Freda Savana, Bucks County Courier Times Journalist Profile

Articles

Protesters: Don't use Bucks County Sheriff deputies for ICE roles

1 week ago | buckscountyherald.com | Freda Savana

Speakers from a range of civil rights organizations Wednesday decried the Bucks County Sheriff’s effort to have a dozen of his officers deputized as ICE officers, as about 100 protesters carried signs and shouted their support.
Central Bucks School District restructures special education staff

1 week ago | buckscountyherald.com | Freda Savana

In light of child abuse allegations in a special education class that spurred suspensions of several senior-level administrators, the Central Bucks School District has hired new staff and realigned special education supervisors systemwide. Beverly Cragg is taking over “interim leadership” of the Pupil Services Department, the district announced Tuesday. The department’s director, Alyssa Wright, was placed on paid administrative leave last week.
Central Bucks adds to growing list of administrators placed on leave

2 weeks ago | buckscountyherald.com | Freda Savana

On Friday, Central Bucks School District placed two more of top-level administrators on paid leave, in the wake of a damning report of alleged child abuse in one of its autism support classrooms. Both Director of Pupil Services Alyssa Wright and Supervisor of Special Education Katie Veisz were placed on leave Friday pending results of an independent investigation that began more than a month ago.
Chipotle, First Watch restaurants coming to Doylestown Township's Barn Plaza

2 weeks ago | buckscountyherald.com | Freda Savana

When Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar in the Barn Plaza Shopping Center abruptly closed two years ago, no one was quite sure what might replace the popular eatery. Now we know. Representatives of Brixmor Property Group, which owns the Doylestown Township center, said the new building that fronts Easton Road will include a 2,394-square-foot Chipotle Mexican Grill and a 3,900-square-foot First Watch breakfast and lunch restaurant.
DRP suggests Jamison principal's relationship with teacher stifled complaints

2 weeks ago | buckscountyherald.com | Freda Savana

According to a bombshell report, Jamison Elementary School Principal David Heineman's alleged "inappropriate relationship" with the teacher in the school's autism support classroom contributed to a “culture of fear” that discouraged criticism of her treatment of two students with special needs.
Northeast Philadelphia man facing charges in police-involved shooting

2 weeks ago | buckscountyherald.com | Freda Savana

A 50-year-old Northeast Philadelphia man terrified a Buckingham Township neighborhood Saturday before being shot twice by a Buckingham Township police officer, the Bucks County District Attorney’s office said in a statement.
Bucks County court program recognized nationally

2 weeks ago | buckscountyherald.com | Freda Savana

For the third consecutive year, Bucks County’s treatment courts have been named National Mentor Courts, the county announced recently. It is one of only 11 such programs in the country to earn the designation. The Bucks County Recovery Court offers people who have entered the criminal justice system due to a substance abuse or mental health disorder a path to avoid jail time if they voluntarily agree to treatment and professional support.
Buckingham police-involved shooting under investigation

2 weeks ago | buckscountyherald.com | Freda Savana

A police-involved shooting in Buckingham Township Saturday is under investigation by the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, after an officer shot a man during a confrontation in the 4800 block of Redfield Road in Buckingham Township, according to the DA's Office. The man who was shot by the officer was still in the hospital Sunday, the DA's Office said in a statement.
Bucks DA candidate wants a grand jury to study Central Bucks child abuse claims

2 weeks ago | buckscountyherald.com | Freda Savana

The Democratic candidate for Bucks County District Attorney Monday called on the current DA to convene a grand jury to investigate both child abuse allegations at Jamison Elementary School and the way the Central Bucks School District handled its probe into the matter.
Central Bucks School District Superintendent placed on leave

3 weeks ago | buckscountyherald.com | Freda Savana

The Central Bucks School Board placed district Superintendent Steven Yanni on administrative leave Thursday night after a scathing report from a disability rights watchdog group found he and members of his administration failed to properly handle accusations of child abuse at Jamison Elementary School. On Wednesday, Disability Rights PA said Yanni was complicit in failing to fully respond to the allegations of mistreatment in an autistic support classroom at the Warwick Township school.