E-news Updates - September 8, 2023

In this Update:

Governor Shapiro Joins Students for Breakfast at Maple Point Middle School
Northampton Township Police Detective Sergeant Retires
DART South has Officially Launched
$300,000 in Grant Funding Coming to Middletown Township
Remembering the Sept. 11, 2001 Attacks

Governor Shapiro Joins Students for Breakfast at Maple Point Middle School

Today, my colleagues and I joined Governor Josh Shapiro at Maple Point Middle School in Langhorne to have breakfast with students and highlight budget investments in the universal free breakfast program.

The 2023-24 budget includes a $46.5 million increase to provide universal free breakfast to Pennsylvania students and free lunch to all 22,000 students who are eligible for reduced-price lunches through the National School Lunch Program.

Regardless of income, 1.7 million students will now receive a free breakfast every single day, including more than 1,200 students at Maple Point Middle School and more than 76,000 students across Bucks County.

No child should arrive at school hungry, but sadly many do. Students cannot learn and thrive on an empty stomach. 1 in 8 children in Pennsylvania face hunger and food insecurity. Bucks County is not immune to that insecurity and why I am pleased to support the universal free breakfast program.

It was an honor to have Governor Shapiro join the students and talk about this important program in Neshaminy School District, where I graduated.

Northampton Township Police Detective Sergeant Retires

Detective Sergeant Steven Heath of Northampton Township Police Department retired after 27 years of service. I had the honor of presenting a Senate citation to him to honor this momentous occasion.

Steve grew up in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia and graduated from Central High School, class 234. He was hired as a Police Officer by the University of Pennsylvania where he worked for 10 years, before being hired as an officer with Northampton Township in 1996. Steve attended St Joseph’s University and received a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice Administration. He also graduated from Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command in June 2012. D/Sgt. Heath was promoted to Sergeant in 2003 and Detective Sergeant in 2018. Steve and his wife Judy have three grown children and four grandchildren. He enjoys family time, reading and sports.

I want to thank Detective Sergeant Heath for his service and best wishes on an enjoyable retirement.

DART South has Officially Launched

DART South, the DART System’s newest route in Warrington Township, launched last week. DART South is a new fixed route bus service, connecting Warrington Township residents to local businesses and communities. The route will be operating Monday through Friday, along Pa. Rte. 611 and Street Road in Warrington, providing a connection with the Doylestown DART and DART West. The DART System is just $1 and FREE for those 65 and older.

Former State Rep. Todd Polinchock was instrumental in making this possible through an economic development grant. This is a great opportunity for the residents and businesses of the Warrington community. Stops on the new route include the Shops at Valley Square, the Walmart and several shopping centers on Route 611.

The DART System is operated by Bucks County Transport, a nonprofit organization established in 1986. BCT provides shared ride transportation service for all Bucks County residents within Bucks and into Philadelphia, Montgomery, Lehigh, and Northampton Counties. Check out the BCT website www.bctransport.org for bus schedules and a list of shared ride services and specialized transportation programs for Bucks County residents.

$300,000 in Grant Funding Coming to Middletown Township for School Zone Safety Upgrades

The Township of Middletown in Bucks County was selected for $300,000 in funding through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) Multimodal Transportation Fund. The funding will be used toward the implementation of comprehensive safety upgrades to several school zones including modern speed signs and remote-access controllers to improve school zone and crosswalk safety.

The program is intended to provide financial assistance to municipalities, councils of governments, businesses, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, and ports and rail freight entities to improve transportation infrastructure that enhance communities, pedestrian safety and transit revitalization.

Remembering the Sept. 11, 2001 Attacks

Monday marks the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on our country, including one that resulted in a plane crash in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. It is with a heavy heart that we remember the devastating attacks and wish peace for the families who lost a loved one.

We also recognize the incredible heroes, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice, as they cared for the innocent victims. Emergency responders and military personnel deserve our deep gratitude.

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