Year In Review 2024: Top Stories In The Newtown Area

NEWTOWN, PA — The year began with tragic news in February when a house fire in Newtown Grant claimed the life of its 77-year-old resident.

The year also brought the approval of a full-day kindergarten program for the Council Rock School District, the opening of the new Capital Grille steakhouse at the Village at Newtown and a decision by the Newtown, Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority to purchase land for a future wastewater treatment plant on Lower Silver Lake Road.

The year also saw a Council Rock Newtown Little League Team make it all the way to the Little League World Series in Williamsport turning team members into local celebrities and bringing a lot of pride to their Bucks County hometown.

Here are some of the stories that made the news in 2024:

Woman Killed In Newtown Grant House Fire

In February, a deadly fire swept through a home in Newtown Grant claiming the life of its owner, Loretta Catozzi, 77, who was found in a second floor bedroom. When Newtown Township Police arrived around 4:30 a.m. they reported heavy smoke and fire coming from the two-story town home in the 400 block of Mahogany Walk. They forced entry into the residence but were driven back by flames and smoke, police said. Firefighters from Newtown Fire Rescue and neighboring fire services were called to the scene and immediately launched a search and rescue effort after learning that up to two people may be inside. The firefighters found the woman in a second floor bedroom and quickly removed her from the building, but resuscitation efforts by emergency personnel at the scene were unsuccessful, fire officials said.

(Newtown Fire Rescue)

Capital Grille Opens At The Village At Newtown

The Capital Grille officially opened its doors in early September with a ribbon cutting at the Village at Newtown Shopping Center. The new high-end steakhouse known for its dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood and world-class wine lists, began serving customers at its brand new 200-seat restaurant on Eagle Road. “It’s good to be home,” said Warrington native and Central Bucks graduate Michael Callahan, the managing partner of the new restaurant. “We are super excited about the opening today and we are looking forward to having our dining rooms full and delivering memorable experiences.”

Managing partner Michael Callahan cuts the ribbon on the new Capital Grille. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Newtown Little League Team Makes It To World Series

Hundreds turned out in August at the Chandler Fields to welcome home a group of 12-year-old Little League All Stars who captured their hearts and made local baseball history. Escorted into town by Newtown Fire Rescue, their bus pulled into the parking lot at their home fields on Sycamore Street where young and old were waiting to celebrate the team's return home from their appearance in the Little League World Series in Williamsport. While these young ballplayers came up short in the quest for the World Series trophy, they came home big winners in the eyes of the Newtown community, which has supported them every step of the way.

The Mid-Atlantic Team (Council Rock Newtown Little League U2 All-Stars).

Full Day Kindergarten Wins Approval In Council Rock

The Council Rock School Board in June voted 6-3 to bring full-day kindergarten to the school district. In what school board president Yota Palli called an historic decision, the board voted to approve implementation of the program beginning with the 2025-26 school year. Voting in favor of the motion were board members Yota Palli, Ed Tate, Tracey Osecki, Linda Stone, Nicole Khan and Joe Hidalgo. Voting against the motion were Anne Horner, Mike Roosevelt and Bob Hickey. “In Council Rock we strive for educational excellence and full-day kindergarten is an essential part of that educational excellence,” said Palli. “The extra four hours of kindergarten per day will allow our teachers to fully implement a reading readiness program and a math bridges program along with all five specials and purposeful play. Our students will not need to play catch up, but they will be fully prepared for first grade, both academically and socially.”

The Chancellor Center is the administrative home of the Council Rock School District. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Newtown Sewer Authority Acquires Land For Wastewater Plant

The Newtown, Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority announced in October that it had acquired land on Lower Silver Lake Road and is “actively pursuing” the idea of building its own wastewater treatment plant at the site. The authority provided the update in a letter sent to its sewer customers in Newtown Township and Newtown Borough. In the letter, the authority details its acquisition of a 17.5-acre parcel between the Newtown Bypass and Lower Silver Lake Road as the future site of a modern, state-of-the art treatment plant. The site, said the authority, would be virtually invisible from the bypass. Below is the site acquired by the Newtown, Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority for a future wastewater plant on Lower Silver Lake Road. The property had initially been proposed by KRE for a 245-unit apartment complex.

Newtown Council Votes To Hire First Borough Manager

The Newtown Borough Council in May voted unanimously to hire a Delaware County borough administrator as the town's first borough manager and treasurer. Craig Totaro, who has served as borough manager for the past 16 years in Lansdowne Borough and who has been working as an interim administrator for Rutledge Borough since February, will take the administrative helm in Newtown Borough effective May 28 at an annual salary of $140,000. "This has been a long time coming," said Councilor Julia Woldorf who made the motion to hire Totaro. "We've been talking about having a borough manager since probably about 2007. And I'm so pleased council has moved this far. "I'm also very excited about Mr. Tataro," added Woldorf. "He presented himself very well (during the interview process). He will bring excellence experience, knowledge and skill and will be a great leader to get Newtown Borough moving forward in a better direction."

The Newtown Borough Hall on North State Street. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

5 Career Firefighters Join Newtown Fire Rescue

Five new firefighters have joined the career staff at Newtown Fire Rescue bringing the department's full-time complement up to 12. In April, they were sworn in by District Judge Mick Petrucci during a meeting of the board of supervisors. Taking the oath of office were firefighters Lucas Rosenthal, Dan Burk, Tyler Starkey, Meg Cox, and Ethan Tecker. In addition to welcoming the five new career firefighters, Chief Glenn Forsyth announced the promotion of Joe Martindell and Steve Katz to the rank of career lieutenant. "With the hiring of the five firefighters we have been able to extend our full-time service to seven days a week," said Chief Forsyth. "Now with

having two platoons working to protect Newtown Township and Newtown Borough, it's my privilege to introduce two gentlemen who have worked very hard on the progress we have made over the last several years."

Newtown's five new career firefighters. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Renovation Elevates Newtown Theatre To Next Level

Following a summer of renovation work, the historic Newtown Theatre reopened in September as one of the top venues of its size in the Delaware Valley, according to its executive director. “I used to tell people Newtown Theatre is great, but we need to add seats or that Newtown Thestre is great but we need to improve our restrooms,” said executive director Andy Smith. “Now I’m saying it’s one of the best, if not the best venue in the region. And I would tell people to come out and see a show or a concert. You won’t regret it.” The latest renovation project at the historic movie house on North State Street wrapped up in September following a $1.1 million upgrade that saw the installation of new bathrooms, a renovated balcony and improvements to the main stage area, including the addition of a massive LED video wall.

Renovations underway inside the historic Newtown Theatre on North State Street during the summer of 2024. (Jeff Werner/Patch)