Not very many American companies are still doing business with Russia, but one of them is one of the Lehigh Valley's biggest employers. Air Products is one of about three dozen U.S. companies still doing business with Russia. A list compiled by Yale University indicates Air Products continues to do business with Russia and has announced no plans to stop. 147 American corporations have pulled out of Russia altogether and another 173 say they're suspending operations there. Air Products has issued no comment.
Pennsylvania Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick says the Biden administration is right in calling Vladimir Putin a war criminal. "There are previous conflicts that Russia has engaged in targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure," Fitzpatrick says. He says the Russians will stop at nothing, including killing children.
Investigators have named the suspect wanted for a double murder in Easton's West Ward earlier this week. Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck says an arrest warrant has been issued for 20-year-old Altajier Robinson, who allegedly killed 17-year-old D-Andre Snipes and 18-year-old Kavan Figueroa around 4 o'clock Monday afternoon in the area of 13th and Washington streets. Robinson is considered armed and dangerous.
The Boy Scouts are selling a reservation in Monroe County to help fund their multi-billion dollar sexual abuse settlement. Boy Scouts Minsi Trails Council, which is obligated to paying $2.6 million into the national fund, is selling the Trexler Scout Reservation near Kunkletown. Future camping activities held by the Minsi Trails Council will be held at Camp Minsi on Stillwater Lake starting in 2024. Minsi Trails Council also says it will sell its Service Center building property on Postal Road that houses council staff offices and its Scout Store.
St. Luke's wants to build a two-story medical facility at 501 Cetronia Road, to be called St. Luke's West End Medical Center Short Stay Facility. St. Luke's officials say the facility would be an orthopedic hospital for patients in short-term surgery recovery, usually one or two days. The project is scheduled to be constructed on the existing parking lot of St. Luke's West End Medical Center.
Accu-Weather's Joe Lundberg says Saturday could include a rough thunderstorm. "The biggest concern I have this weekend is at the end of the day Saturday. There could be a gusty thunderstorm that rips through the neighborhood ahead of a cold front," Lundberg says. After some rain Saturday, Lundberg thinks Sunday will be a cooler, but dry, day.
A water main break caused traffic hassles in the city of Allentown Thursday. Lehigh Street was closed for several hours in both directions between Martin Luther King Jr Dr. & Auburn Street. The Lehigh County Authority had crews working to repair a 6” water main break on Lehigh Street.
Even with declining rates of COVID-19 the Pennsylvania physician general is still urging people who've yet to be vaccinated to get the jab. "We want to make sure that the vaccines are very, very convenient for individuals so that's why we're going to every community to make sure that those vaccines are right there when people want to get them," says Dr. Rachel Johnson.
U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz says if he's elected to be one of Pennsylvania's senators, he'll give up his dual citizenship. Oz says his dual citizenship with Turkey has become a distraction in his campaign. Oz said he maintained Turkish citizenship to care for his sick mother, who lives in Turkey and has Alzheimer's.
Philadelphia is about to start cracking down on businesses that are still using plastic bags. City officials say that the warning period will come to an end on April 1st. It all means that $75 fines will be given for each violation. Businesses could face legal action if they become repeat offenders.
One New Jersey lawmaker wants to extend the ban on single-use plastic bags for food pantries. Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin introduced a bill that would give these nonprofits an extra six months to implement the change and donate 500,000 bags to help meet the needs. If approved, businesses and food providers would still have to comply with the ban on disposable plastic and paper carryout items. Coughlin's proposal cleared the committee.
One New Jersey senator says so-called "big oil greed" is to blame for high gas prices. Sen. Bob Menendez took to Twitter yesterday saying high oil prices aren't the primary problem. He explained a barrel of oil costs $95 this week while the national average is still at $4.32 per gallon.
Philadelphia Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman has reportedly agreed to a three-year extension with Eagles. This secures his spot with the franchise through 2025. Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni's contracts are both set to end at the same time.
After ten seasons with the Eagles, Fletcher Cox has been released. The team parted ways with the veteran defensive tackle on Thursday. Cox went to six-straight Pro Bowls earlier in his career. ESPN reports Philly would like to bring the 31-year-old back on a new deal.