Montgomery County Commissioners Authorize Over $2 Million in Contracts for Various County Services

In a recent assembly, Montgomery County Commissioners sanctioned contracts worth over $2 million. The contracts, approved during the June 29 meeting, will provide services to various county departments, including Assets and Infrastructure, Human Resources, and Public Safety.

All contracts, except a software agreement valued at about $85,000 for the Department of Information and Technology Solutions, received approval. This contract with Microsoft Corporation needed an additional $85,722.50 to make the vaccine management system compatible with a third COVID-19 vaccine shot for the Montgomery County Office of Health and Human Services’ Office of Public Health. The updated contract necessitates additional management. The agreement received votes of approval from Chairman Ken Lawrence Jr. and Vice Chairwoman Jamila Winder, with Commissioner Joe Gale opposing it.

The bulk of the contract package funds, around $1,512,766, went to a contract with KMRD Partners, Inc., for commercial lines of insurance. The risk manager of the county facilitated contracts for various types of liability-related coverage set to expire on June 30.

Furthermore, a $209,067 three-year contract with TITAN Mobile Shredding LLC. was approved for the destruction of confidential county documents. The agreement also encompasses two optional annual renewal terms.

Another contract of $165,425 with Meco Constructors Inc. will cover paving and repainting at the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety’s Eagleville campus.

The next Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting is slated for July 20, with options for both physical and virtual attendance.

Pennsylvania's Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Set to Reopen for Applications on July 10

Low-income residents in Pennsylvania will be able to apply for assistance with their water and wastewater bills once more.

The State Department of Human Services Secretary, Val Arkoosh, announced on Thursday that applications for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) will reopen on July 10.

LIHWAP allows eligible households to apply for one crisis grant for drinking water service and another for wastewater service, each up to a value of $2,500. A crisis situation can range from overdue water bills, disconnection of utility service, or a notice of service termination within the next 60 days.

Arkoosh encouraged Pennsylvanians at risk of losing water or wastewater services, who have not previously availed of LIHWAP, to apply as soon as the program opens, stating, "Every Pennsylvanian has a right to clean drinking water that keeps our homes safe and our families healthy."

Even if households are receiving utility aid from another program such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), they can still be eligible for LIHWAP. However, if a household has previously received LIHWAP for one type of water service, they are ineligible for another grant for the same type of service, though they may apply for the other type.

To qualify for LIHWAP, households must either rent or own their homes, have an overdue water or wastewater bill they are responsible for, and meet the income limits for their household size. The grants are directly issued to the water service providers, and income requirements must be met. The maximum annual incomes are:

1 person - $20,385

2 people - $27,465

3 people - $34,545

4 people - $41,625

5 people - $48,705

6 people - $55,785

7 people - $62,865

8 people - $69,945

9 people - $77,025

10 people - $84,105

For each additional person, $7,080 should be added.

LIHWAP, a temporary assistance program initiated by the American Rescue Plan Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, will run from July 10 through August 11, or until all funds are utilized, whichever is earlier.

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New York Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Role in Major Fentanyl Import Scheme

Wadimyr Jiminez Sanchez, a 30-year-old New York resident, has been sentenced to between 5.5 and 15 years in prison for his role in a scheme to import and distribute 500 grams of fentanyl from Mexico.

The operation involved delivering the drugs to undercover police officers in Upper Moreland Township, Pennsylvania. Sanchez's accomplice, Pablo Pedro Rosario, has also been sentenced to 5 to 15 years in prison for his involvement in the conspiracy.

The sentences follow an investigation initiated in January 2022 by the Pennsylvania State Police into a drug trafficking organization.

Spring Township Firefighter Faces Felony Child Pornography Charges

Kenneth McCardell III, a 36-year-old firefighter from Spring Township, has been arrested and is facing charges for child pornography in Lancaster County.

Arrested by Manheim Township police, McCardell was charged with two felony counts of child pornography and one felony count of criminal use of a communications facility.

Following his arraignment, McCardell remains free pending further court proceedings. Details leading to his arrest remain undisclosed. McCardell, listed as a shift captain with the Spring Township Fire Department, has been placed on administrative leave while investigations continue, according to township officials.

The Pennsylvania Crime Prevention Officers’ Association is hosting a workshop focused on 'Small Business Safety and Security' for local business owners and operators.

The workshop is scheduled to take place on July 13 at the Montgomery Township Community Center, located at 1030 Horsham Road.

Heather Hearn, a security advisor from Wawa, alongside officials from the PA State Police, will be presenting various tips on crime prevention and safety during the event.

Attendees are asked for a _{$15 donation}, and a light lunch will be included.

For further details, interested individuals can email [email protected] or find the "Pa Crime Prevention Officers Association" on Facebook or @pcpoa1978 on Twitter.

iPhone 15 Series Set to Begin Mass Production in August, iPhone 15 Pro Max to Feature Exclusive Upgrades

Today, tech researcher Jeff Pu of Haitong International Tech Research announced that the upcoming iPhone 15 series is anticipated to start mass production in August, aiming to manufacture around 84 million units for the latter half of 2023.

This indicates a roughly 12% increase in production compared to last year's iPhone 14 series, reflecting Apple's expectation of robust demand. However, Pu cautioned that the price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is predicted to exceed the starting price of $1,099 for the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Unlike the previous models, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is set to have unique features not available on the 6.1-inch Pro version.

Historically, the Pro and Pro Max models have been nearly identical in specs, differing mainly in screen and battery size. This trend, however, seems to be changing this year. Speculations are rife that a new periscope zoom lens, enhancing the device's optical zoom range to around 6x from the current maximum of 3x, will be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Along with this, both the Pro and Pro Max models are expected to feature upgraded 3-stacked camera sensors, potentially improving image quality across the Pro series.

Looking forward to the iPhone 16, Pu's report suggests the integration of a new "metalens" technology for the proximity sensor. This innovation could allow Apple to significantly decrease the size of the Face ID sensor hardware in future models. Also aligning with previous claims, the iPhone 16 is expected to support the latest WiFi 7 networking standard.

Apple is likely to officially introduce the iPhone 15 this autumn, possibly during a media event in September. Apart from camera enhancements, consumers can look forward to a redesigned Pro model with titanium sides, a new action button replacing the mute switch, and the substitution of the Lightning port with a USB-C connector for standardized data transfer and quicker charging.

Paranormal Investigation at Ridgewood Winery in Birdsboro PA

If you ever wanted to see how a real-time paranormal investigation is done and learn a little more about the past history and residents that are still at Ridgewood Winery, this is your chance. Limited Seating is available and tickets will go fast.

Date and Time: Saturday, July 8 - 4 - 6:30 pm EDT

Where: Ridgewood Winery, 2039 Philadelphia Ave (intersection of E Pointe Drive and Rt 724) Birdsboro, PA 19508

Light refreshments will be served and wine will be available for purchase.

Tickets Available Here

Upcoming Local Events

• Milou Sky + Airspace / Free Outdoor Show at Rivet! July 7th - 6:00 PM

• NIGHTWOLF / Free Outdoor Show at Rivet! July 8th - 6-10 PM

• Warehouse Warriors / Free Outdoor Show at Rivet! July 14th - 6-10PM

• 5th Annual Lew’s Crew Ride for Veteran & First Responder Suicide Awareness - July 15th, 9AM-4PM

• The Alley Arts & Craft July Event - July 30th, 12PM-5PM

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PHILLIES

The Philadelphia Phillies swept the Tampa Bay Rays with a 3-1 victory, extending the Rays' losing streak to five games. Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner provided RBI singles in the 11th inning to secure the win for the Phillies.

Philadelphia has now won 12 consecutive road games, one shy of the team record. The Rays were swept at home for the first time this season, while the Phillies extended their interleague winning streak to 12 games.

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