St. Sen. Pat Browne's campaign treasurer has legal problems. Michael Ellwood was arraigned Tuesday on charges he stole almost $600,000 from Browne's campaign fund between May 2007 and June 2018. Ellwood allegedly deposited that money into his business bank account and then used the money to pay bills and himself. The Morning Call reports Elwood wrote checks out to himself for as much as $25,000. In a statement, Browne says he is devastated to learn of the alleged theft. He and Elwood have known each other since both attended high school together. Elwood was released on $25,000 bail and will next appear in court on November 5th.
Local Democrats support the idea of an impeachment inquiry of President Trump. Representatives Matt Cartwright and Susan Wild both issued statements in support of the formal impeachment inquiry against the president, who is accused of withholding around $400 million in aid for Ukraine in exchange for them investigating political rival Joe Biden and his son. Chrissy Houlahan, who represents parts of Berks County in Congress, has also now come out in support of the inquiry.
Pennsylvania residents are getting a chance today to pick up free doses of an opioid overdose antidote medication. Free naloxone will be available for pick up at dozens of locations statewide today while supplies last. Naloxone is used to fight an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids on the brain. Naloxone can be picked up at the Northampton County State Health Center at 1600 Northampton Street in Easton; at the Bethlehem Health Bureau at 10 East Church Street; the Lehigh County State Health Center at 3730 Lehigh Street in Whitehall; the Allentown Health Bureau at 245 North 6th Street; and the Carbon County State Health Center 281 North 12th Street in Lehighton.
A man has been seriously injured after he was hit by a car while riding his bike on Hamilton Boulevard. The crash happened near Weilers Road in Upper Macungie Township. 57-year-old Peter Wohlsen was riding his bike along the shoulder, then moved into the right lane, according to a witness. A car driven by 76-year-old Marianna Strunk hit him from behind. The impact launched Wohlsen into the air and he landed on the hood and windshield of the car. Neither the bicyclist nor the car driver saw each other before the crash, police said.
Police in the Poconos are looking for a bank robber. Stroud Area Regional Police say a man entered the NBT Bank on Brown Street Tuesday and gave a demand note to a teller before fleeing on foot with cash. An image of the suspect has been posted to the department's social media page. Anyone who recognizes him or has information concerning his whereabouts is urged to call the Stroud Area detectives with details.
Rather than sell the property, some state lawmakers are considering using the lieutenant governor's residence at Fort Indiantown Gap for several veterans' programs. The Senate State Government Committee approved making changes to the measure that would allow the state to turn the property over to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The property along Route 934 has been empty since being vacated by former Lt. Gov. Mike Stack. Current Lt. Gov. John Fetterman is living in a residence that isn't being provided by the state.
A group's study of Federal Highway Administration data puts Pennsylvania's roads near the bottom of the list. Lending Tree's QuoteWizard report says due to the percentage of roads in poor condition, structurally deficient bridges and the annual cost per motorists for roads in need of repair, Pennsylvania has the fifth worst road infrastructure nationwide. PennDOT officials disagree, saying the state is better off than the study shows. The two groups differ on what percentage of Pennsylvania roads are considered to be in poor shape.
Republican lawyer Stuart Meissner is officially throwing his hat into the ring for New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker's seat. Meissner, who entered the race for the 2020 Republican nomination for U.S. Senate Monday, spent hours Tuesday bashing Booker on Twitter. While Booker is seeking the Democrat nomination for president, he can also run for re-election to the Senate.
The Phillies were officially eliminated from the National League playoff chase by losing both games of a doubleheader in Washington 4-1 and 6-5. Manager Gabe Kapler says it's tough to know October baseball isn't in the cards. "We'll get to that moment of reflection. It starts to sting already. I think we're going to continue to feel some sting. But there's going to be plenty of time to reflect," Kapler says. For the Phils to finish above .500, they need to win three of their last five games, which begin tonight again in Washington.