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Why Bensalem Twp. is consolidating 6 volunteer fire companies under one entity

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Why Bensalem Twp. is consolidating 6 volunteer fire companies under one entity


BENSALEM TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) — After two years of planning, six independent volunteer fire companies in Bensalem Township are set to consolidate into one fire company.

“It will be one fire department, one set of standard operating procedures, one executive board and one leadership team,” said Public Safety Director Williams McVey.

Trevose, Cornwells, Eddington, Union, Newport and Nottingham fire stations will now be known as the singular Bensalem Volunteer Fire Department. New chiefs and administration officials were sworn in Monday night at a special meeting, where commissioners gave their unanimous approval.

Officials say consolidation was necessary for many reasons, chief among them — manpower.

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“The decline of personnel within each of our organizations has certainly been our biggest challenge to overcome,” said Andrew Hazlett, who is now president of the BVFD.

BVFD Deputy Fire Chief Ron Harris says the number of volunteers has dwindled locally and across the state. He said in the 1970s, Pennsylvania had more than 300,000 volunteer firefighters. Today that number is about 30,000.

“Failure to not consolidate would result in a catastrophic incident involving destruction of property, and at worst case, a loss of life,” McVey said.

McVey said volunteers will still work out of the existing buildings and, over time, new signage and branding will appear on trucks and buildings. Officials also believe response times will improve.

“They’ll be able to pull all those resources together to ensure that they can get fire trucks out with properly trained personnel in those trucks,” McVey said.

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Twenty-year-old Aiden Goodson joined the Trevose Volunteer Fire Department in Bensalem last year following in the footsteps of his uncle and grandfather. It’s a common story of volunteers at any one of the now formerly independent fire companies.

Goodson said many have pride in their service that spans generations to a particular fire company but have come together to better the township.

Even with this reorganization, Goodson says the mission remains the same.

“Nothing else is different about the guys coming to save you on your worst day. They’re all still eager to help with whatever they can, in the best way they can,” Goodson said.

The consolation is effective at 12 a.m. Tuesday.

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The status of Bensalem’s full-time, paid firefighters is not affected.

Copyright © 2024 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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Pennsylvania

Could marijuana be legalized in Pennsylvania next year?

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Could marijuana be legalized in Pennsylvania next year?


(WHTM)– Recreational marijuana is not legal in Pennsylvania despite urging from a majority of Democrats in the legislature, but that could change in the new year due to an unlikely advocate.

President Trump issued an executive order last week moving marijuana from a Schedule I drug, which means highly addictive, to a Schedule III drug, which is less addictive with some medical benefit.

Many see this as the president legitimizing marijuana and giving political cover for Republicans, who have been resistant to supporting legalization.

The executive order also called for more solid research on the benefits and harms of marijuana.

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John Gallagher, a researcher, addiction specialist, and professor at Alvernia University, voiced support for more research. He said more research is needed and won’t wade into the political debate over whether to legalize it.

He also said the marijuana industry’s claim that it is not addictive is not true.

“I go back to the two things that we know. Without a doubt, cannabis is absolutely an addicting drug for some. And cannabis absolutely has withdrawal symptoms for some people become dependent on it,” Gallagher said.

He added that it’s appropriate that it was re-classified from schedule one to schedule three because its addictiveness is not the same as that of some schedule one substances.

Gallagher suspects Pennsylvania will legalize adult-use cannabis, given all surrounding states have. He also said there hasn’t been enough research on its medical benefits.

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Pennsylvania Lottery Pick 2 Day, Pick 2 Evening results for Dec. 21, 2025

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The Pennsylvania Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 results for each game:

Winning Pick 2 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Day: 6-9, Wild: 1

Evening: 8-1, Wild: 0

Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Day: 5-8-0, Wild: 1

Evening: 0-8-5, Wild: 0

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Day: 0-7-4-5, Wild: 1

Evening: 6-3-0-0, Wild: 0

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Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Day: 3-8-7-2-8, Wild: 1

Evening: 1-5-1-3-2, Wild: 0

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

15-25-30-40-55, Cash Ball: 02

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Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

11-20-31-36-38

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Treasure Hunt numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

05-11-13-25-27

Check Treasure Hunt payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Match 6 Lotto numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

08-29-32-33-35-45

Check Match 6 Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

  • Sign the Ticket: Ensure your ticket has your signature, name, address and phone number on the back.
  • Prizes up to $600: Claim at any PA Lottery retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
  • Prizes from $600 to $2,500: Use a Claim Form to claim at a retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
  • Prizes over $2,500: Mail your signed ticket with a Claim Form or in person at a Lottery Area Office (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Lottery Headquarters is currently not open to the public. Visit the PA Lottery website for other office locations near you.

When are the Pennsylvania Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: 1:35 p.m. and 6:59 p.m. daily.
  • Cash4Life: 9 p.m. daily.
  • Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. daily.
  • Treasure Hunt: 1:35 p.m. daily.
  • Match 6 Lotto: 6:59 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
  • Powerball Double Play: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Pennsylvania editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Nancy Elizabeth (Mast) Yoder, Greenville, PA

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Nancy Elizabeth (Mast) Yoder, Greenville, PA


GREENVILLE, Pa. (MyValleyTributes) – Nancy Elizabeth (Mast) Yoder, age 58, of Greenville, Pennsylvania, went home to be with the Lord on Friday evening, December 19th, 2025, at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside Hospital following an extended illness.

Born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, Nancy was the daughter of the late Enos D. Mast and Elizabeth J. (Hostetler) Mast. She was a faithful member of Harmony Mennonite Church in Kinsman, Ohio, where her quiet spirit and devotion were well known and deeply appreciated.

Nancy treasured time spent visiting with family and friends and dearly loved her pets. She found joy in crafts and crocheting, often creating items that reflected her care and thoughtfulness for others.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Lavina Yoder and a nephew, Kenneth Michael Yoder.

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She is survived by her loving husband of 31 years, Ammon Ray Yoder; six children, Elizabeth Ann Yoder of Garrison, New York, Enos Daniel Yoder of Dover, Ohio, Mollie Sue (Gideon) Hertzler of Salisbury, Pennsylvania and Christopher Andrew, Joseph Eli and David Abraham Yoder, all of Greenville, Pennsylvania. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Karla Faye Yoder, Rosann, and Dorothy Hertzler.

Additional survivors include three sisters, Mollie (Floyd) Yoder, Clara (Albert) Yoder and Ada (Mervin) Yoder; two brothers, Joseph (Laura) Mast and Jacob (Erma) Mast, a brother-in-law, David Yoder; along with many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends who will cherish her memory.

Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in Harmony Mennonite Church, 6123 Youngstown Conneaut Rd., Kinsman, Ohio 44428, with Speaker Sylvan Yoder officiating.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, December 22nd, 2025, at the church from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Burial will take place in State Line Amish Cemetery in Greenville, Pennsylvania.

Arrangements entrusted to Baumgardner Funeral & Cremation Service.

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Nancy will be remembered for her faith, her gentle kindness, and her deep love for family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Nancy, please visit our floral store.



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