Joe Lundberg's forecast is for one-to-three of snow tonight into tomorrow, but he wouldn't be at all surprised by more falling. "Snow is around through early afternoon before ending. At least one-to-three inches, but I think three-to-six inches is more likely, especially as you get closer to the New Jersey border," Lundberg says. He says the further east you go, the more snow should be expected.
COVID-19 booster shots are being made available for vaccinated immunocompromised individuals our area. Lehigh Valley Health Network is accepting appointment requests for fourth dose booster shots for people who meet the criteria. LVHN says people who received a third dose of their mRNA vaccine can schedule to have a COVID-19 booster five months after their last shot. To schedule, call the COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 833-584-6283.
State health officials say with the addition of over 300 people dying Thursday, Pennsylvania has now surpassed the 40,000 mark for COVID-related deaths. There have been 40,257 deaths since the state's first case was reported in Northampton County in March 2020. Those age 70 and older account for nearly 10 percent of the state's cumulative infections, but 71 percent of deaths. However, officials say there have been deaths in every age bracket, including seven children under the age of ten, and 24 Pennsylvanians ages ten through 19.
A big change is coming in the Allentown School District. The Allentown School Board approved the 2022-23 school calendar Thursday night and that calendar moves the district's student start date to Aug. 29, prior to the Labor Day holiday. Teachers will start one week prior to students on Aug. 22. The final day of classes is scheduled for June 8, 2023 and the teachers' final day is June 9. The Allentown School District was the only local district to begin school after Labor Day.
Some controversy is surrounding a resort in the Poconos. A group of five women from New York say they were racially profiled while visiting Camelback Mountain. The women say they were erroneously accused of shoplifting and the resort employees and police threatened to arrest them. It appears a Black man shoplifted items earlier in the day and left the store around the same time as the women and police apparently believed the women were with the man. The women were allowed to leave after it became clear they had nothing to do with the theft. Camelback officials say they're reviewing training procedures, but their employees acted appropriately.
Voting officials in Lehigh and Northampton counties say they're in desperate need of poll workers who can speak both Spanish and English. Lehigh County's Deputy Director of Voter Registration, Diane Gordian, says having an interpreter at the polls is key to ensuring second-language English speakers the ability to vote if they have questions or need support. Gordian says they need to get workers in place before the May 17th primary. Poll workers are paid $165 per day, plus an additional $10 for training.
Two men have pleaded guilty to a March 2020 murder in Allentown. The Lehigh County DA's office says 23-year-old Nikolas Acevedo and 21-year-old Pedro Acevedo-Solano both admit to their roles in the killing of 18-year-old Elijaah Rodriguez in the 1200 block of Turner Street. Acevedo pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and Acevedo-Solano pleaded guilty to one felony charge and a pair of misdemeanors. Both will be sentenced April 8. Their accomplice, Jamett Rivera also pleaded guilty last year and was sentenced to 23-and-a-half to 48 years behind bars.
The issue of who should be allowed to sell liquor in Pennsylvania is being debated once again in Harrisburg. Zakary Pyzik is with the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association and says that group strongly favors the idea of privatizing liquor sales. "They have more competitive prices. You see in the private market, in various situations, they know how to get creative and we won't be surprised when we see that," Pyzik says. Lawmakers are debating a proposed constitutional amendment. In order for change to happen via an amendment, it would need to pass in two consecutive sessions at the Capitol and then be approved by voters.
Gov. Tom Wolf is handing over $4.5 million in American Rescue Plan dollars to places of worship and other non-profit organizations that are targeted by hate groups. Under the Non-Profit Security Grant Program, applicants will be eligible to apply for amounts ranging from $5000 to $150,000 for security improvements. The Pennsylvania State Police report hate crimes rose by 97-percent in 2021 and the governor says since humanity alone cannot be relied on to solve the issue, the money is needed for organizations to better protect themselves.
President Joe Biden will appear in Pittsburgh Friday, reportedly to remind voters of his administration's achievements in key states before the midterm elections. White House press secretary Jen Psaki says the president's address will focus on the economy. Biden, who has seen his poll numbers shrink in recent weeks, has said it's important that he talk to the public about what he's accomplished and about why Congress needs to get behind the rest of his domestic agenda.
Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has called it quits. "The time has come to clean out my locker, hang up my cleats and continue to be all I can me for my wife and children. I retire from football a truly grateful man," Roethlisberger says. Roethlisberger played in three Super Bowls with the Steelers, winning two of them. He retires after 18 seasons with Pittsburgh and throwing for more than 64,000 yards and 418 touchdowns.