State/County - Bensalem Township

House Lawmakers: Fight for Equality not over with Historic SCOTUS Ruling

Published

6 years ago

June 15, 2020

As members of the Pennsylvania House LGBTQ Equality Caucus celebrated today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling, lawmakers also noted that while today marks a historic win for the LGBTQ community, work remains to extend civil rights protections to all Pennsylvanians beyond the workplace.

“This is an historic decision that finally allows the LGBTQ community to be protected from discrimination in the workplace regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, co-chair of the LGBTQ Equality Caucus. “We have pushed for these protections for years in Harrisburg, but unfortunately our bills have been consistently blocked by Republican leadership from getting even so much as a hearing, much less a vote.

“While this is certainly a win for liberty and justice for everyone, the fight for equality is not over. We need to expand these protections to include housing, education and public accommodations, as well as strengthen our hate crime law to cover LGBTQ individuals as a protected group.”

In a 6-3 vote the justices ruled that the nation’s landmark civil rights law protects gay and transgender workers from workplace discrimination. House Democrats and members of the LGBTQ Equality Caucus have fought for similar protections for years, but House Republicans – who control what bills are brought forward for voting – have refused to advance civil rights legislation. That includes H.B. 1404, which would protect employees, customers, students, patients and residents from discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.

“We have finally taken the step forward that we so desperately needed with the Supreme Court’s ruling that federal anti-discrimination laws protect gay and transgender employees,” said state Rep. Brian Sims, D-Phila., and the first out LGBT member of the legislature. “No one should face discrimination at work, or elsewhere for that matter, however, LGBTQIA+ Pennsylvanians have been waiting for protections at work, in housing and public accommodation for years.

“While I am glad to see the Supreme Court making the right decision on workplace discrimination, we still have work to do to ensure equality for all. I call on Republican leadership to move vital legislation in the commonwealth to protect all Pennsylvanians.”

“Once again, the U.S. Supreme Court has stepped in where the Pennsylvania legislature has failed LGBTQ+ citizens,” said state Sen. Larry Farnese, D-Phila., and co-chair of the LGBTQ Equality Caucus. “It’s a landmark victory, but we should still send a message about what kind of state we want to be.”

Related Topics:D-Allegheny D-Phila.Pennsylvania House LGBTQ Equality Caucus Rep. Dan Frankel Supreme Court tate Sen. Larry Farnese

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Human Interest - Bensalem Township

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

Published

58 minutes 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

4 hours ago

March 5, 2026

staff

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

6 hours ago

March 5, 2026

staff

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.