Good Morning. Here are some of the top stories from around the region.
WEATHER
The bill for the warmer weather we’ve had so far will come due tomorrow. Today, though, enjoy the high of about 43 degrees with some sunshine.
CLICK HERE to check your local forecast.
NEWS
No charges in threats against Upper Darby mosque
A suspect in the recent case of threatening message targeting a local mosque has been identified as a 63-year-old township man with mental health issues, and no charges are pending at this time, police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said Monday. Through video and the help of community members, Chitwood said the individual was identified and brought in for questioning on Friday by township Detectives Matt Rowles and Edward Silberstein.
Jillian Tait sentenced to 42-94 years in state prison for torture death of son, ‘Scotty’ McMillan
The sentencing on Monday for the mother of 3-year-old Scott “Scotty” McMillan, who died from a brutal series of beatings and torture that he shared alongside his older brother at the hands of her boyfriend featured a letter written by the surviving victim of the “horrific” abuse. “Dear Mom,” the letter, read in Common Pleas Court by First Assistant District Attorney Michael Noone, who led the prosecution of murderer Gary Lee Fellenbaum; his wife, Amber Fellenbaum; and McMillan’s mother, Jillian Tait, began.
Gov. Wolf supports opposition to anti-abortion bill in Conshohocken
Gov. Tom Wolf joined local elected officials and abortion rights advocates at Borough Hall Monday morning to voice their opposition to proposed legislation that would fundamentally change when and under what circumstances a woman would be able to have an abortion in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 3, sponsored by State Sen. Michele Brooks, Dist., 50, would restrict the allowable time for the pregnancy ending procedure from 24 weeks to 20 weeks with no exceptions for incest or rape.
Lansdale budget, with tax hike, nearing final vote as talks continue on firefighter incentive
Final approval of a 2018 budget with a roughly 25-percent tax increase is now just two weeks away. The Borough Council heard an update Wednesday night on plans to approve the borough’s budget, fee schedule, and tax ordinance, as talks continue on other initiatives that could impact the bottom line in 2018. “We approved the advertisement of that (budget) last month, so it will be voted on, on the 20th. Nothing has been changed,” said councilman Jason Van Dame, chairman of council’s Administration and Finance committee.
Police officers spread Christmas cheer to local children
If there’s any time of year that makes adults feel like kids again, it’s the Christmas season. Area police officers got to experience that first-hand Saturday as they strolled the aisles of Target in Upland Square Shopping Center with kids for the 4th Annual Helpers and Heroes Program. The event is aimed at giving children the chance to spend a morning with local police officers as they shop together for the perfect Christmas gifts.
SPORTS
‘Next man up’ even applies to Eagles’ best man, Pederson says
A day after Carson Wentz needed to be helped off the field at the Los Angeles Coliseum, Doug Pederson figured he had one major job. So he gave a hand to the rest of his Eagles, too. Confirming that Wentz had torn his left ACL in a 43-35 victory over the Rams and that the knee injury would cost the quarterback the season, Pederson used most of his day-after press briefing Monday to argue that it barely mattered.
McCaffery: Wentz’s knee injury spells end to Super hopes
Darren Sproles went one way and his ACL went another, and there were the Eagles, without their most accomplished running back for the rest of the season. They would survive. Jason Peters tore his knee in one spot, and then in another one too, rolling onto the injured list, gone for the year. And there were the Eagles, without their Hall of Fame-bound blind-side-protecting tackle.
Elliott’s sage perspective helps steady Flyers
Three straight wins on a road trip through Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver have certainly brought a fresh gust of relief into the Flyers’ locker room, but as goalie Brian Elliott pointed out, it shouldn’t alter the prevailing winds. “I’ve seen a lot of things happen that you don’t expect. You don’t expect not winning for 10 games,” Elliott said, referencing the 0-5-5 slide the Flyers were on when they began that three-game tour of western Canada last week. “I think we’re the only team with a 10-game losing streak but only 11 (regulation) losses, so it doesn’t tell the real story of how we’re playing. I think we made some tweaks and tried to limit some mistakes and I think that’s what changed a little bit for us. We have to keep that going. You can’t rest on three wins.”
ENTERTAINMENT
‘Creating S-Town’: Brian Reed to discuss his hit podcast at the Merriam Theater
When the “S-Town” podcast premiered on a Tuesday morning in March, millions of people downloaded it thinking they were signing up for a true-crime story, a murder mystery not unlike the 2015 phenomenon “Serial.” At least, that’s how the show was being advertised. What people ended up listening to, however, was a poignant character study, a tender portrait of a clock repairman living a seemingly unremarkable life in small-town Alabama.
