Two Allentown police officers face charges of forcing prostitutes to perform sex acts. In a report on WFMZ, another anonymous policeman says it goes far beyond just that and it is not a well-kept secret within the department. "This has been known. It's been going on. It's been let go. It's been covered," the unidentified cop says. The officer tells WFMZ during the execution of a 2018 search warrant, some items were allegedly taken by Allentown vice officers, but weren't listed on the search warrant receipt. One of those items was allegedly a large bucket of change, which became known as the "Juan Fund", named after the man arrested. That officer says those officers used that change to buy soda from office vending machines and would always say, "Thanks, Juan. This one's on you, Juan." The anonymous cop also says Juan claimed there was $20,000-$25,000 seized in the raid that never appeared on official paperwork.
The Lehigh County Coroner's Office has identified the man killed in a Tuesday night accident. 32-year-old Krishan Kumar, of Breinigsville, was a passenger in a vehicle that collided with a tractor-trailer at Route 100 and Schaefer Run Road in Upper Macungie Township shortly after seven o'clock Tuesday night. The car was driven by a 31-year-old Easton resident. The tractor-trailer driver was a Florida man. Authorities are investigating.
Pocono Mountain Regional Police are investigating a Thursday morning crash that killed a Scranton man. 45-year-old Michael Cieciorka, was killed in the single-vehicle crash that happened around 1:30 Thursday morning on Memorial Boulevard in Coolbaugh Township.
The former Brass Rail Restaurant on Lehigh Street in Allentown has been demolished. The restaurant, which closed in 2022 after 91 years, reopened in 2024 in the Allentown Farmers Market. A Wawa has been proposed to replace the old restaurant.
There's a new dining option for shoppers at the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market. The Market Grille, which is operated by owners of Red Barn Family Produce, opened up Thursday in the spot vacated in November by Scotty's Shore Shack. It will seat about 50 people and feature a menu that includes pierogies, chicken wings, salads, wraps and more.
The Allentown Art Museum is displaying pieces made by children from the Crayola archives. Called "Dream Makers: A Creative Legacy", the feature is opening now, during Crayola Creativity Week. The collection includes over 50 vintage paintings, collages, and mixed-media works, some of which are up to 40 years old. The exhibit will remain open through March second.
ZooAmerica in Hershey is relocating much of its bird population to avoid the spread of avian flu. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and State Game Commission, along with the state veterinarian, recommended the move out of precaution. The zoo says the impacted species include bald eagles, red-tailed hawk, screech owl, peregrine falcon, snowy owl, and wild turkeys. Other species will remain on site as they are either not as susceptible or in more secluded areas.
In another blow to New Jersey's renewable energy plans, Shell New Energies has announced it's withdrawing its support for Atlantic Shores South. Shell says it's writing off one-billion dollars in losses. Nevertheless, the developer -- Atlantic Shores -- says it's continuing with the project. Shell's decision comes a week after President Trump signed an executive order blocking new leases and permits for onshore and offshore wind projects. Atlantic Shores South is the only offshore wind project in New Jersey to have obtained all of its permits before Trump signed his order. Under the plan for Atlantic Shores South, transmission lines would make first landfall in Sea Girt and underground cables would run north through Wall, Howell and Manasquan.