A 49-year-old is in custody after an alleged assault and hours-long police response in Williams Township. Troy Hahn, 49 faces numerous charges after he allegedly assaulted family members Monday night. State police and Easton police responded to the home in the Cedar Park Community around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday to arrest him, but they believed weapons may be in the home, so the community was shut down and the state police Special Emergency Response Team was activated. Hahn was finally taken into custody around 7am. Weapons were found in the home.
The most recent coronavirus numbers in Pennsylvania show 521 new cases in the commonwealth, pushing the overall total to 134,025. No new coronavirus-related deaths were added Monday. The state says nearly 160,000 tests were administered over the past seven days with only 4456, or 2.7-percent, coming back positive.
The positivity rate for COVID-19 tests is down statewide for a fifth straight week. State health department officials say the percent-positive rate is now 3.2-percent, down from 3.4-percent the previous week.
Pennsylvania's eviction moratorium was put in place due to the coronavirus pandemic. It expired at midnight, giving landlords the right to kick out tenants who haven't paid their rent. That sparked protest in Philadelphia. "The government doesn't appreciate the gravity of this situation. the People can't pay their rent. People's income is drying up. People have gone into their 401K's. They've maxed out their credit cards," one woman says. Gov. Tom Wolf says he doesn't have the legal right to extend the moratorium any longer, but he's urging the legislature to pass a law that would give him that right. Back on July 9th, he did extend that moratorium until last night.
Mayor Jim Kenney is apologizing to Philadelphians. This comes after he was seen at a Maryland restaurant over the weekend dining in while his city's restaurants remain closed on the inside. On Twitter, Kenney said in part, "I'm sorry if my decision hurt those who've worked to keep their businesses going under difficult circumstances." Philadelphia restaurants will not be allowed to serve customers indoors until September 8th.
Indoor dining will return to New Jersey this Friday. Gov. Phil Murphy has signed an executive order that allows restaurants to serve customers indoors at 25-percent capacity. Murphy noted windows must be kept open in order to ensure proper ventilation and air conditioning units also need to be set up to ensure outside air flow is maximized. This follows pressure from people within the restaurant industry to allow for indoor dining, as many eateries are facing significant financial struggles.
Gyms around New Jersey are re-opening today after a nearly six month hiatus. There are still a few new rules, which include a cap at 25-percent capacity. People will be required to wear masks and face coverings while they work out and maintain proper social distancing. Gym goers can also expect mandatory temperature checks and questionnaires when they walk in.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf claims a lack of paid sick leave legislation is making the coronavirus pandemic tougher to contain. "The absence of paid sick leave has caused employees who have felt unwell to carry this very contagious virus into their workplace and infect numerous other coworkers and sometimes even customers," Wolf says. The governor says in addition to keeping sick workers home, paid sick leave would allow time for doctor appointments, to care for a family member or in some cases seek help from domestic violence. He says legislation would help an estimated 400,000 Pennsylvania workers.
Two teenagers were flown to the hospital following a Monday afternoon ATV crash in Carbon County. It happened shortly after 4 p.m. Monday at the Tresckow ball field. The 14- and 16-year-old boys were thrown from the ATV and suffered head injuries. Both were flown to LVHN-Cedar Crest.
An Allentown priest is returning to St. Ursula's Catholic Church after being cleared of sexual abuse allegations. The Diocese of Allentown says Father Robert Potts was accused of sexual abuse for an incident that allegedly occurred in the 80s or 90s in Shenandoah. But investigators concluded that Potts did not commit the acts that were alleged. The Diocese says Potts' church never stopped supporting him and impatiently waited for his return.
Pennsylvania State Police are planning targeted enforcement over Labor Day weekend. As part of their Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement Educaton Program, they will increase patrols from Friday morning to midnight Monday. The program focuses on speeding, seat belt violations, child seat belt infractions and will also look for texting while driving, reckless driving, drivers wearing headphones and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Last Labor Day weekend officials say they investigated more than 40 crashes and made about 41 DUI arrests.
People living in homeless camps are being given a deadline. Those protesters living along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Kelly Drive and Ridge Avenue have until September 9th to leave. A federal judge ruled the city could evict the folks if they don't vacate. This marks the third time that people have been asked to leave the area.
Democrat presidential nominee Joe Biden is ripping President Trump's stance on violence. "This is a sitting President of the United States of America. He's supposed to be protecting this country, but instead, he's rooting for chaos and violence," The former vice president spoke in Pittsburgh Monday afternoon and said a president's job is to lead, not to incite. He accused the President of fanning flames of violence in American cities.
Joe Biden was in Pittsburgh Monday afternoon and President Trump will also be in the western part of the state later this week. The President will address supporters at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe Thursday evening. Meanwhile, Vice President Mike Pence will be in the northeast corner of the state this afternoon. Pence will campaign at a Luzerne County construction company.
New Jersey is expanding legislation for falsely contacting police. Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill that amends a current law to include false incrimination and filing a false police report as a form of bias intimidation. It also establishes a false 911 call with the purpose to intimidate or harassment based on race or other protected classes as a crime.
New Jersey State police could break records this year. Officials say traffic pursuits are up by 50-percent in comparison to last year. There have been 153 pursuits so far this year compared to 102 last year. Superintendent Col. Pat Callahan says the department is on target to hit more than 260 pursuits by the year's end.