Political consultant Thomas E. Severson, accused of threatening Northampton County Councilman Ron Angle at a funeral Mass, today lost his bid to have a special prosecutor assigned to hear the case.

Senior Judge Lawrence Brenner denied a legal motion filed by Severson’s attorney, George Heitczman of Bethlehem.

Pen Argyl police charged Severson in March with making terroristic threats, simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. Angle claims Severson on Dec. 14, during Mass at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, made “several menacing comments” to him. Court records say the comments “indicated (Severson) wanted to physically assault, as well as kill” Angle. Further, records say, Severson swore at Angle.  read more »

The state House approved a bill extending the Keystone Opportunity Zone and Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone programs, but it covers only properties that are unoccupied or deteriorated.

The bill does not extend tax deferments for already-developed KOZ and KOEZ properties, which are set to expire at the end of 2011 and 2013 respectively.

The bill extends the programs for properties that were designated KOZ or KOEZ but were never developed. It also allows for new zone designations, provided the property is either vacant or blighted, and that development occurs within seven years. The duration for new zones would be 10 years.  read more »

Democratic state House candidate John R. Ritter is undergoing treatment for leukemia but plans to stay in the race for the 187th District seat, his campaign said Wednesday.

Ritter began treatment at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia on Monday. He was diagnosed and received a treatment plan last week, his campaign said.

‘‘John’s doctor anticipates he will recover and be able to serve if elected in November,’‘ Ritter’s wife and campaign manager, Lynn Ritter, said in a written statement. She said Ritter will campaign as treatment allows. ‘‘Getting well will be my husband’s first priority, but John will keep in touch with supporters and constituents.’‘  read more »

The one thing I don’t understand here is why change the rules, John? They’ve kept attention on the Democratic contest and highlighted why the primary schedule can produce a long primary. It seems to me that the latter part of that is the problem, not the rules themselves.

YOU KNOW she’s not going away.

You know the spin today, tomorrow, next week (bring on West Virginia!) will be about how she’s a fighter who never gives up (bring on Kentucky!).

So, despite Barack Obama’s big North Carolina win and much better-than-expected showing in Indiana, you know there’s more to come. Makes me crazy.  read more »

I can’t wait to read your defense, Gent…

About 12 Indiana nuns were turned away Tuesday from a polling place by a fellow bride of Christ because they didn’t have state or federal identification bearing a photograph.

Sister Julie McGuire said she was forced to turn away her fellow sisters at Saint Mary’s Convent in South Bend, across the street from the University of Notre Dame, because they had been told earlier that they would need such an ID to vote.

The nuns, all in their 80s or 90s, didn’t get one but came to the precinct anyway.  read more »

Yup, another example where PA is backwards and probably lacks the political will to change. Sigh. Oh, and one question, are we sure this bill is the right way to solve this problem?

Yet it is the product of precise partisan method, not madness. After the 2000 census, each party indulged in computer-aided orgies of self-interest as the new election districts were drawn. The GOP controlled more state capitols, however. Party leaders used that clout to pursue their goal of “permanent majorities” at the state and federal levels. One of the main tools was “cracking,” dividing Democratic spots like Conshohocken among multiple districts to dilute their impact.  read more »