Former Bucks DA and Judge Alan Rubenstein passes away –

Former Bucks DA and Judge Alan Rubenstein passes away 

Alan Rubenstein was known for his law-and-order stance as Bucks County District Attorney. After retiring, he was a judge in the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County. Throughout his career, he has served as Philadelphia’s chief of homicide, and as district attorney from 1985 to 1999. Rubenstein often appeared on WBCB Radio in Levittown to talk about issues concerning law enforcement. Rubenstein loved music and was also a boxing fan and became a professional boxing judge. He was known for his affection for Bucks County, passing on suggestions that he run for Congress or the State Attorney General’s Office. Rubenstein is survived by his wife Marilyn of 53 years, his sons Justin and Sam, and five grandchildren. He was 79 years old.

First full week of SEPTA reductions in Bucks County

Bucks County residents who have depended on buses and trains to get to their destinations in all parts of the county will be making alternate plans after SEPTA enacted its new schedule Sunday.  The action comes following months of failed negotiations in Harrisburg between the House and Senate. SEPTA’s budget deficit stands at $213 million.  Bucks County Democratic State Rep. Brian Munroe, who represents Warminster, Warrington, Ivyland and New Britain, said, “The people I know who use SEPTA work in schools, nursing homes and businesses, peppered throughout the district, tell me they need more SEPTA service not less.” Munroe didn’t hold back at a recent news conference on the subject at the SEPTA Yardley train station: “The Senate Republicans are literally running on hurting our local economies and local constituents.” Munroe also said Senate Republicans who failed to support SEPTA will soon experience the fallout when they are stuck in more traffic because of the lack of Septa bus service.  Both the Pennsylvania House and Senate have offered measures that each chamber has rejected. Senate Republicans maintain that SEPTA needs a constant source of revenue to function. State House Bill 1788, which passed in the House, would generate revenue for SEPTA through the sales tax. The measure was voted down in the State Senate. In the Senate, a bill cosponsored by Republican Bucks County State Senator Frank Farry called for taxing games of skill in bars and convenience stores, but the measure never received the support it needed from his colleagues in the Senate. 

Bristol Township Senior Center to host fraud prevention workshop 

With scams and identity theft schemes increasing, Bucks County residents are being invited to a free fraud prevention workshop Friday, September 5, at the Bristol Township Senior Center. The program, co-hosted by Representative Tina Davis in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, will run from 10:30 a.m. to noon and is open to residents from all municipalities. The event will include presentations from experts with the state Attorney General’s Office, AARP, and the Bristol Township Police Department. Subjects include knowing common scams, when to report incidents to local police, how to freeze a credit report, and practical cybersecurity tips for protecting personal and sensitive information. Organizers say the session is designed to be interactive, giving attendees the chance to hear directly from professionals who deal with fraud and financial crimes on a daily basis. With schemes ranging from phony bank emails to fraudulent pleas for help from “family members,” officials say awareness and early action are the best defenses. Doors will open at 10 a.m. to allow time for sign-in, a required step for all guests at the Senior Center. Light refreshments will be served and residents will be able to stop by resource tables staffed by local and state agencies before the program begins. The workshop comes as Pennsylvania officials continue to stress vigilance against scammers who often target seniors but increasingly set their sights on younger adults as well. With online banking and digital communications now routine, law enforcement is warning that criminals have more avenues than ever to steal personal information. The Bristol Township Senior Center event is free, and no membership is required to attend. Organizers are encouraging residents of all ages to participate, underscoring that fraud and identity theft are problems that affect the entire community.

Joe LeCompte hosts LeCompte in the Morning on WBCB 1490.