Comcast's Lehigh Valley footprint will soon be getting bigger. Bethlehem City Council has okayed granting Comcast a franchise in the city, giving residents another option for cable TV, internet and other digital services. Xfinity already offers service in Coopersburg, Emmaus, Fountain Hill, Freemansburg and Hellertown, along with Bethlehem, Lower Saucon and Upper Saucon townships. The company says franchise agreements are in the making for Easton and Forks Township. The Lehigh Valley has been served by Service Electric Cable TV and Astound Broadband, formerly known as RCN for decades.
A 58-year-old Upper Saucon Township woman is dead after a weekend crash. Jane Zamichieli died Saturday night about two hours after she drove her vehicle off of Indian Creek Road in Upper Milford Township. The vehicle went down an embankment, tossing her from the vehicle. That crash is being investigated by state police at Fogelsville.
The Whitehall-Coplay School District Board of Directors has officially chosen the district's next superintendent and assistant superintendent. In a pair of unanimous votes, Christopher Schiffert and Renee Sallit were appointed to superintendent and assistant superintendent, respectively. Schiffert told the board he appreciates the opportunity. "I've said it probably a thousand times and I'm going to say it one more time and that's the best career move I ever made was coming to Whitehall. I'm proud to be here and I look forward to serving our community," Schiffert said. Schiffert was promoted from his post as assistant to the superintendent and will replace Robert Steckel effective Dec. 3.
Dorney Park's newest roller coaster is getting national recognition. The Iron Menace has been nominated for USA Today's Ten Best Readers' Choice Award for Best New Theme Park Attraction. Following a public vote, the top ten winners will be announced on January 2nd. To vote for the Iron Menace, go to the USA Today website.
It looks like your Thanksgiving Day weather will be wet and perhaps snowy in some places. "I think it's an all day affair. It begins to taper off in the afternoon and should be gone by evening," says Accu-Weather's Joe Lundberg. He says the Poconos could pick up a few inches of snow that may mix with and change over to rain. In the Lehigh Valley, a little wet snow is expected Thursday morning, with all rain falling most of the rest of the day.
The $700 million renovation of Penn State's Beaver Stadium has received a $1 million boost from an anonymous family. Penn State only identifies the family as including multiple Penn State graduates who has been a longtime supporter of Penn State sports.
Thanksgiving is not a day off for first responders, in fact, Pennsylvania's Fire Commissioner, Tom Cook, says it can busier than normal for firefighters. "During the holidays, there are more distractions that usual in the kitchen. Specific dangers are related to turkey fryers and people often cooking more complicated recipes than usual," Cook says.
Governor Phil Murphy has frozen pay raises for some state workers as New Jersey faces budget issues. Murphy's administration has also ordered state departments to cut hiring and plan for spending cuts. The action comes as the state reviews its annual budget in which New Jersey will spend almost two-million dollars more than it collected through taxes and other revenue sources.