We're learning just a bit more about this weekend's campaign visit from former President Donald Trump. The ex-president will be at the Schnecksville Fire Hall along Old Packhouse Road in North Whitehall Township Saturday night at 7 o'clock. Pennsylvania State Police say traffic delays and intermittent road closures are expected between 3-9 p.m. Saturday on several area roads, including both sides of Route 22, both north and south on Route 309 to the area of Route 873 and on Old Packhouse Road. The owners of the nearby Shankweiler's Drive-In theatre decided to reschedule their 90th anniversary celebration, which was planned for Saturday evening, because of Trump's visit. The event is moved to Sunday.
New security measures will be in place within the Allentown School District in less than two months. Beginning April 23, everybody entering Allen High School will have to walk through weapons detectors before getting into the building. By the end of May, the weapons detection systems also will be in place at Dieruff High School and Building 21. If the district determines the detectors to be effective, the systems could later be installed at district middle schools. Two detectors will also be installed at J. Birney Crum Stadium. The detectors are not metal detectors but find guns, knives, bombs and other weapons based on the density of the object.
Easton police are investigating a rash of car thefts in the city. Three vehicles were stolen on Wednesday alone. One woman lives in Easton and says the thefts are surprising. "That is crazy that three cars were stolen here today. That's a lot," she says. Easton police aren't saying much about the stolen cars, but in a social media post they remind residents to "lock it or lose it."
The Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission has been presented plans for a 10,000-square-foot strip center and nearly 70 homes. The strip center would include two, single-story buildings and would be built at 5329 Hamilton Boulevard. One housing project is proposed for Wild Cherry Road. 13 single-family homes are proposed there. The second proposal calls for 54 single-family homes at Church Lane.
A popular hamburger chain is opening up another Lehigh Valley location later this year. Five Guys Burgers & Fries will be coming to The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley in Upper Saucon Township this fall. The restaurant will be located between European Wax Center and uBreakiFix.
A young Poconos man is being credited for jumping into the Delaware River to save a struggling bald eagle. Sampson Metzgar says he didn't think about anything other than saving the bird which was struggling in the water. Officials with the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center say Metzgar jumped in, and grabbed the eagle Monday afternoon. Metzgar is just 19-years-old, but is the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center's lead avian specialist. The center says he put those handling skills to use on the eagle rescue, the bird survived and is okay.
The U.S. Postal Service is looking to increase the price of first-class stamps by 5 cents, from 68 cents to 73 cents. The proposal is subject to approval by the Postal Regulatory Commission and, if granted, will go into effect on July 14, resulting in a 7.8% price hike for stamps. The proposed price increase would apply to various mailing categories, including forever stamps, postcards, metered letters, and international mail.
A house bill that would prohibit landlords from inquiring about certain arrest records is winding its way through the state legislature. State Representative Ismail Smith-Wade El says the fair housing measure would ban people who lease properties from looking too far into a person's criminal record as a condition of occupancy. Another bill would create a policy that would seal eviction records. Members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus back the measures, saying many people trying to find homes are discriminated against or are wrongfully evicted because of their backgrounds.
A Brick Township man has announced he's running for governor of New Jersey next year. Robert Canfield is a real estate broker agent. He says he's seeking the Republican nomination for governor to succeed Democrat Phil Murphy. He says his campaign will be based on the principles of family, fairness and freedom. He joins two other candidates in the race for the GOP nomination, former GOP Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli and State Senator Jon Bramnick.