A Carbon County police chief is one of two people being accused of sexually assaulting a child hundreds of times. The Office of Attorney General announced Wednesday that Lehighton residents Brent Getz and Gregory Wagner have been arrested on counts related to various types of sexual abuse, all allegedly committed against a girl as she aged from four to 11. The victim first reported the crimes in 2012, but it wasn't until a Franklin Township police officer revisited the case last year that the victim's complaint finally led to the current charges. Getz is currently the police chief in Weissport.
A Bucks County jury returns to work today after it spent all day Wednesday failing to decide the punishment for Jacob Sullivan. After 12 hours of deliberations, the jury still hasn't been able to come to a unanimous decision on whether Sullivan will get life in prison or be sent to death row. The jury told the judge Wednesday afternoon they were stuck, but the judge refused to declare the jury deadlocked and told them to keep working. Sullivan admits to raping, torturing, killing and dismembering his girlfriend's adopted daughter three years ago. Sara Packer is expected to plead guilty to her role in the killing of 14-year-old Grace Packer inside a Richland Township home.
A Schuylkill County man is going to spend the rest of his life behind bars for his role in a home invasion that left one person dead. Joshua Lukach was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday following his conviction for the second-degree murder of John Brock in Pottsville back in August of 2015. Lukach used a box cutter and a kitchen knife to kill Brock during a robbery attempt at the victim's South 12th Street home. Police say Lukach killed Brock due to fears the victim would identify him to the authorities.
The Department of Health is reporting that 98 people have now died during the current flu season in Pennsylvania. The confirmed fatality count in Pennsylvania due to the flu includes two people under 18, but has mostly been an issue for the elderly, as 62 people over age 65 have died. In addition, the total number of cases reported state-wide has risen to well more than 79,000 people. Nearly 3300 of those people are in Lehigh County and another 2800 are in Northampton County.
Gov. Tom Wolf has joined fellow Democrats in announcing legislation they say will cut down on a culture of sexual harassment in the workplace. The governor says it's long overdue. "In some cases victims have developed anxiety or depression and they leave the industry they trained for or the workforce altogether," Wolf says. Part of the legislation would increase the statute of limitations under the whistleblower bill.
Gov. Tom Wolf will be in Monroe County today to talk about a state program intended to help improve infrastructure in East Stoudsburg. Gov. Wolf is scheduled to tour the vacant International Boiler Works factory. He'll then discuss how Restore Pennsylvania could possibly help knock that property down. Restore Pennsylvania is a billion-dollar proposal to create development opportunities while aiding local banks in acquiring dilapidated, out-of-use buildings then helping get them demolished.
The state House will soon see a bill intended to ensure all high school graduates learn hands-only CPR. The state Senate passed the measure unanimously Wednesday. If approved, Pennsylvania would join 38 other states that require schools provide the training by grade 12.
A bill allowing volunteer fire companies to keep more money brought in through fundraisers is moving out of a state Senate committee. Senate Bill 83, which allows fire companies to forgo paying sales tax on food and beverages sold during a fundraiser, passed the Finance Committee unanimously Wednesday. Next could be a full vote in the Senate.
For locals hoping to score a major jackpot, the bad news is that while there was a single winning ticket in last night's Powerball drawing, it was sold in Wisconsin. The grand prize was a staggering $768 million, topping the previous third-place jackpot of $758 million set in August 2017. The one-time cash payout option is over $465 million.