One of the best pitchers in Philadelphia Phillies history, the last surviving member of the team's 1950 Whiz Kids and a Lehigh Valley sports icon has died. Curt Simmons passed away Tuesday at the age of 93. Simmons pitched 20 seasons in the big leagues, the first 13 with the Phillies. Simmons said he became a Phillie after an exhibition game against them right around his high school graduation in 1947. In a 2014 interview, Simmons says the Phillies liked what they saw but weren't alone. "Detroit and the Red Sox after the game threw out $50,000 and $55,000 and my father had told the Phillies we'd give them the last shot. My dad said he'll sign for $65,000 and they said okay," Simmons said. Simmons ranks fifth in Phillies history with 115 wins and played in three All-Star games while in Philadelphia. Overall, Simmons won 193 games with the Phillies, Cardinals, Cubs and Angels. His career numbers were curtailed because he missed part of the 1950 season and the entire 1951 season while serving in the National Guard during the Korean War.
Accu-Weather's Joe Lundberg says tomorrow's weather will get worse as the day moves along. "It starts dry at daybreak, but as the morning progresses the precipitation will move in from the west and southwest and it will probably take on various forms throughout the course of the afternoon and evening before it goes to all rain tomorrow night," Lundberg says. He says the immediate Lehigh Valley should expect rain, sleet and a little snow tomorrow, while further north a little more snow is expected.
Pennsylvania and Lehigh Valley gas prices are both heading quite a bit lower these days. Across the commonwealth, the average price of a gallon of unleaded stood at $3.75 on Tuesday, down about 11 cents from the previous Tuesday. However, that still remains 19 cents higher than last December 13th. In the Lehigh Valley, that same gallon of gas cost, on average, $3.59, down 14 cents from the prior week. It's still 14 cents more than last year however.
An 81-year-old Allentown woman died Monday morning after she was burned over the weekend while lighting candles in her home. The Lehigh County coroner says Dolores Farman died from her burns at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township. The accident happened Sunday afternoon when Farman’s clothes caught fire. Her death is being ruled an accident.
A popular Poconos resort is telling guests to leave the kids at home. Effective Sunday, Mount Airy Casino Resort will be an adults-only resort, meaning nobody under 21 years of age will be allowed on property. Mount Airy VP of Resort Operations Hassan Abdel-Moneim says they want to differentiate themselves from other Poconos resorts. "There are many properties that cater to families and children. We have water parks and more. Look at our property, we have a state-of-the-art adult playground. We have a golf course, a spa, a pool that is designed for adults," Abdel-Moneim says. He says the plan has been in consideration for years and effective Sunday, you will have to be 21 or older to enter Mount Airy Casino Resort.
Analysts say more than $100 million was spent in the race for Pennsylvania's governor. The funding reportedly tops a new record for campaigning to be the state's leader. Democratic Governor-elect Josh Shapiro and nine Republicans spent $100.2 million in the primary and general election campaigns. Another $12.5 million was spent by third parties on services such as campaign mailings or catering for events.
Pharmaceutical companies Moderna and Merck say a new melanoma vaccine tested in Pennsylvania is showing promising results. The vaccine uses messenger RNA technology and reportedly reduced the likelihood of recurrence by over 40 percent. Dr. Jason Luke at the University of Pittsburgh says the results are a potential watershed moment in cancer treatment therapy. Officials say nearly eight-thousand Americans die from skin cancer each year.
Pennsylvania officials have made changes to the commonwealth's naloxone standing order. It's designed to help people prevent others from overdosing. Health Secretary Dr. Denise Johnson says they've added more cost effective versions, making it easier for ordinary citizens to access different naloxone products at their local pharmacy. "Naloxone is a life-saving antidote that can help save an individual who's experiencing an opioid overdose. So I'm encouraging all Pennsylvanians to carry naloxone with you because you might have the opportunity to save the life of someone who's experiencing an opioid overdose," Johnson says.
Former State Senator John Yudichak has joined a Harrisburg-based law and lobbying group. The independent from northeastern Pennsylvania did not run for re-election this year. He has joined GSL Public Strategies Group as a senior advisor. It's a communications group that's under the umbrella of Stevens & Lee law firm. Yudichak formerly chaired the state senate's economic and community development committee and previously was also a state representative for 12 years.
State health officials report more than 19-hundred-60 confirmed cases and 23 deaths due to COVID-19 as positive tests continue to increase. New Jersey's seven-day average for confirmed positive tests is up by 11 percent over the last week and up 37 percent from a month ago.