State/County - Bensalem Township

Bill to Protect Officers of the Office of State Inspector General Sent to the Senate

Published

11 months ago

March 30, 2025

staff

Recently House Bill 36 was received by the Senate and referred to the State Government Committee after going through the House Judiciary and Appropriations Committees.

The bill seeks to provide state investigators working for the Office of the State Inspector General the ability to carry weapons to ensure their safety.

Over 120 law enforcement officers are employed by the office. They work closely with law enforcement agencies. The organization combats fraud, waste, misconduct, and abuse in government programs. Their jobs often place them in dangerous situations. However, unlike other law enforcement officers in the state, they are not permitted to carry weapons to ensure their safety, notes HB 36’s primary sponsor, Rep. Scott Conklin (D-Centre County).

Law enforcement officers working under the State Inspector General should be equipped with the latest technology to perform their duties safely, according to Conklin. In order to protect the state, he wants to ensure these officers are equipped with protection from harm.

The bill was introduced in early January of 2025 and weaved its way through the House committees as “An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in Office of State Inspector General, further providing for definitions and for powers, purpose and duties.” It was passed by the Appropriations Committee and sent to the Senate.

On March 19, 2025, the State Government Committee in the Senate received the Bill.

The Judiciary Committee voted 25-1 in favor to commit the bill to the Appropriations Committee. The Appropriations Committee unanimously passed the motion to “Re-report Bill As Committed.

HB36 was co-sponsored by Rep. Chris Pielli (D-Chester), Rep. Carol Hill-Evans (D-York), Rep. Tim Brennan (D-Bucks), Rep. Patrick Harkins (D-Erie), Rep. Andrew Kuzma (R-Allegheny & Washington), Rep. David Delloso (D-Delaware), Rep. Keith Harris (D-Philadelphia) and Rep. Tarik Khan (D-Philadelphia).

Related Topics:State Bill to Protect Officers of the Office of State Inspector General Sent to the Senate

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Human Interest - Bensalem Township

Police Seek Info on Missing Teen Believed to be in Lower Bucks Area

Published

11 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Jeff Bohen

Police from Plumstead Township Police Department with an assist from Tullytown Borough Police are asking for help from the community in attempting to locate a missing 17 year-old .

Ryan Jaatar Age 17 is 5ft 8in Brown eyes and has not been seen since January 3, 2026, police say.

Jaatar was last seen by his father at their residence in Plumstead Township.

Jaatar’s, according to investigators, is believed to be in the Levittown/Bristol/Croydon area.

Anyone with information, please contact Detective Stacie Arnosky at sarnosky@plumstead.gov or 215-766-8741, ext. 120 or Contact the Tullytown Borough Police Department at 215-945-0999. You can also submit a confidential tip at through this link.

State/County - Bensalem Township

Burlington Bristol Bridge to Close Overnight Beginning Friday for Maintenance Work

Published

14 hours ago

March 5, 2026

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The Burlington County Bridge Commission announced that the Burlington Bristol Bridge will be closed to all vehicle traffic from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. overnight beginning tomorrow (Friday March 6,) to Tuesday, March 10, weather permitting, for maintenance and repair work.

Human Interest - Bensalem Township

Floral Design Program Wins Again at Philadelphia Flower Show

Published

16 hours ago

March 5, 2026

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Dr. Patrick M. Jones (left), President & CEO of Bucks County Community College, and Carol Tyler admire the College’s floral design program’s exhibit at the Philadelphia Flower Show featuring “Joan of Arc at Orleans” by Stella Elkins Tyler. The sculpture, donated to the College by the Tyler family, is the centerpiece of the College’s award-winning “Rooted in Art” exhibit. The College was founded on the Tyler estate in Newtown more than 60 years ago. Credit: BCCC

In only its second year, Bucks County Community College (BCCC) picked up another medal at the prestigious horticultural expo for its ‘Rooted in Art’ tribute to Stella Elkins Tyler.

BCCC’s floral design program has once again taken home a prize in only its second year participating in the Philadelphia Flower Show. Students, alumni, and instructors earned a bronze medal for “Rooted in Art,” reflecting the College’s origins of being founded on the Newtown estate of artist and educational philanthropist Stella Elkins Tyler. The exhibit features Tyler’s sculpture “Joan of Arc at Orleans,” donated to the College by Carol Tyler, who visited the show with College President & CEO Dr. Patrick M. Jones (Feature Pic). The College was founded on the Tyler estate in Newtown more than 60 years ago. The exhibit features seven original floral designs, each interpreting the connection between nature, art, and education, alongside six selected student works from the College’s School of Arts and Communication.

Credit: BCCC

A team of 20 students, alumni, and instructors from BCCC’s floral design program helped install “Rooted in Art” at the Philadelphia Flower Show, which reflects the College’s origins of being founded on the Newtown estate of artist and educational philanthropist Stella Elkins Tyler. The exhibit features one of Tyler’s original bronze sculptures, “Joan of Arc at Orleans,” pictured in the background.

Credit: BCCC

Melanie Poff (left) and her mother Els Poff, both Certified Floral Designers from Doylestown and students in BCCC’s floral design program, helped surround “Joan of Arc at Orleans” by Stella Elkins Tyler with botanical beauty at the Philadelphia Flower Show. The sculpture is part of the “Rooted in Art” exhibit, reflecting the deep connection between art, education, and nature that Stella Elkins Tyler championed throughout her life.

Credit: BCCC

Amparito Arriaga, a Certified Floral Designer from Exton and a student in BCCC’s floral design program, installs part of the “Rooted in Art” exhibit at the Philadelphia Flower Show. The exhibit features seven original floral designs, each interpreting the connection between nature, art, and education, alongside six selected student works from the College’s School of Arts and Communication.