The Daily Numbers: 4 Delco men now charged in connection with the brutal murder of a Lancaster County man who police believe was killed for the money he had in his house.

200,000 dollars, how much police believe was stolen from home of the victim.

5,500 dollars, how much police allege Emlyn Jones of Middletown was paid to help hide the stolen loot.

7.8 percent of Democrats in Delaware County who made it out to the polls. Just embarrassing. The GOP didn't do a lot better.

13.6 percent of Republican exercised their right to vote.

25,000 to 30,000 spectators expected to cram into a corner of Haverford next month when the U.S. Open comes to Merion Golf Club.

715-247 vote in Brookhaven to end the borough's 'dry' tradition and allow a restaurant to seek a liquor license.

1,259-375 margin by which voters in Upper Chichester rejected a proposal that would have boosted local taxes to help build a new library.

2 Delaware County women who pleaded guilty to a plot to help break 2 convicted killers out of Chester County Prison.

3 years probation for a Chadds Ford man who got involved in a brawl after a night of drinking in West Chester.

2 billion dollars in damages from the EF5 tornado that slammed into an Oklahoma town.

31.2 million drivers expected to be out on the roads and wandering at least 50 miles from home this Memorial Day weekend.

3 hits, all Cliff Lee surrendered in going the distance and shutting out the Miami Marlins last night.

5-2 record now for Lee, who threw 115 pitches and lowered his ERA to .248

1 game under .500 for the Phillies, at 23-24, and 1 game behind the Nats, where the Phils will play this weekend in D.C.

6-3 win for the girls from Bonner-Prendie to capture the Catholic League softball crown.

Call me a Phanatic: A look at the ups and downs of being a Philadelphia sports fan.Don't like the sound of Chase Utley getting an MRI, not even a little bit. Keep your fingers crossed.

I Don’t Get It: Just some truly embarrassing turnout numbers from Tuesday's primary election. Shame on all those who failed to get to the polls.

Today’s Upper: Kudos to Corey Crews-Williams, the Upper Darby High student and winner of the first Bailey O'Neill Scholarship.

Quote Box: “There's no question our work is cut out for us for the fall." - Delco Dem boss David Landau, after just 7.8 percent of registered Democrats cast ballots on Tuesday.

When I saw the picture in the paper, I thought the young man looked familiar.

But when he arrived in our office last night for our 'Live From the Newsroom' show, it was actually Corey Crews-Williams who recognized me first.

"Did you speak at the Leadership Academy?" he asked me. That's when it clicked. I knew I had seen him somewhere. Crews-Williams was part of the contingent from Upper Darby High School in attendance.

I'm not surprised a bit.

Corey was on hand for the show last night to talk about an issue that seems to get bigger each day, "bullying," especially among young people. Corey is the first winner of a $1,000 scholarship in honor of Bailey O'Neill, the Darby Township youth who was hospitalized a few weeks after being involved in a playground fight. He tragically passed away a couple of months later.

While the county District Attorney's office said medical experts could find no link between Bailey's death and the schoolyard fight, one thing is clear: His case has put a spotlight on the issue of bullying.

I can't think of a better candidate to carry on Bailey's spirit than Corey Crews-Williams. He carries a 3.95 GPA at Upper Darby High, is a member of the school's anti-bullying club, and is a cadet member of the Lansdowne Fire Co. He was instrumental in launching Firefighters Against Bullies, a group that is targeting the issue among young people.

If you missed last night's show, you can catch the replay here.

Our thanks also to Dr. Claudio Cerullo, the director of Teach Anti-Bullying Inc., the group that pushed the memorial in honor of Bailey O'Neill.

You made the right choice. Congratulations to Corey!

As part of the application process, interested students were asked to submit two essays, one of them on how they give back to the community. When you read his response, I think you'll understand what kind of young person Corey Crews-Williams is.

This is his essay:

I find that giving back to others in life improves one’s life and the world around them. Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

 

I will give back to others in life by continuing to perform community service for those in need, giving positive energy to places that need it, and spreading my own prosperity for the benefit of others. Giving back to those in need is very important to me because it promotes trust and a unique reliability in the community.

 

One of the greatest gifts I’ve received, and continue to receive, is knowledge. I genuinely believe that knowledge is power and I will earnestly work to distribute knowledge through tutoring and promoting reading among youth. I’ve found that some people don’t appreciate education for its importance and overlook its value.

Another way I’ll give back to others is by showing people the significance of having a strong academic foundation and revealing how far it can take you because in present times, having an education of great caliber gives you an edge to success.

Whatever I gain in my prosperous life I’ll give back in some shape, form, or fashion, to implement hope in others to better themselves. I’ll help others to take advantage of wonderful opportunities that I myself may not have had. I’ll strive to instill confidence in young students to be upstanding citizens, inspire them to constantly reach new heights, and dissuade bad influences. I will give back to others by preaching the importance of having respect, and treating anyone and everyone with equality. Giving back to others is a two-way street. Giving back not only feeds my passion as an aspiring young man, but also gives me the satisfaction that I can do right and so I therefore believe that giving back to others provides a sense of integrity and honesty.

 

I am the best candidate for this scholarship because of my strong character and the leadership qualities I endlessly display. Being optimistic in an environment crowded with discouragement is not a walk in the park, but I know with hard work and dedication which I continue to exhibit, that I will be more than the best I can be. Being a student-athlete presents its troubles with time management, but I work through inspiration and by honesty, and despite my age, I work through diligence. Being a leader makes these aspects important to me, and allow me to work to the best of my abilities as I continuously learn from them. It is from work that I understand my compassion to succeed and the meaning of perseverance. It is these things that shape me, and push me to wake up each morning and raise my own standards of well being. Each day I strengthen my vision, which is beyond high school, not because of an ego but because I know that the places I have to reach are close at hand. I’ve developed myself into a role model, not just for those younger, but also for those older than me. To win this scholarship would not only be a blessing for me, but also an honor because of the young man’s name that it is in. I will not just use this scholarship to relieve expenses of education, but as an investment for an even brighter future.

 

Pretty powerful stuff. Well done, Corey.

 

Let's get this party started.

No, I'm not looking to get an early start on the Memorial Day Weekend. I'm talking about Tuesday's ballot question in Brookhaven.

The long-dry borough is bringing on the booze. And it wasn't particularly close. The move to allow sales of alcohol in at least one local eatery passed by a vote of 715-247. You can get all the details here.

Borough officials are making it clear they don't necessarily want a corner bar or saloon, but instead are looking for a nice family restaurant.

Advancements never cease to amaze me.

Next you'll be telling me the state is considering getting out of the booze business, blowing up the LCB and turning the whole operation over to private enterprise. Yeah, you're right. That's too much forward thinking.

I like Brookhaven Borough Council Vice President Ben Linowski's reaction to the vote. He believes it was long overdue.

"By about 45 years," he quipped.

Maybe Tom Corbett should put him in charge of dismantling the LCB.

One game.

That's all that stands between the Phillies and the .500 mark. It won't happen tonight. The Phils are off before they open a series in D.C. against the Nationals.

Yesterday this maddening team got both good and bad news.

The good? Another gem from Cliff Lee, who went the distance in shutting out the Marlins, 3-0. Lee gave up just three hits in blowing away the Fish. Delmon Young supplied the offense with another homer.

The bad? Chase Utley is having pain in his ribcage. He's going to have an MRI today. The Phils really can't afford any more injuries.

A good weekend in Washington would vault them over the Nats and allow them to set their sights on division-leading Atlanta.

If would probably help if they could get everybody on the field. In the meantime, everyone will hold their breath waiting for the results on Utley's MRI.

You can get Dennis Deitch's take on the game here.

The Daily Numbers: 15 percent turnout in yesterday's Primary Election across the county.

60 percent turnout last November for the presidential election.

17,269 votes for Common Pleas Court candidate William Mackrides, making him the top vote getter in the county. He and fellow Republican Rich Cappelli will face Dems Nancy Walker and Steve Chanenson, who held serve on Dem side of ballot.

167 votes for Paula Brown on the Dem side for Magisterial District Judge in Darby. She lost on both sides of the ballot to Leonard Tenaglia.

16-9 vote by which Tameka Gibson-Williams won the Dem contest for mayor in Trainer.

1,000 dollar scholarship for Upper Darby High School student Corey Crews-Williams, in the name of Bailey O'Neill.

2 suspects nabbed by alert neighbors in a home break-in in Radnor.

44 million dollar tab now the pricetag for Penn State over the Jerry Sandusky affair.

24 people killed after revised numbers released in Oklahoma tornado.

200-plus people treated for various hospitals for injuries.

17 miles, how far the tornado traveled on the ground, destroying everything in its path.

1 mile wide, the girth of killer tornado.

200 mph winds, making it and EF5 twister, the top of the scale. Experts believe it was likely the most powerful tornado in history.

Call me a Phanatic: A look at the ups and downs of being a Philadelphia sports fan.Tyler Cloyd and Jonathon Pettibone. Sounds like an accounting firm, not two key members of your pitching staff. I'm not going to complain about it.

I Don’t Get It: Sergio Garcia just buried his hole a little deeper when he made a rude, racial remark clearly targeting Tiger Woods. He later tried to pass it off as a joke. No one is laughing. See you at Merion, Sergio.

Today’s Upper: Kudos toUpper Darby High student Corey Crews-Williams, winner of the first $1,000 Bailey O'Neill Scholarship.

Quote Box: “That's what this country is built on - the right to choose." - Monir Ahmed, candidate for Chester City Council, on the light turnout in the city.

Our live-stream Internet broadcast, 'Live From the Newsroom,' tonight will have a very special guest.

We will be visited by Upper Darby High School student Corey Crews-Williams, the winner of a $1,000 scholarship that honors Bailey O'Neill. You can read about his award here.

O'Neill, you might remember, was the Darby Township student who died after he developed seizures a few weeks after being involved in a schoolyard fight.

The scholarship honors Bailey's memory, with the funds put up by Teach Anti-Bullying Inc. and the Glen Riddle Rotary Club.

In addition to chatting with Crews-Williams, we'll be joined by Dr. Claudio Cerullo, the director of Teach Anti-Bullying Inc.

We'll discuss the recent findings released by the county District Attorney's office, including results of an autopsy that found no direct link between the fight and Bailey's death. The O'Neill family has remained steadfast in their belief that Bailey was the victim of bullying. The medical findings have not changed their beliefs.

Dr. Cerullo also will update us on the anti-bullying push in the county, including a recent move in Prospect Park to declare the borough a "bullying-free" town, sparked by the actions of 10-year-odl Hanna Maier.

Do you have a question for Crews-Williams? Or questions about the Bailey O'Neill findings? Email me your questions and we'll discuss them on the show tonight.

Then you can log on to DelcoTimes.com tonight at 7 and join our live chat.

Bullying is not going away. It is an issue that all of us continue to deal with. Why not join the conversation.

 

 

Of Primary importance? Doesn't seem that way

Raise your hand if you're surprised by yesterday's election results?

I'm not talking about who won or lost. I'm talking about how many people made those decisions.

Yeah, I'm not surprised either.

It looks like somewhere around 15 percent of eligible voters in Delco managed to get out to the polls and take part in the Democratic process. It was the same across the state.

This comes just a few months after more than 60 percent showed up to take part in the presidential election.

I don't get it. Why do we care so much about deciding who is going to take up residence in the White House, but so little in who is going to run borough hall? Or our local school boards?

As a nation, we show an amazing resiliency when faced with any kind of threat or natural disaster. Look at the patriotic fever that again swept the nation after the bombings at the Boston Marathon.  In these instances, we love to wear our patriotism on our sleeves.

But just a few scant weeks later, people went about their business, for the most part oblivious to what is perhaps the most patriotic thing you can do - vote.

I don't get it.

The numbers will improve a bit in November, when instead of nominating candidates for each party, we will actually decide the winners and losers in those races. Some voters, however, may be surprised that their choices have already been limited. That's what happens in some judicial and school races where candidates can cross-file.

Luckily, here in Delaware County, both parties held their serve in the races for two seats on the county Court of Common Pleas. Voters will have a choice between Republicans Richard Cappelli and William Mackrides, who will face Democrats Nancy Walker and Steve Chanenson. All four candidates cross-filed, but each party's picks won their side of the ballot, setting up the November race.

The same can't be said for voters in the Magisterial District Judge race for Darby Borough, Colwyn and Sharon Hill. If you are a Paula Brown backer, you just missed your chance, unless she decides to run a write-in campaign in November. That's becase Leonard Tenaglia won on both the Republican and Democratic ballots.

I'm not a big fan of cross-filing, but that's the system we use, so I don't blame candidates for trying to win both ballots.

That's exactly the kind of question candidates should consider when they stay away in droves during primary elections.

Raise your hand if you're surprised by yesterday's election results?

I'm not talking about who won or lost. I'm talking about how many people made those decisions.

Yeah, I'm not surprised either.

It looks like somewhere around 15 percent of eligible voters in Delco managed to get out to the polls and take part in the Democratic process. It was the same across the state.

This comes just a few months after more than 60 percent showed up to take part in the presidential election.

I don't get it. Why do we care so much about deciding who is going to take up residence in the White House, but so little in who is going to run borough hall? Or our local school boards?

As a nation, we show an amazing resiliency when faced with any kind of threat or natural disaster. Look at the patriotic fever that again swept the nation after the bombings at the Boston Marathon.  In these instances, we love to wear our patriotism on our sleeves.

But just a few scant weeks later, people went about their business, for the most part oblivious to what is perhaps the most patriotic thing you can do - vote.

I don't get it.

The numbers will improve a bit in November, when instead of nominating candidates for each party, we will actually decide the winners and losers in those races. Some voters, however, may be surprised that their choices have already been limited. That's what happens in some judicial and school races where candidates can cross-file.

Luckily, here in Delaware County, both parties held their serve in the races for two seats on the county Court of Common Pleas. Voters will have a choice between Republicans Richard Cappelli and William Mackrides, who will face Democrats Nancy Walker and Steve Chanenson. All four candidates cross-filed, but each party's picks won their side of the ballot, setting up the November race.

The same can't be said for voters in the Magisterial District Judge race for Darby Borough, Colwyn and Sharon Hill. If you are a Paula Brown backer, you just missed your chance, unless she decides to run a write-in campaign in November. That's becase Leonard Tenaglia won on both the Republican and Democratic ballots.

I'm not a big fan of cross-filing, but that's the system we use, so I don't blame candidates for trying to win both ballots.

That's exactly the kind of question candidates should consider when they stay away in droves during primary elections.

Cole Hamels, who left the locker room without comment after suffering his seventh loss of the season Monday night, probably could only shake his head as he watched last night's game.

Sparked by the return of Ryan Howard, the Phillies offense snapped out of its funk - at least for one night - and one night too late for the hard-luck Phils left-handed ace.

The Phillies erupted for 15 hits and seven runs one night after another impotent showing wasted a 10-strikeout performance from Hamels.

But don't overlook something else that happened last night. The Phillies got another solid effort from a minor league callup on the mound. First it was Jonathan Pettibone. Now it's Tyler Cloyd. Last night the young Cloyd went seven solid innings, giving up just two runs while scattering eight hits.

Ironically, both of these guys were struggling a bit at Lehigh Valley. But something happened to them on the ride down the Northeast Extension. With a chance at The Show, both are staking their claims that they are legitimate major league hurlers.

You can read Dennis Deitch's account of the action here.

In the meantime, Hamels no doubt was wondering what he has to do to get the kind of offensive support Cloyd enjoyed last night.

The wins moves the Phils just one game behind the sagging Washington Nationals for second place in the NL East. They still trail the Braves by five and a half games.

Given that Hamels is an eye-popping 1-7, and that they will be without Roy Halladay for three months if not the rest of the season, Pettibone and Cloyd might just be the best thing that has happened to this team so far this season.

3:45: Not everybody stayed away. Jeff Wolfe talked to some people who got out and exercised their franchise, and they offered some strong opinions about why they did and why so many do not. Click here for the story.

3 p.m.: It's not just Delco. Turnout is reported very light across the state, even in Pittsburgh, where they are voting on new mayor.

11:50: Here's the word on turnout from reporter Cindy Scharr: Very light. Here's Cindy's early story.

11:00 a.m.: Cindy Scharr has several Tout videos from Chester, where turnout is being reported as very light despite a heated city council race.

10:10 a.m.: Email from Colwyn tells of strong language, racial epithet directed at him. Can't we all just get along?

10 a.m.: Who will set the record for the highest turnout in Delco? I'm thinking maybe Ridley Park, where Republicans are engaging in a little inner-party war, or maybe Upper Darby, where the school board race is hot, or maybe even Media Borough, where the council race has been a barn-burner. Tweet your updates with hashtag #delcovote, or email me pix and info to editor@delcotimes.com.

9:30 a.m. Cindy Scharr reports in again from western end of county. As of 8:30, with polls open for an hour and a half, only 8 people have voted. Sad.

8:50: The one spot in the state where there is a real, honest-to-goodness race is Pittsburgh, where they are electing a new mayor, and where Bill Peduto holds a 9-point lead in polls over Auditor General Jack Wagner. Read it here.

8:15: We have our first Tout video of the day, with Cindy Scharr reporting light turnout in the western end of the county. Click here to view it.

7:30: If you missed any of our stories previewing the races here in Delco, you can see all of them here. Brush up on the candidates before you head to the polls.

7:02: And we're off! The polls are open in Delco. Who was the first to vote? Tweet me a photo and I will post it with the blog!

I have set the over/under line on turnout in the municipal primary at 15 percent. I'm hoping the voters prove me wrong. 

7:30: If you missed any of our stories previewing the races here in Delco, you can see all of them here. Brush up on the candidates before you head to the polls.

The Daily Numbers: 51, death toll confirmed so far after deadly tornadoes slammed into an Oklahoma town yesterday.

40 more expected to be added to the toll this morning. And it is likely to go higher than that.

200 mph winds in the EF4 storm, the 2nd most powerful category.

20 children believed to be among the victims after the twister took a direct hit on thier town.

7 a.m. to 8 p.m., hours the polling places will be open today on Primary Election Day in Pa. and Delco.

15 percent, the expected turnout for the vote.

10 pounds of pot seized by U.S. Postal Inspectors before it could be delivered to an Upper Darby man.

500,000 dollar grant for Rose Tree Media School District, the money comes from the impact fees on Marcellus Shale operations.

25 residents of mobile home park in Aston who have a slight reprieve when the township postponed a vote on the site, which is ticketed for development.

3 charged in a home invasion and murder in West Pottsgrove.

1.1 billion dollar deal in which Yahoo snatched up Tumblr, a popular blogging site.

5-1 loss for the Phillies to the Marlins last night.

1-7 record for Cole Hamels. That's 1 more loss than he had all last year.

8 of 9 games Hamels has started this year, the Phils have come up losers.

10 strikeouts for Hamels last night, one of his best efforts of the year.

1 run, what Phils scored before he was lifted after 6 innings.

7 hits and 1 run, all the Phils managed against the lowly Marlins.

13-32 mark for the Marlins. 4 of those 13 wins have come against the Phils.

Call me a Phanatic: A look at the ups and downs of being a Philadelphia sports fan.The Phillies are now 5 and a half back of the Braves. It is no longer "early." This team is still not hitting. That is not new. They have not hit now for several years. Maybe it's time for someone to hit the panic button.

I Don’t Get It: I'm still shaking my head at our lead story today, on the superintendent in Interboro and the salty language he mimicked toward a member of the school board. I don't get it.

Today’s Upper: Kudos toall those who get out there and vote today. Don't waste your constitutional rights! If you do, you forfeit the right to complain.

Quote Box: “Nope." - Cole Hamels when asked if he wanted to talk about last night's loss, which dropped his record to 1-7.

7:02: And we're off! The polls are open in Delco. Who was the first to vote? Tweet me a photo and I will post it with the blog!

I have set the over/under line on turnout in the municipal primary at 15 percent. I'm hoping the voters prove me wrong.

6:45 a.m.: Welcome to Primary Election Day! And your live Primary Election Day blog, courtesy of the Heron's Nest.

The polls here in Delaware County do not open for another 15 minutes. For some reason, I don't think there will be a lot of lines out there. But then again, this is your chance to prove me wrong.

We plan to monitor voting in the Primary Election all day. We'll have reporters out on the street visiting polling places and doing quick Tout videos that we will post on Twitter throughout the day.

But we need your help. If you see something interesting, snap a picture and send it to editor@delcotimes.com. If you happen to spot a long line, let us know where it is.

We are using the Twitter hashtag #delcovote. Join in the fun as we follow the vote in which parties will nominate their candidates for county and local offices.

And remember to vote!

I tend to complain about the weather.

Not today.

Pray for the people of Oklahoma.

Cole Hamels is mad. It took him long enough.

Hamels, the left-handed ace who signed a $144 million dollar deal in the off-season, had maybe his best stuff of the season last night, striking out 10 Marlins in six innings.

Didn't matter. He still lost. That leaves his record a shabby 1-7. Hamels gave up just two earned runs while scattering seven hits. But with the Phils eyeing a rare scoring opportunity, he was lifted for a pinch-hitter after six innings, trailing 2-1. Of course the Phils failed to push that game-tying run across. In fact, they didn't score again.

The Phillies have now lost nine of the 10 games Hamels has started. Those 7 losses are one more than he had all last season. The last time he pitched with the lead was about six weeks ago. It goes on an on, kind of like the Phils' offensive ineptness.

After the game, a testy Hamels was in no mood to talk about the latest wasted effort. Instead he slammed a locker door, offered a curt 'Nope,' when asked for a comment, then strode out.  You can check out Dennis Deitch's report here.

It's hard to blame him.

It's also hard to see anything changing on this team. Carlos Ruiz is now on the 15-day DL with a bad hamstring. Ryan Howard had a cortisone shot in an achy knee, and reliever Mike Adams also was DL'd.

Might be time for Charlie to circle the wagons.

Then again, the way the Phils hit these days, they might whiff on that request, too.

The Daily Numbers: 384,433 registered voters eligible to go to polls on Tuesday for Primary Election.

15 percent - maybe - number that will actually vote.

2 seats on County Council up for grabs in November, along with 3 row offices and 2 seats on the county Court of Common Pleas.

4 candidates seeking those seats on the bench. It's the only contested countywide race this year.

10,000 dollars, how much you can win by playing our new game, the Stash the Cash Giveaway. There are also great weekly cash card prizes.

170th commencement at Villanova University held Sunday.

296 grads at Haverford who picked up their diplomas on Sunday.

900 graduates at Immaculata.

400 grads who picked up their sheepskins at Cabrini.

20,000 price tag for the 'Today in America' video about Media Borough. It's set to debut this week.

1 winning ticket sold in the Powerball jackpot Saturday night. It's worth $590 million.

1.2 million dollar loss for the Philadelphia Flower Show this year. The boss of the Philadelphia Horticultural Society, which puts on the show each year, believes local TV forecasters calling for snow scared people off.

225,000 attendees at this year's show. That's down 12 percent from the year before, despite the fact that it run 1 more day.

64 percent hike in number of suburbanites living in povery, according to new study.

6.2 percent in Delco living in poverty. That's up from 7.0 percent, an uptick of 1.7 percent in the decade from 2000 to 2012.

21, age of college student from Skippack who has been missing since he was spotted just 30 miles from his home as he drove home from college. Matthew Royer has not been seen since early Friday morning.

2 solo home runs in the 9th inning that powered the Phils to a 3-2 win over the Reds yesterday at Citizens Bank Park.

3-2 homestand for the Phils, who now head to Miami for 3-game series.

2 players battling injuries who will get MRIs today. Ryan Howard has a sore knee; Carlos Ruiz tweaked a hamstring.

Call me a Phanatic: A look at the ups and downs of being a Philadelphia sports fan.No one was happier when Freddy Galvis hit that walk-off homer than Cliff Lee. The pitcher had been inserted as a pinch-running, and then promptly got picked off. When Erik Kratz followed with a homer, instead of a walk-off two-run dinger, it only tied the game. Galvis got Lee off the hook.

I Don’t Get It: Let's change our state slogan, 'Welcome to Pennsylvania, World's Worst Weather 365 days a year.'

Today’s Upper: Kudos to all those college grads who picked up ther diplomas this weekend. Hopefully they all have jobs and can start digging out from the mountain of student loan debt most of them are facing.

Quote Box: “Inspired by Mother Cabrini and her sisters, we leave Cabrini with a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness to the world." - Catherine Matta, valedictorian at Cabrini College on Sunday.

No, you haven't moved to London. It just feels that way.

Better count on adding some time to the morning commute today. The area has been blanketed by a heavy fog and a steady mist and drizzle. Which gives it something in common with all day Sunday and most of Saturday.

In the couple of hours when it was not misting, on Saturday morning, I managed to get the lawn done.

After that the wife and I piled into the car and headed to Harrisburg for the annual PNA Keystones Awards banquet.

One of the things we love to do while in the state capital is walk along the Susquehanna River. You can actually traverse a pedestrian bridge over to City Island, where of course I had to peek into Metro Bank Park, where the Nationals Triple A team plays its home games. My wife was less than amused, since I do this every time we visit Harrisburg.

Most years we've been lucky weather-wise. Walking along the river on a gorgeous spring day is a delight.

This spring has been a little less than delightful Actually, it's been miserable. Not only was it cloudy and misty, there was a chilly wind blowing along the river. So much for any thought of breaking out the shorts.

Sunday never did improve much. We drove all the way home in a drizzle. Once back at the homestead, any thought of doing anything outside soon gave way to the realization that this blanket of misery was going nowhere.

I decided to console myself with the Sunday paper. That's when my mood brightened considerably.

Not because the sun came out. Not because it stopped raining and my trip to the driving range was saved.

No, this weather-related story came courtesy of Drew Becher. If you don't know him, he's the president of the Philadelphhia Horticultural Society. This week they announced that instead of their normal $1 million in profits, this year's show actually came up in the red, to the tune of a $1.2 million deficit.

And Becher thinks he knows why.

He's blaming the TV weather forecasters.

I love this guy.

As anyone who knows me realizes, one of my biggest pet peeves has been the way local TV stations handle the weather, especially in the winter at any hint of possible snow.

I have been hypothesizing for some time now that this kind of grandstanding has moved past the normal weather hype and was going to start having real economic consequences. You can read one of my screeds here.

Obviously Becher agrees.

He cited a constant drumbeat of possible snow as one reason why 225,000 fewer people went through the turnstiles this year, that's down 17 percent from 2012.

Becher points the finger at forecasters who were beating the drums hyping a potential major snow event much of the Flower Show week. In fact, the region only got a dusting. But Becher says a lot of groups canceled their plans.

I feel for the guy.

I don't expect anything to change when it comes to the weather. I will continue to complain about it. Summer remains a rumor.

And I don't expect TV to change the way they handle it, in particular snow. The fact is weather equals ratings, especially in the winter. I think we all need to realize that.

But at least for one organization, the bloom is off the rose, so to speak, with the forecast.

I know how they feel.

Tomorrow is Primary Election Day.

Don't look for a huge turnout. I've established the line at 15 percent, and I'm taking the under. Voters routinely stay away in droves in these off-year votes, in which we elect for the most part county offices.

That doesn't mean they are any less important.

In the meantime, something else much more important is happening here in Delaware County. The Republicans' once overwhelming voter registration edge has just about disappeared. And yet, despite making some clear gains, Dems here in the county have been unable to crack one specific GOP fortress. 

That will be their challenge in November. I talk about it in my print column.

 

The look on Cliff Lee's face was priceless.

The Phillies dugout had exploded in a spontaneous celebration at the moment Eric Kratz deposited a pitch from Reds' closer Aroldis Chapman deep into the left-field seats to tie the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning.

All but Lee.

The Phillies starter held his head in his hands, disconsolate. That's because Lee knew the game should have been over at that point. The Phillies leadoff hitter in the inning, Delmon Young, had worked a walk against Chapman, who was clearly struggling with his location. Lee had been sent out to pinch-run. And then the unthinkable happened. Lee got picked off. It didn't take a lip-reader to gauge Lee's exasperation at this fundamental error as he trotted off the field.

But when Kratz connected, Lee was off the hook, except for the fact that instead of tying the game, Lee knew Kratz and the rest of the Phils actually should have been celebrating a walk-off two-run homer.

But instead of heading for extra innings, Freddy Galvis really got Lee off the hook. The utility man who was in the game at third base because Michael Young was at first for the injured Ryan Howard, hit a bullet that tucked just inside the foul pole in left. This time Lee was the first out of the dugout to greet Galvis as he crossed the plate.

It was a good one for the Phils, giving them a 3-2 mark on the homestand.

But a new rash of injuries are forming a cloud over the team. Catcher Carlos Ruiz tweaked a hamstring during the game yesterday. He left the game and will have an MRI today. He will be joined in the MRI line by Ryan Howard, who sat a second straight day with a sore knee.

There might be one bright spot in all this. The Phillies need to get Galvis and his bat into the lineup. This might present just the opportunity to do it.

Now it's on to Miami for three against the lowly Marlins. Struggling starter Cole Hamels will be on the mound tonight. It would be the perfect opportunity for Hamels to take command and starter reversing his miserable 1-6 start.

The Phils need to be thinking sweep in this series. Before any more injuries catch up with them.

The Daily Numbers: 26 years in the Philadelphia School District, what Gregory Shannon brings with him as the new No. 1 man in Chester Upland.

3 new priests to be ordained in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on Saturday. 1 of them Sean Loomis, is from Haverford.

4 candidates seeking the magisterial district judge post in Media.

14 minutes, the length of an expletive-laden video taken on an Upper Darby school bus. The kids on the bus are between 7-9 years old. Sad.

18, age of teen killed when he was ejected from an SUV on Eagle Road in Radnor last night.

550 million dollar jackpot and growing for the Powerball drawing Saturday night.

6 Americans among 15 killed in bombing in Afghanistan.

8.9 percent uptick in table games revenue at Pa. casinos in April from the same time last year.

61.6 million dollars raked in, that's up from $56.5 million last year.

9,000 students from 49 states and 57 countries who got degrees at Temple University yesterday.

73, age of attorney in North Jersey who police now believe was killed by Kai, the hatchet-toting hitchhiker who rocketed to fame after a TV interview after he intervened to help a woman who was being attacked and fended off her attacker with a hatchet.

6 to 8 weeks, when Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay will start a throwing program after undergoing successful surgery on his throwing shoulder.

2 straight sweeps for the Reds, who come to Citizens Bank Park tonight to face the Phillies.

11-4 loss for Ridley in boys lacrosse to Avon Grove.

16-4 win for Springfield girls lacrosse in District One play vs. Pennsbury

Call me a Phanatic: A look at the ups and downs of being a Philadelphia sports fan.When exactly does the baseball season stop being "early." That's something the Phillies will have to start pondering as they look to shrug off a series of injuries, spotty play and a shaky start.

I Don’t Get It: I've watched the video of those kids on the Upper Darby school bus. At least a part of it. And I can assure you I don't get it.

Today’s Upper: Kudos to those who gathered at Drexel Neumann Academy in Chester yesterday to dedicate and name their gym in memory of Chester native and Pirates world champion manager Danny Murtaugh.

Quote Box: “I'll even get my haircut in Chester." - New Chester Upland superintendent Gregory Shannon, who comes from the Philadelphia School District.