We're learning more about Wind Creek Hospitality's big plans for Bethlehem Steel's old No. 2 Machine Shop. Back in January Wind Creek announced plans to spend about $190 million on improvements at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem if its bid to buy it was approved. $100 million was set aside for the No. 2 Machine Shop. Now Wind Creek says if that sale is approved, it would spend $150 million more on that building and turn it into a 300,000-square-foot adventure and water park. That attraction would include several eating areas, retail space and about 105,000 square feet of water park attractions, rock climbing, rope courses and zip lines. Wind Creek also would build a 400-to-450-room hotel for the attraction. That hotel would be in addition to the $90 million, 300-room hotel it plans to add to the already existing hotel at the Sands. The sale of the Sands to Wind Creek could happen as soon as May 29th.
Bethlehem officials are reminding residents that dust will be part of Sunday's implostion of Martin Tower. Despite precautions, experts say dust is unpreventable and may linger in the area for four to six minutes before crews start cleaning streets and sidewalks. Wind may also carry dust to some homes, so residents should close all windows, doors and any other openings that might allow dust to enter your home. Anyone who may be physically afffected by dust should probably stay indoors during the implosion. An independent firm will be conducting air quality monitoring before, during and after the implosion.
An Allentown man is now officially charged with setting fire to the same Bethlehem church twice in one week. Wilmer Torres waived his preliminary hearing Thursday on charges of arson, burglary and criminal trespass. Torres allegedly set fire to the Iglesia Pentecostal de Bethlehem on April 23rd and again on April 25th. Torres reportedly told reporters as he left the courtroom Thursday that he set the fires because he was mad at God.
A man allegedly carrying heroin is behind bars after making an escape attempt in the Lehigh River. Easton police were already working a narcotics case Thursday in the city's downtown when they reportedly saw Joseph Duckworth of Washington Township making a deal for drugs. A patrolman stopped the car he was in near South Third Street and Larry Holmes Drive, resulting in Duckworth fleeing and eventually jumping into the river. Once he returned to shore, Duckworth was arrested. He now awaits extradition to New Jersey to face an open warrant in Warren County.
Officials say a former truck driver has surrendered to police connected to a deadly wreck on I-78 that killed a couple on their way to their wedding. Jaspreet Chahal of Fresno, California pleaded not guilty Thursday and waived his right to a preliminary hearing. Josephy Kearney and Kathryn Schurtz were on their way to Pittsburgh for the New Jersey couple's for their wedding when police say Chahal slammed his big rig into the couple's SUV in Windsor Township which was stopped for traffic. Investigators say Chahal was on his phone and was distracted at the time of the crash.
A bill that prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from getting married in Pennsylvania is moving on to the state House for a full vote. The House Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the measure this week. Pennsylvania is one of 27 states that don't currently have a minimum age for children to get married. Officials admit they're unsure how many under-18 marriages happened in the commonwealth because the state doesn't keep those records.
One pollster says Pennsylvania would go to Joe Biden if the election were held today. Quinnipiace University's poll out this week shows the former vice president leading President Trump 53-to-42 percent. The poll also has Bernie Sanders with a slight lead over the president, while all others are neck-and-neck.
New Jersey Democrat Sen. Bob Menendez wants to know more about Iran from the Trump administration. "I've never seen an administration that is less forthcoming about such critical information than the Trump administration," Menendez says. U.S. officials are warning about an increased threat from Iran and Iranian-backed groups in Iraq.