Accu-Weather's Joe Lundberg expects lousy weather to arrive around midday today. "We'll see a mixed bag of precipitation: snow, sleet, freezing rain and but I think it quickly goes over to rain, so here in the Lehigh Valley it's not going to stick and amount to much of anything. Roads will be just wet this afternoon," Lundberg says. Lundberg thinks we could end up getting up to two inches of rain when all is said and done. Rain and snow will end tomorrow and then temperatures will sink into the teens and anything that's wet will freeze. Weekend temperatures won't get anywhere close to freezing with Saturday's high expected to be 14 degrees and Sunday's only 21.
Rain has forced the Lehigh Valley Zoo to cancel its Winter Light Spectacular on Thursday. Ticketholders will get an email with information about how to exchange their tickets. The weather also forced Lights in the Parkway, a drive-thru lights show, to close Friday.
A 42 year old Glenside man is now charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influenece for a September crash on Airport Road in Hanover Township, Lehigh County. DA Jim Martin says Brian McGoldrick had a blood-alcohol content of .263 percent, or more than three times the legal limit, more than one hour after the crash occurred. That crash killed 55-year0old of Catherine Neelon, who was driving on the southbound side of Airport Road when it was struck head on by McGoldrick's vehicle, which was heading north on the southbound side.
The expectation of lousy weather is delaying the start of ski season for some. Bear Creek Mountain Resort pushed back opening day for season pass holders and hotel guests to Saturday morning. It was originally set for today, but a strong storm is set to bring heavy rain to the region. Day tickets, which must be purchased in advance, will be available starting Monday, Dec. 26.
South Whitehall Township's Board of Commissioners approved the 2023 budget, which keeps property taxes level at 3.32 mills. While South Whitehall Township property taxes will remain flat next year, the board OK'd increases to water and sewer rates. The township says increases are due to increases from the Lehigh County Authority. The hikes mean average residents will see an estimated increase of nearly $53 in water costs and an increase of $75 in sewer fees.
A Northampton man allegedly drove into the home of his estranged wife while holding several sticks of homemade dynamite. Joseph Avate allegedly threatened to kill himself and his wife with the explosives during the Tuesday night incident in the 100 block of East Fourth Street. Police say Avate stumbled out of the car and appeared to have been drinking. The 59-year-old man is behind bars under $100,000 bail.
Police are reminding residents how to protect yourself from porch pirates ahead of the holidays. 49-million Americans reported having their package stolen in the last year, totaling two-point-four-billion-dollars. Police are suggesting people start surveillance on their property with doorbell cameras or standard security cameras. Also, have the delivery person drop-off your package somewhere that's not on the front porch.
The price of gasoline in Pennsylvania is likely to go up next month. That's when an increase in the state gas tax takes effect. The state tax, which is assessed at the wholesale level, will go up January first and will likely be passed onto consumers. The gas tax hike stems from Act 89, which was signed into law nearly ten years ago during the Corbett administration. The mandated increases pay for road and bridge projects.
Since May 1977, Jim Gardner has been the anchor of the 6pm news on WPVI in Philadelphia. That 45-and-a-half year run ended last night. "What I need you to know is how much I'm going to miss you. We have long had an unstated agreement, you and I. I like to say that we formed a covenent years ago. We give you respect and our commitment to reporting in a no-nonsense way those things that are important to you and making sure that what we tell you is accurate and fair," Gardner said in his final words. Last November, Gardner announced he would be retiring this year. His final 11pm newscast was in January.
You'll soon be able to ride an electric bike on state park lands and trails. Officials with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources have established a new policy that allows for the bikes, which have electric motors to assist riders. They will be allowed on trails that are already open to traditional bicycles. Some restrictions apply including that e-bikes can't weigh more than a hundred pounds and that their users can't go over 20-miles-per hour.