Lehigh Valley Health Network has seen a class action suit filed against it after photos of cancer patients were posted on the internet in a ransomware attack. A Philadelphia law firm claims LVHN prioritized money over patient privacy by refusing to pay the ransom demanded by hackers from the group BlackCat. The suit states that LVHN engaged in the "knowing, reckless and willful, decision to let the hackers post the nude images of their client, who is from Lackawanna County, and others to the internet. It also accuses the health network of “publicly patting itself on the back for standing up to the hackers” but “consciously and intentionally ignoring the real victims.” The suit does not name a monetary amount being sought for damages.
A 19-year-old Quakertown woman is dead after crashing into a Quakertown railroad crossing pole. Ashley Kulick was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the Monday morning accident. The crash happened just before 6am in the first block of state Route 313. Kulick was traveling east when, for an unknown reason, her SUV went off the road, climbed a curb and struck a concrete block just under the pole.
The Northampton Area High School is closed to in-school instruction today after a reported threat was written on a bathroom stall wall. Bethlehem Area Vo-Tech School students should not report to the school, while dual enrollment students can still go to Northampton Community College. Northampton Area High School students will have a remote learning day, with the school scheduled to reopen Wednesday with an increased police presence. The high school administration and police are investigating the threat.
Demolition has begun on Stefano's restaurant on Linden Street in Bethlehem. Plans for the property include a new, smaller restaurant and 61 apartments, to be known as Linden Place, in the rear of the property. The 61 units will be 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments, ranging from 820 square feet to 1,100 square feet.
A former Easton policeman is accused of assaulting a woman last week inside his Bethlehem Township home. Vincenzo Bruneo allegedly threw something at the woman, breaking her nose in two places. The 53-year-old Bruneo, who retired from the force in August 2021, is free on $20,000 bail.
Wells Fargo is closing its Bethlehem branch on Easton Avenue on June 7th. Wells Fargo says the branch in a strip mall at Rodgers Street and Easton Avenue is being closed as the bank continues to evaluate its branch network in light of economic needs, the increase of digital banking, market factors and economic trends.
Eight of 11 Wind Creek Steel Stage headliners for this year's Musikfest have now been announced. Musikfest announced R&B is coming to the Steel Stage the night of Tuesday, August 8th. Keith Sweat and Monica are coming to Bethlehem on night six of the festival. Tickets go on sale to the general public this Friday morning.
A Nor'easter will dump a lot of snow to our north, but here the issue will be strong winds. "They're going to be sustained in the 15-25 miles per hour range all day long. But, there will be some gusts later this morning and afternoon that will be hitting 40-45 miles per hour. So, wind is going to be the biggest headache we're going to have to deal with, not just today, but tonight and tomorrow as well," says Accu-Weather's Joe Lundberg. He says it's not out of the question that we pick up a coating to an inch of wet, slushy, snow today into this evening.
More court documents are being revealed in the case of Bryan Kohberger, the Poconos man accused of killing four University of Idaho students. Recent court documents showed prosecutors issued warrants for several big companies including Amazon, American Express and Google. The documents are sealed but experts assume the warrants were issued as part of a thorough investigation into Kohberger's spendings prior to the crime. A search warrant completed at Kohberger's family's home in the Poconos revealed he was in possession of a couple of knives and all-black clothing.
Pennsylvania House Democrats are now admitting their caucus knew about a sexual harassment allegation against Delaware County St. Rep. Mike Zabel in 2019. Leading Democratic lawmakers were reportedly told by a lobbyist in 2019 that Zabel inappropriately touched her, but apparently no action was taken against Zabel, whose resignation is effective Thursday. He announced his resignation last week after fellow St. Rep. Abby Major claimed Zabel sexually harassed her last fall. Two other women have made similar allegations.
Governor Murphy says New Jersey is ready for the winter storm that is dumping snow and rain on the Garden State, though the storm is not considered a snow event. There's potential for significant snow across the northernmost part of the state. The governor has declared a state of emergency for Morris, Sussex, Warren, eastern Passaic and western Bergen counties. The highest amounts are forecast for Sussex County, where six to twelve inches are expected to fall. Damaging winds up to 50-miles-an-hour are also forecast today and tomorrow, creating possible power outages. Commercial vehicles are restricted on several roadways, including the entire length of I-78 from the Pennsylvania border to the New Jersey Turnpike. In addition, Murphy says there will be a two hour delay for the opening of state offices today.
Parts of New Jersey are bracing for the nor'easter that's bringing snow and heavy rain to the state. Dozens of flights at Newark's Liberty International Airport have been delayed or canceled over the last 24 hours because of the high winds and poor visibility.
NFL free agency has begun and the Eagles have been hit hard. Defensive lineman Javon Hargrave has signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Linebacker T.J. Edwards is headed to Chicago. Safety Marcus Epps leaves for the Raiders. Offensive lineman Andre Dillard has signed with Tennessee. The longest tenured athlete in Philadelphia is staying however. Brandon Graham has agreed to a one-year contract to remain in Philadelphia and All-Pro center Jason Kelce says he's returning for a 13th season in Philadelphia.