BERKS HS RUNDOWN: Exeter wrestling, BC girls hoops get big wins

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The Exeter wrestling team recorded a huge divisional win at Governor Mifflin Wednesday night. The Berks Catholic girls basketball team did the same, coming out victorious at Fleetwood.


In Shillington, the Eagles (5-0, 12-3) won the first four bouts and held on for a 36-33 win over the Mustangs (3-1, 12-2).


Exeter gained sole possession of first place in Berks I with the win.


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In Fleetwood, the Berks Catholic girl's basketball team (3-0, 9-2) ran away for a 52-30 win over Berks II rival Fleetwood (2-1, 7-3).


Devon Merritt paced the Saints with 15 points. Makayla Lea added 11.


Berks Catholic sits alone atop the division following the victory.






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Exeter wrestlings, BC girls tally big league wins

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highlights are next. >>> rob vaughn:>>> wendy davis: >>> There are a trio of wrestling teams that started tonight tied for the lead in their division. Exeter, Governor Mifflin, and Wilson. Two of the three were on the mat facing each other tonight. Exeter was at Governor Mifflin, and the winner would stay in a first place tie... >>> There are some big girls games in division two of Berks County this week. One of them was postponed last night due to the weather. But they were able to play it tonight. Berks Catholic went on the road to Fleetwood to face the Tigers, and the winner would then have another big game






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One Million Dollar Appraisal for Grandma’s Old Baseball Cards

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Leila Dunbar's great grandmother's collection is worth an estimated $1 million according to the Antiques Roadshow. Her collection includes rare cards from the 1870's Boston Red Stockings.


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Local Parisian in touch with family, remains hopefully after attacks

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There has been an outpouring of support from around the world for the victims of the terror attack in Paris.


From social media to vigils, mourners are showing solidarity with the magazine that was targeted in the deadly attack.


Zohra Merazga is from Paris but now lives in the Lehigh Valley. She has been closely watching what's unfolding in her home city.


"I hope it's the first and last one, attack," she told 69 News.


Thousands of people filled the streets of Paris to mourn the victims of the deadly shooting at the office of the satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo.


"I would love to be there just for that," she told 69 News. "If I was in Paris now I would go out with all those people."


The suspects have been identified as two French brothers in their 30s, who are still on the loose, and an 18 year-old, who surrendered to police, according to French media. One official said the suspects were linked to a Yemeni terrorist network and one of the suspects was convicted of terrorism charges in 2008.


The publication that was targeted has been known to anger some Muslims for its caricatures of Islamic extremists and the Prophet Muhammad. The gunmen are said to have shouted "God is great" in Arabic when they opened fire.


"I hope it won't give ideas to other people, that's the thing that French people I think they are afraid of," said Merazga.


Merazga has been in touch with friends and family in Paris during this unnerving time. She said she will remain hopeful.


"To win we have to stay all together, all French people, doesn't matter which color we are, which religion we are," she said. "We just keep hope and we try to stay positive, so I hope other people will stay positive."






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Bethlehem Southside Ambassadors brave the cold to keep street clean and safe

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Believe it or not, there are some people working outside on the coldest night of the year.


The Bethlehem Southside Ambassadors were out and about making sure the city streets are clean and safe on Wednesday.


"With the snow, we were asked if we could salt the access ramps," said Ambassador Hector Rivera.


"If there is a property where there is a lot of snow covering the sidewalk, we ask them nicely to pick up on the maintenance and throw down some salt," said Ambassador Steven Stroudt.


The ambassadors are paid. The group is backed in part by Lehigh University and the city of Bethlehem.


One of the biggest challenges on the job, 8 hour shifts in these frigid temperatures.


"My face and my chest," said Stroudt. "I can barely feel them."


The ambassadors layer up and are instructed by their supervisors to take what are called "weather breaks".


" I have to insist they come in until they get their blood circulating again," said Rivera.


Although they must work on the coldest nights of the year, the ambassadors say meeting local residents who appreciate what they do to make the city better, makes it all worth it.






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Phillipsburg School District discriminated against substitute teacher

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A substitute teacher in Phillipsburg, New Jersey lost his job over giving a student a bible.



Now the tables have turned and the focus is on the school district.



Back in 2012, while substitute teaching at Phillipsburg High School, Walter Tutka quoted the bible verse "So the last will be first and the first will be last" to a student.



He was fired after giving a student a pocket bible to explain the verse.



Now The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is speaking out.



Originally the EEOC dismissed Tutka's claim for insufficient information, but after re-examining the case the commission has determined the Phillipsburg School District discriminated against Tutka.



They want the school district to find quote "an acceptable conciliation agreement."



Liberty Institute is representing Tutka and stated in a release, when the student inquired about the bible verse several times, Tutka pulled out a pocket bible and showed the text.



After the student asked several questions, Tutka gave him his own copy.



The Phillipsburg Board of Education disagreed and decided to terminate Tutka from the district substitute list for the 2012-2013 school year.



The vote was 8 to 0 with three board members abstaining.



Tutka plans on speaking again about the EEOC's decision in the coming days.



The Phillipsburg School District has not returned our messages for comment.






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Police investigating Stroudsburg teacher

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The Stroudsburg Area School District confirms it's putting a music teacher on unpaid leave and now police are investigating, too.



Superintendent Dr. John Toleno said Brandon Flatley, 39, is no longer reporting to class at Stroudsburg Intermediate Elementary School.



But the administrator would not elaborate on why he made the decision to suspend the fourth grade teacher.



"Being a personnel area, I can't give you specific reasons why I took the action that I did, and continued action I will take, because I have to protect rights of district and employee as well," said Dr. Toleno.



Toleno told 69 News he suspended Flatley with pay on December 24. But as of January 8th, the teacher will no longer be getting paid.



According to Toleno, his next step is recommending Flatley's termination to the Board of Education.



Only that panel can fire a district employee.



Stroud Area Regional Police confirm they too are looking into Flatley, though charges have not been filed.



"We were contacted by the parents of the student. There were some allegations made, we are actively looking into this, aggressively pursuing all leads," said Captain Brian Kimmins, Stroud Area Regional Police.



Kimmins could not comment further on what those allegations are.



"It's too early in the investigation, I don't want to compromise anything," Kimmins said.



Police ask anyone with information to come forward.



A spokesperson for The Pennsylvania Department of Education, said it could not comment on whether or not it had been contacted by police or the district on the matter.



But according to the agency, Flatley has been a licensed teacher since 2008. It's unclear how long he's been employed by Stroudsburg Area Schools.



He most recently taught fourth grade strings music and was involved with other aspects of the band program within the district, according to Toleno.



Toleno said Flatley also worked with junior and high school students.



Flatley's position has not yet been filled, but the BOE could consider replacing him at Wednesday night's meeting.



"The options are to not bring someone back, or bring someone back in and have them in to the end of the school year and re-evaluate from there," Toleno said.



According to Toleno, more than 120 children are currently in the fourth grade strings music program.



It's unclear how many junior and high school students Flatley taught.



69 News has been unable to reach Flatley for comment on his suspension and the ongoing investigation.






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Developer eying up mansions in Allentown neighborhood

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From the outside and on the inside, an early 20th century mansion at 14th and Hamilton streets in Allentown looks every bit its age.


For Zach Jaindl, of Jaindl Properties, the home has the look of an opportunity to turn back time, while looking to the future.


In 2011, Jaindl Properties moved its offices into a Queen Victorian built in 1907 at 15th and Hamilton, transforming a rundown relic into a 21st century workspace.


It's the same idea for the mansion a block away. It's one of three historic west-end homes the family has recently bought, while looking to add more.


"Currently renovating them into affordable Class A office space for businesses," Jaindl said.


A century ago, the street car turned farmland near West End Park into an enclave for Allentown's super wealthy, but time has taken its toll, and attention is needed.


Jaindl. who is also developing Allentown's waterfront, is aiming to bring doctors, lawyers and even tech firms onto the stretch of Hamilton.


"I think it adds to the historicity," said historian Frank Whalen. "It's what the history is and ties to the past. Gives people a context, a sense of the past, if you will, and that's what I think adds to it."


Somewhat ironically, new development downtown sparked Janidl's interest in the west end.


"That was the catalyst for Allentown to be redeveloped, or its renaissance is what most people are calling it. Really kind of stretched out toward West Park, which is why we became interested in this area," Jaindl added.






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Police, students take part in active shooter drill in Berks

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About 50 police officers from Berks County spent the day preparing for the unthinkable.


Police suited up and took part in an active shooter drill at Berks Technical Institute in Wyomissing.


Some criminal justice students came to school to be part of the drill, even though they're on break.


The goal was to help police and future law enforcers learn how to react when an armed gunman is on the prowl.


"Basically, the theme of this drill is empowerment over physical harm, and that is that the students will be empowered to make the proper decisions in an emergency situation.," said Christine Bitler, criminal justice program director.


The students created several scenarios inside the school to see how police respond to different situations.






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Berks County banker Jay Sidhu rings NYSE closing bell

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Berks County banker Jay Sidhu helped bring the trading day on Wall Street to a close by ringing the closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange.


Sidhu is the CEO of Wyomissing-based Customers Bank.


Last month, the bank announced its intentions to transfer its stock from the Nasdaq to the New York Stock Exchange.


The Dow gained more than 200 points Wednesday. It's a welcome site after two days of triple digit losses.


Sidhu rang the bell in 2001 when he ran Sovereign Bank.






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Doctor on brutal cold: 'Try to cover all exposed skin'

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With gusting winds, flurries falling from the sky, and wind chills that make it feel like 10 to 20 degrees below zero, experts say there are extra precautions you need to take to stay warm in these frigid temperatures.


The most important thing you can do is limit the amount of time you spend outside.


"Anytime it gets that cold, frostbite is a big concern," said Dr. Tug Binsteade, emergency medicine at St. Luke's in Fountain Hill, Lehigh County. "Even death can occur when the temps get this cold outside."


The first line of defense, is layering, and making sure your extremities are covered. Frostbite can kick in within 15 to 20 minutes of being outside. Early signs of frostbite include, "severe pain, blistering, discoloration, you might see a bluish tint that indicate some tissue damage," said Binsteade.


If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.


Most commonly, people experience frost nip. It's characterized by tingling and sometimes numbness in the extremities. If this happens to you, go inside somewhere warm to allow for the blood to begin to flow.


Also, if you plan on driving in your car in these temperatures, make sure to prepare properly because road conditions may be poor.


"We had a few instances a while ago where people were stranded over night, so make sure you have extra supplies if you are traveling long distances," said Binsteade.


Also, be sure to check on your elderly neighbors, and remember children are not equipped to handle the cold as well as adults.






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Police: Reading man sexually assaulted girl, 14, he met online

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A Reading man sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl he met on Facebook, police said.


Francisco Canela is charged with sexual assault and corruption of minors.


Canela was 21 when he had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl he met on the social networking site in August 2013, police said.






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Lafayette men face a tough task at Bucknell

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It's a big night of college basketball in our area tonight. Both the Lehigh and Lafayette men's teams will be on the road though, and both face tough challenges. For the Lafayette men, it's a trip to Sojka Pavilion to face Bucknell, where it's been tough to win over the years. But playing in that arena with that Bison crowd is only part of the issue tonight. The Leopards have to stop a very good player too. Both teams are 1-1 in the conference, and the Leopards appear to have the firepower to win a league title if they play well. But Bucknell has some firepower too including one of the league's top scorers, Chris Hass.






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Diapers around radiator sparked fire that killed 2, officials say

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A fire that killed an elderly couple in Reading last month has been ruled accidental.


The fire at 524 Spruce St. was sparked by diapers around a radiator inside the home, investigators announced Wednesday.


Pedro Morales and Miriam Vega, both confined to their beds, were killed Dec. 29 as flames tore through the home they shared with two of their adult children for about the last four years.


The couple were married for more than 60 years, according to their close-knit family.






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