According to reports, PPL is looking at merging with a Connecticut utility. If PPL and Avangrid were to merge, it would create one of the biggest publicly traded utilities in the country. The deal is reported to be worth $67 billion. Avangrid provides gas and electricity to 3 million customers in New York and New England and also owns a renewable energy business operating in two dozen states.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is warning Lehigh Valley residents of a possible measles exposure in Allentown. Anyone who was in the 7350 Office Building on Tilghman Street, or the office building at 1251 South Cedar Crest Boulevard on October 7th, Quest Diagnostics on West Allen Street on October 8th or Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest on October 12th may have come in contact with an infected person. Lehigh Valley Health Network Dr. Luther Rhodes says even if you didn't come in direct contact with the ill person, you still could be at risk. "A room, for example, in which a measles patient has been in is contagious for up to two hours after that person leaves the room," Rhodes says. Anyone concerned they may have been exposed should contact their health care provider before visiting the doctor so the office can be prepared to prevent any potential further exposure.
A South Whitehall Township man is facing charges for a pair of burglaries in Allentown. Police say Cornelius Freeman has been arrested after allegedly stealing money from a city home on September 11th and then taking money and electronic devices from another Allentown home on September 25th. Police say Freeman also tried, but failed, to break into a third city home on the 25th as well.
The Northampton County district attorney is asking the state to make sure Pennsylvanians cannot shoot their pets on a whim. John Morganelli asked state lawmakers Monday to clarify the existing statute that allows residents to legally shoot pets as a form of euthanasia but does not state that the animals need to be sick or injured for that to occur. Morganelli is asking state lawmakers to revisit existing animal neglect or cruelty laws. He says we shouldn't have to wait for an innocent animal to be tortured, seriously injured or die before people who hurt or neglect animals are meaningfully punished.
The strike continues at Mack Truck. The picketing began Sunday morning after workers with the UAW Local 677 walked off the job late Saturday night. Picket lines are up at the Lehigh Valley Mack location as well as in Middletown and at Mack facilities in Maryland and Florida. Union officials say they're unhappy with proposed wage increases, job security, health benefits and pension.
Several communities along the Jersey Shore are dealing with beach erosion after Tropiclal Storm Melissa moved through over the weekend. While recently-restored dunes did their job in Ortley Beach, protecting homes and condos along the waterfront, some locals say the beach itself is more narrow than it was before.
Anglers from anywhere are getting a chance to fish the fresh waters of New Jersey this weekend. Saturday is Free Fishing Day in the Garden State, meaning residents and nonresidents can try freshwater fishing without having to purchase a fishing license or have a trout stamp. It could be a good time to try your luck as 14 counties will be stocked with thousands of trout this week.