Pennsylvania
Pottstown residents, NAACP raise concerns over lack of diversity in military banners
POTTSTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) — A program honoring local military service members with banners along High Street in Pottstown, Pennsylvania is drawing concerns from some residents who say the display lacks representation of minorities and women.
The banners, part of the “Heroes of Pottstown” project, feature photos of service members submitted by families.
But Robert Brown, whose father served in the Navy during World War II, said he noticed something missing.
“You’re walking around, the flags look nice,” he said. “There was a lot of people that weren’t represented.”
Brown said he began trying to add his father, Edward Brown Jr., to the display months ago.
“When we initially talked with them, it was way back in February,” he said.
The project, launched by Elks Lodge 814, has been in place for about a year.
The lodge’s president told Action News that all 74 banner spots, which are first-come-first-served, were filled almost immediately after the program was announced.
Families pay $200 and must provide a photo and proof of military service – requirements Brown said he has met.
Brown brought his concerns to the Pottstown chapter of the NAACP. Its president, Johnny Corson, said the absence of minority and female service members sends the wrong message.
“When you don’t show minorities and people of color on the banners, it just makes it seem like the service that our Black, Spanish, Muslim, Jewish, female – because there’s no females on these poles – their service meant nothing,” he said.
To expand the display, the Elks Lodge would need the borough to make additional light posts available.
Brown and the NAACP say their issue is not with the lodge, but with borough leaders, whom they accuse of delaying the action of adding more light poles to the list where banners can be placed.
“You could go to Hanover Street. You can go to the park. There’s so many places you can put banners up,” Corson said.
The lodge president said she has arranged a meeting with the borough council president to discuss next steps. Brown said he hopes the outcome will allow his father and other underrepresented service members to be included.
“(America’s) 250th is coming up. That’s what makes it even more important about getting representation out there,” he said.
The Elks Lodge said it hopes to expand the program. The borough manager and council president did not respond to requests for comment.
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Three people died in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 76 in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, Saturday morning, Pennsylvania State Police said.
The crash happened just before 5 a.m. Saturday on I-76 westbound near mile marker 330, according to state police.
State police said a white Ford pickup truck was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-76 Saturday morning.
Troopers attempted to stop the truck twice, but the Ford pickup drove past them at a high rate of speed.
The driver of the Ford then struck two vehicles head-on. According to state police, the occupants of the three vehicles involved in the crash died.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Pennsylvania State Police.
Pennsylvania
Fans fill Pennsylvania Convention Center for first day of All-Star Village in Philadelphia
WILKES-BARRE — When people think about transportation in Northeastern Pennsylvania, their first thoughts are likely cars and buses.
While those are the most common modes of transportation in the region, an important question is gaining attention among planners, community leaders, and residents alike:
How easy is it to get around NEPA on foot?
A recent report by The Institute examined accessibility and walkability across the region. The findings reveal a region with some highly walkable downtowns and neighborhoods, but also many communities where residents remain heavily dependent on vehicles.
“Walkability refers to how easily people can reach everyday destinations such as stores, restaurants, schools, parks, and health care facilities by walking,” said Jill Avery-Stoss, President and CEO of The Institute, “Factors that influence walkability include street connectivity, proximity to destinations, access to transit, and the strength of the infrastructure network. Walkability supports the resilience, environment, health, and economy of communities.”
Using the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Walkability Index, The Institute confirmed that some of the region’s traditional downtown communities scored the highest.
• In Lackawanna County, communities including Scranton, Carbondale, Old Forge, Jessup, Blakely, Clarks Summit, and Moosic ranked among the county’s most walkable areas.
• In Luzerne County, strong scores were recorded in Wilkes-Barre, Pittston, Hazleton, Kingston, Forty Fort, Plymouth, Dallas, and Freeland.
• In Wayne County, the boroughs of Honesdale and Hawley emerged as the most walkable locations.
The broader regional picture, however, highlights a continuing dependence on automobiles.
“Most municipalities in Northeast Pennsylvania are categorized as car-dependent, particularly in more rural areas where destinations are spread farther apart, and transportation options are limited,” notes Avery-Stoss.
Data from America Walks, which combines EPA and Census Bureau information to evaluate walkable land use, shows that a majority of residents in all three counties live in areas rated as below-average for walkability.
Approximately 66.4% of Lackawanna County residents, 59.5% of Luzerne County residents, and 53.1% of Wayne County residents live in neighborhoods classified as below-average walkable.
Despite these challenges, Avery-Stoss said there are opportunities for improvement.
She said Northeastern Pennsylvania already benefits from an extensive network of trails and greenways, including the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, the Luzerne County Levee Trail, and other rail-trail systems that support walking, biking, and recreation. Avery-Stoss said investments in sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, trail connections, traffic-calming measures, and transit-oriented development could further improve mobility and quality of life throughout the region.
“While walkability varies significantly from one community to another, many of the region’s most vibrant downtown areas demonstrate what is possible when homes, businesses, parks, and services are located within easy walking distance,” Avery-Stoss said. “As communities continue to invest in transportation and redevelopment projects, walkability is becoming an increasingly important part of how Northeastern Pennsylvania grows and connects its residents to their larger community.”
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
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