All indications point to a rematch this November in the race for Northampton County district attorney. Unofficial results from last Tuesday's primary election show incumbent DA Terry Houck pulling in 1468 Republican write-in votes, well beyond the 250 votes Houck needed to earn a spot on the November ballot. The Republicans did not field a primary candidate and Northampton County GOP Chair Glenn Geissinger has said the party will not support Houck’s candidacy. Houck lost the Democratic primary by about 2200 votes to ex-judge Stephen Baratta.
The man suspected in the murders of four University of Idaho students was read the murder charges against him Monday. Bryan Kohberger appeared in court where his attorney told the judge that he would be "standing silent." That means the defendant does not make a guilty or not-guilty plea but has the same outcome as pleading not guilty. The judge entered a "not guilty" plea for the 28-year-old Washington State University graduate student. Kohberger's trial is set to begin October 2nd and is expected to last six weeks. A grand jury indicted Kohberger in the brutal murders of the students at their college house last November.
Lehigh County and its jail health care provider are being sued by a former inmate. Sarah Jackson claims during her time behind bars in 2021 she was subjected to months of isolation and failed to receive appropriate treatment, causing her irreparable harm. Jackson, who has bipolar disorder, says her constitutional rights were violated by both the county and PrimeCare Medical. The lawsuit doesn’t specify the amount of money Jackson is seeking in damages. Lehigh County officials say they don't comment on pending litigation.
Officials have identified the man and woman killed in a weekend crash in Carbon County. 42-year-old Michael Brunell and 44-year-old Amy Hollenbach both died in the crash that happened around 2:30 Sunday afternoon at Forest Inn and Hill roads in Towamensing Township. Investigators say a car heading south crossed over into the oncoming lane and hit the motorcycle and then dragged it across the road.
The Bethlehem Township Planning Commission has given a thumbs up for an apartment complex proposed along Easton Avenue. The project calls for two apartment buildings containing a total of 96 units. The property is currently a salvage yard.
State agriculture officials are urging residents to be on the lookout for returning spotted lanternflies. The invasive bugs are starting to come to life once again this spring, like other insects. Penn State's extension office has information on identifying, reporting, and disposing of the lanternflies to help minimize their impact on the local economy. Experts say the Chinese-native bugs can destroy grape vines, fruit trees, and other plants. Search extension-dot-P-S-U-dot-E-D-U for more information.
A Pennsylvania girl is doing well after being bitten by a shark along the Jersey Shore this past weekend. Fifteen-year-old Maggie Drozdowski was surfing Sunday afternoon off Stone Harbor when the incident occurred. "My whole body was in the water. I was just resting and then I felt something at my foot. It pulled me down into the water. It hurt, but I felt pressure and I felt its teeth around the bottom of my foot. My whole foot was in its mouth," the girl says. She was left with lacerations on her left foot and calf that required six stitches. While the beaches are still open in Stone Harbor, officials are warning everyone to be cautious.