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…)

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…)

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…)

WHITPAIN — Two days after an Upper Gwynedd shootout left one person dead and one injured, Niochie Lawson met with a woman at a gas station, exposed the bullet wounds on his legs and back, and said he’d been shot by a woman he met in a bar.

Montgomery County and Upper Gwynedd law enforcement officials hope to prove that Lawson sustained those wounds during a violent exchange inside a local home on June 9.

On Friday, Lawson was arraigned before District Judge John Murray for his alleged role in the incident in the 100 block of Hancock Road, Upper Gwynedd.
(more…)

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania House members have voted thumbs down to what they say is the Senate’s “watered down” version of a House proposal that would impose stricter rules for teen drivers.

By a bipartisan vote of 126-71, House members, Thursday night, rejected the Senate’s version of House Bill 67, complaining that Senate amendments weaken the bill in three significant ways — when it comes to cell phone and texting bans, passenger restrictions and driver training hours. (more…)

WEST NORRITON — Norristown Area School District officials deferred a Pennsylvania Right to Know request for a copy of the final report on the structural integrity of Roosevelt Field filed June 21.

Wendi Vargas, the district’s Open Records Officer, stated in a June 25 reply letter, “it has been determined that additional time is needed to address your request. A further response to your request is expected to be provided within 30 days of the date of this correspondence.” (more…)