Loyola sweeps Lehigh on hardwood

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more, after the break... >>> The Lehigh men dropped their first two Patriot League contests. But the Mountain Hawks got off the schnide with a win at Army this week. Lehigh was back home today taking on Loyola..both teams looking to get back to .500 within conference play...-Lehigh down 33-23 at the break, 2nd half, Lehigh in transition, Corey Schaefer feeds Kahron Ross in the corner, he knocks down the three, part of his 11 points -Later Miles Simelton with the steal, he takes it in for the jam, he finished with 5 points -Loyola answers, they work it to Eric Laster, he gets the runner to go, he led all scorers with 17 points -Late in the game, Lehigh's Austin Price misses the three, Price gets the rebound back and Lehigh finds Stefan Cvrkal in the corner, he buries the three to get the Mountain Hawks to within 1 with 13 seconds left, but Loyola gets four more at the line to seal the 65-60 win... >>> The Lehigh women looked to up their record to 4-0 in the Patriot League with a visit to






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99th Pennsylvania Farm Show begins

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This weekend is the start of the annual Pennsylvania Farm Show.


Now in its 99th year, it's the largest indoor agricultural exposition in the nation, with nearly 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 300 commercial exhibits.


The Sunrise crew got an inside peak of what is going on at this year's show.


Take a look!






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Brutally cold temperatures stay through Saturday

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Today: Colder with plenty of sun. High: 20


Tonight: Partly cloudy and frigid. Low: 5


Tomorrow: Sun followed by increasing clouds; not as cold in the afternoon. High: 32 Low: 23


Temperatures this morning are back into the teens and single digits as feel like temperatures approach zero. The cold air will stay with us throughout the day as highs only top out near 20 degrees with winds that will once again make things feel so much colder. Today will feature plenty of sunshine then a few more clouds building in for tonight along with settling winds. So it shouldn't feel as bad tonight and waking up tomorrow morning.


We will start Sunday with a decent amount of sunshine but we will watch the skies turn cloudy throughout the day. Sunday will be warmer though with daytime highs near 30. On Monday, highs will get back to the seasonable mid 30s however, rather cloudy skies and some snow, sleet and rain.






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State Police investigate triple shooting in Monroe County

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State Police in Monroe County are investigating a triple shooting that happened at a hotel on Friday night.


The shooting took place around 8:00 p.m. at the Travelodge near the Pocono Township - Paradise Township border on Route 611.


According to a tweet from Pocono Township Manager Gregg Schuster... three people were shot.


Schuster says "there is no active threat to the public."


A medical helicopter was called to the scene.


Stay with 69 News and wfmz.com as more information becomes available.






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Rowhomes on fire on West Gordon Street

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A fire broke out in a block of row homes on West Gordon street Friday night.


A group of 15 residents were being sheltered in a LANTA bus late Friday while Allentown Fire Department battled the smoky blaze which began at about 11:30 pm.


No injuries were reported and residents said everyone was evacuated from the group of 6 homes.


Check back to wfmz.com for more details on this developing story.






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Head-on crash claims life of Berks County man

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A head-on collision involving two vehicles in the city of Reading has claimed the life of a Berks Co. man.



Lawrence G. Bradshaw, Sr., 79, from Amity Township, was killed after his car collided with a minivan in the 1700 block of Mineral Spring Road in Reading, according to the Berks County coroner.



The incident happened just before 7:00 p.m., police said



Neighbors could only look on with horror as police arrived on the scene.



"I just think it's terrible that somebody has to get killed on such a bad night, it's just terrible," said Kenneth Cummings.



While it's still not clear what caused this accident, police did put an evidence marker next to a tire which had been sitting in the middle of the road.



Whatever the cause, residents say it's sad to see someone lose their life so violently.



"I just think it's something terrible. It's not right to lose a life," said Cummings.



"It's very, very sad," said Bohdan Jacklitsch. "Just another person's life being lost."



The victim died of blunt force trauma to the chest, said the corner.



Police say no other injuries were reported.






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Berk Township man accused of stealing $100K from his mother and stepfather

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Police are accusing a Bern Township man of stealing $100,000 from his mother and stepfather.


Police said 60-year-old Anthony Kessler is facing a list of charges including theft and receiving stolen property.


Police said Kessler took the money from a cashbox in his family members' home.


According to court documents, Kessler admitted to taking the money to support a drug habit, and to pay for his living expenses.






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Pair accused of murdering teacher facing more charges

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The two suspects accused of killing a school teacher during a botched burglary inside her home in Lancaster last month have been slapped with more charges.



Thomas Gregory Moore and Marcus Anthony Rutter were charged Friday with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, receiving stolen property, theft and access device fraud.



Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, the most serious new charge, stems from one or both suspects allegedly forcing the victim, Nicole Mathewson, to have sexual intercourse before her death.



"Completely discouraging to hear that news on top of the murder. I mean, every murder is bad. It just makes it all that much worse," said Craig Stedman, the Lancaster County District Attorney.



Police say both men broke into Mathewson's home in the 700 block of North Franklin Street in Lancaster and attacked her on the morning of Dec. 15.



Moore then stole the victim's car and used her ATM card, according to court documents.



Thanks to an anonymous tip, police were able to identify Marcus Rutter, 16, and Thomas Moore, 25, as suspects.



District Attorney Stedman says home invasions like these are prime examples of why the penalties should be harsher for criminals.



"It is an extremely dangerous situation and we want to reduce the chances of that and reduce the cases like this, which is just the worst outcome possible," said Stedman.



Meantime neighbors tell us they hope justice is served.



"I pray for the lady that died because she didn't deserve that," said Sterlin Yates, a neighbor.



Moore and Rutter had previously been charged with criminal homicide, burglary, robbery and conspiracy.



Both suspects are being held without bail in the Lancaster County Jail.



The District Attorney says they can choose to pursue the death penalty against the older suspect, Thomas Moore, because he is an adult.



But, they have not decided that yet.



Mathewson, 32, was a sixth grade teacher at Brownstown Elementary School near Ephrata.



She was found dead of multiple traumatic injuries when she failed to show up for work that morning.






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Substitute fired for giving out a Bible may take district to federal court

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A substitute teacher in New Jersey let-go for handing a student a Bible, could take his former employer to federal court.



It's all riding on the response of the Phillipsburg School District, after a federal agency decided the district apparently fired him illegally and called the action discriminatory.



The U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission announced the final decision earlier this week, and also provided the district with a reconciliation proposal.



Walter Tutka was fired in 2012 after he gave a student at Phillipsburg High School his personal Bible. The teacher claims the gesture was in response to the student's question about a Bible verse.



Howard Mankoff, attorney for the district in the matter, said the school board now has three options in regards to the proposal.



"Our options are we can accept as-is, offer a counter proposal, or simply not respond at all," Mankoff said.



Mankoff said his client hasn't yet decided which direction it will go.



The board is waiting clarification on the details of the commission's reconciliation proposal.



That proposal has not been shared publicly.



"Is its ruling that the Board of Education must allow teachers and administrators to distribute religious material to students?" Mankoff said of decision.



Tutka's lawyers claim the ruling was specific to this situation, when the teacher provided the Bible for academic purposes, not with religious intent.



Tutka, as it happens, is a member the Bible distribution ministry, the Gideons.



"As long as it's academic in nature, it's perfectly legal," said Hiram Sasser, one of Tutka's attorneys.



The district's failure to reach a reconciliation agreement with the federal agency by the January 19th deadline, could be grounds for Tutka, the EEOC, or both to take the feud to federal court.



Sasser said he's prepared to go there, but hopes the district will cooperate.



"The school district is going to be held accountable for its action," Sasser said.



Sasser said Tutka is currently substituting in other districts, but has not returned to Phillipsburg.






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3-Year-Old Girl Kidnapped from Window

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The fast response of young girl's four-year-old sister saved her from the kidnapper. Our reporter follows the steps of the kidnapper. Watch more on ABC News: www.abcnews.com Subscribe...


From: ABC News

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6 ratings

Time: 01:35 More in News & Politics






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On the Run: Female Suspect Part of Al Qaeda Terror Cell?

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Police have issued a wanted poster for a female suspect at large, identified as Hayat Boumeddiene. They are still looking for Boumeddiene even after helicopters and hundreds of security forces...


From: ABC News

Views: 39


2 ratings

Time: 02:35 More in News & Politics






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Lehigh Valley Jewish community sadden by attacks in France

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The Paris attacks are striking a chord with the local Jewish community.



"We are horrified and sad," said Judy Diamondstein, Assistant Executive Director at the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley.


The French President has called the most recent attack on a Kosher grocery store " an anti-Semitic act".



"Tragically people who were there shopping just to get ready for Shabbat, to prepare for Friday night and to welcome the Sabbath were killed," said Diamondstein.



A gunman, allegedly linked to an Islamic extremist group, took multiple hostages and killed four of them. Later the gunman was killed when police raided the store.



"We were very concerned for a long time but we never expected anything of this magnitude to happen in Europe," said Aaron Gorodzinsky, Director of Outreach and Community Relations.



"Certainly in my lifetime, I have never seen such blatant anti-semitism in the world," said Diamondstein.



Back in May, 3 people were killed and one was seriously injured after an attack on the Jewish Museum of Brussels in Belgium.


Closer to home in April, a gunman opened fire at two Jewish facilities near Kansas City killing three people.



"We have been very concerned and we have been following the situation over the rising anti-Semitism," said Gorodzinsky.



According to the Anti-Defamation League, close to 100 anti-Israel events have taken place on U.S. college campuses so far this year.


Jewish students have been told to "stick their heads in the oven" and students wearing "Stand with Israel" shirts have been spit on.



Many believe this upswing in anti-semitism has flared because of Israel's conflict this summer with Hammas in the Gaza strip.



Here at home, local groups, like the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, are hoping the tensions subside, but in the meantime are encouraging local synagogues and Jewish schools to be vigilant.



"When something happens in Israel or Europe we always tell our institutions to be alert because we have to be careful," Gorodzinsky.






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A local union donates bike to the Allentown PD

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A local union is telling Allentown Police to hit the road, with some new wheels!


The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 375, donated three brand-new bikes to Allentown cops today.


The bikes were presented at a ceremony this morning at city council chambers.


Officials said each bike is fully outfitted for police officers, and worth about $1,500.


The Allentown Police Department currently has about forty officers certified to patrol on bikes.



"Having these extra bikes will put extra guys out on patrol in the streets hitting areas that typically aren't hit by officers in a patrol car," said Officer Scott Magill of the Allentown Police Department.



Allentown Police said the bikes will hit the road immediately.






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Internet campaign nets two businesses in downtown Nazareth

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An internet campaign is leading to big business in Nazareth.


Two new businesses will open in the spring and community leaders are hoping for a couple more.



The streets of Nazareth are going to be a little busier.



"It's a beautiful town and we're starting to see recognition, awareness, and businesses are starting to come," said Stephanie Varone, with the Nazareth Economic Development Commission.



Seven months ago, Varone helped create a website highlighting spaces available to lease downtown.


Now the borough has two new tenants.



"I always had a great feeling about Nazareth," added Chris Schimdt, owner of Emmaus Run Inn. "Always felt special about it and I think there is just a real similar bond between what Emmaus does and what Nazareth is going to be."



That's why Schimdt says now is the perfect time to open his second location, Nazareth Run Inn.




The store will look just like the Emmaus location.



"When we walked into town and just started walking around this felt like home," said Schmidt.



Peter Theodoropolous already knows what it's like to be at home in Nazareth.



"We have a family business down the street which is the Nazareth Diner," said Theodoropolous.



Theodoropolous isn't serving up food at his new spot on Main Street.

He's adding an artistic flair by opening up a gallery called Modern Mosaics.



"I think Nazareth is a great place that has a lot of potential for growth," said Theodoropolous.


"So I think we can attract a lot of people from Nazareth as well as the Valley itself."



Business owners say they can't wait to open up and help downtown Nazareth grow.

And work with other merchants.



"Where ever else we may be needed and what we can do," said Schimdt. "That's really one of our main objectives."



Both businesses should be open by March and more empty space could be filling up soon.



"I think all of it is just going to start coming together," said Varone. "All the dots are being connected finally."






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President Obama announces plan for free community college

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A day after announcing his plan on Facebook, the president addressed a crowd of college students Friday in Knoxville Tennessee, where he said he'd like to bring the cost of community college tuition down to zero.




"America's College Promise will make two years of community college free to responsible students who are willing to work for it,” he said.


By 'work for it' students must attend community college at least half-time, maintain a 2.5 GPA, and make steady progress toward completing their program.


The White House says the initiative would benefit some 9 million students across the country if every state participates.


Upon hearing the proposal, Northampton Community College President Mark Erickson says his initial response was excitement.


"I think his proposal really shines a light on the important role community colleges play in terms of providing a pathway for educational attainment that otherwise many of our students don't have," said Erickson.


However at a price tag of $60 billion over the next 10 years, the president may have his work cut out for him in convincing others in congress.


“I hope that Congress will come together to support it, because opening up the doors to higher education shouldn't be a Democratic issue or a Republican issue, this an American issue," said Obama.


Not to mention, each state that signs up for the program will have to cover 25% of the remaining tuition costs.


The White House will unveil how the plan will be paid for in the president's budget in early February.


The plan was modeled after a similar program in Tennessee which was introduced by its Republican Governor Bill Haslam.






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Widening of busy intersection in Muhlenberg to take 2 years

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Get ready for more construction on Route 61.


PennDOT said work to improve the intersection of Route 61 and Tuckerton Road in Muhlenberg Township will start Jan. 22.


Drivers should expect changing traffic patterns and occasional lane restrictions.


Crews will be widening 61. They'll also add turn lanes and upgrade traffic signals.


The work is expected to last until May 2017.






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