Top 10 Stories in Marple Newtown in 2011
Marple Newtown Patch takes a look back at the most memorable stories from 2011.
Marple Crossings Walmart Opens (Oct. 12)
Crowds gather by the dawn's early light awaiting Walmart's grand opening.
Photos (10)
Photos
These were the most-read and most memorable stories on Marple Newtown Patch during 2011:
Marple Crossings Walmart Plans to Open Doors in Fall
Whether you love it or hate it, the new Walmart in the Marple Crossroads Shopping Center opened its doors this past October. The retail chain store is located directly in the center of the shopping center, the former location of Marshalls retail store, when entering from State Road.
Although many residents shared their concerns about the mega retail/food store coming to the Marple Crossroads Shopping Center and have signed a petition against the new tenant moving in, the Marple Board of Commissioners were hopeful that the store would generate more revenue and jobs to the town.
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Coroner: 3-Year-Old's Drowning Death Ruled Accidental
Who could forget the horrific drowning of 3-year-old Joan Elizabeth Logan at St. Albans Swim Club during Memorial Day weekend. Joan Elizabeth Logan was pronounced dead at 5:40 p.m. on May 28 at Bryn Mawr Hospital, and Montgomery County Coroner Walter Hofman ruled the manner and cause of death accidental drowning.
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Broomall Man Commits Suicide at Rose Tree Park
Marple Newtown alum Richard "Rocky" C. Geraghty, Jr., 24, of Broomall, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head on Nov. 21.
Police and the medical examiner responded to Rose Tree Park at about 10:50 p.m. Monday. Geraghty was pronounced dead at 11:03 p.m. Monday, according to Medical Examiner Dr. Fredric Hellman's report.
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Municipal Garbage Truck Falls on Top of Car in Marple, One Driver Flown to Hospital
A two-vehicle crash involving an Upper Darby municipal garbage truck on Reed Road and Marpit Drive in Broomall sent five to the hospital on July 26. Upon arrival to the scene, police said they located an Upper Darby municipal trash truck on its side on top of a 2003 four-door Honda Accord, trapping the driver and passenger inside, according to Lt. Frank Hannigan of Marple Township Police.
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Newcomer Partridge Ousts Veteran Newtown Supervisor Houldin in Primaries
Edward Partridge won the Newtown Township GOP primary election May 17 against long-time sueprvisor Linda Houldin. A heated primary–with campaign signs being stolen and police officers' rights in question in regards to supporting a canddiate–Partridge won by an overwhelming 1,252 votes over his opponent Houldin.
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Suspicious Package Found, Township Buildings Evacuated
A suspicious package was found by the Marple Police station March 8, evacuating the police and township buildings, library and three homes.
The owner of the suspicious package that was found in the front of the Marple Police station at approximately 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, and evacuated the police and municipal buildings, library and three nearby homes was found to be from a 26-year-old Broomall man.
According to Lt. Frank Hannigan of Marple police, the suspicious package was contained in an unmarked approximately 8-inch by 6-inch box wrapped with blue masking tape.
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Public Employee Racks Up $1,000 of FedEx Bills for Personal Use Under Township Account
It started off with looking at a monthly FedEx bill in February of this year by current Newtown Township Supervisors Chairman Joseph Catania when the whole case broke out. After further investigation, the District Attorney's Office officially charged township secretary Gwen Toyzer, Supervisor George Wood, Tax Collector Marie Richards, and George Clement Jr., assistant to the township manager, for theft by unlawful taking and theft of services of using the township's FedEx account for personal use.
After several meetings of deciding what to do with Toyzer, she was suspended without pay and then eventually terminated. Charges were eventually dropped against Wood, Richards ad Clement, but Toyzer claims that she was set up for political gain.
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Update On Old Pathmark Site in Marple
The old Pathmark building off of Lawrence Road in Marple Township still stands vacant after officially closing its doors in October 2010. Since its closing last year, Marple Township Third Ward Commissioner Jim Balk announced at a commissioners work session meeting on Nov. 9 that the original price tag of the Pathmark plot was estimated around $7 million to $7.5 million, in which the value has dropped to around $3 million in its succeeding months.
Balk suggested that the commissioners continue to keep an eye on the price tag of the site for any future community developments for the township such as a recreational facility. The latest from our poll to readers on what they would like to see at the site is still neck and neck between another grocery store and a recreatioinal facility.
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Supervisor Houldin Leaves During Meeting, Calls It 'The End'
Newtown Township Supervisor Linda Houldin walked out during a supervisors meeting on Nov. 28 when it was brought to the public's attention of Houldin's dual insurance coverage.
Houldin, who continually reiterated it was an honest mistake, shared her last words before leaving the meeting and alluding to the situation as a political grandstand.
"That's it–I'm over it as of today. I'm not going to sit and take another beating. This is my hurrah."
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Marple Pizzeria Will Be Featured in TV Reality Show
A production company will be filming a television reality show in a Marple pizza shop on Dec. 8, Township Manager Anthony Hamaday told the Marple Township Board of Commissioners during a work session meeting on Dec. 5.
But upon further investigation, Marple Newtown Patch discovered the film crews on location not at a pizzeria but at the Philly Pretzel Factory and at Country Squire Diner.
What were some of your memorable stories that happened in the community in 2011?
Tell us in the comments.
In This article
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Walmart
400 S State Rd, Springfield, PA -
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Marple Township Police Department
225 S Sproul Rd, Broomall, PA -
Marple Township Municipal Building
227 S Sproul Rd, Broomall, PA -
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Anne Murray
6:13 pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Wegmans please!!!!!!!