The chief of police in Easton has told City Council the idea of seeking a so-called "welcoming city" designation would make life more difficult for the city's police officers. "It doesn't really change the way we go about doing our job. However, it does require our officers have in the back of their minds as to what they can and can't do, what they can and can't ask. And if it's an ordinance and not a resolution, then any violation of that ordinance could lead to litigation and legal consequences for that as well," Scalzo said. Mayor Sal Panto invited Chief Carl Scalzo to Wednesday night's meeting. The mayor also says he's not a fan of a proposed ordinance to seek the "welcoming city" designation to illegal immigrants. Panto said, "These people commit crimes. We don't want crime in our city."
It's expected about one million people will flock to Philadelphia for tomorrow's Super Bowl parade. If you want to be one of them, but don't want to drive there, Klein Transportation will be running buses there and back. "We're looking to get as close as possible to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, but there are going to be a lot of road closures," says Alison Klein Sherman, the company's president. She says buses will be taking fans from Pottstown, Wyomissing and Wescosville to the parade. The cost is $59. Tickets can be purchased at the Klein website.
Dorney Park has announced its date for opening day. Officials say gates will open on May 9th and the park will open on a seven days a week basis from June 12th through August 24th. Wildwater Kingdom opens its season on May 24th.
A popular taco stand along Freemansburg Avenue in Bethlehem Township is being sold. Geakers Tacos has been in business for 25 years, but its owners are now planning to retire and are selling the business. The sale is for the business only and does not include the name, recipes, or property.
With JOANN again going through bankruptcy, the craft retailer is identifying more than 500 locations that it plans to close. JOANN currently operates an estimated 850 stores in the U.S. and closures are planned in 49 states. 33 of the stores to close are in Pennsylvania, including Joann stores in Whitehall, Quakertown, Pottstown and Reading.
PPL Electric says it was impacted by a data breach. The utility company said some customer data was exposed in the June 2023 breach, but nothing beyond basic identifying information like names and addresses. However, PPL noted the breach involved the "vast majority" of its customers. The company's data breach was part of a global cyberattack involving the MOVE-it file transfer system.
No dairy cows in Pennsylvania have contracted bird flu. That's according to the USDA, which has granted the commonwealth the status of being Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza-free. The designation means ongoing testing of the milk supply in Pennsylvania has not shown any sign of bird flu in dairy cattle. Pennsylvania is the first major dairy-producing state in the U.S. to reach HPAI-free status.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commision is warning drivers about new versions of a text messaging scam. New versions of the scam include one impersonating a collection agency that is authorized to work on behalf of the PA Turnpike. People who receive an unsolicited text, email or similar message suggesting it is from the PA Turnpike or another toll/collection agency should not click on the link. Those who receive a fraudulent text can file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.