Miscellaneous

Chief Bucks County Adult Probation and Parole Officer Sean Ryan says the cost of corrections in the U.S. went from $12 billion a year to $52 billion over 20 years, suggesting strongly that longer and longer prison terms are not reducing crime.

Read more: Parole Chief: Longer Prison Terms Not Reducing Crime

Lansdale officials have successfully concluded negotiations for right-of-ways that will allow a major road improvement project to move ahead.   What's in the works is rebuilding and realigning parts of Vine Street, Susquehanna Avenue, Derstine Avenue and Wood Street to make it easier for both motorists and pedestrians to get around downtown.   None of the right-of-way acquisitions involved significant taking of property and in most cases were less than 20-square-feet.   Construction could start as soon as next month.

Hundreds of people gathered Saturday night in Lambertville, New Jersey to remember 39-year-old Sarah Majoras.

Read more: Mourners Remember Sarah Majoras

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Groundhog's Day.   Legend has it that means an early spring.    Groundhog Handler Bob Roberts made the announcement at Gobbler's Knob in the northwestern Pennsylvania town just after sunrise on Saturday morning.   "And so ye faithful, there is no shadow to see,an early spring for you and me," he proclaimed.   Since the tradition started in the late 19th century, Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow 99 times and called for six more weeks of winter but predicted an early spring on only 16 occasions.