County lawmakers announce safety and infrastructure funding – Bucks Round-Up – January 21, 2026
County lawmakers announce safety and infrastructure funding
Numerous Bucks County municipalities are set to benefit from new state funding aimed at improving safety and infrastructure. Senators Frank Farry (R-Langhorne) and Jarrett Coleman (R-Allentown) as well as Representatives Kristin Marcell (R-Wrightstown), K.C. Tomlinson (R-Bensalem), and Joe Hogan (R-Langhorne) announced grants through the Commonwealth Financing Authority for pedestrian projects and water and sewer upgrades. Funding includes $285,000 to replace an aging bridge in Bensalem, more than $1.1 million for sidewalk improvements in Northampton Township, $825,000 for pedestrian upgrades along Almshouse Road in Warwick, $389,114 to purchase grinder pumps for the County Line Road Low Pressure System project in Telford Borough, and $419,665 for fire protection and water distribution improvements through the Springtown Water Authority. Additional grants will support sewer, drainage, and stormwater projects throughout Bucks County. Lawmakers said the expenditures will enhance public safety, protect taxpayers, and strengthen critical infrastructure across Bucks County.
Police: Baby left in car while woman allegedly shopped
A Warminster woman is behind bars following a troubling child endangerment case that unfolded earlier this month at a Bucks County Walmart. Police say 42-year-old Tina Chiara DeCarla left her two-month-old baby unattended in a parked car while she shopped for roughly 25 minutes on the afternoon of January 10. A customer discovered the infant asleep in the front seat, secured in an unauthorized restraint and facing forward. Officers were dispatched, but DeCarla allegedly left the parking lot before police arrived. She was taken into custody six days later at a Warminster residence. In addition to charges of endangering the welfare of children and leaving an unattended child in a motor vehicle, investigators say DeCarla was wanted on an outstanding warrant for unrelated offenses, including perjury, forgery, and tampering with records. Bail was set at $100,000 or ten percent cash for each case, and she remains housed at the Bucks County Correctional Facility.
Middletown Supervisors consider public comment policy
The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors is moving toward formalizing rules for public comments at township meetings. Supervisors directed the township manager and solicitor to draft multiple policy options governing how residents and nonresidents can address the board. Township Manager Eden Ratliff said potential policies could be presented as early as February or March for public discussion. Solicitor James Espisito advised against requiring speakers to provide their home addresses, citing First Amendment concerns and the potential for retaliation. Supervisors also discussed implementing time limits and clearer “guardrails” to prevent meetings from being dominated by repetitive or overly lengthy comments. One proposal would split public comment into two segments: one at the start of meetings for agenda items and another at the end for non-agenda issues.
Joe LeCompte hosts LeCompte in the Morning on WBCB 1490.
