The old Glendon Hotel site could soon be redeveloped. Northampton County is receiving two federal grants totaling more than $1.2 million to support affordable housing development at the former hotel, which was torn down in late 2021. The money is coming from a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program known as the Home Investment Partnerships Program. The group Community Action hopes five homes will be built to help meet the area’s housing shortage.
An Allentown man could spend up to five years behind bars after pleading no contest Monday to a charge of involuntary manslaughter in a crash that killed a Reading man and a 16-year-old Whitehall Township girl. On July 31, 2022, 28-year-old Christian Santiago and 42-year-old Jose Estrada-Estrada were both driving their motorcycles at a high rate of speed on MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township. Estrada-Estrada lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into a SUV, killing him and Mia Due, who was in the SUV. Santiago was charged months after the crash for the incident, which was called street racing by then-Lehigh County DA Jim Martin. Santiago will be sentenced one month from today.
A man is under arrest after a police officer and another person were hurt in a three-vehicle crash in Northampton County Monday night. Wilson Borough Police officers were call to the intersection of Northampton Street and South 22nd Street for the report of a crash just before 7 o'clock last night. Three vehicles, including a police vehicle, were involved in the crash. The officer and another car were stopped at the red light at the intersection when a third vehicle driven by Logan McCormick of Easton crashed into one vehicle, pushing it into a police car. Both the officer and the other driver were taken to the hospital for treatment. McCormick was not injured and was arrested for the suspicion of DUI and other traffic-related offenses.
Both PPL and First Energy have restored power to almost all customers affected by strong winds Sunday and Monday. PPL reports more than 5100 of its customers are without service, more than half of them in our listening area. Monroe and Carbon counties are the hardest hit with nearly 2100 and 5500 customers respectively still in the dark. First Energy has just 1500 customers without service, about 500 of which are in our area.
It was a busy Monday morning for local hazmat crews after a diesel fuel spill in Lehigh County. The accident happened when an oil truck and SUV collided around 10am on Third Street in Whitehall Township. Authorities have not said how much fuel spilled or what led to the crash.
Borough Council in Jim Thorpe is considering raising on-street parking rates from $1 to $2 an hour, Monday through Thursday and up to $3 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Randall Sellers owns a Jim Thorpe book store and says any increase would impact more than tourists and customers. "I have employees coming in and they need places to park and they pay out-of-pocket to park, so it does cost them," Sellers. The last time parking fees were increased wsa in 2018.
Last week at a Philadelphia bus stop eight students were injured in a shooting. Now, two suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime and Philadelphia Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore reassures the public the other suspects will be caught as well. "We're not done. We have other people we need to contact. We know who they are. We are going to continue with our investigation. Anyone who or assisted them, we're coming for them too," Vanore says. One of the wounded students was listed as in critical condition, but doctors are optimistic about his recovery.
New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez is pleading not guilty to new charges. The state's senior senator was arraigned in a New York federal courtroom yesterday on a superseding indictment that charges him with obstruction of justice. The Democrat was indicted on twelve new criminal charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery, fraud, extortion and conspiracy for a public official to act as a foreign agent. The charges are related to a years-long corruption and bribery scheme involving the governments of Egypt and Qatar. Menendez's trial is set to start May 6th.
A new poll is showing Gov. Phil Murphy's job approval is holding steady during his second term. The Monmouth University poll of New Jersey residents finds that the governor's job approval is holding steady at 50-percent, while 42-percent disapprove of the job he's doing. Murphy gets somewhat better reviews for managing state finances than for his policy priorities. The poll also finds support for his proposed corporate fee to fund New Jersey Transit upgrades, but most feel this won't lead to significant improvements.
The Eagles are making big moves as team executives start to build their 2024 roster. Former Whitehall High School, Penn State and New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley will move down I-95 and join the Eagles. Both sides have agreed on a 3-year deal. Philadelphia is also expected to add former Jets defensive end Bryce Huff. In the meantime, running back D'Andre Swift has reached a deal with the Bears after spending last season in Philly. The 25-year-old Swift set career highs in rushing attempts (229) and yards (1,049) en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance in his only season in Philadelphia. All deals will become official later this week.