Latest news with #Norristown
CBS News
5 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Concerns grow in Norristown, Pennsylvania, after ICE arrests 14 undocumented immigrants at supermarket
Concerns are growing in the Hispanic community after Wednesday's ICE raid at a Norristown, Pennsylvania, supermarket ended with 14 undocumented immigrants arrested. Sharon Williams, who lives in Norristown, visited Super Gigante at the West Norriton Farmers Market the day after the raid on Thursday to shop and also show her support for her immigrant neighbors. "It's just very disappointing," Williams said. "We are very upset here in the greater Norristown area that we've been targeted, that our community and our immigrant community is being targeted." According to federal officials, agents were at the supermarket to execute a search warrant for 14 people, who they said did not have legal status to be in the United States. Ultimately, 14 undocumented immigrants were arrested, including six Mexican nationals, according to the Mexican Consulate in Philadelphia. Residents said the raids are making people uneasy regardless of their immigration status. "Folks who are full citizens either by birth or naturalized citizens have to be on edge because all you have to do is look the part," Williams said. Community advocacy groups in Montgomery County believe these raids are going to continue with ICE agents targeting spaces such as churches, schools, or, as on Wednesday, a supermarket. "People aren't going out to go get groceries," Andi Laudisio, with the nonprofit Indivisible Montgomery County PA and Friends, said. "People are nervous to show up to court because they are being snatched from court. So it's affected everyday life for all of our community members." Laudisio and her work with the advocacy group involves monitoring ICE activity in the area. She was also at the raid at the supermarket after seeing who she believed were ICE agents gathering at a movie theater parking lot earlier Wednesday morning. "ICE is intentionally targeting people on their way to work, on their way home from work, to schools, to graduations," she said. "These are not where criminals are hanging out." Laudisio and others have worked to give people a heads up about ICE activity in the area, but she believes the state needs to do more to help protect immigrant families. Laudisio said if people in power won't step up to help, the community will. "Who is going to do something? Not the government, not the police. It has to be the citizens," she said.
CBS News
6 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
14 undocumented immigrants arrested in ICE raid at Norristown, Pennsylvania, supermarket
Fourteen undocumented immigrants were arrested after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid in Norristown, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday morning, a spokesperson for ICE said. ICE said in a statement that federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service and ICE conducted a federal court-authorized search at Super Gigante at the West Norriton Farmers Market on West Main Street. "During the execution of the search warrant, 14 individuals were encountered who did not have legal status to be in the United States," ICE wrote in a statement. "These 14 individuals were taken into ICE custody pending removal proceedings." Carlos Obrador, head consul of the Mexican Consulate in Philadelphia, said in a statement that at least six of the detainees are Mexican nationals. "It is important to point out that regardless of their immigration status, people have basic rights," Obrador said in a statement. "If someone is detained by immigration authorities, they have the right to request to speak with their consulate. The Mexican Consulate is prepared to provide our nationals with legal assistance in the event they require it." Unides Para Servir Norristown, a grassroots Latino advocacy organization in Norristown, said in a Facebook post on Wednesday morning that "more than 25 ICE vehicles entered our community with the sole purpose of intimidating and attacking our families." Stephanie Vincent, a member of the Community for Change Montgomery County, said the raid was the latest in a series of immigration operations in the Philadelphia suburb. "I don't think folks really understand how this is happening … I think the wider public probably thinks it's just Norristown, or just Philadelphia or just on the news in California," Vincent said. "But this is literally happening in towns in Montgomery County. In Ambler, in Bridgeport, in Conshohocken, in Lansdale, in Pottstown and also in neighboring counties. So, this is happening everywhere and people need to realize that these human rights abuses, the Constitution being trampled on is happening right here in Montgomery County." During the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Meeting on Wednesday, multiple residents, including Vincent, asked the county to do more to protect its residents against ICE enforcement. "This is bigger than immigration," Vincent said at the meeting. "This is about the soul of our county." This is a developing story and will be updated.
CBS News
01-07-2025
- CBS News
35 people charged in "dismantling" of Norristown drug rings that flooded Montco with crack cocaine, DA says
July 4 events proceeding as scheduled in Philadelphia despite DC33 strike | Digital Brief July 4 events proceeding as scheduled in Philadelphia despite DC33 strike | Digital Brief July 4 events proceeding as scheduled in Philadelphia despite DC33 strike | Digital Brief Thirty-five people were criminally charged Tuesday after a monthslong investigative operation targeting the drug market in Norristown, Pennsylvania, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said in a news release. Hundreds of pages of court documents show how "Operation Cocaine Goldmine" used wiretaps, confidential informants, controlled buys and other surveillance to track three drug trafficking organizations in Norristown — the county seat — from late 2024 to June 2025. Steele said the investigation took place as opioid and fentanyl use declined, but "cocaine and crack cocaine...[experienced] a resurgence, in part due to the dramatic decline in wholesale cocaine prices." As bulk traffickers, mid-level suppliers, and street-level dealers were able to get easier access to large quantities of the drug due to the price shifts, county detectives worked with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, FBI, DEA and Norristown police on targeting networks operating in Norristown. Steele said the investigation has helped identify "intertwined networks of individuals who are most responsible for the trafficking of bulk quantities of cocaine into Montgomery County." The documents show some dealers were also involved in the illicit dealing of prescription drugs, like Klonopin and Percocet. Seven pounds of powder and crack cocaine, over $138,000 cash and 17 guns were seized during the operation. Steele said the operation and other recent arrests in shootings are "a concerted effort to rid Norristown of this criminal element that will not be tolerated in our county seat. I want to thank our state and federal partners for their ongoing assistance, especially the Attorney General's Office." Alleged ringleaders identified and charged Steele's office identified these five people as the alleged ringleaders of the three drug networks: · Terrell Bailey, 50, of Norristown · Jerome Berry, 32, of Norristown · Malik Noel, 49, of Philadelphia · Oscar Gordon, 37, of Norristown · Donta Wells, 40, of Norristown All of those five have been arrested and charged. Warrants have been issued for seven other people: Denise Baird, Darnell Cotton, Tyya Griffin, Tyleek Lee, Michael Taylor, Curtis Thomas and Cori Wagner.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pennsylvanian gets $12K utility bill after months of silence — and thousands more in the state face problems
Posiey Brown of Norristown, Pennsylvania, was floored when she opened her PECO energy bill in April — totaling $11,723.93 in charges. 'There's no way,' she recalled thinking to CBS News Philadelphia in a story published May 30. It was the first utility bill she had seen in months and much higher than anticipated. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Brown says she called PECO after not receiving a statement in August and was told the company had trouble accessing her bill. She continued to seek answers and tried to make partial payments in the meantime, but felt her concerns weren't being taken seriously. As it turns out, Brown wasn't the only PECO customer to experience billing problems. Ann Palladino of Whitemarsh Township also reached out to CBS News Philadelphia about her PECO billing problems, and says she'd gone nearly a year without receiving a bill. 'My daughter told me to contact you because she was tired of me complaining about it,' Palladino told the local broadcaster. 'For people who are used to having their bills fully paid and on time, it's disconcerting' PECO confirmed to CBS News Philadelphia that up to 8,000 customers have been impacted by billing glitches since last year after the utility company transitioned to a new billing system. PECO admitted it has not been able to explain why certain accounts were affected, but says it has taken steps to fix the problem, including hiring more staff and setting up an email address dedicated to billing complaints. 'Many of these issues have been resolved, and we continue working daily to address remaining concerns,' a company spokesperson told the broadcaster. Even so, frustration is mounting. The Southeast Delegation of Pennsylvania House Democrats sent an open letter to PECO accusing the utility of not acting quickly enough to solve these problems. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it CBS News Philadelphia reports, after it got involved, that PECO determined Brown's shocking balance was caused by a meter programming error that calculated her usage incorrectly. The company corrected her bill and waived late fees, reducing the total balance to around $900. Brown is now on a payment plan. Palladino told the broadcaster she started receiving statements for previous months, but her bills were not yet current. Brown says PECO should have been more proactive and forthcoming about its billing problems. 'They should've notified the customers they were having a billing issue,' she said. If you're a PECO customer — or dealing with a billing error from any utility — here are steps to protect yourself: Document everything: Save your bills, note when they stop arriving or if you feel there's a major error, and keep a log of your payment history and any communication with the utility company. Write down the time and what you discussed in phone calls, and try to reach out by email so there's a paper trail. Contact the utility right away: For PECO customers, use the dedicated email (PECObilling@ and ask for a written explanation. Make sure to document any attempts at communication, whether you reach someone or not. File a complaint: If you're not getting a resolution, file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission or your state's equivalent. Contact your local representative: Sometimes outside pressure makes a difference. Your county commissioner, mayor or other lawmakers may be able to help. Local media might also be interested in telling your story. Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here's how to buy the coveted asset in bulk Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pennsylvanian gets $12K utility bill after months of silence — and thousands more in the state face problems
Posiey Brown of Norristown, Pennsylvania, was floored when she opened her PECO energy bill in April — totaling $11,723.93 in charges. 'There's no way,' she recalled thinking to CBS News Philadelphia in a story published May 30. It was the first utility bill she had seen in months and much higher than anticipated. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Brown says she called PECO after not receiving a statement in August and was told the company had trouble accessing her bill. She continued to seek answers and tried to make partial payments in the meantime, but felt her concerns weren't being taken seriously. As it turns out, Brown wasn't the only PECO customer to experience billing problems. Ann Palladino of Whitemarsh Township also reached out to CBS News Philadelphia about her PECO billing problems, and says she'd gone nearly a year without receiving a bill. 'My daughter told me to contact you because she was tired of me complaining about it,' Palladino told the local broadcaster. 'For people who are used to having their bills fully paid and on time, it's disconcerting' PECO confirmed to CBS News Philadelphia that up to 8,000 customers have been impacted by billing glitches since last year after the utility company transitioned to a new billing system. PECO admitted it has not been able to explain why certain accounts were affected, but says it has taken steps to fix the problem, including hiring more staff and setting up an email address dedicated to billing complaints. 'Many of these issues have been resolved, and we continue working daily to address remaining concerns,' a company spokesperson told the broadcaster. Even so, frustration is mounting. The Southeast Delegation of Pennsylvania House Democrats sent an open letter to PECO accusing the utility of not acting quickly enough to solve these problems. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it CBS News Philadelphia reports, after it got involved, that PECO determined Brown's shocking balance was caused by a meter programming error that calculated her usage incorrectly. The company corrected her bill and waived late fees, reducing the total balance to around $900. Brown is now on a payment plan. Palladino told the broadcaster she started receiving statements for previous months, but her bills were not yet current. Brown says PECO should have been more proactive and forthcoming about its billing problems. 'They should've notified the customers they were having a billing issue,' she said. If you're a PECO customer — or dealing with a billing error from any utility — here are steps to protect yourself: Document everything: Save your bills, note when they stop arriving or if you feel there's a major error, and keep a log of your payment history and any communication with the utility company. Write down the time and what you discussed in phone calls, and try to reach out by email so there's a paper trail. Contact the utility right away: For PECO customers, use the dedicated email (PECObilling@ and ask for a written explanation. Make sure to document any attempts at communication, whether you reach someone or not. File a complaint: If you're not getting a resolution, file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission or your state's equivalent. Contact your local representative: Sometimes outside pressure makes a difference. Your county commissioner, mayor or other lawmakers may be able to help. Local media might also be interested in telling your story. Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here's how to buy the coveted asset in bulk Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
