder’s about to shake up the joint! Think you can crack the case? Get 25% off tickets from Feb. 10 to March 31 with code EARLYREG25. Want to be part of the action? Limited spots available for passive roles! Click here to learn more.
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🚨 Faith leader deposed after admitting abuse
Courtesy of Broad Street Grind
A deacon at a Souderton church was expelled from the ministry after self-reporting decades-old inappropriate behavior toward his son.
Phillip Shade was a deacon and reverend's assistant at St. Peter's Anglican Church. He is also the father of Douglas Shade, the former coffeehouse co-owner facing over 90 felony counts related to child sexual abuse. Phillip Shade disclosed the apparent abuse to the church -- which he claimed occurred over 30 years ago -- after his son's arrest. Rev. Julian Dobbs -- the diocesan bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Living Word -- said there is no evidence of misconduct involving Shade and parishioners.
Phillip Shade and his wife, Heather, are now co-owners of Broad Street Grind, formerly co-owned by their son. Phillip Shade has agreed to step down as the coffeehouse's treasurer and from his partner role. A since-hidden Facebook post indicated the coffeehouse's other owners are trying to remove the Shades from the business entirely. Phillip Shade has no civil or criminal cases on record in Pennsylvania; the statute of limitations on his abusive actions have likely expired.
🔥 Downed power lines spark Montgomeryville fire
Courtesy of Wayne Kalbach
An electrical fire broke out on Sunday in Montgomery Township, temporarily impacting traffic.
A tree fell on North Wales Road, dragging down power lines and crashing into a transformer, leading to a fire. The incident occurred near the traffic light by the Dick's Sporting Goods at the Montgomeryville Mall.
Wapner Newman: We Have Our Clients’ Backs
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🗞️ News links
🎭 Upcoming school plays in the area
Young thespians will soon be taking the stage across the North Penn Now region. Here are some show dates to keep in mind:
The Little Mermaid at Pennfield Middle School in Hatfield, Feb. 28 and March 1-2
The SpongeBob Musical at Pennbrook Middle School in North Wales, March 6-9
Newsies at Penndale Middle School in Lansdale, March 7-9
🧵 Joann's mass closings hit Montgomery Township
Another chain retailer is shuttering a local location.
The Joann craft and fabric store in Montgomery Township is closing. The news comes after the parent company's latest bankruptcy plan was approved. Joann is closing about 500 of its roughly 850 locations nationwide.
🏘️ In other nearby news
To keep up with news outside the North Penn Now area, make sure to subscribe to the newsletters for our siblings sites — Central Bucks Now and Wiss Now — as well as our daily sports newsletter from On Pattison.
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🐶 Rescue of the Week
James Short | North Penn Now
Meet Helena, a three-year-old Shiba Inn being fostered in Chalfont through Home At Last Dog Rescue. She was rescued from a puppy mill in Lancaster. Helena is very sweet and playful. She can be skittish with new people, but warms up with time. She gets along well with other dogs and would benefit from a canine companion. Helena is crate- and house-trained, spayed and vaccinated. A quieter home with a fenced-in yard would be best for her.
If you are interested in adopting Helena or would like more information, you can reach out to Home At Last Dog Rescue at [email protected] or visit the group's website.
🏈 Play ball
📊 This week’s poll question
How often do you go out to eat dinner?Let us know |
Last week’s question: Did you plan to attend the Eagles’ championship parade?
No (83%)
Yes (17%)
Thanks for reading! See you next week!
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