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Police are investigating a report of a truck rollover near a fire company building in Northampton County.
The accident happened around 9 a.m. in front of 1995 Leithsville Road by the Leithsville Fire Company, in Lower Saucon Township.
There's no word on any injuries.
Refresh this page for the latest information.
General Motors is recalling 316,357 vehicles in North America because their headlights can stop working.
The recall affects the Buick LaCrosse sedan and the Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, Saab 9-7X and Isuzu Ascender SUVs. All of the vehicles are from the 2006 through 2009 model years.
GM says the low-beam headlights or daytime running lamps could intermittently or permanently stop working. If that happens it increases the risk of a crash.
The issue doesn't affect the high-beam headlights, fog lamps or turn signals.
GM says it hasn't yet determined whether the defect has caused any accidents. Dealers will replace the defective headlights for free.
The recall is GM's 79th in North America this year. The automaker has recalled a record 30.4 million cars and trucks in the region.
Nine Penn State trustees elected by alumni are getting access to documents used to create a 2012 report about how top university administrators handled sex abuse complaints against former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.
Board Chairman Keith Masser says in a letter to trustees that he's directed a Philadelphia lawyer to make available a database and interview materials used to produce the report by former FBI director Louis Freeh.
Masser's letter says trustees who want to review the millions of pages will have to sign a confidentiality agreement.
Alumni-elected trustee Anthony Lubrano calls Masser's letter ``a good start'' and says he and the others will probably have some ideas about how to modify the process.
The alumni-elected faction has been critical of the report.
donations. It's open now until New Year's Eve. >>> eve tannery: Some Penn State tstees are getting access to documents used to create the 2012 report by by former fbi director Louis Freeh. detailed how administ abuse complaints against former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.Keith Masser said trustees yesterday that he's directed a lawyer to make database and interview materials that were used in the Masser's letter says trustees who want to review the
success, next in Life Lessons. >>> jaciel cordoba: The latest statistics say one out ofhree children in the us live in a home without their biological dads.>> eve tannery: Are they missing out? In Life Lessons, WFMZs Nancy Werteen looks at new research on the subject. >>Nancy: The research suggests the answer is yes.And for young girls, an involved dad may be especially important.In fact, studies show that dad percent of their self-esteem before age 12 so getting involved early is important. >>nancy she dribbles. >>nat sound (dribbling bal (:01) >>nancy: she shoots... >>nat sound (shooting ball) (:01) >>nancy: and scores! >>nat sound (making the shot) (:01) >>nancy she scores a lot! 9-year-o jaden newman is a basketball prodigy. >>Jaden Newman Basketball star "i started playing basketball when i was 3." (:02) >>nancy this is video of the fourth grader playing on the high school varsity (scoring point) (:01) >>nat sound ("This one is from Minnesota.") (:03) >>nancy: now she?s a recruiting target of at least one division one baetball program.she received a full recruiting packet from the university of miami and has already made her first recruiting tripto campus but jadens goals are even bigger! >>Jaden Newman "i want to be the first girl to go the nba!" so whats behind this four-foot, seven-inch stars ambition and success? she credits her coach - who happens to be her dad. >>Jaden Newman "He tells me to keep working harder." (:02) >>Jaime Newman "On the court, Im a coach, an know, at home, >>nancy: jaime newman - who isn't a bad shot himse is there for every win and every loss. >>Jaime Newman "When you have a father who r their childs life, whether it be a son or a daughter, you will see how they flourish." (:06) >>nancy: recent research shows dads when it comes to their daugters.teen girls are seven-times more likely to become pregnant if they dont ve with their father study by the u-s department of education found highly-involved da have students who are 43-percent more likely to earn mostly as in school.and -- one recent report showed fathers who help cooking, -- are more likely to raise traditional often higher- paying -- jobs. >>Jamie Newman "They see all the stuff that i , the cooking, the cleaning, all that type of stuff.and shell see it and be able to know the house should be kept, how to be a wif responsible parent and how to pick a good husband thats right, because she has high standards to look up ??too." (:15) >>nat sound (That's what Im talking about Jay!") (:03) >>nancy: jaden says having her dad involved in her passion motivates her even more. >>Jaden Newman Hes funny.He keeps me going." (:02) >>nancy and with a shot like hers.there?s no >>nat sound (shooting ball) (:01) ----- ----->>Nancy: Jadens older brother is also a great basketball player.The family says he is currently the number one point guard prospect in the nation for the class of
If you're headed to New Jersey or New York Tuesday morning, you'll want to find another route other than Interstate 78.
Two tractor trailers collided at mile marker 1 just inside the New Jersey state line in Pohatcong Township, Warren County, around 6 a.m.
One person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, police said.
All three lanes are closed and traffic was being diverted to the left shoulder, but state police said that the shoulder would also be closed to allow crews to clean up debris on the highway.
One of the trucks spilled a paint-related material and hazmat crews were on the scene to clean up the spill properly, police said, but there was no hazard, nothing toxic.
Traffic is backed up more than six miles into Pennsylvania.
At least one person is dead after a crash Tuesday morning in Berks County.
The Berks County coroner has been called to the scene of the accident on Route 183 in Penn Township.
The accident happened around 5:45 a.m. at Beyerle Hill Rd, just south of Bernville.
Officials have closed Route 183 between North Heidelberg Road and Old Church Road.
There's no word on what caused the crash or if there are any other injuries.
A 69News crew is on the way to the scene.
Refresh this page for the latest information.
Allentown plans to borrow more than $21.5 million to make improvements in the city.
“These are projects that desperately need to be done,” Mayor Ed Pawlowski told City Council late Monday afternoon. “We can’t keep putting off not fixing roofs; we can’t keep putting off not fixing pools.”
City Council expects to vote on the borrowings when it meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Council gave initial unanimous recommendations for approval when it met as a committee-of-the-whole Monday.
Financing debt may not sound like a hot button issue, but during the meeting the mayor tangled with two residents who are frequent critics of city government.
Scott Shearer, managing director of Public Financial Management, the city’s financial consultant, summarized the borrowing and debt refinancing proposals.
The city plans to establish a line of credit of up to $6 million in 2015 to finance short-term capital projects for information technology, police and public works.
A portion of that money will be used to purchase body cameras for all Allentown police officers.
On Monday, President Obama proposed federal funding to provide body cameras for U.S. police departments in the aftermath of the Aug. 9 fatal shooting of Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Mo., which sparked riots and nationwide protests.
Allentown also plans to borrow more than $15.5 million next year by issuing bonds to finance long-term capital projects —including street paving, improving pools, buying large pieces of equipment and making other public improvements, some with additional funding from the state Department of Transportation.
Regarding the line of credit, Shearer told city officials “you only pay interest on what you draw down” and added the $6 million will not all be spent “on day one.”
He said that money will be spent between 2015 and 2017, as the city needs it.
After council gives final approval to seeking that line of credit, Shearer said the city will issue a request for proposals by mid-December from local and regional banks, to get the best deal.
“We’re also looking at potentially saving the city a little bit of money by refinancing some of its existing debt,” said Shearer.
Existing bond debt that will be refinanced totals $11.24 million, according to figures provided by Shearer.
Refinancing that debt should save the city about $350,000, he told City Council.
Interest rates are not at the all-time low levels “that we’ve seen over the last couple of years,” but still very low, Shearer told council.
He added interest rates remain at very attractive levels both for refinancing and new borrowing.
“If we’re going to borrow money, this is the time to borrow,” agreed City Council president Julio Guridy.
“This is the time to do it, because we don’t know what’s going to happen next year,” said the mayor. He predicted interest rates are going to go up — “they’re never going to be as low as they are now.
“If we don’t do it now, it’s only going to cost us more in the future, because eventually we’ll have to do some borrowing.”
Shearer told officials the city should be able to get the $6 million line of credit at less than four percent interest. He said that loan would be paid off by August 2019.
He said the $15.58-million bond borrowing would be paid off in 30 years, with an interest rate of about 4.2 percent.
Allentown’s debt
In response to a question from Guridy, Shearer said the city’s total current debt is over $88 million.
“That’s really good, compared to other cities,” said Guridy.
“That’s very good,” confirmed Shearer.
Pawlowski and Shearer said the city has eliminated nearly $50 million in debt within the past year or so, mostly by leasing its water and sanitary sewer operations to Lehigh County Authority.
Pawlowski told council: “We haven’t done any debt in almost eight years.”
The mayor maintained savings from the projects selected will reduce annual city costs in the general fund.
“We’re close to a wash,” said Pawlowski, indicating the total amount saved by making the improvements will be almost as much as the debt that must be incurred.
For example, he said, one $3 million item, called the ESCO project, should reduce electricity costs by 40-50 percent, saving the city $300,000 a year — meaning it would pay for itself in 10 years.
Another example he gave was that buying a new dump truck eliminates the need for annual repairs and replacement parts to keep an old dump truck running.
He said one new dump truck can cost $150,000-$200,000, but added most of the city’s trucks are about 25 years old. “They obviously are reaching the end of their useful life.”
An indirect police savings
Pawlowski said an indirect savings will come in the form of reduced potential liability costs, by giving police officers body cameras as well as putting cameras in their cars.
“It will improve the performance of our officers,” predicted the mayor.
Council member Daryl Hendricks, a retired Allentown police captain, said the city’s police department is light years ahead of the Ferguson, Mo., police department “and many others in this country.”
Said Hendricks: “We already have Tasers, which they don’t have. And now body cameras is the next step.
“It does cut down on the number of lawsuits. It makes it much safer for our officers and it gives them an alternative to deadly force.”
Mayor tangles with residents
Resident Lou Hershman told council that, with the mayor talking about all the savings, “I thought he was going to make an amendment to the [2015]budget and reduce our real estate taxes. I thought we were going to get a tax cut.”
“We haven’t raised taxes in 10 years,” said Pawlowski. “Please, Lou, tell me another major city in the state of Pennsylvania, or in the continental United States, that has not raised property taxes in 10 years.
“Can you tell us? You can’t. Thank you.”
When Hershman said: “I thought you could be a leader and cut our taxes,” the mayor responded: “We are a leader.”
Pawlowski also challenged resident Glenn Hunsicker, when Hunsicker asked if City Council would be hiring its own consultants to review the proposed new borrowing and bond refinancing.
Hunsicker said Shearer and Atty. Kevin Reid, the city’s bond counsel, work for the mayor, but council is supposed to be the guardian of the taxpayers.
“I’m not saying they’re not doing the right job, but the appearance is you don’t have representation,” Hunsicker told council.
He said council is taking what Shearer and Reid are saying as gospel, “which might be true. I just think City Council should have their own.”
Guridy said the consultants represent the city, including City Council. He asked Hunsicker: “Are you thinking they are doing something wrong?”
“No, I didn’t say that,” said Hunsicker.
The mayor jumped in, telling Hunsicker: “If you’re making the accusation that somehow they’re doing something improper —that these guys aren’t representing the city’s best interest — please make that accusation.
“But if you’re talking about saving money, and then you want us to hire more consultants to basically do the same work that these guys are going to do, that’s wasting the city’s money.”
The mayor said Reid and Shearer would not violate the state’s ethics code by giving the city false information about bond transactions.
“I’m not saying they’re violating anything,” said Hunsicker.
“Sure you are,” said Pawlowski.
Hunsicker indicated PFM was used for the city’s water and sewer lease, which “was going to save us and we wouldn’t have to do this. And then, within a year, you come and ask for all this extra money.”
But Pawlowski said that was a different issue, which involved reducing the city’s skyrocketing pension debt.
Guridy said City Council has full confidence in PFM, saying it has done a lot of work for council for a long time.
City Council vice president Ray O’Connell said he respects Hunsicker, but added: “You are making accusations. I personally have full confidence in Scott Shearer and Kevin Reid.”
Line of credit
The city plans to use the line of credit of up to $6 million in three areas:
• $3.3 million for public works, including trucks and police cars;
• $1.45 million for IT, including equipment replacement, an archives system and a voiceover phone system;
• and more than $1.1 million for police related improvements.
In addition to body cameras, which cost $950 each, and in-car cameras, police will get mobile data computers and more on-street cameras.
Long-term bond issue projects
The planned capital projects that will cost a total of $15 million include:
• ESCO project, $3 million;
• City-wide paving, $2.5 million;
• Large equipment, $3 million;
• City-wide pools, $3 million;
• Gordon Street Bridge, $426,000;
• Chew Street, $288,000;
• Hamilton Street, from 10th to 15th streets, $300,000;
• Hamilton Street, from Fourth to Sixth streets, $300,000;
• Mack Boulevard, $312,000;
• Building repairs, $500,000;
• Roof replacements, $250,000;
• 19th Street improvements, 300,000;
• American Parkway, $105,000;
• Traffic light upgrades, $200,000;
• Livingston Watershed, $200,000;
• Schreibers Bridge repairs, $150,000;
• Jefferson Street pedestrian crossing flasher: $169,000.
The Mack Boulevard and Gordon, Chew and Hamilton street projects also will receive funding from PennDOT.
One out of three children in the U.S. lives in a home without their biological dad.
Are they missing out? New research suggests the answer is yes.
And for young girls, an involved dad may be especially important.
In fact, studies show that dads give girls 90 percent of their self-esteem before age 12, so getting involved early is important.
Jaden and Jamie Newman comprise a father-daughter duo that’s a winning combination on and off the court.
She dribbles, she shoots, she scores! And she's scored a lot! Nine-year-old Jaden Newman is a basketball prodigy.
“I started playing basketball when I was 3. My whole family played it, and I like it too!” she says.
Jaden averages 14.5 points a game and has even scored as many as 63 points in her youth league.
She practices between three and four hours every day.
Now she’s a recruiting target of at least one Division 1 basketball program. She received a full recruiting packet from the University of Miami, as well as from several other colleges and has already made her first recruiting trip to campus but Jaden’s goals are even bigger!
"I want to be the first girl to go to the NBA!” says Jaden.
So what’s behind this 4-foot, 7-inch star’s ambition and success? She credits her coach, who also happens to be her dad.
"He tells me to keep working harder, and if I miss a shot, he says that I’m going to make the next shot."
Jaden’s father, Jamie Newman, says, "On the court, I’m a coach, and you know, at home, I’m dad."
Jamie Newman, who isn’t a bad shot himself, is there for every win and every loss.
"When you have a father who really makes an effort in their child’s life, whether it is a son or a daughter, you will see how they flourish,” says Jamie Newman.
Recent research shows dads matter when it comes to their daughters.
Teen girls are seven times more likely to become pregnant if they don’t live with their fathers.
study by the U.S. Department of Education found highly involved dads have students who are 43 percent more likely to earn mostly A’s in school.
And one recent report showed fathers who help with household chores like cooking, cleaning and laundry are more likely to raise daughters with less traditional, often higher-paying jobs.
Jamie Newman says, "They see all the stuff that I do, the cooking, the cleaning, all that type of stuff and she’ll see it and be able to know how the house should be kept, how to be a wife and how to be a responsible parent and how to pick a good husband, because she has high standards to look up too."
Jaden says having her dad involved in her passion motivates her even more.
“He's funny. He keeps me going."
Jamie Newman adds, "Just the main thing is working hard, no matter what she does in life, just continue to work hard at it and she’ll be rewarded."
And with a shot like hers, there’s no telling how far she’ll go!
Jaden’s older brother, 12-year-old Julian, is also a basketball phenomenon.
Currently, he is the number one point guard prospect in the nation for the class of 2020.
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Monday night's Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners workshop meeting was dominated by a debate about whether to award a contract that would utilize a toter/cart system for the curbside pickup of refuse and recycling in the township.
Cindy Oatis, a solid waste consultant with Palmer Township, spoke of the benefits of the toter/cart system, saying the township would "put less into landfills" and increase their recycling efforts.
"The ease of this type of program is tremendous," Oatis said of the toters, which work on a fulcrum and "just roll" in an effort to placate fears some residents may have about their size.
"It can be intimidating to look at," she acknowledged, but told commissioners stories about how some elderly residents in other townships where they are being used proved to be surprised at how easy they were to negotiate.
The automated system Oatis spoke about Monday night, which involves refuse trucks with large steel arms to pick up the carts, is operating in Palmer, South Whitehall and Upper Macungie townships.
The savings for the proposed system are huge over the term of the contract, according to proponents of the system. Mayor Edward Hozza Jr. noted the township, once a visionary in the area of recycling, is no longer setting any trends.
"Our tonnage (of recycling) has fallen behind," he said, adding that it was his goal to get the township to once again lead the way in this area..
During a pointed exchange, Hozza said the true crux of the issue is that the "sheer volume of complaints" from residents about refuse pickup since J.P. Mascaro, the current hauler who acquired the contract for refuse pickup in the township five years ago, is staggering.
"The people had it," with Mascaro's service, according to Hozza.
Mascaro officials in attendance Monday night strongly rebuked the mayor's comments, saying they have provided quality service to the township during the period and have been responsible in the bidding process and responsive in their service.
The two bidders for the contract are Mascaro and Waste Management, which previously held the contract prior to Mascaro.
Commissioners are expected to vote on the curbside refuse pickup matter at their regular board meeting on December 8.
