Local/Regional

Souderton Police Chief Jim Leary is warning parents of the danger lurking in their own medicine cabinet.

“Pharm party occur when young people, generally 15 to 21, raid moms or dads medicine chest, and very often raid grand moms and grand dads medicine chest, find medicines that they think will be of interest. They bring those other medicines of interest to a gathering of other likeminded people and they share pharmaceuticals, hence the term “pharm party”. This kids have no idea what they’re taking.”

Souderton and many other police departments in Montgomery and Bucks Counties will take part in this Saturday’s National Prescription Drug Giveback Program. A complete list of Police Departments involved is available at the website Justice.Gov

The C.E.O. of The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce says 4 out of 5 jobs being created in the region are in manufacturing. Ron Wonderling says lower energy cost are the reason why.

“Being driven, first, as its always been driven is by the great location of the Philadelphia region. Great transportation access from railroads to key parts of the Delaware River, but the real shift has occurred due to the low cost of natural gas.”

Much higher energy costs in Europe are driving some companies to shift operations here.

Lansdale officials held a town meeting Tuesday night about the redevelopment of the Madison lot. The plans call for a private developer to put up two multi story buildings with 250 high end apartments and 20-thousand square feet of retail space between them. Lansdale Borough Council Pres. Matt West put the focus on the broader impact of the project and said it will open up more options for getting around downtown.

“Think beyond the vehicle, beyond the car. Now, it’s with your feet as well as the bicycle and the transit.”

The Madison Redevelopment Project will serve as a catalyst for building the Liberty Bell Trail through the Borough, giving pedestrians, bike riders and skateboarders a new ay to get from one end of Lansdale to the other

Phone scammers are again trying to take advantage of tragedies, according to the Director of Consumers Affairs for Bucks County. Mike Bannon says, when people ask for money over the phone, it should signal a red flag.

“Unfortunately we have received some calls about people asking for money about the Boston Marathon and even about the terrible tragic explosion in Texas. With all the national problems going on people need to be careful which organization they give to.

Bannon was a guest on the New AM-Edition this morning with Darryl Berger.