Local News

Written by Jason Delp

The issue of short-term rentals is a hot topic, but how are they really affecting Barrett Township? A 2019 Supreme Court ruling allowed townships to regulate short-term rental permits, and Barrett's supervisors mostly mirrored the state and county regulations. As of today, according to a Right-to-Know request submitted to the township zoning officer, 29 permits have been issued for short-term rentals.

In August, two local establishments, the Skytop Inn and Congregation Ohr Menachem, were cited for multiple health code violations during inspections conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

John and Madeleine Leonard Unsolved Murders Update as to What We Know:

John W. Leonard, Sr., father of five children, was an American Hero of WWII and survived a POW camp under Hitler for over two years and returned home only to be murdered after starting a family. John was a member of the American Legion Evans-Blitz Post 922, Canadensis PA for many years and was the only WWII POW from the Barrett community who was a member. Madeleine G. Leonard was a Goldstar mom who lost a son in the Vietnam War who gave his life to this country. Madeleine and her husband, John Leonard, are both now silenced victims of violent crimes and ignored by the PA State Police and District Attorney’s Office for the past 54 years.

After 18 years in Doylestown, and 10 years in Hunterdon County, we are coming to Monroe County! Homeschool Arts and Repertory starts Thursday programs this fall at the Barrett Administrative and Recreation Complex in Cresco!

I am writing in response to your August 21, 2024 letter, wherein, you request that I "cite any controlling Pennsylvania law, other than Dillon v. Erie, that stands for the proposition that an ordinance respecting discharge of firearms is preempted; or that it is in invalid for any other legal reason."

Barrett Township recently hired Neil L. Albert, a partner at the Ephrata-based law firm Zimmerman, Pfannebecker, Nuffort & Albert, LLP, to represent them in a legal challenge regarding the proposed firearm discharge ordinance. Albert was chosen over the township's standard solicitor.

Yesterday, Chief Counsel Joshua Prince of the Firearms Industry Consulting Group (“FICG), a division of Civil Rights Defense Firm, P.C., filed a letter on behalf of Firearm Owners Against Crime – Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action (FOAC-ILLEA) with Barrett Township Chairwoman Gardsy and Members of the Board of Supervisors regarding their recent consideration of an unlawful and unconstitutional firearm discharge ordinance.

Nate: I've posted this in a couple of places on FB and Nextdoor. If you think there's some merit, please consider sending it out to your email list. I've heard from several people that it was your notice the last time--for the first meeting where the ordinance was discussed--that they became aware this was even being discussed.

Thanks for your help.

Karl

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There has been a lot of interest in the "Peace and Good Order" ordinance in Barrett Township. The ordinance will be voted on TONIGHT, Wednesday Aug. 14 at the Supervisor's meeting, which begins at 5:30 PM at the BARC.

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CRESCO, PA (August 13, 2024) — The situation at the Oak Ridge Lane & Ridge Road residence in Cresco has taken a troubling turn. Early on Sunday, August 11, at approximately 12:30 AM, police were once again dispatched to the home, this time in response to a domestic disturbance. The eldest son of the household was reportedly holding the rest of the family at knifepoint.

The FBI is searching the Delmar home of ex-UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter in connection with a federal investigation.

A NewsChannel 13 photographer captured video of agents searching and taking pictures of both cars at the property on Dover Drive.

Agency spokeswoman Sarah Ruane confirmed that they were searching the home, but would not provide details on the investigation – per standard policy.

Ritter was the chief weapons inspector in Iraq. He was found guilty in 2011 of engaging in a sexually explicit web chat with a person in Pennsylvania who was pretending to a be a 15-year-old girl, according to Reuters. Ritter was actually corresponding with a detective for the Barrett Township Police Department.