Immigration tide continues to rise in county

Jul 03, 2010

By: The Times Herald

By KEITH PHUCAS
Times Herald Staff

Part one of a three-part series: COURTHOUSE — In the past decade, the number of illegal immigrants has continued to rise in Montgomery County — particularly in Norristown, which has the highest number of Mexican nationals — and the newcomers continue to test the limits of medical services, public schools and law enforcement, according to local officials.

Despite criticism, many have positive things to say about immigrant-owned restaurants and retail stores that have sprung up to brighten Norristown’s urban landscape.

But with Pennsylvania and its counties facing budget deficits, many wonder how long government can continue to subsidize the burgeoning low-income population that is straining vital services. Currently, state legislators are considering a more restrictive law mirroring Arizona’s to stem the tide of the undocumented settling in the state. (more…)

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Check out your local fireworks

Jul 03, 2010

The following is a list of fireworks displays in the area:
Saturday, July 3 – at the Norristown Independence Day Festivities at the Elmwood Park Bandshell, Harding Boulevard, Norristown, at dusk.
Saturday, July 3 – at Conshohocken’s Independence Day Celebration at Sutcliffe Park, off Colwell Lane, at dusk.
Sunday, July 4 – at the Upper Merion Fourth of July celebration.at Heuser Park, Beidler Road, King of Prussia, at dark.
Sunday, July 4 – at Skippack Village Fourth of July Celebration at Palmer Park, next to the Skippack Township Building and Skippack Elementary., at dusk. Parking will be off Heckler and Creamery roads in Skippack
Sunday, July 4 – at Waltz Golf Farm, Ridge Pike, Limerick, around 9:30-9:45 p.m. Free admission.
Sunday, July 4 – at the Lower Providence Township July Fourth celebration at Eagleville Park, 100 Parklane Drive, at dusk.
Wit or witout?

Jul 03, 2010

By GARY PULEO
Times Herald Staff

The dogged debate between Pat’s and Geno’s in South Philly took a detour into the ‘burbs

when we asked, “Who has the best cheesesteak in the area?”

The age-old query went out via our website, Twitter, Facebook, e-mail and good old-fashioned, face-to-face, man on the street interrogation.

By far the latter venue provided the greatest response, with a dozen votes going to Pudge’s Steaks & Hoagies in Blue Bell. (more…)
Ben Franklin Project: What are the biggest traffic headaches in your community?

Jul 03, 2010

By JENNY DeHUFF
Times Herald Staff

CONSHOHOCKEN – They’ve generated the most activity on The Times Herald website since March — dreaded traffic issues.

For weeks, feedback has poured in from readers and web surfers, eager to see a change in traffic patterns or road conditions in the area. With help from the new SeeClickFix Times Herald website feature, a consensus of the most egregious traffic headaches is now at hand. (more…)
PECO rate caps expire, residents should look at options

Jul 03, 2010

By CARL ROTENBERG

Times Herald Staff

NORRISTOWN – It’s déjà vu all over again.

With the end of electric rate caps in the Peco Energy territory on Dec. 31, electric rates are expected to go up about 10 percent for the average residential user. Customers will be able to shop around for an alternative electric supplier, just as they did 12 years ago when electric choice was first introduced in Pennsylvania.

The 1996 Pennsylvania Electricity Generation and Customer Choice Act restructured the electric market to allow competition for most utilities and capped the electric rates at 1995 levels for the incumbent utility through 2009 and 2010. (more…)
Norristown celebrates Independence Day

Jul 03, 2010

The municipality of Norristown held their second annual Indepence Day parade on Saturday with hundreds of residents lining the streets to enjoy the festive environment.

(more…)