Former Palisades High School teacher Christian Willman was already charged with sexually assaulting two students there. Willman also taught at Parkland High School from 2001 to 2011 and is now charged with sexually assaulting four students during that time. Lehigh County DA Jim Martin explains how his office learned of the alleged assaults. "Two of the victims in Lehigh County, who had been students at Parkland High School, reported to a teacher with whom they were familiar the conduct of this defendant. That teacher immediately notified the superintendent, who immediately notified my office," Martin says. Willman, from Coopersburg, remains behind bars on $1 million bail. He could get 20 years in jail if convicted of all charges.
The Republican running for district attorney in Northampton County is being accused by a black district attorney's office employee of putting a toy monkey wearing a shirt reading "Loudmouth" on her keyboard. Constance Nelson tells the Morning Call Tom Carroll put that stuffed monkey at her keyboard and then laughed about it while admitting it was him. Carroll, who resigned from his job of assistant district attorney shortly thereafter, has issued a statement to the Morning Call. In that, Carroll calls it an "unsubstantiated allegation" and says he built a genuine friendship with Nelson. He says the story is conveniently timed when he's running for district attorney.
Police in Allentown are investigating a shooting that sent a teenager to the hospital with non-life threatening wounds. Police say an 18-year-old told them he was shot near Eighth and West Cedar streets early Thursday morning. No suspects have been arrested.
Some Carbon County residents say they don't want a hydroelectric plant proposed for the top of Spring Mountain. They say it's too big and would disrupt their quality of life. Officials with the company behind the proposed plan, Grid Power Hydropower, say the project is still in the planning stages. They say it would create thousands of construction jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenues for the region.
A World War II veteran has finally received his high school diploma, more than 70 years after he left high school early to join the Army. 92-year-old Peter Yanakis' family surprised him with his diploma Thursday. His daughter and granddaughter contacted the Long Island high school he attended before joining the Army in 1945. His diploma arrived within the week.
A new federal lawsuit accused Pennsylvania State Police troopers of routinely violating the law by stopping and holding people based solely on their Latino appearance. The suit filed Thursday by the ACLU also accused troopers of usurping federal authority to investigate supposed immigration violations. The suit says the troopers' conduct sends a clear message to Pennsylvanians that the state police are in the immigration enforcement business. It was filed on behalf of ten Latino plaintiffs who were allegedly pulled over by troopers who immediately wanted proof of their immigration status.
A measure that would allow school security guards to carry firearms is headed to Gov. Tom Wolf's desk for his signature. The bill got its final approval Thursday in the legislature.
Lt. Gov. John Fetterman denies allegations by Republicans that he was part of a so-called orchestrated attack during debate over the potential end of a support program for people unable to work. Fetterman was called a partisan hack by Senate Republican Leader Jake Corman because he was allowing a Democrat senator to speak over him. Fetterman says he's optimistic they'll move on from the incident.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is trying to prevent the immediate closure of Hahnemann University Hospital. They ordered Hahnemann to "ceast and desist" closure plans Thursday. State officials say irreparable harm will be done to the health and safety of Philadelphia patients if the hospital terminates services without having a state-approved plan in place. The letter also condemns any type of closure during the week of July 4th, saying it could have widespread effects on the city.
The Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery is still too unsafe for investigators to enter. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board is tasked with looking into the fire and explosions that happened on June 21st. The board leader says the area will be physically examined once it is deemed structurally safe. In the meantime, investigators are talking to employees and reviewing documents pertaining to the incident.
Some billboards along I-95 are causing controversy. The Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police put them up with anti-violence messages, but one in particular is critical of the city's district attorney. It reads "Help Wanted: New Philadelphia District Attorney". The DA's office responded to the message through a statement which suggests the FOP should worry about police officers instead of wasting their money.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is promising to have a budget signed by Monday. He vows not to shut down the government despite clashing with the legislature over the spending plan. The governor noted people wait all year to enjoy state beaches and parks during the Fourth of July holiday and now they'll be able to make such plans. Murphy wanted lawmakers to include a tax on millionaires, but the legislature balked. He could use his line item veto power, but it's unclear if he'll do so. The deadline for a budget is Sunday.