A 60-year-old man is dead after a weekend crash in Lehigh County. Investigators say Eric Cressman collided head-on with another vehicle at the intersection of Brookside and Lower Macungie Roads just before 7:30 Sunday morning. Cressman was pronounced dead at the scene. The Lehigh County Coroner's Office and Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the crash.
A pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle Nov. 11 in Bethlehem died early Sunday morning from injuries suffered in the accident. 29-year-old Joshua Estes, of Allentown, died early Sunday morning at St. Luke’s University Hospital in Fountain Hill. Estes was hit just after 11:30am on Nov. 11 in the 1800 block of Stefko Boulevard. The Bethlehem Police Department continues to investigate.
A man is under arrest and charged with stabbing another man in the parking garage of the Wind Creek Bethlehem casino. Police were called to the garage around 3:30 Wednesday afternoon and found a man suffering from multiple stab wounds, including one leg wound that required a tourniquet to control bleeding. The victim was transported to an area hospital by Bethlehem EMS. Police said that officers observed a silver van that witnesses said was involved in the assault leaving the scene. 50-year-old Diosadado Melendez, of Allentown, was taken into custody. Police said they could see blood inside the van and surveillance footage from the garage showed Melendez and the victim getting into the van.
Another sign that both winter and Christmas are approaching has arrived in Bethlehem. ArtsQuest opened up its ice rink Sunday at Steel Stacks. This year, the space is 1,500 square feet bigger than last year and will also run for an additional three weeks this season.
Anti-Israel protestors are calling for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas. Pennsylvania Cemocrtatic Congresswoan Chrissy Houlahan is not. "At this point at time, very importantly, it is very much the responsibility of Israel to protect and defend its sovereignty," Houlahan says. She adds however, it's up to Israel to do that under the laws of war.
Several leading Pennsylvania universities that receive state aid must now publicly disclose more records about their finances, employment and operations. Those actions are mandated under legislation signed recently by Governor Josh Shapiro. The universities now also will be required to list the salaries of all officers and directors, as well as up to the 200 highest-paid employees, plus faculty salary ranges.
A Pennsylvania House committee has approved legislation to increase the state municipal waste recycling fee. Officials say it's the first time it would be increased in the 35 years since Pennsylvania first launched municipal recycling. Supporters say many municipalities are struggling with rising costs of recycling programs. The revenue from the fee goes to a recycling fund run by the state Department of Environmental Protection, where it's distributed mainly for grants for recycling programs.
State lawmakers are said to be considering action to end smoking in Atlantic City casinos. The assembly speaker, democrat Craig Coughlin, alluded last week that it may be time to consider legislation that has been under consideration. The Press of Atlantic City is reporting health concerns of casino workers prompted them to lobby legislators on the bill since 2006. Some casino officials and union representatives believe a smoking ban would force several gaming houses to close. If the measure is passed Governor Phil Murphy has previously stated that he would sign it.
Sunday, Lafayette's football team found out who and where they'll play in round one of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. Head coach John Troxell is looking forward to making the trip to Delaware this weekend to take on the Blue Hens. "Our kids are really excited. We get to play against a good opponent. There's a lot of history and tradition with their program and we get to see what we're made of," Troxell says. This will be Lafayette's fifth playoff appearance and first since 2013.
The Philadelphia Phillies have locked down pitcher Aaron Nola. He has agreed to a seven-year, $172-million deal to stay in Philly. The 30-year-old will average just over $24.5 million per season. Nola was originally selected by the Phils seventh overall in the 2014 draft out of LSU. He went 12-and-9 last season with a 4.46 ERA and fanned 202 batters over 193-plus innings pitched. The former All-Star is career 90-and-71 with a 3.72 ERA over nine seasons.