Allentown's mayor has responded to allegations racism exists in city government. "We have made a commitment to investigate any claim of discrimination that's occurring in the City of Allentown as a workplace," says Matt Tuerk. He says he's a member of the local NAACP branch, which sent him a letter detailing allegations of racism. There seems to be confusion about who authored that letter. NAACP leaders say they never signed off on the letter and the organization will look into how and who sent it.
The Allentown School District is revising its policies on bullying in their school system. District policy committee leaders heard the first reading of a revised policy on bullying and cyberbullying at a meeting Thursday. The proposed policy used information gathered with a standardized questionnaire given to students in grades 3 through 12. The results show the frequency and types of such activity, as well as where it happens and how students report it. The policy committee board unanimously approved putting the new guidelines to a vote before the entire school board.
A Bethlehem police officer was injured very early Thursday morning after a teen allegedly driving a stolen vehicle led police on a chase and deliberately rammed into a patrol car. It all began when police saw the stolen vehicle just after 12:30 Thursday morning on Brookside Drive. The driver, whose name is not being released, allegedly drove off to a driveway and then put the car into reverse and slammed it into the patrol car. The officer inside was treated and released at a nearby hospital. The teen fled again but was later found and taken into custody with the help of Allentown police after a brief foot chase.
Nearly eight months after it was initially supposed to reopen to traffic, the Wire Mill Bridge in Allentown reopened Thursday. Local business owners says it couldn't have come soon enough. "There's nothing else coming in. We don't get the traffic. We have a very large loss," one businessman says. The decaying bridge off of Lehigh Street was closed since May of last year.
The Hanover Township Zoning Hearing Board in Northampton County has ok'd variances for a proposed manufacturing warehouse along Airport Road. Developer RDM Group plans a 179,400-square-foot warehouse for 4000-4300 Airport Road. Plans are for half the warehouse to be used for storage and the other half for manufacturing by an unidentified food product manufacturer. The plan will now go before the township planning commission and then the board of supervisors.
Believe it or not, despite enough rain that cause flooding this month, Pennsylvania remains under a drought watch. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection says while rainfall has increased over the past month, precipitation deficits remain and groundwater levels are still low in some counties, including Lehigh County.
Authorities are launching an investigation after shots were reportedly fired in Stroudsburg. Police responded to shots fired in the 600 block of Main Street yesterday morning. Police say they did find a bullet hole in a nearby business, but no one was reported injured. Police believe it's an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public at this time.
Court proceedings for convicted Tree of Life synagogue shooter Robert Bowers appear to be winding down. Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Robert Colville said closing arguments in the sentencing phase of the trial could be happening next Tuesday. Defense attorneys have indicated that they may rest their case before today's session adjourns. After closing arguments are made, jurors will deliberate on whether Bowers will be put to death.
Gov. Josh Shapiro has thanked the Warren County family, and their dog, who helped capture escaped inmate Michael Burham this month. Meanwhile, Shapiro says it's important to learn how Burham was able to get out of the jail. "Obviously, there needs to be a full review of how the individual was able to escape and tighten that system up. Obviously the police and local law enforcement are going to do what they need to do to determine whether anyone should be charged in this process," Shapiro says.
A jackpot estimated at 910-million dollars is on the line with tonight's Mega Millions drawing. No player has won the game's jackpot since April. The odds of winning the top prize are one in 302-million. Western Pennsylvania players and others around the country will learn if they've beaten those odds when numbers are drawn at 11:00 tonight.
New Jersey's first West Nile virus case this summer is confirmed in Camden County. A Winslow Township resident tested positive for West Nile on July 17th. Health officials aren't releasing details but the CDC says the mosquito-borne illness can trigger serious illness and, in some cases, death. Symptoms don't always turn up but can include headache, high fever, stiff neck, muscle weakness and altered mental state. Health experts say using mosquito repellent that contains DEET offers the best protection.
The city of Wildwood is tightening its curfew this summer for anyone younger than 18. The city's commissioners voted last night to have their curfew start at midnight, instead of 1 a.m. The move comes after an increase in juvenile crime in recent months. It includes an incident over the July Fourth weekend, where they say a group of about 60 juveniles caused disturbances almost before dawn.
Due to rain, the IronPigs/Mets game was suspended in the fourth inning last night with the score tied at two. The game will be completed at 5:05 this afternoon, just prior to tonight's regularly scheduled game, which will now be a seven inning game.
The Philadelphia Phillies are said to be getting optimistic about Rhys Hoskins' possible return to the team before the playoffs. The veteran power hitter had knee surgery earlier this year after tearing the ACL in his left knee during spring training. General Manager Dave Dombrowski had feared Hoskins wouldn't be available until the postseason at the earliest. If he's well enough to come back before the season ends, officials say he'd likely be able to help only as a designated hitter.