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Souderton School District vs. The ACLU
North Penn Now's weekly newsletter
James Kratch
November 26, 2024
John Worthington | The Reporter
Welcome back to North Penn Now’s weekly newsletter! A whooping cough case was recently confirmed at North Penn High. Here’s what you need to know about protecting yourself and loved ones from pertussis this winter.
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In This Week's Email:
📆 Upcoming Nearby Events
Tuesday, Nov. 26 (today!)
🍪 Cookies with Santa | Mom’s Cookie Bar in Doylestown | 1-6 p.m., more details here
☘️ Irish Christmas in America | Sellersville Theater | 8 p.m., more details here
Friday, Nov. 29
🧶 Holiday Craft Show | Pearl S. Buck Estate in Perkasie | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., runs through Dec. 8, more details here
🎷 Philadelphia Brass Recital | First Presbyterian Church of Ambler | 7:30 p.m., more details here
Sunday, Dec. 1
❄️ Plymouth Whitemarsh Cheerleading Winter Bazaar | PWHS | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., more details here
🎄 North Wales Annual Tree Lighting | North Penn Vol. Fire Co. | 4 p.m., more details here
🍺 Late Night Happy Hour | Halligan Bar at North Penn Social Club | 6-9 p.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
🗣️ Souderton School Board Faces Federal Suit
The controversy surrounding a Souderton Area School Board member has escalated further.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania and a Lebanon-based law firm have filed a federal lawsuit against the school district, alleging unconstitutional behavior tied to embattled board member Bill Formica.
ICYMI: Formica came under fire in the summer when he made a lewd comment about Vice President Kamala Harris on social media -- the first of several inflammatory posts he authored to emerge. Formica apologized for the post about Harris but has refused to heed calls for his resignation, accusing critics of "partisan politics."
The ACLU lawsuit accuses the school district of banning two parents and a former student from school property as retaliation for their criticism of Formica. The filing also alleges the district violated the First Amendment by requiring photo identification to enter a public meeting and by restricting the Souderton Area for All community group from demonstrating on school grounds while Formica supporters were permitted to gather.
The district said the lawsuit's allegations are "misconceptions" and defended the ID requirement for logistical purposes. It also said the decision to bar the three individuals was due to "aggressive and threatening" behavior.
🚔 More Mayhem In The Streets Of Lansdale
Tony Di Domizio | North Penn Now
The hits (and runs) keep coming.
A driver blew through the stop sign at Line and Third Streets in Lansdale, swerving into another driver. The man then took off, allegedly hitting several more cars along Line Street before turning onto East Second Street and running over a street sign.
The driver then kept going, finally coming to a stop at the end of the cul-de-sac as he dragged the sign under his vehicle. The driver then exited his vehicle and had a confrontation with a resident, allegedly grabbing that man's throat. The resident and the driver of the first hit car then subdued the driver and kept him on the scene until police arrived.
From last week's send: A ‘Grand Theft Auto’ recreation in Lansdale
🗞️ News Links
🚨 Attempted Murder Captured
Photo courtesy of Montgomery County District Attorney
A Lansdale man was apprehended after going on the lam following an alleged attempted murder in Hatfield.
Joshua Ronan, 30, is accused of first-degree attempted murder, aggravated assault and other related charges tied to a Nov. 5 incident; police allege Ronan attacked a man with a brick following an argument. He was captured Friday without incident at an apartment on Lansdale’s East Main Street and is being held on $500,000 bail.
👷♂️ The Latest On Controversial Upper Gwynedd Proposal
A divisive pitch to build an apartment complex on Pennbrook Parkway is back on the front burner.
ICYMI: Upper Gwynedd's commissioners approved a map change and zoning text in August 2023 to carve out a six-acre parcel of land for a 60-unit apartment complex. Some units would be "workforce housing," or reserved for residents who meet low-income criteria. Nearby residents immediately pushed back on the concept.
The developer will soon make an updated presentation to township officials as the opposed residents threaten to sue, alleging the zoning decision was illegal and unconstitutional. The next meeting of the Upper Gwynedd commissioners is Dec. 9.
In other area development news: Plans to build 12 new townhouses on East Mt. Vernon Street in Lansdale are progressing toward approval. And Lower Salford will receive roughly $900,000 in state grants for sewer infrastructure and streambank rehabilitation.
🏘️ 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.
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🤦♂️ Not A Very Good Pal
A Malvern man was tasked with selling his ailing friend’s work equipment and was supposed to give his friend, who operated a millwork company in Hatfield, 85% of the profit. Instead, he sold the gear for over $250,000 and kept all the cash to pay for his divorce costs and personal expenses. The man — who has pleaded guilty to theft by deception in the past — now faces a slew of felony charges.
🇺🇸 Towamencin DAR Celebrates New U.S. Citizens
Photo courtesy of Towamencin DAR
The Towamencin chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution greeted new United States citizens after their naturalization ceremony earlier this month at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown. The DAR provided a U.S. flag and a copy of the Constitution, among other gifts, to the 20 individuals from 13 countries that were awarded their citizenship certificates.
The National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution is a non-political service organization that promotes education, patriotism and historic preservation. It is open to any woman 18 years or older who can prove lineal, bloodline descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence.
🏈 Play Ball
For more on local sports, subscribe to our Philly sports newsletter, On Pattison (sent 5x per week):
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📊 This Week’s Poll Question
What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?Let us know! |
Last week’s poll question: Have you seen a coyote recently?
No, I have not seen one (43%)
Not recently, but in the past (42%)
Yes, I saw one (8%)
I know someone who has spotted one (4%)
No, but I've seen a bear or another notable wild animal (3%)
Thanks for reading! Have a Happy Thanksgiving and see you next week!
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