Pennsylvania's charter school laws need to be rewritten. So says Gov. Tom Wolf, who says among the changes needed is holding companies running charter schools to the same standards as those in place in public schools. "We will begining to implement regulations that will support much-needed changes that have been discussed over several years in the legislature. This includes establishing the same ethics standards that apply to traditional public schools so charter school decision makers can't direct taxpayer money to themselves or to their friends or to their families," Wolf says. Wolf's proposal would also allow school districts to limit student enrollment at any charter school that fails to provide what he calls a high-quality education. The governor made the announcement at the Harrison-Morton Middle School in Allentown as public schools. He chose Allentown to make the announcement, because he says that school district cannot fix its financial problems without charter school reform.
A Northampton County teenager is behind bars after allegedly arranging a hit on her ex-boyfriend. 17-year-old Hanover Township's Elisa Torres has been jailed on charges of conspiracy and aggravated assault. Police claim Torres tricked her ex-boyfriend to meet her behind Jefferson Elementary School in Emmaus in June, where two men then fired on him and two other people in his car. Police have since determined that Torres said at the scene she set him up and that she directly spoke with the gunmen before shots were fired.
While more than a million people had a good time at Musikfest, dozens are being charged for their unruly behavior at the annual event. Bethlehem police report 38 people were arrested during the ten-day festival, which wrapped up Sunday night. Most of the arrests were for public drunkenness, however a dozen of those people were busted for disorderly conduct and harassment. Only 20 people were charged during last year's Musikfest, but this year's total is closer to the annual average of 45.
Police in Northampton County are on the lookout for a man accused of beating his girlfriend and growing pot in his home. Palmer Township police have issued a warrant for James Young on drug-related charges but they also allege Young choked and struck his girlfriend inside his Jones Boulevard home on August 1st. He then fled the scene before police arrived.
A Lehigh County woman is facing charges for a fatal hit-and-run that happened almost a year ago. Lower Macungie Township's Sahar Atiyeh has been arrested on charges related to homicide by vehicle. Atiyeh allegedly struck Scott White of Towamensing Township in Carbon County last October while driving near Mauch Chunk Road in Allentown and then took off. White was found by police and pronounced dead at the scene.
State police are investigating as a number of people are claiming they found sharp metal objects in food bought at a Monroe County Taco Bell. At least one person had to visit an emergency room after eating food allegedly purchased at the Taco Bell in Middle Smithfield Township after finding bits of broken razor blades. The restaurant chain says the owner of the locally owned franchise is working with investigators in connection to the allegations.
State troopers are investigating a report of animal abuse by a Penn State police dog handler. Troopers say the accusation against the handler came in to university police in July. They in turn referred it to the state police. A spokesperson for Penn State says the dog is currently being boarded during the investigation.
Perhaps the most popular manager in Phillies history is back...but as a hitting coach. The Phils fired hitting coach John Mallee and replaced him with World Series winner Charlie Manuel. Matt Klentak explains the reasoning for the change. "The narrative that exists that we are shifting that we are going from a new-school approach to an old-school approach by gong from John Mallee to Charlie Manuel is far too simplified. I think this is more about changing the message," Klentak says. Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper says, "I don't think anybody in baseball or this world loves hitting more than Charlie."