NP Safe Schools Committee Proposes $150K in Security Upgrades

Jennifer Lawson of The Reporter wrote that there are no plans for armed guards or school police officers

Weeks after a North Penn School District school safety forum — and in the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut — North Penn School District’s Safe Schools Committee proposed $150,000 in security upgrades Thursday night, according to Jennifer Lawson of The Reporter. Proposed upgrades include more cameras, portable radios and card swipe and buzzer systems, according to Lawson. There is no plan for armed guards or school police officers, Lawson wrote. Costs for the upgrades would come from the capital budget, according to the article. Research and input from law enforcement, administrators and parents is necessary before upgrades are implemented, Lawson wrote. Read more at this link.

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North Penn Sets Forum on School Security

Superintendent Curt Dietrich will discuss security plans and protocols with residents on Jan. 7 at 6:45 p.m. at North Penn High School

In the wake of the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut on Dec. 14, North Penn School District has begun scrutinizing its security and intruder drills at each school. According to Jennifer Lawson of The Reporter, North Penn will be boosting its security at school entrances. It is also planning on increasing the number of intruder drills from two per year. Superintendent Curt Dietrich will discuss security plans and protocols with parents and taxpayers at a community forum on Jan. 7 at 6:45 p.m. in North Penn High School’s auditorium. Read more of Lawson’s story on North Penn security assessment at this link. Dietrich issued a statement on North Penn’s security in the wake of the Newtown tragedy on North Penn’s website: Good Afternoon,  Since …

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Apple Unveils New iPhone 5

Apple unveiled the next generation of iPhone today. Will you be upgrading?

The details on the new iPhone 5 from Apple were announced today, and the sixth model in the series, is taller, thinner and lighter than the iPhone 4S, according to Apple Senior Vice President Phil Shiller in an article by CBS News. "It's an absolute jewel," Shiller said. The iPhone 5 will have a 4-inch display, allowing for five rows of apps, according to CNET. CBS reported that the biggest updates to the phone, though, are the camera and iSight. The camera will be smaller, have an 8-megapixel sensor and will be able to take panoramic photos. Additionally, video would be in 1080p HD, with 720p in the front-facing camera. The iPhone 5 will be available in stores Sept. 21, reported CNET, and the prices run the same as its previous version of…

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VIDEO: Charges Pending Against Lansdale Hit-and-Run Suspect

Suryakant Patel, 70, of the 700 block of Shaw Avenue, Lansdale, allegedly hit James Nichols, 3, with his vehicle and drove away from the scene

Lansdale Police have identified the driver of the silver 2004 Honda Accord that struck 3-year-old James Nichols of Shaw Avenue in Lansdale as Suryakant Patel, 70, police said. Patel resides on the 700 block of Shaw Avenue and is a neighbor of the Nichols family. Police said charges are pending against Patel, who will be summoned at a later date.  On June 3, at 1:40 p.m., Lansdale Police responded to the 800 block of Shaw Avenue for a report of a hit-and-run accident invlving a three-year-old boy, police said. Witnesses told police that a Honda Accord driven by an older, Indian male, had struck the boy, identified as James Nichols, and drove away from the scene, police said. The driver was not on location upon police arrival, police said. …

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Holiday Home Movie Tips

Before you press record on Christmas morning, consider these handy tips for a timeless home movie

When you break out the video camera this year on Christmas morning, you do it to capture happy memories of your family at that moment in time. You want to look back on it someday and relive the joy of that moment. Do it wrong, and you may regret it. Here are some holiday home movie tips to consider before you hit the record button, courtesy of Ryan Ritchey, of R Cubed Networks in Spring House. R Cubed Networks is a video production company that launched in 2007, specializing in training videos for companies, webcasting, and streaming live events. Don’t Forget the Adults “I think the biggest mistake that people make is they just focus on the children,” said Ritchey. “It’s exciting – they are opening shiny new presents and all that – but you…

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New Sewer Lateral Camera, Software Coming to Public Works

The public works committee recommended moving forward with a $62,000 purchase of a new sewer lateral camera and software

Lansdale Borough wants to televise crap for a reason. What’s your excuse “The Real Housewives …”? At a recent public works committee meeting, Dan Shinskie, Lansdale Wastewater Treatment Plant director, said that the department would like to add a lateral camera to its TV truck in order to inspect sewer laterals from the main line. Along with upgraded software, the entire cost to outfit the TV truck would be $62,000. It was an expense earmarked on the capital improvement list. The camera and software would be purchased through a general services contract with the state, thereby not requiring a bid. “We are doing more and more laterals due to road construction and the current method is cumbersome,” he said. “It’s not always 100 percent we …

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Viewfinder: Bridle Path Dance and Montgomery Elementary Car Wash

This week our camera lens captured North Penn elementary students having a blast

Here's some outtakes of Bridle Path Elementary's recent Friday night dance and Montgomery Elementary's car wash fundraiser. See who or what our lens will pick up next Thursday!

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Viewfinder: America's Pasttime

This week's Viewfinder features people enjoying Philadelphia Phillies baseball at Citizens Bank Park.

Check out our movie slide show in this week's Viewfinder. Who knows where our camera will end up next week?

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Five Things to Know Today

It's Monday—and a drab one at that considering today's weather forecast. However, there's still some interesting things going on today to keep you happy.

Are you a regular Ansel Adams or Annie Leibovitz? The Lansdale Camera Club meets tonight at 7 p.m. at Lansdale Library, 301 Vine St., Lansdale. Say cheese! Montgomery County Community College holds its Spring Arts Celebration this week featuring an annual Art Student Exhibition. North Penn School District Safe Schools Task Force Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. at the Educational Services Center. The committee comprises school officials, educators, administrators and law enforcement officers, and it develops ways to prevent drug and alcohol abuse among students. Montgomery Elementary School and York Avenue Elementary School are practicing TV Turn Off Week. Students are asked to turn off TV and computer screens three to five days this week. …

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Viewfinder

Viewfinder: Pysanky Eggs and Technicolor Dreamcoats

This week's Viewfinder captured creativity at the Lansdale Parks and Recreation Building and a performance and after-party for Souderton Area High School theater.

Check out our video slideshow of a Pysanky workshop at Lansdale Borough's Parks and Recreation building and a performance of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat by Souderton Area High School theater. Where will our camera be next week?

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