We have now been told a man wanted for a shooting in Lehigh County last week is in custody. Police say 26-year-old Adam Sosa was arrested Friday, two days after the shooting outside a home along Welshtown Road in Washington Township. Sosa is accused of shooting a man following an argument over a woman early Wednesday morning. He faces multiple charges including aggravated assault and was sent to Lehigh County Jail under $150,000 bail.
The two Allentown police officers charged this year with rape and sexual assault will remain free on bail while they await trial. Judge Thomas Caffrey denied a request by the district attorney’s office to revoke bail for Jason Krasley and Evan Weaver. Both are accused of raping the same woman while on duty from 2011-2015. Krasley left the Allentown Police Department in 2021, and Weaver was placed on administrative leave after the charges in January. Caffrey says a defendant has a right to bail as long as they are not charged with an offense that carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. These charges don't call for that punishment. Krasley and Weaver are free on $750,000 and $900,000 bail, respectively.
Governor Josh Shapiro paid a visit to Bethlehem Township yesterday. The governor stopped by Farmersville Elementary School to visit students and discuss his plan to address the teacher shortage in Pennsylvania. "In my budget, I've doubled the amount of money that's going to be made available to student teachers to increase it by more than 1,000 student teachers next year," said Shapiro. The governor wants to increase the number of $10,000 stipends available to student teachers, saying doing so would draw more teachers into Pennsylvania classrooms. His budget proposal would increase that pot of money from $20 million to $40 million.
The City of Allentown is selling the old Allentown Bus Terminal property on West Hamilton Street. The city has announced it's accepting sealed bids, with the minimum bid set at $500,000. Those sealed bids must be in by March 28 at 2pm. The property is being sold 'as is', with no warranties or guarantees provided by the city. The bus terminal there closed in February 2023.
A local diner says it's going to begin operating on a round-the-clock schedule once again. Starlite Diner & Lounge has announced that it will operate 24 hours seven days a week beginning Monday, March 10. The diner, along Route 100 in Upper Macungie Township, previously operated 24/7 over 10 years ago and ownership recently decided to resume such hours.
There are now eight headliners announced for this summer's Musikfest. Third Eye Blind will be at the Wind Creek Steel Stage the night of August 8th. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday. Three more headliners remain to be announced.
The Lehigh Valley's own Saquon Barkley is coming home for a Super Bowl celebration. An event honoring the Eagles running back is scheduled for Sunday at the PPL Center. Performances are expected from the cheerleaders and marching band at Whitehall High School, Barkley's alma mater. Tickets for the celebration are $1.50, with proceeds going to the Michael Ann and Saquon Barkley Hope Foundation.
Pennsylvania's Senators are joining together for the commonwealth's mushroom farmers. Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Dave McCormick have reintroduced the Protecting Mushroom Farmers Act, which would require the USDA to conduct a study on offering federally-backed crop insurance for mushroom farms. A companion bill was presented in the House by Pennsylvania Representatives Chrissy Houlahan and Dan Meuser. Fetterman, who called Pennsylvania the "mushroom capital of the world," said the state's mushroom farmers deserve access to the same insurance as so many other producers.
A Republican Assemblyman has introduced a bill to repeal the state's ban on plastic bags. Bergen Assemblyman John Azzariti Junior says there are studies that show the ban passed five years ago has actually led to an increase in plastic waste instead of reducing it. He cites a study by market research firm Freedonia Group that shows plastic consumption in New Jersey has tripled since the ban took effect. His proposal follows an executive order by President Trump that directs federal agencies to stop using paper straws.
Jersey Shore beach badge prices have been announced for this summer, including daily and season pass options. Most New Jersey beaches require paid badges or tags. Prices range from daily passes for $3.50 to season passes that cost $200. Several communities offer pre-season discounts for season passes. Veterans receive a free pass at more than a dozen beaches. Seniors and visitors with disabilities are also offered discounts, while children are usually allowed in for free.
New Jersey election officials have dropped from the voter rolls more than 224,600 inactive voters who have missed federal elections. The updated rolls means Democrats outnumber Republicans by 834,000, a drop from the previous count that showed more than one-million more Democrats than Republicans in the state. Voters who believe they've been incorrectly removed from the voter rolls should contact their county election office.
Former assistant U.S. Attorney John Giordano has been sworn in as acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey. He'll hold the office for a maximum of 120 days. Giordano is a member of President Trump's transition team and has close ties to the White House. He replaces Vikas Khanna, who became acting U.S. Attorney in December.
The Eagles are moving on from a veteran defensive back. ESPN reported on Monday that the defending champions are releasing Darius Slay. The transaction will be designated as a post-June 1st cut, which means Philly will save nearly four-and-a-half-million dollars in salary cap space. The six-time Pro Bowler joined the City of Brotherly Love five years ago and had 13 passes defended in 14 games this past season. Slay was originally selected by the Lions in the second round of the 2013 draft and has 28 career interceptions.