Local News: Top News

Water tankers rumbling through Cetronia day and night

Dan Hartzell — Mon, 28 May 2012 03:16:34 GMT

Q: Big-rig-size water tankers have been rumbling along Haines Mill Road in South Whitehall at all hours of the day and night for many weeks. What is the reason for this noisy and intrusive inconvenience? Why don't the drivers stick to the main roads?

Joe Bonham Project of wounded in war on tour

By Nicole Radzievich ", Of The Morning Call — Mon, 28 May 2012 03:13:00 GMT

Named for wounded warrior of literature, project reveals Americans returning from war.

Rob Bates doesn't come across as a typical combat artist. He's not sharing battle memories like the moment he had his "bell rung" after his Humvee took a hit in Afghanistan.

World War II commando from Emmaus recalls combat

An interview by David Venditta , Of The Morning Call — Mon, 28 May 2012 03:08:00 GMT

Bert Winzer, the son of florists, graduated from Emmaus High School in 1940 and made twine at an Allentown jute mill until the Army drafted him during World War II.

Allentown's Bob Wood celebrated with hunger campaign

By Scott Kraus , Of The Morning Call — Sun, 27 May 2012 23:49:47 GMT

Food service executive Bob Wood raised money for many causes.

When Allentown philanthropist and businessman Bob Wood died in October of cancer, some wondered how local charities would replace his well-known generosity.

Boys Like Girls hits please Mayfair crowd, but new songs are best

By John J. Moser, Of The Morning Call — Sun, 27 May 2012 02:58:00 GMT

Chiddy Bang, Chris Rene turn in solid performances

Except for last weekend's Bamboozle festival in New Jersey, pop-punk band Boys Like Girls hadn't played publicly in 18 months before B104 Night, Friday's centerpiece concert of Allentown's Mayfair festival at Cedar Beach. And it hasn't had a new album in three years.

Politics As usual

Sun, 27 May 2012 02:57:23 GMT

House bill would defund Planned Parenthood

Newsmaker Q&A: Tim Poff

By Irene Kraft , Of The Morning Call — Sun, 27 May 2012 02:56:36 GMT

Last Sunday, Easton hosted the Pennsylvania Regional Convention of the Alliance of Guardian Angels. During the two-day event, the Easton chapter of the organization of volunteer citizen crime patrollers was named Chapter of the Year. In addition, its leader, Tim Poff , 50, of Easton, a retired corrections officer, was named Leader of the Year. Curtis Sliwa, who founded the Guardian Angels 33 years ago in New York City, came to Easton for the awards ceremony. Poff, who has been involved with the Easton chapter since its inception, is this subject of this Q&A.

Treatment center for veterans to shut down

By Tim Darragh, Of The Morning Call — Sun, 27 May 2012 02:56:00 GMT

Veterans Sanctuary, a 32-bed unit, was losing almost $40,000 a month.

A unique in-patient treatment center in Allentown for veterans suffering from addiction and stress-related disorders that opened to great fanfare last year is shutting down.

Tattooed job-seekers may have tough time getting hired

By Sam Kennedy, Of The Morning Call — Sun, 27 May 2012 02:50:00 GMT

Tattoos can be a barrier to employment in the Lehigh Valley, as young people are finding out the hard way.

Ariel Rivera, back home from college, thought she'd landed the perfect summer job — until the topic of conversation turned to tattoos.

Big tax refund leads to bigger problem

Paul Muschick — Sun, 27 May 2012 02:49:57 GMT

The IRS charges interest on an excessive refund it had made in error.

Just when I think I can't top the last clueless government story I heard, I hear from people like Jim Brasted and Bonnie Strunk Brasted.

Pennsylvania natural gas interests spent $1.3 million on lobbying

By John L. Micek, Call Harrisburg Bureau — Sun, 27 May 2012 01:30:50 GMT

State records show how much was spent during debate on a new impact fee for the natural gas industry.

— Five of Pennsylvania's largest natural gas drilling interests spent a staggering $1.3 million to lobby state government from January through March as lawmakers and the Corbett administration worked to approve a new impact fee on the industry.

Point/Counterpoint: Is REAL ID necessary?

Sun, 27 May 2012 01:21:34 GMT

CHATTER

Freedom High special education students make academic and social gains via drama class

By Steve Esack , Of The Morning Call — Sun, 27 May 2012 01:12:00 GMT

Freedom High teacher uses drama to improve learning and lives of special education students.

Ron Danyi has been Bradley Hagerty's teacher for four years.

Volunteer Opportunities

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:51:01 GMT

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

COPLAY PUBLIC LIBRARY needs volunteers to help with summer fundraising events in our 50th anniversary year. Fun event schedule includes a Family Fun Day, Community Days, and Summer Reading Program Activities. Various dates/times – July 21, Aug. 25-26, June-August. Flexible schedule. Minimum age of 13 years. Contact: Kimberly Shelly, 610-262-7351.

Widow of Flight 93 pilot dies unexpectedly

Sat, 26 May 2012 21:10:13 GMT

DENVER (AP) — The 52-year-old widow of the man who captained a United Airlines flight that crashed into a Pennsylvania field after being taken over by terrorists on 9/11 has died of what the fundraising group she founded says was natural causes.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett gets bill aimed at protecting student-athletes

By John L. Micek, Call Harrisburg Bureau — Sat, 26 May 2012 01:59:39 GMT

Legislation mandates training, awareness for "sudden cardiac arrest" syndrome.

— Legislation aimed at protecting student-athletes from "sudden cardiac arrest syndrome" is on its way to Gov. Tom Corbett's desk.

Dog attacks up in Pennsylvania

By James McGinnis, Of Bucks County Courier Times — Sat, 26 May 2012 01:57:56 GMT

Postal workers not surprised; children, elderly most at risk.

LEVITTOWN — The screen door flew open but the Great Dane just stood there.

Lower Macungie sues residents who challenged Jaindl-related zoning changes

By Patrick Lester , Of The Morning Call — Sat, 26 May 2012 01:48:53 GMT

The township claims the group has failed to pay $5,700 for zoning proceeding.

A group of Lower Macungie residents that took the township to court over zoning changes benefiting Jaindl Land Co. is now on the receiving end of a lawsuit.

$28,000 spent so far against Allentown tax zone

By Andrew McGill , Of The Morning Call — Sat, 26 May 2012 01:48:29 GMT

Hanover Township has at least $70,000 that suburbs can use to topple Allentown zone.

Hanover Township and its allies have spent $28,000 opposing the Neighborhood Improvement Zone in Allentown, records show.

Allentown school taxes could rise nearly 5%

By Steve Esack , Of The Morning Call — Sat, 26 May 2012 01:41:52 GMT

Superintendent blames governor for district's poor finances and directors spar over impact of teacher pensions on the budget.

The Allentown School Board on Thursday approved a proposed $235 million spending plan for 2012-13 that includes a nearly 5 percent tax hike.

Jerry Sandusky's The Second Mile charity closing

By Peter Hall, Of The Morning Call — Sat, 26 May 2012 01:22:26 GMT

The Second Mile wants to shift programs, $2.5 million to another youth organization.

The charity for troubled children Jerry Sandusky founded in 1977 — where prosecutors say the retired Penn State football coach met boys he is charged with molesting — asked a judge Friday for permission to transfer its programs and millions in assets to another youth organization.

Veterans, military visit Steckel Elementary for Memorial Day

By Andrew McGill , Of The Morning Call — Sat, 26 May 2012 01:20:00 GMT

Steckel Elementary kids hear of cramped bunks and bad food, but free ice cream.

For some, war is decades old, the stuff of fond and not-so-fond memories. For others, it's happening now.

Grads have limited window to get health insurance

By Tim Darragh, Of The Morning Call — Fri, 25 May 2012 23:30:42 GMT

Uninsured young adults can get back on parents' plans.

With college graduates facing a poor job market this summer, the prospects for finding affordable health care coverage are diminished.

Ex-Penn State president sues school, seeking Sandusky emails

The Associated Press — Fri, 25 May 2012 23:20:00 GMT

STATE COLLEGE — Former Penn State University president Graham Spanier has filed a civil lawsuit to force the school to release emails related to the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

Easton Area offering retirement incentives

By Adam Clark , Of The Morning Call — Fri, 25 May 2012 22:24:41 GMT

Its 2012-13 budget calls for cutting 102 positions. School board approves deal for teachers who leave by June 1.

Easton Area School District is offering some of its most experienced and highly paid employees $5,000 to resign or retire by June 1.