UPDATED: 1:50 a.m.

Warminster police are evacuating an apartment complex and nearby residents while a standoff with an alleged gunman continues.

Police were called to the Jefferson on the Creek apartment complex, 675 E. Street Rd., Warminster, for a domestic disturbance at about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and "were met with gufire," according to Warminster Police Chief Mike Murphy.

The police and the gunman had a "firefight for a short period of time" before the man barricaded himself and his common law wife inside the apartment, Murphy said. The woman eventually got out of the apartment and is being interviewed by police.

No police officers have been injured so far, Murphy said. "We're settling in for what we feel is going to be a prolonged incident ... it's going to be a cold long night."

The alleged gunman is holed up in an apartment, reportedly with a 12-gauge shotgun. He may have other guns as well, according to emergency radio communications. Those reports have not yet been confirmed.

Residents of the complex initially reported being asked to remain in their homes during the incident. But those trying to get into the complex were unable to return.

The Red Cross set up a reception station at William Tennent High School, where communications director Dave Schrader said those displaced by the standoff could warm up and get a bite to eat.

The incident drew police personnell from miles around. Sirens screamed and lights blazed as police cars and tactical response teams from across Bucks County raced to Warminster in response to the incident, which began around 8 p.m.

Police closed down Street Road at the Davisville Road and at Reeves Lane and rerouted traffic off of Street Road and up Davisville.

The nearby Davisville Shopping Center has been cleared and police have secured the perimeter. 

More than a dozen police units are lined up along Davisville Road, blocking the entrance to the shopping center, which is next to the apartment complex. Police from nearly every Central and Lower Bucks municipality, including Doylestown, Bensalem, Lower Southampton and Upper Southampton, are assisting on the scene.

The Central Bucks County major incident response team, called SWAT by some, drove its Lenco Bearcat to the scene. The Bearcat, which is stored in Doylestown, also was used during a standoff in Doylestown Township on Father's Day with an armed gunman.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Read More: Police Surround Alleged Gunman in Warminster

A 90-year-old neighbor of the man involved in a shootout with police at a Warminster apartment complex Tuesday evening was killed in the crossfire, officials said.

Warminster Chief of Police Michael Murphy would not immediately release the victim's name, as she had not yet been positively identified by the coroner. Murphy said her family, however, had been notified. 

According to Murphy, the gunman, Andrew Graham Cairns, 49, surrendered to police at approximately 2:30 a.m.

Murphy said the incident began around 4 p.m. Tuesday, when police responded to a domestic dispute in the 2000 building of the Jefferson on the Creek apartments on Street Road.

He said the residents were referred to a caseworker after the initial call, but another call reporting shots fired from the same location came in around 7:40 p.m.

“When the officers approached the 2000 building, they came under fire from an upstairs apartment,” Murphy said, during a press conference early Wednesday morning. 

“During the exchange of gunfire, the downstairs neighbor of the gunman, a 90-year-old female, was struck by gunfire and died from her wounds at the scene,” he said.

Murphy said the woman was hit in the exchange of gunfire but it was not clear by whom.

According to Murphy, Cairns subsequently barricaded himself inside the apartment where he holed up for the next seven hours, until a negotiator talked to him over the phone and coaxed him out.

Murphy said during the standoff between 30 to 50 residents of the 2000 building and the nearby 1900 building of the Jefferson on the Creek Apartments were evacuated to a Red Cross reception area at William Tennent High School.

He said the displaced residents were in the process of being returned to their homes at the time of the press conference, around 4:30 a.m.

Murphy said Cairns is being held on aggravated assault charges, but he anticipates additional charges will be filed.  Cairns will be arraigned later today.

The investigation into the incident is being handled by the Bucks County District Attorney’s office.  

Upper Moreland High School has released its list of students who made honor roll during the second marking period of the 2012-2013 school year. Below are the students from each grade who made Distinguished Honors and Honors.

Distinguished honors represents students who receive grades no lower than an A, while Honors represents students who receive grades no lower than a B.

DISTINGUISHED HONORS

• Grade 12

Brian W. Baist, Nicholas D. Barber, Matthew T. Barrett, Matthew J. Baumgardner, Deanna L. Black,  Amanda Brady, Christina J. Catherman, Christopher J. Connelly, Jillian Cowden, Cassidy a. Czerpak, Connor L. Dougherty, Matthew S. Dummeldinger, Brielle N. Erb, Meaghan A. Farley, Rachael Felicetti, Kyle Gallagher, Amanda Getz, Taylor A. Goldberg, Laura Greever, Jessica A. Habermehl, Anna C. Hakes, Kelliann E. Haugh, Patrick M. Higgins, Nadia M. Hunt, Kyle C. Jensen, Timothy Mathias-William Kistner, Rebecca L. Lamb, Stephanie E. Lamb, Damian M. LaRosa, Melanie P. Leftwich, Robert J. Martin, Jr., D. Conrad R. Mason, Madeline M. Mauro, Brittany M. McClung, Maria L. McGowen, Curtis P. McPeak, Chelsea V. Mills, Sydney W. Moyer, Daniel T. Murt, Celina A. Ortiz, Tess A. Platt, Alexander J. Pronzato, Michael A. Ruggia, Matthew L. Salazar, William Schilling, Amanda M. Shetzline, Kimberly E. Siebott, Petro Sokirniy, Augustina B. Sosa, Natalie R. Swartz, Laura A. Travis, Nicholas K. Vallerio, Leslie Weaver, Zachary I. Wiley, Lynn S. Yip.

• Grade 11

Leslie M. Adeoye, Madeline J. Albert,  Elise M. Alvarez, Michael A. Balot, II, Harry S. Betz, Joseph E. Delaney,  James M. Farrell, Jr., Katherine M. Gumpper, Sydney M. Halberstadt, Shane P. Heron, Larry Hui, Nichole A. Humbrecht, Jacob Johnson, Karli E. Lynch, Enrique Mitchell, Lindsey M. Murphy, Sara E. Nyholm, Luke R. O’Connor, Sarah L. Reice, Alesha E. Rinker, Andrew C. Rose, Alexandra Sawick, Gabrielle Sawick, Brittany M. Scheeler, Tracey E. Tardif, Emily M. Trea, Nicolette Viscuso, Lindsay L. Walder, Sarah M. Welch, Dustin E. Woywod, Nicholas A. Zombolas. 

• Grade 10

Joshua Abrams, Annie S. Alex, Kara M. Barber, Giannoula A. Botsaris, Julia L. Brownholtz, Maya S. Calderwood, Spencer R. Camacho, Mattieu F. Claude, Tanya R. Davis, Kayla M. Even, Maureen T. Farley, Cassidy G. Foley, Jennifer M. Freeman, Erica L. Grivjack, Jessica L. Seeton, Allison E. Sloan,  Danielle M. Spressart, Kenda M. Szczesniak, Joseph G. Trovato, Carly J. Whalen, Alexa N. Wister, Jamie V. Wittick.

• Grade 9

Betsy R. Adeoye, George L. Balot, Melissa R. Barber, Joseph A. Bates, Mickayla R. Beben, Ashley M. Bintner, Colin F. Bright, Kristopher M. Buckley, Chang H. J. Choi, Jason J. Choi, Sunghee L. Choi, Rianne E. Connelly, Daniel G. Cowden, Cara E. Crouthers, Jeffrey A. Davis, Annie Dinh, Matthew W. Fritz, Elizabeth A. Garzon, Robert Gibson, Samantha M. Harvey, Do Dam D. Hoang, Julia S. Huff, Diana M. Huff, Emily A. Katzman, Casey L. Kerrigan, John H. Klouser, Christian G. Leighton, Alysa G. Madrid, Elizabeth M. Magaha, Stella Makris, Hailey C. McMahon, Andrew W. Nyholm, Amber L. O’Connor, Brendan S. O’Connor, Maura K. O’Leary, Brooke N. Pantano, Phoebe J. Park, Venice T. Pascual, Trevor W. Patterson, Ryan N. Pertuset, Alyssa M. Roberts, Tyler W. Smith, Triniti-Lynn A. Thornhill, Adian N. Truong, John T. Waeltz, Jacob P. Winter, Kendra J. Woywod, Angela M. Yeager, Alexandra P. Zawislak.

HONORS

• Grade 12

Kyrstin A. Albert, Delmy K. Alvarenga, Alexis C. Andersen, Colleen E. Armstrong, John T. Beaver,  Brian J. Behler, Brendan J. Bintner, Jillian M. Blackshaw, Natalya Bondarchuk, Jared D. Burch, Michael J. Campbell, Joseph D. Cheeseman, Daniela A. Chism, Rachel H. Cieri, William T. Costello, Daniel D. Cummings, Joshua E. Dandridge, Michael J. Dellostretto, James D. Dimitri, Emilie E. Dormer, Samantha Dougherty, Steven M. Dutter, Carl J. Dyke, Alexandra N. Erwine, Charles C. Fabrizio, Jr., Angelo X. Falsone, Matthew A. Foley, Erin C. Gorman, Sydney B. Graham, Theodore R. B. Halnon, Peter D. Hanes, Jennifer C. Hasty, Ashley Hui, Kelly M. Jennings, Nicholas D. Jessup, Mareshet Johnson, Christopher t. Kitchen, Dylan P. Kittredge, Matthew C. Kohn, Kalin D. Konrad, Noah J. Landers, Kurt S. Lindhult, Elena MacElroy, Kelley D. Malseed, Alexa T. Martelack, Matthew G. Mastrogiovanni, Patrick W. Matthews, Morgan E. McDermott, Matthew T. McGlinsey, Shane M. Meier, Antonia M. Meola, Alexa N. Moran, Dale C. Murphy, Danielle K. O’Connor, Grace E. Oleary, Aaron M. Perry, Mairead E. Pfeil,  Kyle G. Purchase, Anthony R. Sacchetti,  Matthew Santry, Kerry E. Sayland, Searra E. Sconions, Lily A. Sgro, Anna J. Smith, Margaret M. Thompson,  Kevin Vo, Bogdan Voshchilo, Kendall Ward, Ana D. Washko, Saige E. Wenik, Mark D. Williams.

• Grade 11

Yemaya I. Abney, Dany Ajlani, Karlee N. Albert, David F. Antoni, Jr., Colton D. Arizini,  Matthew F. Beck, Gabrielle A. Biagi, Naomi E. Brenner-Uknis, Kaitlyn A. Buckley, Brooke E. Burman, Cielo M. Caballero, Michael J. Cavanaugh, Samantha Jae H. Choi, Erin M. Corrigan, Charles J. Daria, Owen M. DeBalko, Jessica A. DeLucca, Destiny L. Destouet, Lindsey M. Detwiler, William F. Donovan, Patrick R. Driscoll, Ashley R. Duff, Lexus L. Duncan, Elizabeth M. Embery, Brittany L. Finn, Drew G. Finnie,  Christopher T. Fleming, Russell J. Frank, Michael A. Freeman, Corey L. Gallagher, Liam M. Gallagher, Tianna K. Gannotti, Peter R. Garcia, Cynthia A. Gasiewski, Christine L. Goold, Matthew S. Greever, Jack E. Griffin, Kimberly A. Gusoff, Tiffany A. Hanley, Rachel L. Hartman, Joshua A. Holm, Kyle E. Irwin, Anastasia M. Janney,  Tyler  Jeinnings, Britny L. Kabic, Alexander T. Kasee, Casey A. Kasitz, Brianna R. Knowles, Allison D. Lackovich, Hyong Jin Lee, Hope E. Lichtenstein, Rebecca I. Liesner, Ashira K. Lloyd, John A. Lowry, Laura D. Maurer, Matthew S. McCandless, Rebecca D. McCune, Kevin R. McFall,  Eric T. Miekley, Felicia A. Milsop, Alejandro Navarro, Matthew S. Nissenfeld, Daniel Pagano, Sabrina Pantal, Nicholas C. Parker, Megan W. Penecale, Danielle J. Perrelli, Alexa J. Polmann, Samantha L. Rafferty, Manvendra S. Rathore, Johanna M. Redick, Joseph B. Roeger, Amber N. Saint Clair, Christian T. Scherer, Kimberly M. Searles, Matthew R. Shilling, Samantha T. Smith, Monica I. Vallerio, Brianna L. VanLoon, Colleen E. Ward. 

• Grade 10

Kathleen E. Alexander, David Arcaro, Jr., Veronica P. Baez, Chiara L. Bangor-Giorgio, Kyle P. Bennis, Everett C. Benson, Samantha M. Berlin, Elliott L. Broaster, Alex J. Caligiuri, Heather E. Campbell, Zachary M. Carroll, Joseph R. Casey, Gabriella A. Cassidy, Benjamin D. Cerino, Shannon M. Chambers, Karli B. Clark,  Dominic M. DeLaurentis, Breanna S. Devlin, Marie E. DiSandro, Brittany M. Dumproff, Erin A. Evans, Robert J Flynn, James G. Ford Jr., Clayton P. Francis, Logan R. Gallagher, Bailee M. Henderson, Nicole E. Hetzel, Nicholas A. Hildebrand, Emily G. Hill, Justin T. Hitchens, Rebecca E. Hockenberry,  Brianna M. Hurst, Thomas Lam, Samantha B. Levson, Alexander P. Lindsey, Andrew W. Lindsey,  Jasmine Z. Luffy, Ryan Ly, William F. Mahoney, III., Laurie R. Mapes, Rebecca L. Marley, James C. Martin  III, Ashley A. McGlinsey, Lauren M. McGuire, Kelly A. McLaughlin,  Alexis R. Meyers, Sean P. Moran, Vanni Vo Nguyen, Nicholas S. Panebianco, Sierra R. Parker-Washington, Alexander H. Perkins, Dakota D. Poore, April K. Reilly, Cassidy R. Richert, Samara C. Santry, Sabah Sarwari, Nash A. Seiberlich, Karena S. Selinsky, Alexandra E. Senger, Kayla E. Smith, William I. A. Smith, Kaitlin A. Taylor, Kyle Thomas, Colin J. Tice, Christian L. Torres, Jenna L. Villar, Jeanine M. Watkins, Jeffrey P. Weingarten, Daniel A. Wilcox.

• Grade 9

Maria V. Antoni, Kayla M. Balcerak, Jacob C. Barber, Colin P. Bennett, Amanda J. Benson, Gabriel Bermudez, Kelly E. Bridgeford, Jaycee Bucher, Connor R. Casey, Ryan T. Cavanaugh, Ayana Chalumo, Shannon Da Hee Choi, Yoo-Na Choi, Alyssa M. Coleman, Alison A. Creighton, Shannon L. Czerpak, Sarah M. Daring, Nicholas J. Delucas, Patricia C. Dorcile, Kathleen M. Dormer, Nicole k. Drummond,  Zachary A. Duff, Sara A. Durphy, Ryan A. Elliott, Benjamin C. Ezekiel, Mark A. Fabrizio, Jesse S. Fentress, Jessica L. Garofalo, Julia C. Gatto, Lillian R. Gerczyk, Karsten O. Graham, Sarah E. Hakes, Brian M. Herrmann, Jordin M. Holmes-Garton, Emily R. Hopf, Andrew R. Iehle, Isabella A. Janney, Emily L. Jeinnings,  Samantha P. Leax, Caleigh M. Lockard, Melanie C. Ly, Chianna P. Mac, Abby L. Martelack, Allison P. Miller, Georgia M. Moyer, Patrick J. Murt, Matthew R. Napier, Sami R. Nigro, Sean P. O’Connor, Brendan T. O’Donnell, Joseph J. Ortiz, Katherine J. Parker, Devon J. Pickard, Meghan E. Polk, Madison M. Purich, Madelynn E. Rafferty, Briana S. Sachsenmaier, Dean R. Santos, Tyneisha C. Scott, Louis A. Serianni, Sierra Siegfried, Kiera M. Slater,  Stephen E. Stahl, Olga Stylianou, Michael J. Villar,  Patrick F. Walker, Michael A. Wambach, Valerie R. Ward, Emily N. Zanine.

Tucked away between a Foot Care Specialist and a Chiropractor's office, a vacancy for a business on the 200 block of Davisville Road is just waiting to be claimed.

What used to be the Kirby Vacuum Sales Shop - and before that A-Sharp Recording Studio - is now empty. There are a handful of doctor's offices and different kinds of medical practices along this block, so is it only a matter of time before another one pops up?

What do you think should fill this spot? Should another office be put in? Or maybe some kind of specialty shop? Upper Moreland/Willow Grove residents, please let us know your thoughts and what you'd like to see in your community.

The Upper Moreland Budget and Finance Committee held a Special Action meeting Tuesday to make a decision whether or not to adopt the preliminary budget that would see an increase in real estate taxes for 2013-14.

Members of the School Board voted to adopt the budget that currently sits at a $861,493 gap, which was decreased from the original gap of $1,693, 872.

The 2013-14 Budget is in the amount of $57,160,250 representing a real estate rate of 27.38 mills, and 1/2 of 1 percent earned income and net profits tax on all residents earning at least $4,000 per year.

Business Manager Michael Braun said the school board picked up $266,119 in revenue while $512,260 of expenses was cut out.

For a home assessed by the county at a value of $127,250, homeowners would see an increase of $77.29 on their tax bill.

"In order to reduce that gap, there will have to be cuts," said Braun. "We're still several months away (from officially adopting the budget) and there are a lot of things that can happen."

The School Board will discuss the budget and how to decrease the gap in its upcoming meetings. Final decisions about cuts don't have to be made until the summer.

The Millage increase represents a 2.27 percent increase from the previous year. And the Budget Expense will see an 3.37 percent increase.

The Earned Income and Net Profits Tax will be adopted on all residents and inhabitants earning at least $4,000 per year, at a rate of 1 percent for the 2013-2014 fiscal year.

The Realty Transfer Tax will be adopted for the 2013-2014 fiscal year with the estimated income to be $450,000.

Upper Moreland Township School District Notice of Act 1 Referendum Exception

A final decision on the budget must be made by July 1.

It is official. My kids have their own Facebook pages. Yes, they are only 5 and 7 now, but in all honesty, they don’t quite “own them” solo just yet.

I set them up, after much request from family, not for them to “Like” random pages, Harlem Shake videos and let’s face it, lots of cute cat photos. Instead, I find it to be a place to chronicle their lives.

Much like my weekly column, I find it to be a nice space to save their daily shenanigans. My children are full of hysterical commentary, and I’ve dubbed them their “-isms.” Fans of my own, personal Facebook page largely tune in strictly to read the latest Seamus-ism or Alora-ism, not so much what I’m doing day-to-day.

Then there are the photos. We take so many photos, and like most busy moms, where do they all go? They go onto a smartcard, of course. And, then what?

I’d love to report that I have rows and rows of leather-bound photo albums, complete with the scrapbooked pages I’d designed in my mind. But, sadly, that is where those pages remain. In my mind…

Instead, a majority of the photos we snap of our darling tots seldom make it off the camera. But, with a family nearly six hours away (and more), we do post a lot to Facebook.

Since it is easily done right from my phone, and since my phone is my “camera” 90 percent of the time, it makes sense. And, don’t get me wrong. It is lovely to share those images on my own page. But now, with the kids having their own pages, we can tag away.

The pages will serve as virtual scrapbooks, to save all of those precious moments (even if mommy got too busy to make a fancy scrapbook).

I’m not sure when I’ll trust them to actually take OWNERSHIP of the pages. But, by then, they’ll have a decade or more of pretty funny childhood photos.

What do you think is the appropriate age to start a page? According to Facebook’s terms of service, you can be as young as 13. I’m not sure it is wise, given news that the Walls can later be used to deny you entry into college or from getting a great job.

I think I’ll be the evil mom I am, and make them wait at least until 16 or maybe 18 to have legit pages, that they run, without supervision. Maybe that sounds harsh, but anything prior to that age will either be stringently watched by Momma or had better be in a fake name. 

What do you think?

Jane Ring is a seasoned veteran when it comes to the Future City Competition. The math/science teacher and student mentor has participated in the contest for 17 years. But getting the chance to help lead middle school students in the Queen of Angels’ first year of existence, it was rewarding to watch their excitement in a national competition.

Over the last five months students from the Queen of Angels Catholic School in Willow Grove worked diligently on their Future City project in which fictional cities are constructed using aspects of math, science, writing, art and public speaking. The students created these cities using SimCity4 Deluxe and presented their project in a public demonstration.

Queen of Angels was announced the Philadelphia Regional winner last month, and placed third overall in the national competition held in Washington D.C. Ring and students spent six days and five nights in the Nation’s Capital and returned to Willow Grove Wednesday.

“It’s very exciting,” Ring said.  “Students get to meet kids from all over the USA. California, Idaho, Minnesota, various parts of Texas. It was exciting to meet so many new students and to have a really good time with them.

“When those kids went up on the stage - the colors, the lights, the audience, the big screen, the camera, it's truly a once-in a lifetime chance for these kids.”
- Jane Ring

Ring used to teach at Our Lady Help of Christian in Abington before the school combine with St. David to form the new Queen of Angels School. Ring brought the idea over this year and the kids were more than willing to participate.

“It’s been a lot of fun doing it at a brand new school,” Ring said. “Half of the class was very excited because they knew the tradition we had. They couldn’t wait to get started. Some of them have been looking forward to this since first grade. The new St. David's kids were also excited.”

The Queen of Angels student came up with the idea for a city called Naibhora, India, which is supposed to be modeled in the year 2173. Their engineering team came up with the idea to prevent flooding during the monsoon season, while also gathering, cleaning and storing water for use during the dry months. Their idea falls within this year's theme of "Rethink Runoff," where stormwater management is the key. 

More than 40 students helped create the city and devoted a big chunk of their schedules to make it all the way to the national finals. Even though only a handful of students made the presentation, a new technology helped make everyone feel like they were part of the competition.

“The best part - this year - we actually did Facetime to watch the kids perform,” Ring said.  “The whole school was able to watch honorable mentions and the top 3 teams. It was wonderful being able to have the technology to have the kids there."

The Queen of Angels group made their presentation at the national finals and then found out they made it to the Top 5.

“When we were in the room Tuesday and announced that we made the finals, when they called us, we were extremely excited,” Ring said. “We were in the prep room, the kids turned to us and said, ‘this is where we want to be.’ When they called us up on stage, we turned to them and said, ‘this is where we want to be.’”

Ring has finished in the Top 3 nine times with her groups. She has two first-place finishes, one second and six thirds in her career.

By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania government kicked off budget hearings this week, setting up a three-week process of number crunching and policy showdowns meant to help lawmakers shape the spending plan for the coming year.

The talks commence against the economic backdrop of federal decisions that are putting a pinch on state revenues.

In January, the federal payroll tax paid by wage earners went from 4.2 percent to 6.2 percent. A 2-percent exemption previously in place was allowed to expire as part of the so-called “fiscal cliff” negotiations.

Analysts in Pennsylvania say the hike has already affected the state’s overall economy, including tax revenues.

Secretary of Revenue Dan Meuser said the expiration of the payroll tax exemption has hurt consumer spending, overall projections and consumer confidence.

“We certainly think it had a fair amount to do with our January collections, as did just the whole issue of approaching the fiscal cliff,” Meuser said.

The latest Department of Revenue figures put year-to-date sales tax collections at $5.3 billion, which is 3.4 percent less than anticipated.

Matthew Knittel, executive director of the Independent Fiscal Office, said the payroll tax hike will reduce Pennsylvanians’ disposable income by about $5 billion this year.

Combined with other federal tax increases, Pennsylvanians’ disposable income will take about a $7.7 billion hit.

So they’re shopping and eating out less.

“It does appear discretionary items, such as restaurant sales, are the hardest hit,” Knittel said.

The last round of debt ceiling talks a year-and-a-half ago caused consumer confidence to fall, Knittel said. The ongoing debt and budget wrangling could trigger another slow-down.

“It’s unclear what form that will take, but it will definitely filter down to Pennsylvania,” Knittel said.

Last fall, projected “fiscal cliff” cuts in Pennsylvania were estimated at about $300 million, Office of the Budget spokesman Jay Pagni said, spanning areas from public welfare to education to economic development.

But Washington lawmakers put off those cuts until March. Pagni estimates the effect, right now, could be about $241 million if the automatic cuts known as sequestration go into effect.

One example: An $8.5 million reduction to workforce development initiatives in Pennsylvania could affect as many as 1,300 people who benefit from those programs.

State agencies were told any loss of federal dollars wouldn’t be replaced by the state, and that’s still the case, Pagni said.

“The General Assembly, as well as the administration, are keenly aware of the impact that federal cuts, changes in law and really the federal economic outlook as a whole plays in the development of the budget,” Pagni said.

Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed spending plan for 2013-2014 is $28.4 billion.

Despite the reality of what the Washington impasse can do to the state’s economy, there are encouraging signs of recovery. Pennsylvania residents are paying down debt, and the housing market continues to recover, Knittel said.

“Combined, these factors could bolster consumer spending and mitigate the impact of the federal tax increases later this year,” he said.

Knittel also said Pennsylvania’s job market should improve at “a moderate rate” over the next two years. The unemployment rate could reach pre-recession levels, or about 7.2 percent, sometime in 2014.

However, that’s still “considerably higher than historical levels,” Knittel said, which might be closer to 5.5 percent.

Contact Melissa Daniels at melissa@paindependent.com.

Are you ready for some football?

The Willow Grove Bears have confirmed four registration dates and times for interested players AND cheerleaders.

Parents whose sons and daughters want to play and participate can register on the following dates at the Upper Moreland Little League Complex at Fairhill Street:

• Saturday, March 9 (9 a.m. to noon)
• Saturday, March 15 (9 a.m. to noon)
• Wednesday, March 20 (7 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
• Wednesday, March 27 (7 p.m. to 9 p.m.)

Online registration will be available beginning March 1.

A Bears representative told Patch they wll be adding more dates to register in April and May, but those have not been confirmed yet.

Willow Grove Bears provides an opportunity to play football and participate in cheerleading for kids ages 5-15.

REMINDER: The Senior and Pee wee competitions will be held on Saturday, Feb. 23 at Archbishop Wood.

Visit the Willow Grove Bears web site for more information.

Bryan Neuhauser wasn’t always interested in Culinary Arts and the Hospitality Industry.

The former Lower Moreland resident and EASTERN grad wasn’t really sure what kind of career he wanted to pursue, but he sure is glad in the decision he made.

In his second year of his three-year Bachelor’s program at the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College, Neuhauser recently returned from a trip to Florida designed to show the students real world examples of leaders in the hospitality management industry. Neuhauser and the rest of his classmates got a behind-the-scenes look at Disney, Epcot, Grand Floridian, Swan and Dolphin, the Orlando Orange County Convention Center, Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Private Club, and the Hard Rock Café.

“We visited top-of-the-line venues,” Neuhauser said. “We were learning the real life aspects of hospitality. I was really impressed by Disney in how much they care about their environment.”

Before being accepted to school, Neuhauser said it was his mom who was responsible in getting him into this field.

“My mom took me to EASTERN and made me sit in on a couple of culinary classes,” Neuhauser said. “I knew that was the place for me. They were very welcoming. EASTERN opened my eyes, it was more than just Culinary Arts.”

Neuhauser’s main focus is the food and beverage industry and wants to follow his passion in his Spirits and Wine Lists course. He especially enjoyed the relationship he built with Chef Gary Albert and Chef Joel Marucheck at EASTERN.

He is still working on nailing down an internship to help get his foot in the door, but he certainly has the right work ethic to go along with his drive.

“Whatever I do, I want to work from the bottom to the top,” Neuhauser said. “To be a good manager, I believe you need to start from the bottom. You have to know how to work every position when nobody else does. I just know I wouldn’t have been here if it wasn’t for EASTERN.”

They may not be like the 1983 team dubbed "The Wheeze Kids."

But the Philadelphia Phillies squad that takes the field Saturday to start a month's worth of spring training games before Opening Day is getting a little grayer around the edges.

These aren't your World Champion Phillies of five years ago.

Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Ruiz and Cole Hamels are seasoned veterans now who have gone through the past few years nursing injuries and massaging egos after a season last year that put them out of playoff contention for the first time in a half-dozen years.

Throw in Roy Halliday and Cliff Lee and this roster is really starting to look on the long side of 30.

But don't tell Ryan Howard that. The Big Fella basically has been telling anyone within earshot that the Phils will be Fightin' once again -- and showing the rest of the NL East that they're not dead yet.

Maybe, just maybe the baseball will bounce the right way this year, like over fences or over the plate for lots of strikes.

Maybe, just maybe, Howard and Utley can bounce back from major injuries and show off the form that made them MVP winners and candidates.

Maybe, just maybe, Halliday and Lee will shine as the starter studs they once were, when batters feared to even step into the box against these two great competitors.

Maybe. A lot of maybes.

The Phils even acquired a fellow named Young to play third base.

But ex-Texas Rangers star Michael Young is old too, like 36. Rollins is no spring chicken anymore either.

So this might just be the last chance -- the last stand -- this bunch can make before the Phils go the route of youngsters like new centerfield Ben Revere, outfielder Domonic Brown, Darin Ruf and a whole bullpen full of up-and-comers.

Anyway, like any baseball team, hope springs eternal and spring training offers that hope -- a rebirth -- a new season where the possibilities are endless.

Could another World Series championship be one of those?

It all depends on whether Howard and Utley can play a whole year injury-free, whether Hamels can take charge as the staff ace, whether Rollins can get this party started at the top of the lineup and whether Halliday and Lee can hold up their end of the bargain. And, then, of course, can the bullpen back it all up.

Maybe, just maybe.

Many animals are in need of a new home this holiday season and there are a number of local shelters that havea a variety of pets to adopt.

Whether you're looking for a dog, cat, bird, or even a horse, Petfinder.com has you covered. Other than the Montgomery County SPCA, you can choose your pet from shelters like the Delaware Valley Siberian Husky, Kitty Junction Inc. and others.

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By Eric Boehm | PA Independent

HARRISBURG – The Orie family might soon have a whole wing of a state penitentiary named after them, but not in the flattering way, if there is such a thing.

Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin was convicted in Pittsburgh on Thursday on six of seven corruption charges stemming from her use of taxpayer resources to help her win election to the state’s highest court in 2009, according to Pittsburgh media reports and the Associated Press.  Her younger sister, Janine Orie, was also convicted Thursday.

The sisters were charged with misapplication of government funds, theft of services and conspiracy, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Former State Sen. Jane Orie, R-Allegheny, was convicted in March 2011 on 14 or 24 counts stemming from the same investigation into Orie Melvin’s 2009 election.  She is serving at least 30 months in prison.

Phyllis Beck, a retired state judge and board member with Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, a judicial reform group that advocates for ending judicial elections in Pennsylvania, said Orie Melvin’s conviction was something that could “only happen in a system where we elect judges.”

“When a Supreme Court justice is convicted of misusing court resources for her judicial campaigns, something is fundamental wrong with the system,” Beck said.

Orie Melvin’s conviction is the first time a sitting member of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has been convicted of a crime since 1994 when Justice Rolf Larsen was found guilty on charges of conspiracy to obtain prescription drugs.

Larsen refused to resign from the court and had to be impeached by the General Assembly.

Orie Melvin voluntary placed herself on leave from the court in May when she became the focus of a grand jury investigation.  She was later suspended by the other members of the Supreme Court.  It is unclear whether she will voluntarily remover herself from the court.

Boehm is a reporter for PA Independent. He can be reached at Eric@PAIndependent.com

Are you looking for a new home in the area? While there aren't a ton of open houses in and around Willow Grove this weekend, there are plenty of homes being shown just outside the neighborhood.

The following homes will be hold open houses on Sunday:

82 Home Rd., Horsham, PA 19040

• $410,000 - Price Reduced
• 4 Bed, 4 Bath 3,584 Sq Ft Sq Ft Lot
• Single Family Home
• Brokered By: Quinn & Wilson
• Open House: Sun 2/24, 1 PM - 3 PM

127 Tamarack Cir., Hatboro, PA 19040

• $399,000 - Price Reduced
• 3 Bed, 3 Bath 2,218 Sq Ft Sq Ft Lot
• Single Family Home
• Brokered By: Keller Williams Real Estate-Horsham
• Open House: Sun 2/24, 1 PM - 3 PM

408 Madison Ave., Hatboro, PA 19040

• $210,000
• 3 Bed, 1 Bath 1,080 Sq Ft Sq Ft Lot
• Single Family Home
• Brokered By: Keller Williams Real Estate-Jenkintown
• Open House: Sun 2/24, 1 PM - 3 PM

105 Williams Ln., Hatboro, PA 19040

• $239,990 - Price Reduced
• 3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,092 Sq Ft Sq Ft Lot
• Single Family Home
• Brokered By: Quinn & Wilson
• Open House: Sun 2/24, 2 PM - 4 PM

6 James Rd., Hatboro, PA 19040

• $229,900 - Price Reduced
• 3 Bed, 1 Bath 1,110 Sq Ft
• Single Family Home
• Brokered By: Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors-Jenkintown
• Open House: Sun 2/24, 2 PM - 4 PM

The weather might be freezing outside, but who doesn’t like a nice, summer treat?

In a sure sign that spring is around the corner, Rita’s Italian Ice will re-open in Willow Grove on Saturday, Feb. 23.

Stop by the store at 1135 York Road to pick up your favorite flavor now. Aside from the traditional Italian Ice, Rita’s is serving up cookie sandwich packs and frozen custard cakes.

The full menu includes Cream Ice, Misto, Gelati, Sundaes, Blendini, Sugar-free Italian Ice, soft pretzels and milkshakes.

Local store hours are: Monday-Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.

Rita's recently announced a new rewards program that allows you to earn loyalty rewards through an application on your smartphone. Rita's posted a YouTube video to explain the details of the program and how it works. You can see it by clicking here.