A local high school is warning parents about a highly contagious disease that's been reported at their school. Four cases of hand, foot and mouth disease have been confirmed at Allentown Central Catholic High School. Principal Randy Rice says while it's not usually dangerous, the illness can easily spread from person to person. Symptoms include fever, mouth sores and a rash that's usually found on the hands and feet. Health officials say hand, foot and mouth disease is most commonly diagnosed in children under 5 years old, but anyone can get it. The illness can spread quickly at schools and day cares through person-to-person contact. It can also spread through contaminated objects or when a sick person sneezes, coughs or talks.
A bear has been spotted again in Bethlehem Township. A bear was seen in the area of Moravian Academy and Northampton Community College. It's the fifth time a bear has been spotted in the township since Sunday. A bear was also spotted near Oakland Road, near the Green Pond and Country Club roads intersection, at the St. Luke's Anderson Campus and earlier at the community college as well.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board says gaming revenue in the month of September totals more than $476.2 million, an increase of 6.2% when compared to revenue generated last September. Wind Creek Casino in Bethlehem raked in more than $45 million of that total, which is 1.7% more than last September.
We continue to get welcome news at the gas pump in both the Lehigh Valley and across the commonwealth. According to AAA East Central, the average price for a gallon of gas in Pennsylvania is five cents lower this week than one week ago. That $3.74 is also 21 cents below the price last October. Here in the Lehigh Valley, the average price is $3.54, down nearly seven cents over the past seven days and 35 cents less than one year earlier.
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has released financial results from fiscal year 2022-2023. The LCB says wine and spirits sales topped $3.15 billion, which is $133 million or 4.5% more than the prior fiscal year.
Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan has now failed to become House speaker on a second floor vote and received even less support than the first go-around. Pennsylvania Congressman Dan Meuser tells Fox Business he believes that Jordan can still become the speaker. "I voted against Jim Jordan Tuesday. I voted for him Wednesday. I think he would unite our party. I know the vast majority of our constituents like Jim Jordan and they want to see this get done," Meuser says. Meuser represents the 9th Congressional District, which covers east-central Pennsylvania. 22 Republicans voted against Jordan on the second ballot.
A proposed phone surcharge hike of about 30 cents per month is called for in a bill to expand 9-1-1 services across Pennsylvania. "This funding will unleash a new safety regime in Pennsylvania," says St. Rep. Jared Solomon.
People who want to vote by mail in the November elections have until the end of this month to apply for a ballot. Pennsylvania voters must submit their applications by 5 p.m. on October 31st. The deadline for returning the ballots is 8 p.m. on November 7th. State election officials say mail ballots received after that time will not count, even if they contain a postmark before the deadline. Some counties may provide drop boxes or drop-off sites. You can check your county's website for information on locations.
Game three of the National League Championship Series starts late this afternoon in Arizona. Ranger Suarez starts for the Phillies, who lead the series 2-0. Manager Rob Thomson says he'll handle Suarez a little differently today than his first two starts. "I expect him to give us length. His first two starts we could get him out a little early because we had the opportunity with off days built in. This is a little bit different. We've got three in a row here," Thomson says. Suarez has been excellent so far in the postseason, having thrown eight-and-a-third innings and allowing just one earned run. First pitch from Arizona is a little after 5 this afternoon.