The hottest weather of 2019 is settling in. "Accu-Weather RealFeel temperatures will be 105 to 110 starting today and lasting through the weekend," says Accu-Weather's Heather Zehr. She says we'll be in the mid-to-upper 90s today through the weekend. Our first break from the scalding temperatures will be Monday when the high is only expected to be around 82 degrees.
The National Weather Service is advising residents in our area to get ready for a vicious bout of hot weather. An Excessive Heat Warning goes into effect at noon today and stays in place until 10 o'clock Sunday night. While actual temperatures today will be in the mid-to-upper 90s, the Accu-Weather RealFeel temperatures could reach 110 degrees today through Sunday. You're being asked to keep a close eye on the elderly, people in poor health, young children and pets and to keep in mind these conditions can lead to heat stress and even heat stroke.
The state Department of Environmental Protection is declaring a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for the Lehigh Valley. Due to temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s and high air pressure, ozone concentrations are expected to reach unhealthy levels. People with respiratory problems plus young children and the elderly are advised to keep outdoor activities to a minimum today and the entire weekend. You're also encouraged to use pollution-cutting measures such as getting gas for vehicles after dusk, carpooling, cutting down on car use and setting air conditioners to a slightly higher temperature.
With dangerously hot and humid conditions expected today through Sunday, Dr. John Wilson with St. Luke's University Health Network says those without air conditioning to find some. "We generally recommend you go to places that have air conditioning. It's a great time to see a movie or go to the library," Wilson says. He says when it gets this hot and muggy a fan simply isn't enough to keep you cool. He urges you to drink a lot of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration and other heat-related problems.
A Bethlehem Township man is facing more than 100 rape and assault charges after allegedly repeatedly assaulting a teen victim for about two years. The victim claims Juan Diego Saltos assaulted her from January 2016 through December 2018. The victim, who was 14-year-old when the alleged attacks began, told authorities that the assaults took place in a Bethlehem Township home.
The Berks County man charged with climbing the SteelStacks on the Artsquest Campus in South Bethlehem last weekend is now behind bars. Jonathan Wallace, of Mertztown, was arraigned Thursday on numerous charges. Bethlehem police say they responded to the campus on the evening of July 12th to find Wallace atop the structures, positioned on a steel beam about 300 feet above the ground. Following about 20 hours of negotiations, he climbed down and was then given a mental health evaluation before being arrested.
Crayola is looking for a new leader. CEO Smith Holland is leaving the Forks Township crayonmaker to become the new president at Hallmark Greetings. He'll begin that new job on September 3. Crayola has begun a search to replace Holland, who had been Crayola's CEO since September 2015.
A Bethlehem city councilman is resigning effective today. Shawn Martell is moving with his fiance to Washington, D.C. Martell's term on Bethlehem City Council expires at the end of this year.
A 43-year-old Pennsburg man is under arrest for allegedly trying to steal a television from the Lower Nazareth Township Walmart Thursday morning. Police say Jesus Rivera left the store with a large-screen TV without paying for it. Unfortunately for Rivera, when he tried to load the TV into the back of his truck, he realized he had left his keys and cellphone inside the store. When Rivera went back inside the store, he was arrested.
New Jersey is reporting a record-low level of unemployment, with officials saying the state's economy added more than 10,000 jobs last month. June's unemployment rate checked in at three-and-a-half percent, the lowest number since the state began tracking the number in 1976. Gov. Phil Murphy's office says the state has added nearly 411,000 jobs since February 2010, which experts identify as the low point of the last recession.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is leading the state's congressional delegation on a tour of New Jersey's military installations today. Murphy and the delegation will visit Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, the 177th Fighter Wing in Atlantic City, Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle. The governor says the tour is both an opportunity to learn about the needs of service members and a chance to thank them for their service.