Pennsylvania's Department of Health added 8291 new cases of coronavirus to the state's overall total, leaving that number at 375,431. 194 new coronavirus-related deaths were also reported Wednesday. That figure now sits 10,757. There are currently 4744 people hospitalized with COVID-19, 967 of whom are in the intensive care unit.
The William Penn Highway Park & Ride in Bethlehem Township was the place to be Wednesday. That's where AMI Expeditionary Healthcare set up a drive-thru coronavirus testing site. Hundreds lined up to be tested. Ashley Johns, with AMI, says the process is pretty straightforward. "You'll have to pull in and enter the line. You'll wait until we give you a form to fill out that we have to use to put into the website," Johns says. After the initial wait to be tested, the test itself if quick. Johns says it takes about 20 seconds to take a swab from inside each nostril. The test site will remain open now through Sunday from 9am to 6pm.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy says no one should be traveling out of state as the coronavirus pandemic dredges on. It comes about a week after New Jersey got rid of its travel advisory list, saying all states and territories were reporting concerning numbers. Murphy says travel is only essential if residents are heading to work or seeking medical treatment. He adds if anyone is traveling from out of state or between state borders, they should quarantine for 14 days.
A proposed 11-story, 80-unit apartment complex could soon be the newest and tallest building in Easton. Wednesday, the Easton Planning Commission unanimously approved an application to subdivide a parcel located at 101 S. Third St. The property, located on the back half of the BB&T Bank, will be subdivided into parcels to make way for the proposed 110-foot high mixed-use building. The BB&T Bank building will remain as is. Construction will require about 15 months.
A 78-year-old Phillipsburg woman has died from injuries suffered in a crash in Lopatcong Township Tuesday evening. Barbara Montilone was the driver of a vehicle that was hit by a tractor-trailer around 6 p.m. at Route 22 west and South First Street in Lopatcong Township. Her death was ruled an accident. Police are still investigating.
Residents of Moore Township will apparently not see a property tax increase next year. The township's real estate tax rate is expected to remain at six mills. Township supervisors are expected to make a final adoption of the budget at their December 22 meeting.
Lehigh Valley Academy has decided to shift to 100% virtual learning as cases of COVID-19 continue to rise. The Hanover Township, Northampton County charter school went completely online on November 23 and expects to remain that way until after the Christmas break.
A proposed 11-story, 80-unit apartment complex could soon be the newest and tallest building in Easton. Wednesday, the Easton Planning Commission unanimously approved an application to subdivide a parcel located at 101 S. Third St. The property, located on the back half of the BB&T Bank, will be subdivided into parcels to make way for the proposed 110-foot high mixed-use building. The BB&T Bank building will remain as is. Construction will require about 15 months.
Pennsylvania is preparing for another fleet vehicle auction next week. The event at Manheim Keystone Pennsylvania starts Tuesday morning with more than 70 motorcycles and nearly 300 vehicles available for purchase. Pre-registration runs today through Sunday at the auction site. During that time you'll also be allowed to view all the vehicles.
The sale of Three Mile Island's Unit Two is being approved by federal regulators. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the sale to a Utah-based company Wednesday. That company is being charged for the decommissioning process. Some state officials have voiced concerns over the company's ability to pay for the $1.4 billion process.