Fitzpatrick favors banning ICE masks – Bucks Round-Up – February 16, 2026
Fitzpatrick favors banning ICE masks
As Congress deals with a partial government shutdown over Department of Homeland Security funding, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick has bucked his party on one of the issue’s major points of contention. The Bucks County Republican is siding with the Democrats in their effort to bar Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers wearing masks. “I’m the only federal agent in Congress,” he said. “I spent my whole professional career as an FBI agent. Never once did I wear a mask, never. Executing a search warrant, arrest warrant, you name it, because you need to be transparent. You need to identify yourself. The whole function of policing requires the trust of the public.” The anti-mask measure is controversial in light of recent increases in threats against ICE agents. Last month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, within which ICE operates, reported a recent 8,000-percent increase in death threats against ICE officers and a 1,300-percent increase in assaults on them.
Centennial School District faces steep budget gap
The Centennial School District is staring down a projected $7 million-plus deficit as it begins work on its 2026–27 budget. At last week’s school board meeting, Chief Financial Officer Tom Greenwood outlined a preliminary plan showing $154.1 million in revenue against $161.2 million in expenditures. The board has already taken a procedural vote to preserve its option under Pennsylvania’s Act 1 to seek exceptions allowing a property tax increase beyond the 3.5-percent state cap. The current draft assumes the full 3.5-percent hike, though officials stressed that figure could change before a final vote in June. Greenwood cited flat state funding and stagnant federal dollars as key pressures, along with rising labor and health care costs under existing contracts. Investment income is expected to decline, and the district is not planning additional withdrawals from reserves at this stage. Administrators say the months ahead will focus on staffing levels, program costs, and vendor contracts in an effort to close the gap before the June 30 deadline.
FBI notifies Police concerning threat at Pennsbury High School
A tense Saturday morning at Pennsbury High School ended without incident after authorities determined an online threat was not credible. Falls Township Police said the FBI’s National Threat Response Center alerted them to a purported threat of violence targeting the school. Officials initiated a shelter-in-place order around 10 a.m., canceling activities while officers from multiple jurisdictions cleared the building. Falls Township Police Lt. Chris Clark released a statement on behalf of the department. “This morning, we received what was purported to be a credible threat of violence to Pennsbury High School from the FBI’s National Threat Response Center,” he said. “Out of an abundance of caution, we worked with Pennsbury administration to shelter in place while canceling in-progress and scheduled Saturday activities as we worked with our local law enforcement partners from Middletown, Bristol, and Newtown Townships, as well as Bucks County Park Police, to safely clear the school and manage calls for service. Our investigation determined that the threat was not credible.” Sports teams and community groups were inside at the time but were secured safely. By 10:30 a.m., the campus was reopened after investigators confirmed the individual involved had no access to weapons and no plan to carry out violence. There is no word who the person was that made the alleged threat or the charges that individual may face. Pennsbury School District Superintendent, Dr. Thomas Smith, thanked Falls Township Police for their quick response. “We want to extend our thanks to the Falls Township Police Department and law enforcement from our surrounding communities for their quick action and continued partnership in keeping our schools safe.”
Trenton man sentenced for fatal shooting at Morrisville night club
A lengthy prison sentence was handed down in Bucks County court Friday in connection with a deadly 2024 nightclub shooting in Morrisville at The Border Gentlemen’s Club on South Pennsylvania Ave. Bucks County Common Pleas Judge Charissa Liller sentenced Trenton resident, 29-year-old Pedro E. Rodriguez, to 30 to 60 years in state prison for the killing of 28-year-old Mekhi Norman. Prosecutors said Norman, described as a devoted father and “gentle giant,” was acting as a good Samaritan when Rodriguez fired into a crowded club during an altercation involving his nephew. Seventeen people were inside. Rodriguez later surrendered. District Attorney Joe Khan said the sentence holds the defendant accountable but cannot fill the void left behind — a sobering reminder of the cost of reckless violence in our community. According to police, Norman was shot while trying to assist the night club staff in removing unruly individuals from the property.
Joe LeCompte hosts LeCompte in the Morning on WBCB 1490. Bradley Vasoli is the senior editor of The Independence.
