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Ex-Montgomery Twp. Youth Sports Official Accused Of Theft
North Penn Now's weekly newsletter
James Kratch
February 11, 2025
Welcome back to North Penn Now’s weekly newsletter! Hatfield’s Scouts of America Troop 511 is celebrating its first two female Eagle Scouts.
In This Week's Email:
📆 Upcoming nearby events
Friday, Feb. 14
❤️ Valentine’s Day Acoustic Show | Well Crafted Beer Co. in Lansdale | 8 p.m., more details here
Saturday, Feb. 15
🕵️♂️ Murder Mystery Dinner | William Penn Inn in Gwynedd | 7 p.m., more details here
Saturday, Feb. 15-Sunday, Feb. 16
❄️ Winterfest Weekend | Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown | 10 a.m., 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
🚔 Youth sports fraud arrest in Montgomery Twp.
Courtesy of Montgomery County District Attorney
A former Montgomery Township Baseball and Softball Association official is accused of stealing over $43,000 from the non-profit organization.
Christopher Mark Pekula, 49, a certified public accountant and the association's ex-vice president of finance, faces several felony charges. He served in the role from Oct. 2018 to Oct. 2023; his successor then uncovered bookkeeping discrepancies, leading to an eventual criminal investigation.
Police alleged Pekula committed fraud through cash withdrawals and false self-reimbursements involving expenses like new uniforms. Pekula is also accused of false claims about pandemic relief loans. Pekula is free on $25,000 bail, but has been fired from his job at Kreischer Miller, a Horsham-based accounting and tax firm.
😷 Atmospheric anomaly causes a big stink
Emergency dispatches throughout Montgomery County received calls on Saturday about unpleasant smells in the area, including some reports of chemical or burning plastic scents.
Officials said a temperature inversion was to blame, not a leak or fire. That is a temporary condition in which air temperature increases with height and a warm air mass sits atop the inversion, preventing air below it from rising and trapping smog, smoke and other pollutants close to the ground.
Wapner Newman: We Have Our Clients’ Backs
Victims of medical malpractice and other catastrophic injuries often have only one chance to right the wrong done to them. Wapner Newman understands this and tirelessly fights for the compensation our clients need so they can make the most of this opportunity. Our clients matter deeply to us. We make it a priority to ensure they get the high-quality, award-winning support they deserve, whenever they need it. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
🗞️ News links
🚔 Incident at Hilltown community ruled a suicide
James Short | North Penn Now
A body found on the grounds of Hilltown's Heritage Greene townhome complex was the result of a suicide in a public area, cops said. The deceased person was discovered on Monday afternoon near the dog park by Ridgeview Court.
🚸 North Penn High to examine new crosswalk
North Penn High is about to start fielding bids on renovation plans for its main office and natatorium -- the first phase in a long-awaited project expected to run into the 2030s.
The school board is also seeking feedback on plans for the second phase, which will be much larger and lengthier. One specific new upgrade potentially on the table: A pedestrian crosswalk on Sumneytown Pike. A study into the possibility was recently greenlit after Towamencin requested that it be included in the renovation project. You can read more about the ask here.
🔥 Lower Salford fire spreads to neighboring homes
James Short | North Penn Now
A blaze began in a Lower Salford garage before spreading to nearby homes during the Super Bowl, leading to a three-alarm fire escalation. There were propane tanks in the garage where the fire started, but emergency units were able to corral the blaze within 40 minutes.
Philly Fans: It’s Your Time To Decide!
The moment has arrived — our Authentic Philly Fan Contest has entered the voting round, and we need YOUR help to choose the winner! These fans live and breathe Philly, but only one can take home $5,000. Click here to check out the incredible entries and cast your vote. Voting closes on February 16 -- don’t wait!
🏘️ 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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📜 What town is Civil War hero really from?
Most of Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock's accolades are unquestioned. He was known as "Hancock the Superb" during the Civil War, renowned for his heroics on behalf of the Union at Gettysburg and ran for president as the Democratic Party's nominee in 1880. He is also considered a native son of Montgomery Township.
Or is he?
The Montgomery Township Historical Society's free winter program -- Is Hancock's Birthplace' Fake News? -- is on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Montgomery Township Community & Recreation Center. It will examine whether Hancock was born in town or he truly belongs to Norristown. More details can be found here.
🐶 Rescue of the Week
James Short | North Penn Now
Meet Jewel, a two-year-old Labrador Retriever being fostered through Home At Last Dog Rescue.
She made her way to the area from South Carolina and is the perfect mix of medium energy and love. Jewel loves to meet new people, walks well on a leash and is crate- and house-trained. She does great with other dogs and would fit well in a home with older kids.
If you are interested in adopting Jewel 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
Are you planning to attend the Eagles' championship parade?Let us know! |
Last week’s question: How will you watch the Super Bowl?
At home alone/in a small group (83%)
I am going to New Orleans! (17%)
Thanks for reading! See you next week!
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