A wrap-up of the best of the best (and the worst) in the North Penn readership area
From breaking news to stories that stopped the region cold, these were the moments North Penn could not look away from in 2025. It was a year that reminded readers why hyperlocal journalism matters.
As North Penn moves into 2026, these stories stand as a snapshot of a community navigating change together:
No. 10 – Hatfield neighbors served with lawsuit over movie lot expansion
Over the summer, residents living near the proposed movie lot development in Hatfield Township were served with a lawsuit tied to their opposition to the project. Neighbors had raised concerns about traffic, noise, and impacts on quality of life as the developer sought to build on the site. The filing marked a significant escalation in the dispute between community members and project backers, transforming a local planning debate into formal legal action and drawing regional attention.
An unpaved road runs between houses along Welsh Road in Hatfield Township and the so-called ‘Movie Lots’ currently in the process of being sold by the North Penn School District, as seen in July 2025.No. 9 — Local graduate identified in fatal Berks County crash
The death of Lower Salford resident and 2016 Souderton graduate Hannah Louise Seeley, who resided in Boyertown, in a Berks County crash resonated deeply across the North Penn region, as friends, former classmates, and community members mourned a life lost far too soon. The story underscored how tragedies outside the immediate coverage area can still ripple through local schools, neighborhoods, and families.
No. 8 — Second court employee turns herself in on theft charges
Public trust took a hit when a second Montgomery County district court employee surrendered to face theft-related charges. The case drew intense interest as details emerged about alleged misconduct inside the court system itself, raising questions about oversight, accountability, and safeguards in the local justice system.
No. 7 — Terroristic threats case against Lansdale mother moves forward
A Lansdale mother accused of threatening to shoot up North Penn High School faced terrorism-related charges that remained intact after court review. The case sparked widespread concern among parents and educators and highlighted ongoing anxieties around school safety in the post-pandemic era. Montgomery County Judge Thomas M. DelRicci recently denied Cieria Alexis Wynder’s request to undo her plea.
Cieria Wynder's mugshot from a 2020 arrest (Credit: Upper Gwynedd Police)No. 6 — Pickup truck collides with freight train in Lansdale
A dramatic early-morning collision between a pickup truck and a freight train in Lansdale disrupted SEPTA service and shut down rail traffic, drawing regional attention. The incident served as a stark reminder of the dangers at rail crossings and the cascading impact a single crash can have on commuters across the region. We will follow up with Lansdale Police for an update on this case in the coming weeks.
No. 5 — Former Souderton coffeehouse co-owner charged in child sex crimes
Court records revealing 95 child sex crime charges against a former Souderton coffeehouse co-owner shocked readers and reverberated throughout the community. The scale of the allegations and defendant Douglas Phillip Shade’s former public-facing role made the case one of the year’s most disturbing and closely followed criminal proceedings. Shade has since pleaded guilty and is still awaiting a sentencing date.
Douglas Shade at Broad Street Grind in Souderton Monday, Feb. 27., 2017.No. 4 — Pennsylvania unveils redesigned license plate
Not every top story involved tragedy. Pennsylvania’s announcement of a newly redesigned “Let Freedom Ring” license plate in blue numbers, red text and a white background with a gray Liberty Bell in the center captured broad interest, as residents reacted to the updated look and debated nostalgia versus modernization. It was a lighter moment that still touched nearly every driver in the state.
Pennsylvania announces new license plate design. (Credit: PennDOT)No. 3 — SWAT response to reported shooter in Bucks County
Reports of a possible shooter along Ridge Road in Bucks County triggered a large SWAT and multi-agency police response, locking down an area and flooding social media with concern and speculation. Even after the immediate threat subsided, the incident reflected how quickly fear spreads — and how heavily residents rely on real-time local reporting. The alleged shooter, Charles Bowne III, has a pre-trial hearing set for Jan. 30 in Montgomery County court.
Charles Bowne III, of Pennsburg (Credit: Montgomery County District Attorney's Office)No. 2 — Freddy Hill Farms announces closure after 53 years
The announcement that Freddy Hill Farms and Family Fun Center would close at the end of the 2025 season marked the end of an era. For generations of families, the Montgomery County landmark was tied to childhood memories, first jobs, and summer traditions, making its closure one of the year’s most emotional local stories. A developer’s proposal for 300-plus homes on the site in Towamencin was ruled out by supervisors, but it may mean less township control over what happens there next.
No. 1 — Towamencin supervisor’s viral salute video sparks controversy
The most-read story of 2025 on NorthPennNow centered on a local official whose social media post ignited widespread attention and debate.
In late January, former Towamencin Township Supervisor Laura Smith went viral after posting a TikTok video in which he mimicked what some viewers interpreted as a Nazi salute, reportedly in reference to gestures seen during the U.S. presidential inauguration and specifically tied to Elon Musk. The video quickly circulated far beyond the township’s borders, drawing criticism, concern, and conversations about public conduct, accountability, and the responsibilities of elected officials in the digital age.
Screenshot of Laura Smith's now-deleted Tik Tok video.The incident prompted strong reactions from residents and political observers alike, making it a top-clicked and widely shared item as the community grappled with the implications of elected leaders’ online behavior. As the story unfolded, it remained at the center of local discourse and highlighted how social media, political symbolism, and public service can collide in unexpected and contentious ways.
Smith, a Republican, resigned from her post, and independent Amer Barghouth, was appointed in a majority vote to fill out the remainder of her term. Barghouth did not seek election to the post, which, along with outgoing Republican Supervisor Chuck Wilson’s post, will be filled by incoming Democrats Vanessa Gaynor and Courtney Morgan.
