A man accused of two murders in New Philadelphia, Schuylkill County, last October was back in front of a judge Wednesday. Wednesday's preliminary hearing for the man charged in their deaths, 19-year-old Lamour Branch, was emotional, with the mothers of 18-year-old Hunter Mock and 16-year-old Angelito Caraballo both in the courtroom. Branch is facing 22 charges, including first- and third-degree murder. All were affirmed by the judge, and Branch will continue to be held behind bars without bond.
A volunteer firefighter in Nazareth was arrested earlier this week for allegedly sending explicit pictures to an undercover officer. Authorities say 38-year-old Mark Morella Junior sent the photos to who he thought was a 15-year-old boy, and was caught on Monday trying to meet up with him. Police said Morella injured three officers with his vehicle while trying to flee before he was taken into custody. He faces several charges.
A vibrant walk-thru featuring holiday lights is coming to the Lehigh Valley. Lehigh Valley IronPigs announced Wednesday that "Illumination" will light Coca-Cola Park this winter. The event, presented by Service Electric, will begin Nov. 15 and will run until Jan. 4, for 44 nights of holiday magic. The light show, running from 6 - 9 p.m. each night, will feature over one million lights. It will run every 15 minutes to synchronized music. IronPigs officials say stadium lights will come alive in harmony with the holiday music. Guests will be able to roast s'mores at fire pits located around the ballpark concourse and enjoy special holiday food creations and winter cocktails, organizers say. There will also be a Christmas vendor village and holiday shop and a heated winter Oasis bar. Carolers are also expected to fill the ballpark with holiday favorites on select nights. Pre-purchased admission is $11 for November and $13 for dates in December and January. Tickets purchased during the same day for that night’s event are $13 for November and $15 for December and January.
Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger is pushing back against claims that local officers abandoned their post at the AGR building during the Trump rally. In a letter issued yesterday, Goldinger said some of the statements Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris made to members of Congress this week were not entirely accurate. The DA claims one of the county sniper team members who was assigned to the interior of the building briefly went outside to look for the suspicious person who ended up being gunman Thomas Crooks. That officer came back soon after when he couldn't find Crooks, meaning he was performing his assigned duties during that entire time, according to Goldinger. A PSP spokesperson says they stand by the commissioner's testimony and the investigation into the shooting is still ongoing.
Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis is addressing the possibility that he could be leading the state in the near future. Davis said he recognizes that his job means he could be Governor one day, and is ready to serve if that day comes. Davis would be in line for a promotion in Governor Josh Shapiro is selected as Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate. He said he's excited at the possibility of Shapiro being on the ticket, calling him a tremendous public servant.
A review of internet searches show only three other states have had more people looking at ways to bet on this fall's presidential election. But, wagering on politics is not legal in Pennsylvania so many people turn to overseas sites. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board's Doug harbach has a word of warning for those people. "There's nothing in these off-shore sites that protects the customer coming in. You may get some attractive odds, but at the same time, there's nobody watching where your money is going and whether or not it's going to come back to you correctly," Harbach says.
For the first time in more than ten years, the Wells Fargo Center will have a new name in 2025. Officials announced yesterday that the bank has decided not to renew its naming rights contract with the arena. Comcast Spectator owns the building and is searching for a new business partner for the future. The sports arena first opened in 1996.