State/County - Bensalem Township

PennDOT, PFBC, USCG, Police Remind Motorists and Boaters to Drive Sober and Be Safe this Independence Day

Published

3 years ago

June 29, 2023

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) last week joined the United States Coast Guard (USCG), Pennsylvania State Police, Ridley Township Police, and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), at the Ridley Township Municipal Marina in Ridley Park, Delaware County, to promote driving and boating safety for the Independence Day holiday.

Participants discussed the need to remain vigilant while celebrating Fourth of July festivities; it is vital to remain sober while operating a vehicle or vessel. The United States Coast Guard and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission also demonstrated a mock Boating Under the Influence (BUI) stop.

Credit U.S. Coast Guard

From July 1 through July 3, PFBC waterways conservation officers (WCO) will participate in Operation Dry Water, a nationally organized effort to conduct enhanced BUI enforcement. WCOs are trained to detect signs of impaired boating and conduct sobriety tests on the water. The public is reminded that the legal limit for operating a motor vehicle or any watercraft, powered or unpowered, is .08 percent blood alcohol concentration. In addition, boaters are reminded to wear a life jacket, have a float plan to let someone know when and where they’ll be boating, check the weather forecast to avoid summer storms, and designate a sober boat operator.

According to 2022 PennDOT data, there were 841 crashes and nine fatalities in the Philadelphia region during the Fourth of July travel period beginning Saturday, June 25, and running through Tuesday, July 5. Of those, 64 crashes were impaired-driving related. Never drive impaired. Take the keys away from an impaired friend or loved one to prevent them from driving, designate a sober driver, or use a rideshare app. Motorists should also obey the posted speed limit, never drive distracted, and always buckle up.

A few dollars spent on a ride is much cheaper than a DUI, which can cost up to $10,000. Something else to consider: Never be too proud or embarrassed to ask for a ride. As PennDOT Safety Press Officer Krys Johnson says, allowing a sober driver to help you get home keeps you and others safe. “What’s more embarrassing than drunkenly asking for a sober ride home? Spending the night in jail. Having your car impounded. Losing your job or your security clearance. Take your pick.”

Alcohol and drug use can impair a person’s judgment and reaction time. Motorists who drive impaired, whether behind the wheel of a car or a boat, endanger themselves, their passengers, and others on the roadways and waterways.

Fike Image: State Police Cruiser in Bristol Twp

“During the July 4th holiday, we’re showing zero tolerance to drunk driving,” said Trooper Jessica Tobin. “It is illegal; however, people still drive intoxicated. We know how to identify signs of impairment. Ruining your life and someone else’s is preventable. Make the right choice.”

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Human Interest - Bensalem Township

Bucks Republicans Announce Endorsed Candidates for 2026 Elections

Published

3 hours ago

March 12, 2026

staff

The Bucks County Republican Committee on Wednesday announced their recommended slate of candidates for the 2026 election.

Following a rigorous vetting process, committee members from across the country are supporting a team of proven leaders and dedicated newcomers. From defending our taxpayers to ensuring our neighborhoods remain safe, these candidates have the integrity and work ethic required to deliver results for our communities, said Chairwoman Pat Poprik.

“Our 2026 ticket represents the very best of Bucks County,” said Poprik. “We are united and ready to get to work.”

𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 the 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦:

U.S. Congress: Brian Fitzpatrick

Credit: Bucks County Republican Committee

PA Senate: (Lower Bucks) Frank Farry

Credit: Bucks County Republican Committee

PA House: (Lower Bucks) Kristin Marcell, K.C. Tomlinson, Joe Hogan

Credit: Bucks County Republican Committee

Statewide: Stacy Garrity (Governor) & Jason Richey (Lt. Governor)

Credit: Bucks County Republican Committee

You can click here to get involved and learn more about the endorsed candidates

The Primary Election will be held Tuesday May 19 with the General Election scheduled for November 3.

Human Interest - Bensalem Township

Fmr Bucks County Resident, Trump Voter Convicted of Voter Fraud

Published

4 hours ago

March 12, 2026

Jeff Bohen

Earlier this month federal prosecutors announced a Bethlehem man was convicted of election fraud by a federal jury for voting twice in the 2020 presidential election

United States Attorney David Metcalf announced Matthew Laiss, 32, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was convicted at trial on March 3 of election fraud offenses in connection with the 2020 presidential election.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Laiss was charged by indictment in September of last year with one count of voting more than once in a federal election and one count of voter fraud and was convicted on both charges.

According to court filings, from at least October 2012 until about August 2020, Laiss resided in, and was lawfully registered to vote in, Ottsville, Pennsylvania, a municipality located in Bucks County. In or around August 2020, Laiss moved his primary residence from Ottsville, to Frostproof, Florida. The same month, he applied for and obtained a Florida driver’s license and registered to vote in Florida.

In or about October 2020, the Bucks County Board of Elections mailed a ballot for the November 2020 general election to the Laiss’ former address in Ottsville, Pennsylvania, where his parents continued to reside.

As proven at trial, on or about October 31, 2020, Laiss filled out and returned the Pennsylvania mail-in ballot, casting a vote for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States of America, prosecutors say.

Then, according to investigators, on or about November 3, 2020, Laiss went to a polling location in or around Frostproof, Florida, and voted in the 2020 general election, casting a vote for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States of America.

According to a Penn Capital-Star report, the double voting was uncovered with the help of a multistate voter roll maintenance program called ERIC, which was the target of conservative attacks in the years after the 2020 election.

Numerous conservative-run states left ERIC between the 2020 and 2024 election, including Florida, where Laiss was double-registered, the report says

Pennsylvania remains an ERIC member state, even though legislation has been authored by Republicans at the state level to withdraw from the program, according to state records.

This “…conviction reinforces a simple principle: our elections must be fair, secure, and lawful, ” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “Casting a ballot in more than one jurisdiction undermines public trust and dilutes the votes of others. Our office will continue to protect the integrity of federal elections and hold accountable those who violate the law.”

Laiss is scheduled to be sentenced June 10, 2026, and faces a maximum possible sentence of five years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $10,000 to $250,000 fine, for each of the charges on which he was convicted.

This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Pennsylvania Department of State, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Dubnoff.

Editor’s Note: Mr Laiss in myriad of media reports publicly declared his support and votes for President Trump in the 2020 Elections

Human Interest - Bensalem Township

Construction Planned for Thurs.-Fri. Nights on I-95N in NE Philadelphia

Published

7 hours ago

March 12, 2026

staff

PennDOT announced that construction activities will occur at night Thursday on northbound I-95 in Northeast Philadelphia.

Motorists are advised of the following travel restriction:

Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13, from 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning, a lane closure will be in place on northbound I-95 between the Castor Avenue and Betsy Ross Bridge interchanges for sheet pile installation.

All scheduled activities are weather permitting. Motorists are advised to allow extra time for traveling on northbound I-95 because backups and delays will occur.

The sheet piles will help support the embankment during northbound reconstruction of I-95 between Wheatsheaf Lane and Margaret Street as part of PennDOT’s $355.3 million I-95/BR3 project.