Harvie absent from House Dems’ ‘Red to Blue’ target list – Bucks Round-Up – February 24, 2026
Harvie absent from House Dems’ ‘Red to Blue’ target list
The campaign arm of Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives recently advertised a group of twelve congressional candidates the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee hopes will take seats from Republicans this November. Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie (D) was not on the “Red to Blue” target list, despite his aim to challenge Brian Fitzpatrick in Pennsylvania’s First Congressional District, a nearly evenly divided district in terms of voter registration. As of the most recent campaign finance report, Fitzpatrick has over 20 times more campaign cash on hand than Harvie. The pro-Republican Defending America PAC called the news “affirmation that Harvie’s campaign has been nothing short of a disaster.”
Farry disputes account of supposed possible ICE facility
Pennsylvania State Senator Frank Farry (R-Langhorne) has taken to social media to contest the narrative advanced by some, including the majority-Democratic Bucks County Board of Commissioners, about warehouses recently built in Middletown Township on Route 213. Farry sought to dismiss the notion that these facilities could become U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers. “I can tell you that it’s just simply not true,” the senator said in a video he shared via Facebook. “I can tell you, through a third party, I was able to get in contact with the property owner. I literally spoke to him directly, and he assured me that ICE has not looked at their warehouse; ICE and federal agencies have not even been in contact with them.”
Bucks County grand jury helps bring down drug ring
A sweeping investigation led by the Bucks County Detectives Drug Strike Force and the Quakertown Borough Police Department has dismantled what authorities describe as a multi-county drug and firearms trafficking network operating out of Upper Bucks. After a lengthy probe aided by the Bucks County Investigating Grand Jury, nineteen individuals were charged in connection with the so-called Finlan Drug Trafficking Organization. Investigators allege the group used Contemporary Gardens, a landscaping business in Perkasie, as a front to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine across Bucks, Montgomery, Lehigh, and Philadelphia counties. District Attorney Joe Khan said the operation “severed a major regional supply chain” and held key figures accountable, including charges of drug delivery resulting in death tied to two fatal overdoses. Prosecutors allege Shana Finlan and Debbie Booth are linked to the overdose death of Kenneth Klingman in Center Valley, while Anthony Rola is accused of supplying the drugs that led to the death of Justin DiDonato in Sellersville. Authorities also detailed a troubling pipeline between drug distribution and illegal firearms trafficking, alleging members burglarized homes to steal guns that were later traded for narcotics or sold illegally. Charges range from corrupt organizations and felony drug offenses to firearms violations and burglary. The case, supported by Liberty Mid-Atlantic HIDTA and multiple regional departments, now moves toward prosecution.
Council Rock School Board approves stadium for CR South
The Council Rock School Board unanimously approved a long-debated $7.5 million stadium project for Council Rock South High School. Students, parents, and alumni packed the recent school board meeting, arguing the school has long lacked a true home-field experience. The board unanimously approved a new stadium after hearing from a list of stakeholders including Broady Walker, a junior at Council Rock South. “Having a stadium at our high school is a statement to all the students and the school,” Walker said. “It has been very unfair to our football team that we have to travel fifteen minutes on the bus to play home games and it impacts the culture of our school. Friday night lights is a core memory for most high school kids.” Council Rock School Board member Jim Green set the tone for what would be a landslide vote in favor of a new stadium. “My vote is about our south students, it’s about our community and our young people who walk the halls of Council Rock South and I’m choosing to look at the opportunity in front of us and I’m choosing to focus on a packed south stadium on graduation day, the South band playing under the lights and what this can mean for future generations of Council Rock students and that is why I will vote yes.” Board members voted 9-0 in favor of construction, marking a historic first for the school.
Quakertown Police chief faces scrutiny
Tensions remain high in Quakertown following a protest involving students from Quakertown Community School District. Residents crowded Borough Hall demanding answers and, in some cases, the resignation of Police Chief Scott McElree after a walkout over federal immigration enforcement escalated into confrontation. Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley, who is running in a Democratic primary in the State Senate district which includes Upper Bucks and is now represented by Republican Jarrett Coleman, also summarily denounced McElree in a statement. “Thirty-five kids walked out of school to protest what ICE is doing to their community,” Pinsley said. “He came at them in plain clothes and attacked them. So I’ll ask him the question directly: Who do you work for?” (The controller has boasted about working to evict ICE from a Lehigh County facility over a rent dispute.) Police say students damaged property and kicked vehicles; critics allege excessive force against minors. The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office has opened an independent investigation into the incident. Borough officials declined public comment pending that review. A juvenile court hearing for the detained students is scheduled this week.
Joe LeCompte hosts LeCompte in the Morning on WBCB 1490. Bradley Vasoli is the senior editor of The Independence.
