An elderly man is being charged with sexually assaulting a teenager. Eighty-year-old Dennis Kochenash is accused of assaulting a 14-year-old in Lehigh and Bradford counties in 2024. Authorities said he communicated with the teen for several months prior to the assaults. He was taken into custody on Wednesday in Bradford County and is awaiting extradition to Lehigh County. The investigation is ongoing.
First responders were called to a Lehigh County high school yesterday after a student reportedly released pepper spray. The East Penn School District said a student discharged pepper spray during a confrontation with another student in the cafeteria at Emmaus High School. There were no reports of injuries. East Penn is investigating, with the school district noting pepper spray is considered a weapon and strictly prohibited on school property.
One person is in the hospital after they were hit by a vehicle in Bethlehem last night. Police say the person was struck near North New Street and Union Boulevard shortly before 7:30 pm. Their condition remains unknown. Authorities are investigating.
The Christmas season is officially over at Coca-Cola Park, where workers have begun the long task of taking down more than one million Christmas lights that made up the ballpark's Illumination display. The IronPigs' Sam Jellinek says the process isn't quick. "It'll be a couple weeks from when we starting tearing it down and when you'll be able to recognize it's a baseball field again," Jellinek says. He says crews of 40-50 people have the task of converting the winter wonderland back into a ballfield.
Phillipsburg, New Jersey says your money is no good here anymore. Effective April 1st, cash payments will no longer be accepted for municipal fees like sewer and utility bills, parking passes, marriage certificates and dog licenses. Those bills will only be paid for with check or money order, credit or debit cards, or online after that date. Phillipsburg officials say about 14 percent of people pay municipal bills with cash currently.
It's official: Gov. Josh Shapiro wants another term. In a campaign kickoff video, Shapiro says, "Together, we've gotten a whole lot done on issues that have been stuck for decades, but there's always more to do. More people to help. More Pennsylvanians to protect. More bridges to build. We're moving our commonwealth forward. So join me and let's keep getting stuff done," the governor says. Shapiro plans re-election campaign kickoff events today in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano says he's staying out of the governor's race. The Republican confirmed yesterday that he is not planning to enter this year's election. Mastriano was the GOP candidate for governor in 2022, losing the race to Democrat Josh Shapiro. He didn't rule out another run in the future.
Senator John Fetterman thinks the U.S. should acquire Greenland. The Pennsylvania Democrat posted on social media that he believes "Greenland has massive strategic benefits for the United States." Fetterman said "ideally" the United States would purchase Greenland, and he would not support acquiring the Danish territory by force. Fetterman suggests purchasing Greenland would be similar to the 1803 Louisiana Purchase and buying Alaska in 1867. His remarks align with President Trump's push to take over the territory despite pushback from officials overseas.
Officials with the Adventure Aquarium in Camden are asking for the public's help in naming one of the newest members of their family. Aquarium officials say the third African penguin chick has hatched and has joined siblings Oscar and Duffy, who were born last month. They've narrowed the choices to Flounder, Scrappy, Zero and Toothless. Voters can cast their ballots in-person through January 19th at donation boxes around the aquarium.