The current and previous mayors of Bethlehem are taking issue with a recent tweet by President Trump. The President tweeted Tuesday while commenting on Bernie Sanders' recent town hall event that Bethlehem is now a thriving city, then thanked himself in a way that seemed to indicate he's behind that success. Current Democrat Mayor Robert Donchez responded Wednesday that Bethlehem has been a thriving city long before Trump became president. Former Mayor John Callahan, also a Democrat, also commented on the tweet, posting that he grew up in Bethlehem and that the President had nothing to do with making Bethlehem great again.
Berks County prosecutors have filed criminal charges in the crash that killed an off-duty Reading firefighter from the Lehigh Valley. Miguel Mejia faces numerous charges for driving an SUV in Maidencreek Township on May 25, 2018, losing control of the vehicle, hitting another SUV and then hitting a motorcycle being operated by Erik Hirner. Hirner, an 11-year veteran of the Reading Fire Department and an assistant fire chief in North Catasauqua later died of his injuries. He was on his way to work in Reading at the time of the crash. Bail for Mejia, 58, of Lancaster, was set at $25,000.
Gov. Tom Wolf is praising a clothing company for its plans to bring jobs to Northampton County. The Lulus apparel brand is expanding into Pennsylvania and setting up a 250,000-square-foot facility in Palmer Township. The company has announced it is going to create more than 460 jobs over the next three years. Gov. Wolf notes that the Lehigh Valley is becoming one of the fastest-growing e-commerce hubs in the nation.
The stepmother of a celebrity is pleading guilty to attacking a bus driver in Lehigh County. Kate Major Lohan, stepmother to Lindsay Lohan, admitted in court Wednesday to attacking a Bieber Tourways driver on Christmas Day in Lower Macungie Township. The Allentown Central Catholic High School alum was arrested last December on charges related to DUI in a commercial vehicle, disorderly conduct and harassment, among other charges. Lohan only pleaded guilty to the disorderly conduct charge and was cleared of all the other counts.
East Stroudsburg University has cleared a student suspected of having the mumps. East Stroudsburg's Vice President for Student Affairs says the student who was admitted to the hospital last week with mumps-like symptoms is reportedly not infected with the mumps virus. There's been no disclosure on what illness the student may actually have. The school is still advising the campus community to take precautions to help prevent any actual cases of the mumps, which recently has affected well more than 100 people at Temple University.
The state House of Representatives is moving along two bills that could help the victims of child sexual abuse. One measure increases penalties for anyone who fails to report the abuse while the other says no confidentiality agreements can keep victims from talking to law enforcement. Each was recommended by a grand jury investigating child sexual abuse in the Catholic church. The two bills now head to the Senate for consideration.
The state House is passing a bill allowing the PA Fish and Boat Commission to set its own license fees. The measure would allow the commission to raise fees to keep up with costs, while lawmakers would retain the ability to reject the increases. The cost of a fishing license hasn't gone up since 2005. The state Senate is now considering the measure.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is approving a bill saying people can't be held liable for damage to a car if they force themselves in to save a child. The measure does require people use no more force than necessary and believe the child is in imminent danger and cannot exit the vehicle on their own. The good Samaritan must still make a reasonable effort to find the driver and call police.
The National Rifle Association is filing a lawsuit against Pittsburgh's new gun laws. Last week, the NRA asked for a permanent injunction to keep the city from enforcing what essentially is a ban on assault weapons in city limits until all court cases brought against it are settled. The ordinance was passed by city council on April 2nd and Mayor Bill Peduto signed it into law. Enforcement of the legislation isn't set to begin until June.
Licensed turkey hunters are getting ready to go get some gobblers as the season officially opens Saturday. Properly licensed junior hunters will get first crack starting at one-half hour before sunrise, a week before all other hunters, who can start on April 27th. Hunting hours will end at noon until the end of May 11th and then starting May 13th, the hours extend out to one-half hour after sunset. Only bearded birds can be collected during the spring season and hunting is permitted by calling only but there's no rule forcing hunters to wear fluorescennt orange during the spring turkey season.
New Jersey is increasing civil penalties on energy companies that charge customers without consent. Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation Wednesday that increases fines on companies found guilty of an illegal practice known as energy slamming. Under the new law, companies will be fined $20,000 for a first offense and then up to $50,000 for second and subsequent offenses. Murphy says the legislation will protect residents from deceptive and misleading companies that are out to scam consumers.
The Philadelphia Eagles' 2019 schedule has been released. The Eagles will open the season again at home against the Washington Redskins. The Eagles have five primetime games, including Sunday Night Football showdowns on the road against Atlanta and Dallas and at home against Seattle. The Eagles host the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots on November 17th. The Eagles will close the season at home against the Cowboys.