Montgomery County News in Brief

Water company spending $7.3 million on projects

Pennsylvania American Water has announced that it will spend about $7.3 million this year to improve water systems in the Norristown area to improve reliability, reduce service disruptions, and increase water flow for firefighting.

The work will include replacing nearly nine miles of aging water main.

Pennsylvania American Water serves nearly 31,000 customers in its Norristown district, which includes Norristown and Bridgeport Boroughs and East Norriton, West Norriton, Plymouth, Perkiomen, Whitpain, Worcester, Whitemarsh, Upper Merion and Lower Providence Townships.

Work began the week of May 12. The company said it would give communities advance notice of any temporary disruptions in service or traffic.

For more information, call Pennsylvania American Water's customer-service center at 1-800-565-7292.

Stroke association honors Holy Redeemer for its care

Holy Redeemer Hospital and Medical Center has received a Silver Performance Achievement Award in the American Stroke Association's Get With the Guidelines-Stroke program.

The award recognizes Holy Redeemer's success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care by treating patients according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations.

"With a stroke, time lost is brain lost, and the GWTG-Stroke Silver Performance Achievement Award addresses the important element of time," says Karen Renson, Holy Redeemer's director of clinical best practices.

"We have developed a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department."

According to the American Stroke Association, about 700,000 people suffer a stroke each year; 500,000 are first attacks, and 200,000 are repeats. Of stroke survivors, 21 percent of men and 24 percent of women die within a year, and the percentages are even higher for those 65 and older, according to the association.

For more about Holy Redeemer's primary stroke center, call 1-800-818-4747.

Laurel House official cited for aid to women, families

The Montgomery County Commission on Women and Families has presented Jennifer Boyer of Laurel House with the 2008 Unsung Hero Award.

The award recognizes the achievements of a Montgomery County resident in helping women and families.

Boyer, director of housing services at Laurel House and an East Greenville resident, received the award because of her dedication to victims of domestic violence. Laurel House, in Norristown, aims to provide a haven for abused women and their children, and to raise awareness about domestic violence.

"She has dedicated the last 10 years to working in social services, and is a person who gives totally of herself for the good of the people she serves," said Beth Sturman, executive director of Laurel House, who nominated Boyer.

- Gene D'Alessandro