The days of finding less-expensive on-street parking during PPL Center events could soon be coming to an end. The Allentown Parking Authority will be introducing a plan to begin charging event prices at all parking meters that surround the PPL Center, prices that would be equal to what's charged in city garages. The plan calls for the first two hours of meter parking to cost the standard meter rate. After that, an additional fee would be tacked on that would be equal to the parking garage rate on that particular night. That could range anywhere from $3 to $10. The new rates, which would only be in place on PPL Center event nights, would affect cars parked on Hamilton, Linden and Walnut streets between Fourth Street and 12th Street. The plan would also bump the cost of a parking ticket handed out in that area during PPL Center events from $10 to $25 if it's paid within 10 days. The cost would jump to $50 after that.
An old Lehigh Valley movie theatre could be on borrowed time. The owner of the Boyd Theatre in Bethlehem wants to tear down the theatre and replace it with a $22 million apartment and retail space. Charles Jefferson's proposal includes 120 apartments. The theatre opened in 1921 but has been closed since a 2011 windstorm damaged its roof.
An Allentown teenager is charged with stabbing a man during a home invasion in south Allentown. Police say 17-year-old Derek Raynosa is allegedly one of three people who burst into a home in the 800 block of West Emaus Avenue Monday afternoon, stabbed a man inside and stole about $1000. Raynosa was caught by police after a chase that spanned several city blocks. At last report, Raynosa is the only one of the three suspects to be officially charged.
Customers of the now-defunct Bieber Transportation Group now have a chance to get their money back. Bieber unexpectedly went out of business last Friday, leaving ticket holders stuck with passes that can't be used. However, the company posted a message on its website Tuesday stating that those people seeking refunds on tickets or deposits can reach out via that page to connect with a representative to reclaim their money. Meanwhile, as for trips from the Lehigh Valley to Philadelphia and New York City, Greyhound, Trans-Bridge Lines, Fullington Trailways and Martz Trailways are all saying they are making changes to provide connections to those destinations.
An Allentown man is going to spend decades behind bars for his role in a home invasion that led to a fatal shooting. Brandon Eanes has been sentenced to serve 35 to 70 years in connection to the August 2017 robbery and murder of Jermaine Taylor. Eanes was one of four people who broke into Taylor's home searching for drugs and money, an incident during which Taylor was shot to death in front of his eight-year-old daughter. The three others accused of taking part in the incident remain in custody awaiting their trials.
Accu-Weather's Elliot Abrams says we got the expected amount of precipitation yesterday, just not the 'type' of precipitation that was expected. "It turned over to sleet very quickly and that held down the top end of the amount," Abrams says. The slush and ice left behind should begin melting today with a high temperature of 36 degrees expected.
The state is reporting that the flu-related death count in Pennsylvania has risen by six since last week. According to numbers released Tuesday, the fatality count in Pennsylvania due to the flu has risen to 37 for the current season. There have been 30,592 reported cases of the flu statewide, more than 5700 more than a week ago. Northampton County has seen more than 1600 flu cases, third most in the state. Lehigh County flu cases total nearly 1580, placing it sixth in the state.
The state Department of Health is receiving $1.2 million toward sexual violence prevention and education. A spokesperson says the money will be used to provide training and help to dozens of rape crisis centers statewide. The funds are being provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Pennsylvania is suing Verizon over-promised incentives it didn't deliver on. The suit claims Verizon told customers they would receive an Amazon Echo or a free Amazon Prime subscription for selecting certain two-year contracts. Some consumers never received the promised items while Verizon continued to market the deal.
Researchers at the Penn State College of Medicine say medical marijuana may stop the growth of colon cancer cells. Officials say they found at least ten compounds they would consider fairly effective against colon cancer cell growth. It's uncertain how medical marijuana would impact other types of cancer.
President Trump wasn't happy, at first, with the compromise on border security that included funding well short of his $5.7 billion for a border wall and he wasn't alone. Pennsylvania Republican Congressman Scott Perry wasn't thrilled with the deal either. "55 miles? That's not even enough to cover Mexico's southern border, let alone what's happening along our border. Let's be clear here. We're trying to solve a problem that has been a crisis over many years now of this very porous southern border," Perry says. The bipartisan committee proposing the deal will finalize today, they the hope to put it onto the House floor for a Thursday vote.
A woman convicted for her involvement in the notorious Bridgegate scandal is planning to appeal the case decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. Lawyers for Bridget Kelly, a onetime deputy chief of staff for former Republican Gov. Chris Christie, have filed court papers in order to petition the high court. Both Kelly and former Port Authority executive Bill Baroni were convicted in 2016 of conspiracy, wire fraud and civil rights violations in connection to the closure of access lanes to the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee. Their actions following the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee's refusla to endorse Christie for re-election.
New Jersey is the first state in the nation that permits sportsbooks to allow wagers on the Academy Awards. Casinos in the Garden State are taking their cues from European betting operations and treating the Oscars like a sporting event. Sportsbooks in Nevada have long offered wagering, but regulators there never permitted wagers on the Academy Awards. Ten online Jersey-based betting sites are offering Oscar wagering, but not all are taking bets on more than the most popular award categories.
The newest Philadelphia Phillie says he's never heard anything but good reports on his new baseball home. "Everybody I've talked to you who has played here in the past has been nothing but proud and all of my teammates that I've reached out to who have played here before had nothing but good things to say about it. It's definitely an organization I'm proud to play for and I'm happy to be here," says catcher J.T. Realmuto, who was acquired from Miami last week. He, along with the rest of the Phillies pitchers and catchers, hold their first workouts today in Clearwater.