Patricia Rorrer’s fifth appeal for her 1998 murder conviction ended the same way the previous four did...with a denial. Lehigh County Judge Anna-Kristie Marks denied Rorrer’s appeal in the murder of Joann Katrinak, of Catasauqua, and her infant son Alex in 1994. She was convicted in 1998 and issued a pair of life sentences. Rorrer, who was the ex-girlfriend of Katrinak’s husband, Andrew, claims her defense attorneys were not privy to all evidence, including notes taken by an analyst which stated hairs removed from Katrinak's car were naturally blonde, while Rorrer's hair was dyed blonde.
Penn State Lehigh Valley is temporarily closed following a fire yesterday. The fire ignited in the bookstore, but crews were able to keep it from spreading. University officials say that on-campus classes are canceled until further notice, which will be made on the Penn State Lehigh Valley website.
According to AAA East Central, the average price of a gallon of gas in Pennsylvania is two cents lower than a week earlier. Across the commonwealth, the price as of Tuesday stood at $3.64 a gallon, which is identical to the June 18, 2023 price. In the Lehigh Valley, the average price is $3.55, one penny lower than a week ago and three cents below last June's price.
It's another sign of the summer, spotted lanternflies are out and about in northeast Pennsylvania. And the state of Pennsylvania wants you to destroy them. The Department of Agriculture says the lanternflies are a nuisance, there's even a quarantine for northeastern Pennsylvania to try and contain them. The state says you should destroy the flies and their egg clutches once those appear later this fall. The hope to is contain the flies, and protect more trees across Pennsylvania.
Senator Bob Menendez left a federal courtroom yesterday seemingly upbeat after hearing testimony from New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger. Sellinger finished his second day of testimony yesterday as the trial entered its sixth week. Last week, Sellinger testified that Menendez wanted to discuss the prosecution of a developer before the senator recommended him for his job. Yesterday, Sellinger testified he never believed Menendez asked him to do anything improper or unethical. The trial resumes tomorrow after its pause for the Juneteenth holiday.