Bankos to run for Santarsiero’s Senate seat – Bucks Round-Up – February 26, 206
Bankos to run for Santarsiero’s Senate seat
Plumstead Township Supervisor Greg Bankos (R) announced this week he will run for the Pennsylvania Senate seat held by Steve Santarsiero (D-Doylestown) since 2019. In an early campaign statement, Bankos criticized the Central Bucks-area senator, who is seeking reelection, for opposing a bill to identify sites for natural gas generation. “Last week Senate Republicans passed bipartisan legislation to help make utilities more affordable,” Bankos wrote in a social media post. “But Senator Steve Santarsiero sided with far-left special interests over Bucks county [sic] residents facing burdensome costs.” The Republican also lamented overspending by state lawmakers generally. Santarsiero, who also chairs the Bucks County Democratic Committee and who previously served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, has compiled an overwhelmingly liberal voting record in the State Senate and largely aligns with progressive causes. He recently condemed the Minnesota killings of both Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration enforcement agents as “murder” and is cosponsoring a proposed Senate resolution that “calls upon federal leadership to immediately review, reform, and restrain [immigration] enforcement practices.”
Quakertown School Board offers public comment on ICE protest
Public scrutiny is expected to intensify tonight in Quakertown Community School District as the school board addresses last week’s violent confrontation between students and police during an anti-ICE walkout. In anticipation of a large turnout, the board has moved public comment to the start of its 7 p.m. meeting at district offices on Commerce Drive. Five teenagers were arrested following Friday’s clash. Attorneys and family members say some students now face aggravated assault charges. Video circulating online shows Scott McElree — out of uniform at the time — struggling with several teens and appearing to place a fifteen-year-old in a chokehold. Calls for his resignation have mounted. Defense attorney Donald Souders, who represents one of the students, argues that the teens did not know McElree was a police officer when he approached them. Police initially said students engaged in disruptive behavior, including blocking traffic and striking vehicles. Students have countered that some altercations stemmed from confrontations with drivers. The police department, borough council, and district attorney’s office have declined further comment pending an investigation. Assistant Superintendent Lisa Hoffman said non-essential board business has been postponed until March 3 to allow focused public input. She added that crisis counseling remains available for students, with support from district staff and the Bucks County Intermediate Unit.
Yardley Borough schedules sewer improvements in March
Motorists in Yardley Borough should prepare for mid-day detours next month. PennDOT says Main Street will close between College Avenue and South Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 10 and 11 for sewer improvements. Passenger vehicles will be routed along Route 332, Route 32, and Black Rock Road, while trucks will use Mount Eyre Road and other designated routes. Delays are expected. All scheduled activities are weather dependent. Yardley Borough will finish the project under a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit. Drivers can check conditions on major roadways by visiting 511PA.com, which is free and available 24 hours a day, providing traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras.
Bucks IU celebrates ‘Love the Bus (Van) Month‘
The Bucks IU is marking “Love the Bus (Van) Month,” spotlighting drivers who transport hundreds of county students daily. Executive Director Mark Hoffman praised the team’s safety-first approach, noting roughly 300 routes operate across Bucks County — a reminder that even routine school commutes depend on steady professionalism behind the wheel. Bucks IU Van Aide Sandra Murray works alongside van driver Lisa Liebel to transport about a dozen students each day to Pennsbury High School, Penn Valley Elementary School, and the Bucks IU’s Lower Southampton Early Learning Center. Murray ensures students are properly secured, safe throughout the ride, and engaged by speaking with them or sometimes offering a toy from the van’s toy bag to keep them occupied. “The transportation teams’ dedication is admirable,” said Richard Craggs, Central Bucks School District special needs transportation router. “They interact with students to ensure a Bucks IU van drivers and aides take great pride in their work and ensuring safe transportation. They develop special bonds that help each child feel secure for an enjoyable trip to and from school.”
Joe LeCompte hosts LeCompte in the Morning on WBCB 1490. Bradley Vasoli is the senior editor of The Independence.
