Nearby: Officials to Hold Summer Safety Event in Lower Southampton

Fire and EMS companies serving the 18th District and 142nd District were awarded grants from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC), state Reps. Joe Hogan and K.C. Tomlinson announced.

Projects eligible for funding include construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training or reduction of existing debt.

“Across our community, this funding will support critical upgrades and the acquisition of life saving equipment,” said Hogan. As we know, our volunteer first responders put their lives on the line with every call, we must ensure they have the resources they need to keep our communities and families safe.”

“I’m proud to congratulate our dedicated fire and EMS companies across the 18th District on receiving these critical grants,” said Tomlinson. “From Bensalem to Hulmeville, these funds will go directly toward facility upgrades, equipment purchases, training and debt relief. These investments provide our first responders with the support they deserve to continue to keep our communities safe.”

The organizations receiving grants are:

• Bensalem Fire Rescue – $14,075.
• Bensalem Rescue Squad Inc. – $15,000.
• Cornwells Fire Company No. 1 – $16,136.
• Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company – $16,136.
• Middletown Township DBA – $12,838.
• Newport Fire Company No. 1 – $16,136.
• Nottingham Fire Company – $16,136.
• Penndel Fire Co. No. 1 – $16,136.
• Penndel-Middletown Emergency Squad – $15,000.
• William Penn Fire Co. – $16,136.

• Feasterville Fire Co. – $15,312.
• Lower Southampton Fire Co. – $16,136.
• Northampton Township Volunteer Fire Co. – $14,693.
• Trevose Fire Company – $16,136.

The 18th House District covers Bensalem Township and Hulmeville Borough.

The 142nd House District covers Langhorne Borough, Langhorne Manor Borough, Penndel Borough, Lower Southampton Township, parts of Middletown and Northampton Townships.

A Warrington Township woman has been arrested after being accused of leaving her baby in a car while she shopped at Walmart, according authorities

Tina DeCarla, 42, was arraigned by District Judge Stacy Wertman, last week on  child endangerment and leaving a child unattended charges.

DeCarla, police say,  drove into the store’s parking lot around 3:49 p.m. on Jan. 10 before getting out of the car and walking into the Walmart around 3:55 p.m.

A shopper  nearby called police and reported there was an infant sleeping in an unauthorized restraint positioned in the in the front seat and facing forward.

At approximately 4:16 p.m., DeCarla returned to the vehicle. The reporting customer requested she remain on scene until police arrived; however, DeCarla fled the shopping mall area, prior to officers’ arrival.

A warrant was subsequently issued for her arrest.

DeCarla is accused of driving away before the police could get to the parking lot.

Investigators then discovered  she was wanted by Bucks County Detectives on felony perjury, forgery and tampering with public records offenses.

Wertman set bail at $100,000 or 10 percent cash for each case and ordered DeCarla to cooperate with Bucks County Children and Youth Services and to have no contact with her four-month-old child.

DeCarla has a pending court date set for Jan 26 in the perjury case and Feb 9 on the child endangerment charges, and she has no attorney of record according to online court records, currently.

She was unable  to post bail and was transported to the Bucks County Correctional Facility

Police across the commonwealth are warning consumers looking to purchase vehicles online about an uptick in reports in which thieves are using social media based sites to sell stolen vehicles.

Police departments across  Pennsylvania are seeing an uptick of cases in which criminals are using channels like Facebook Marketplace to sell stolen vehicles, often with counterfeit titles or falsified paperwork, law enforcement officials say.

At least one investigator reported, investigators say, that of the vehicles recovered, almost none of them exhibit signs of tampering or damage.

Be cautious and help protect yourself:

• Verify Vehicle History: Always check the vehicle identification number (VIN) and run a full vehicle history report.
• Avoid Cash-Only Transactions: Use traceable payment methods and meet sellers in safe, public locations.
• Inspect Carefully: Look for signs of tampering and never buy a car without confirming its ownership and documentation.

And always remember, authorities say,  if something doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts. Stay alert, stay safe, and don’t let a quick deal turn into a costly mistake.