The Mayor of Allentown wants to void the contract of the person hired to investigate City Hall. Mayor Matt Tuerk claims the City Council did not follow procurement procedures required by the state in the contract with former FBI agent Scott Curtis. The mayor believes the contract is seriously flawed and the city council is not sourcing the investigation appropriately. Councilmember Ed Zucal says they did not need to follow the procedures, as Curtis is working with the city through a letter of engagement.
Two juveniles are in custody for allegedly stealing a vehicle. Allentown police say the vehicle was stolen early yesterday morning on the 600 block of Chew Street, and was later found by officers near North Seventh. The juveniles were pulled over and taken into custody. They are facing several charges.
Several cooling stations are opening in Allentown for residents that need relief from the heat this week. Among the locations will be the public library, the Senior Center at West and Elm, and the Executive Education Academy Charter School. In addition, city pools will be only open to residents and free of charge. Lehigh County residents looking for a cooling station can go to the County Emergency Management website and sign up for Code Red.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers say they confiscated two firearms at the Lehigh Valley International Airport checkpoint just two days apart. Last Friday, a Jim Thorpe man was arrested after officers detected a 9mm handgun among the man’s carry-on items. Then on Sunday, a Paupack man was cited by after officers intercepted a .380 caliber handgun loaded with six bullets, including one in the chamber. The firearms were detected by the checkpoint X-ray unit. Local police were notified and the firearms were confiscated. Passengers may only transport firearms for a flight if packed properly, meaning unloaded and placed in a hard-sided case and then locked inside the case. The gun should also be taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared. TSA may issue a financial civil fine to passengers who bring a firearm to a TSA checkpoint. The civil penalty for bringing weapons to checkpoints can go as high as $15,000.
State police are investigating a shooting in part of Schuylkill County Sunday night. Troopers say a woman was shot along the 500 block of West Main Street in Ringtown around 9 p.m. She was flown to a hospital; there is no word yet on her condition. Officials say it is an isolated incident, and there is no threat to the public.
Chestnuthill Township's new trailhead is open. Supervisors cut the ribbon yesterday on the Little Mexico Trailhead near Brodheadsville. Supervisor Chuck Gould says the trail is perfect for walks, bird-watching, and other low-intensity outdoor excursions. The township used grant money from the state and county to make the trailhead possible. This is Chestnuthill Township's third trailhead that connects to the 760 acres that township supervisors have bought over the years for recreation.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is recalling nearly 30,000 pounds of contaminated cookie dough sold at retailers nationwide. The cookie dough, which was sold at retailers such as Sam’s Club and Costco, as well as distributed to cafes such as Panera Bread, was contaminated with Salmonella. According to the FDA, the recalled cookie dough was distributed to several states, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Although the recall was first initiated last month, the FDA has upgraded it to a Class II recall, meaning that it can cause “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.” The following products are included in the most up-to-date recall: Costco Chocolate Chunk Frozen Cookie Dough; Member’s Mark Chocolate Chunk; Panera Chocolate Chipper Cookie; Rise Baking Jumbo Chocolate Chunk Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie dough pucks.
Stevie Nicks will make up her show in Hershey this fall. The rock icon is now scheduled to play at Hersheypark Stadium on September 28th. Nicks was supposed to perform in Hershey last weekend, but had to postpone the show due to illness. The tickets for that concert will be good for the September date.
While it's still a few months away, we already know of one big change at the Bloomsburg Fair. Beer will be sold at the fair for the first time this year. Organizers say the fair is partnering with Yuengling, and drinks will be available inside the grandstand. This year's Bloomsburg Fair runs September 20 through 28.
The attorney for Democratic power broker George Norcross says his client is the victim of a political vendetta. Yesterday, State Attorney General Matt Platkin announced an indictment against George Norcross. He's accused of illegally obtaining property and rights to the waterfront in Camden and having influence on government officials for the last 12 years. Norcross's brother and several others are charged as well. Norcross once served on the Democratic National Committee and has had a big influence on state policy and legislation in New Jersey. He called Platkin a coward and said he wants Platkin to try the case himself. Norcross accused the state attorney of forcing people to implement his will.