46+ min ago (392+ words) Recently, six members of the United States Congress, all Democrats, issued a video that, in effect, invited members of the American military to join their "#Resistance" to President Donald Trump. The video encouraged military rank-and-file to defy what they termed "illegal orders." The congressional group included Reps. Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6), Maggie Goodlander (NH-2), and Jason Crow (CO-6), as well as Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ). Houlahan represents portions of Chester and Berks counties. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth dubbed them "The Seditious Six." The group implied that President Trump has issued illegal orders, but of those courageous enough to respond to specific questioning, none were able to provide a single example. Rep. Crow's response to questioning was, "He has a history of doing this, and if we wait until the moment that he gives…...

7+ hour, 16+ min ago (763+ words) Pope John Paul II 67, West Chester Rustin 37 The defending Pioneer Athletic Conference champions got off to a sizzling start in their first game of the season on Saturday, throttling visiting West Chester Rustin by 30 points. Utilizing a suffocating halfcourt trap defense, the Golden Panthers turned several steals near the midcourt logo into fast break opportunities. The Golden Panthers shot 56 percent from the field while holding Rustin to a 35 percent shooting clip from the field as PJP tallied 15 steals and six blocks on the defensive end. Pope also had a 22-11 advantage in assists, showcasing the team's depth and plethora of offensive weapons. The team will next take the court on Friday and Saturday at Holy Ghost Prep's Tip-Off Tournament. Methacton 69, Radnor 49 It took Methacton no time to find a groove to start its season on Saturday as the Warriors raced out…...

8+ hour, 47+ min ago (619+ words) Our communities are filled with stories of hardship and need. At this time of year when many are looking toward a bright holiday season of gifts, good food and warmth, many families are struggling to get by. Ripple effects of the 43-day-long federal government shutdown are being felt throughout both the families that rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program dollars and the nonprofits that distribute assistance to those families. "It's a perfect storm in many ways," said Sheldon Good, director of development and strategic direction at Manna on Main Street in Lansdale, Montgomery County. "This isn't theoretical. These are real, impossible choices the people we serve who rely on SNAP are being forced to make every day." At the Ambler-based Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard in Montgomery County, director Cindy Wedholm said they see the impossible choice people are making between…...

14+ hour, 17+ min ago (606+ words) The Pottstown Hospital really needs more unions and more union protests. The hospital needs more demands for wages that are above the median for other healthcare professionals. Nurses everywhere, including in Pottstown, are getting compensated very well. Push harder with your unions will keep it open for sure. The New York Times reports that 1,000,000 migrants are using fraudulent or stolen Social Security numbers. Michael Stern was right about the 6 Democrats in that traitorous video. Tina is a sharp shopper, and I see the same kind of price drops. Robert Minninger slam-dunked the progressive states and their electricity rates. Then there is Lefty, who complained about Trump's Veterans Day speech. You know, Lefty, at least Trump can find Arlington Cemetery on Veterans Day, unlike Biden, Clinton, and Obama. Foul-mouthed Harris and stupid Crockett " what a degenerate duo. The best the Democrat…...

14+ hour, 29+ min ago (970+ words) POTTSTOWN " The Christmas season will be kicked off on Saturday, Dec. 6, with a series of holiday events that will continue throughout the month. " It all starts at 9 a.m. Saturday when the first Santa's Polar Bear Express on the Colebrookdale Railroad between Boyertown and Pottstown. Additional runs are at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. On board the train, Santa will visit each car, bringing a gift for every child. Children will have an opportunity to give their Christmas letter to him and receive a Colebrookdale Railroad-themed coloring book. Arrive early to receive complimentary hot cocoa and Christmas cookies in the lavishly decorated train yard before you board! " At 12 p.m., Arts in the Park will be held at Smith Family Plaza in front of Borough Hall. The event, featuring vendors and performances, will continue until 3 p.m. Come meet some of Pottstown's art businesses, art organizations, local artists, and art…...

1+ day, 6+ hour ago (773+ words) Note: In the days ahead, the Mercury will take a closer look at all 12 Pioneer Athletic Conference boys basketball programs now that the 2025-26 season has officially arrived. Next up is defending PAC Frontier Division champion Pottsgrove, who will tip their season off on Tuesday night at Oley Valley." "Definitely just creating another uproar," said Phillips, a 6-1 senior forward who is one of three returning Pottsgrove starters. "Last season we kind of slid under the radar. Now, this year we have a target on our back, and being able to keep that target there and play through it is a big piece." The Falcons finished last season 23-5, with their schedule including an 11-game win streak and a pair of four-game bursts. They edged Phoenixville for the Frontier Division title and earned the top seed in the PAC playoffs, which gave them…...

1+ day, 6+ hour ago (867+ words) Note: In the days ahead, the Mercury will take a closer look at all 12 Pioneer Athletic Conference girls" basketball programs now that the 2025-26 season has officially arrived. Next up is Phoenixville, who will tip their season off on Monday night at Great Valley. The first thought Howard Kelly had when he accepted the girls basketball head coaching position at Phoenixville back in August was that he wished he had more time to coach the four talented seniors that will make or break the Phantoms" upcoming campaign. Instead, the new head of the program has just one season with this core, so it"s about time to make it count. "I"m super excited to get started, especially with these seniors," said Kelly, who takes over for former head coach Tracey Starling. "I wish I had a couple more years with…...

1+ day, 8+ hour ago (1874+ words) Mason Reber grew up watching Penn State football with his family in Beaver Stadium, and believed the Nittany Lion mascot was the best part of those games. "I thought he was a superhero," Reber said. Never in his wildest dreams, did Reber envision he'd someday fit inside that iconic lion costume while summoning thunderous cheers from the more than 100,000 gameday fans in Happy Valley. He couldn't imagine that he'd be the mascot running up and down the sidelines to energize Beaver Stadium, leading the crowd to chant "We Are!" in unison and igniting them with his one-armed pushups after every touchdown. Reber, a 2021 Schuylkill Haven graduate and Penn State senior, has spent the last three years as the Nittany Lion " the 54th person ever chosen for that cherished role. Since being selected as the PSU mascot in 2023 he has performed at…...

1+ day, 14+ hour ago (695+ words) Boyertown has been named one of the best towns in PA. Just drive through town and you will see why. Store's lining both sides of the streets. No homeless or dangerous people hanging around. Boyertown is what Pottstown used to be before the Boro allowed second 8 housing. All the worst people from Philly, Norristown, New York, etc. came flooding in. Now we live every day with the consequences. I am very impressed with Sean Duffy as Transportation Secretary. Whenever there is a transportation issue, Duffy shows up with answers. And he doesn't wait for weeks to show up like little chest-feeder Pete Buttigieg. And Duffy didn't take months off when he took over as Buttigieg did. So Trump tells Venezuela that he's sending the CIA for covert operations. They will be waiting for them, and it won't end well. Many Presidents…...

1+ day, 19+ hour ago (731+ words) PHILADELPHIA " The Eagles saw their Black Friday showdown with the Chicago Bears turn dark, falling 24-15 in an ugly showing as frustrated fans, braving the frigid, blustery conditions, rained down boos at Lincoln Financial Field. Jalen Hurts delivered a poor performance: he passed for 230 yards and two touchdowns " both to A.J. Brown " showing flash and aggressiveness downfield. But he also threw an interception, fumbled the ball away on a tush push and missed several open throws, which woutweighed his few positives. "Ball security is very important to going out there and winning games," Hurts said. "That approach has served us well and I don't think that approach is an issue. I think we just have to go out there and execute. Again, you can be aggressive and still protect the ball. So, we've got to find that formula for us." The offense…...