BillLawrenceOnline

By William W. Lawrence Sr

Courtesy of Cathy Martin

The deadline to apply for the 2011 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is Dec. 31, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129). If you’ve already applied and/or received your rebate check for 2011, please note that applications for the 2012 program will not be accepted until next year, probably in mid-February. 

Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2011. The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with permanent disabilities. 

Eligibility income limits for homeowners are set at the following levels, excluding 50 percent of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits: 

Residents are reminded to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental information required to process claims quickly and accurately. 

One can obtain an application by visiting this page on Cox’s website.

By William W. Lawrence Sr

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has reported a recent significant increase in influenza activity across the state since Thanksgiving, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129). 

Flu activity has risen from sporadic to widespread throughout the Commonwealth, meaning at least half of the state’s regions are experiencing outbreaks of influenza or increases in influenza-like illness. The flu made an appearance earlier this year than in most flu seasons, as widespread activity is usually not seen until January. 

To protect yourself and your loved ones against the flu, the department recommends the flu vaccine for everyone over the age of 6 months. The vaccine is especially important for the elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions that place them at increased risk of complications from the flu. 

In addition to getting vaccinated, individuals should take precautions to keep the flu from spreading, including: covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, staying at home when ill or experiencing flu-like symptoms, washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based sanitizers when soap and water are not available, and cleaning and disinfecting high-use surfaces, especially if someone has been coughing or sneezing in the area. 

For information on seasonal influenza, visit www.health.state.pa.us.

By William W. Lawrence Sr

J.P. Morgan’s uncle wrote Jingle Bells.

By Pattie Price

Peter Bowen, 25, of Newtown Square, was held for a Jan.16 arraignment in Common Pleas Court on the charge of recklessly endangering another person following a hearing Thursday before Magisterial District Judge Lee Hunter. In exchange for the waiver the charge of possession of a controlled substance was withdrawn. The charges stem from an incident 4 p.m., Oct. 26, on Fairview Avenue.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Detective John Newell and several other officers responded to the 4300 block of Fairview Avenue to investigate a report of “shots fired.”

When police arrived they heard additional gun shots. Police entered the wooded area and located Bowen and his friend. Both men denied having or firing a gun, but said they had set off fireworks.

Bowen’s friend told police that a gun was buried under a pile of leaves a few feet from the fire pit where the men were located.

Newell found a loaded black .22 caliber revolver, and next to the gun he found a bundle of suspected heroin.

Confiscated from Bowen were two empty blue bags containing heroin residue and a pocket knife.

Both men admitted they had used heroin and drank a few beers while shooting the gun.

Bowen told police that he brought the gun from his friend’s house and that the gun belonged to his brother.

* * * 

Shariff Blackwell, 33, of Philadelphia waived a hearing on the charges of DUI and possession of a small amount of marijuana. In exchange for the waiver the charges of speeding, operating a vehicle following suspension of registration, and careless driving were withdrawn. The charges stem from an incident 3:18a.m., Oct. 21, on West Chester Pike near Bishop Hollow Road.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Officer Joe Vandegrift saw the driver of a black Lincoln Navigator speeding on West Chester Pike. He clocked the vehicle at 79 mph in a posted 40 mph zone and stopped the driver who was identified as Blackwell.

Blackwell had a strong odor of alcohol and admitted he had been drinking at West Chester University’s Homecoming.

A portable breath test revealed a blood alcohol level of .196 percent. He was transported to Springfield Hospital for a blood test.

A computer check revealed Blackwell was arrested for DUI in 2005 and that his registration was suspended.

After Blackwell was processed he placed a small container of suspected marijuana on the floor where he was seated.

Blackwell is scheduled for a Jan. 16 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

* * *

Desmond Davis, 44, of Prospect Park, was held in abstentia for a Jan. 16 arraignment in Common Pleas Court on the charges of bad checks. The charges stem from an incident 9:40a.m., Oct. 5, at Niemeyer’s, 19 S. Newtown Street Road.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Officer Dave Wilding said an employee of Niemeyer’s reported Davis made a purchase of $918.89 on May 11 and his check was returned the following day for non-sufficient funds. Niemeyer’s contacted Davis and he promised to make payments. On June 29, Davis finally made a payment of $100. When he didn’t make any more payments after numerous phone calls, police were contacted to prosecute Davis.

* * * 

Cheryl Scout, 63, of Drexel Hill, plead guilty to harassment for an incident 6:20p.m., Nov. 16, at 126 Pine Street.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Officer Joe Vandegrift  said Ms. Scout called her ex-boyfriend 13 times in 24 hours, despite a PFA. He said Ms. Scout attempted to contact him 46 times between June and November, While taking the report, the victim’s cell phone rang and Vandegrift advised Ms. Scout that she was going to be arrested for plotting to run her ex-boyfriend over in Casey’s parking lot.

Police said at the time of the incident, Ms. Scout was on bail for a previous harrassment incident of her ex-boyfriend.