Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk says there could be changes to parking enforcement responsibilities in his city. "What we want to do is understand what our options look like. I think there's certainly the option where enforcement of parking is returned to the City of Allentown," Tuerk says. Tonight, the mayor will ask Allentown City Council for $10,000 to conduct a feasibility study on the parking authority’s operations, including the potential city takeover. Currently, the Allentown Parking Authority is an independent organization with a board of directors, which is not appointed by the mayor's office. The authority has been criticized by residents upset with issues ranging from receiving tickets on private property to over-enforcement in residential areas.
There's labor harmony in one local school district. The Saucon Valley School District Board of Directors approved a five-year contract with the Saucon Valley Education Association on Tuesday night. The deal runs from July 1 through June 30, 2028. In year one of the deal, teacher salaries will range from $57,182 and $99,965, out to year five when the salary will be a low of $65,182 and a high of $107,965.
A Slate Belt woman remains behind bars after she allegedly attacked a man on crutches, slicing the victim with a knife, beating him with a crutch and pointing a rifle at him during the attack. Lourdes Eyer is accused of the Sunday night assault at a home on Potomac Street in Upper Mount Bethel Township. State police say the victim had injuries from head to toe. No motive for the attack has been given.
Three more African penguins now call the Lehigh Valley Zoo home. Six-year-old Cogsworth and LeFou and 3-year-old Lumiere arrived at the zoo in early February and were quarantined for health reasons, but they've now joined the 11 other penguins already at the zoo. The three new penguins come to the Lehigh Valley from the Maryland Zoo.
A Lehigh Valley lawmaker expects railroad companies to act fast to repair train beds in the area. St. Rep. Pete Schweyer says he and Emmaus Borough officials have contacted Norfolk Southern and other train companies to let them know how much erosion is taking place where the rails meet the ground on some area tracks. Schweyer expects the railroads to get the work done soon as it could contribute to the beds washing out. He says the companies know they're under increased scrutiny after the massive derailment in February on the Pennsylvania/Ohio border.
A local state lawmaker is pushing an effort in Pennsylvania for term limits in the U.S. Congress. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie is sponsoring a resolution in Pennsylvania for such a proposal convention. The U.S. Constitution deems that state legislatures can team up for a convention to propose congressional term limits. The resolution was introduced in the state House Friday with nine sponsors. 25 state lawmakers have signed a term limits pledge promising to vote in support of the measure.
Members of the state Capitol Police force are now fully-equipped with body cameras. Police Superintendent Joseph Jacob said in a statement that cameras will ensure that agency policies are being followed in public interactions. He adds that the cameras will also help identify duty areas that can be improved and to strengthen the relationship between officers and community members.
Pennsylvania is one step closer to allowing doorless driving for vehicles like Jeeps and Broncos on its roads. Senate Bill 298 was passed unanimously by the State Senate on Tuesday, bringing the Keystone State closer to aligning with the rest of the country on doorless driving freedoms. Currently, it is illegal to drive without doors on Pennsylvania roads, except for off-roading. Pennsylvania is the only state in the country where this is still prohibited.
Rutter's, a privately held convenience store chain, has unveiled its plans for future expansion that will span over the next 100 years. The chain currently operates 82 locations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia. The company plans to continue its expansion outside of its central home state of Pennsylvania, with new locations in eastern and western Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Delaware. The new locations will feature walk-in 29-degree beer caves, wine offerings, seating for more than 30 customers.
A serviceman from Ford City, Pennsylvania has been accounted for nearly 80 years after he served in World War Two. Federal officials from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said Monday that the remains of First Lieutenant William B. Montgomery were confirmed in January. He was with the U.S. Army Air Forces and was killed at the age of 24. Officials say his plane crashed over the English coast after it was hit over Versailles, France in the summer of 1944. Montgomery will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
The Eagles are shaking up their backfield. ESPN reports Rashaad Penny agreed to a one-year deal with Philadelphia on Tuesday. The running back had 346 yards and two touchdowns last season before breaking his leg in Week Five. The addition could signal the end of Miles Sanders being the lead back in Philly. The free agent Tweeted, "To the city of Philadelphia: thank you from the bottom of my heart."