A messy winter weather day is expected today in the Lehigh Valley and up into the Poconos. "We've got a Winter Weather Advisory today until 1pm in the Lehigh Valley and until 6pm for the Poconos," says Accu-Weather's Joe Lundberg. He expects snow to mix with sleet and rain before changing over to all rain this afternoon. Before that changeover, there could be two-to-four inches of snow, with higher amounts in the Poconos.
Penn-DOT is issuing vehicle restrictions for several highways in the area due to the winter weather this morning. The department says Tier One restrictions are in place on I-80 and I-180 along with I-84, U.S. 22, and the Northeast Extension. Under Tier One restrictions, vehicles like motorcycles, RVs, and buses are not allowed on the road. Passenger vehicles and loaded commercial vehicles are permitted, but the speed limit will be lowered to 45 miles-per-hour.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is declaring a state of emergency ahead of today's nor'easter. It's predicted to bring a mix of snow, sleet and rain starting early in the morning. Murphy's declaration covers five northern New Jersey counties: Sussex, Morris, Warren, Hunterdon and Passaic where Winter Storm Advisories are already in place. The National Weather Service says Sussex could get hit with three to six inches in the first major snowfall of the season. Forecasters say it'll start in time for the morning commute, generating snowfall rates of up to an inch per hour in some northwestern locations before changing over to rain and sleet later in the day.
A Northampton County man is facing charges for allegedly issuing fraudulent inspection stickers to first responders. Police say Creed Sadler issued nine forged inspection stickers to ambulances and other vehicles at the Nazareth Regional Ambulance Corps, where he worked as a mechanic. Sadler reportedly gave officers conflicting stories on how the vehicles were inspected. The Nazareth Regional Ambulance Corps said it had no prior knowledge of Sadler's alleged activities, adding that all emergency vehicles have been verified as safe for operation.
Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick was at Fort Indiantown Gap on Monday. McCormick's visit comes after a recent report that the base is the largest National Guard training institution in the country. The Republican said more than 100-thousand soldiers from around the world come to Fort Indiantown Gap to train every year. McCormick added that he wanted to visit the base to show support following the shooting in Washington D.C. last week that left one National Guard member dead and another with serious injuries.
Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill has named her running mate and Lieutenant Governor-elect Dale Caldwell as New Jersey's next Secretary of State. Sherrill says Caldwell's background makes him a perfect fit for the role, which encompasses community leadership, urban education and economic development. For his part, Caldwell says he plans to focus on three priorities: Supporting small businesses, strengthening culture and tourism and protecting election security in New Jersey.
Trump Administration officials say they expect to appeal a ruling yesterday that said President Trump's former personal lawyer Alina Habba is unlawfully serving as U.S. attorney for New Jersey. A lower court's findings were upheld by a panel of three judges. The panel said the government's theory that Habba can serve as the de facto U.S. Attorney indefinitely "is so broad that it bypasses the constitutional process entirely." Habba was named interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey earlier this year, an appointment that expired after 120 days.
Penn State football's coaching search appears to be focused on one name. ESPN reports the Nittany Lions are pursuing BYU's Kalani Sitake to succeed James Franklin as head coach. BYU is 83-and-44 during Sitake's tenure and will face Texas Tech in the Big 12 championship on Saturday with an automatic spot in the playoff on the line. Sitake said this week the reports are a "good sign," because it means things are going well for his Cougars.
The home of the Eagles' offensive coordinator has been targeted. According to the Moorestown Police Department, Kevin Patullo's New Jersey home was vandalized with eggs early Saturday morning. A representative clarified eggs were thrown after a video surfaced on social media of multiple people throwing objects at the house. The investigation is still ongoing. Philadelphia leads the NFC East at 8-and-4 and visits the Chargers in Week 14 on Monday Night Football.