Top Five Stories Of The Week: September 4 to 9

The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors on Wednesday denied a request that would allow Beneficial Bank a greater setback from Sycamore Street. The request was denied 4-1 with most of the board voicing opinions that the proposal would not fit the ideal aesthetic of new development for that portion of town.

Newtown Borough Police have cited a Doylestown man after he struck a boy who was exiting a school bus last week at Congress and Jefferson streets. Kenneth Mitchell of Curly Hill Road in Doylestown was issued a state citation for meeting or overtaking a school bus. The boy sustained minor injuries and was released from St. Mary's Hospital the day of the accident.

At the direction of Borough Council, Newtown Borough’s solicitor has drafted an ordinance that would expand protections against discrimination to include sexual orientation and gender identity. The ordinance, which is similar to one passed in Doylestown Borough last year, sets up a local volunteer Human Relations Commission to conduct mediation in circumstances of discrimination. It will be discussed further at Tuesday's Borough Council meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. at the

The state Department of Environmental Protection announced Wednesday that it has fined First Student, the company that provides transportation services for the Council Rock School District, more than $120,000 for a diesel fuel spill that occurred in Newtown last year. First Student Inc. was assessed a $121,520 penalty for the November 2010 release of diesel fuel from its school bus terminal in Newtown.

Heavy rain that fell overnight Thursday caused the Neshaminy Creek to flood, closing roads, including Newtown-Richboro Road and Buck Road. As a result, Council Rock schools were closed Thursday due to transportation issues from flooding. Tyler Park was submerged in water from the Neshaminy Creek.