The Week in Review: A look at some of the top stories from the North Hills for the week of Dec. 27
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Here are some recent Tribune-Review news stories and features from the North Hills.
For more details on these and other stories, follow the links below or find more news at TribLIVE.com.
Bradford Woods residents could face fines if caught feeding deer
The dense trees that grace Bradford Woods are part of the charm that attracts residents to the tiny borough.
But the lush forested areas also are home to a growing deer population with human allies who set out tasty snacks for them.
Borough officials say the deer would be better off fending for themselves.
Council has adopted a new ordinance that makes it illegal for residents to feed deer, which are increasingly responsible for causing traffic crashes, destroying expensive landscapes and spreading Lyme disease through the ticks they carry.
Ross community mourns passing of Bill Linkenheimer, founding member of Fire Police unit
Before Ross Township had a special unit to control traffic and assist at fires and other emergencies, police and firefighters often had to waste valuable time preventing the scene from turning into a chaotic tangle.
To address the problem, a group of volunteers came together to form the Ross Fire Police in 1978.
“It’s incredibly helpful to have them at the scene to free up officers to do their regular duties,” said Ross police Chief Joe Ley, who has been with the department for more than 30 years. “We’re lucky to have a dedicated group of men and women willing to go out at all hours of the day and night to help.”
William F. Linkenheimer Jr., the last surviving founding member and the first elected president of the Ross Fire Police, died on Dec. 20 from covid-19 related lung disease. He was 87.
North Hills communities avoid tax increase for 2021 despite uncertainties
Despite worries about the coronavirus pandemic’s effect on its revenue, communities in the North Hills all approved budgets for 2021 that keep their property tax rate unchanged. Some municipalities will delay projects and others have trimmed spending to balance next year’s budget.
Here are links to stories about the budgets in the North Hills:
• Marshall Township budget for 2021 keeps tax rate, level of service intact
• West View’s 2021 budget trims spending to hold line on property tax rate
• 2021 Bradford Woods budget leaves tax rate, spending levels unchanged
• Belt-tightening measures help McCandless avoid tax hike for 16th consecutive year
• Richland holds line on tax rate for 2021, some paving could be delayed until revenue rolls in
• Franklin Park’s 2021 budget balanced with cash reserves
• Ross budget keeps property tax rate the same for 6th consecutive year
• Pine’s 2021 budget keeps taxes lowest in county, maintains services
Volunteers gathering at Bradford Woods Reserve for Audubon’s annual bird count
For the seventh consecutive year, the Bradford Woods Conservancy is seeking nature lovers interested in participating in the Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count on Jan. 2.
A small team of conservancy members and volunteers is scheduled to be in the Bradford Woods Reserve at 10 a.m. “looking, listening and recording what we find,” said Ward Allebach, president of the conservancy, which has organized a bird count in the borough for the past six years.
No birding experience is necessary to participate in the count, which will be led by conservancy member Ray Morris, a certified master naturalist.