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Thieves broke into 21 storage units at Axis self-storage in Hazle Township and stole dirt bikes, a computer, tools and more.
It happened between 10 a.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. Monday at Axis, which is located at 1000 S. Church St. in the Luzerne County township.
State police at Hazleton, who are investigating the thefts, report a complete list of victims and stolen property still is being compiled.
But they already know items stolen from the units include two 2013 dirt bikes, a 2008 dirt bike, a Dell laptop computer, a Sony DVD player and three Snap-on socket sets.
Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call state police at 570-459-3890.
A 21-year-old Hunterdon County man was saved from a suspected drug overdose Monday when High Bridge police injected him with Narcan, the brand name of a life-saving prescription medication.
Police responded to the suspected overdose at 12:43 a.m. Monday at an address along Main Street in High Bridge.
"Police officers administered Narcan to the victim and continued to assess his vital signs until the High Bridge Rescue Squad and Paramedics arrived at the scene," reported Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III.
"The victim was later transported to the Hunterdon Medical Center for further treatment. "
Narcan, generically known as naloxone, is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of a heroin or opiate overdose.
In the past, only hospital staff could administer naloxone, but it became legal for police officers to administer the drug after Gov. Chris Christie signed the Overdose Prevention Act, a law aimed at protecting those who render aid to overdose victims, in 2013.
Police officers usually are the first to arrive on the scene of an emergency, and in the case of an overdose, minutes can be the difference between life and death.
“Thanks to the quick actions of the High Bridge Police Department, High Bridge Rescue Squad and paramedics at the scene, a life has been saved," said Kearns in a news release.
"Hopefully, this young man will use this second chance to get the help he needs and to turn his life around.”
A bomb threat prompted the evacuation of Reading High School on Wednesday.
The school district and city police said they both received a brief, non-specific phone message at 1:45 p.m., advising that a bomb was going to be detonated at the high school in 30 minutes.
Students were evacuated from the building while police and the district's security personnel investigated the threat.
A search of the building has not turned up anything suspicious, according to Capt. Madison Winchester, Reading Police Department.
The high school is home to more than 3,000 students in grades 10 through 12.
Koral Del Mar Rivera is learning about MRI. The imaging test can sound scary, but once kids are prepared, it doesn’t have to be.
The "MR-I Am Ready" program teaches kids and their parents what to expect.
"When she got here, she was nervous. I was super nervous, too," Yvonne Fernandez, Koral's mother, said.
Now, the dreaded experience can be fun, thanks to new MRI movie goggles.
"I think it's making a huge difference. There's a lot of noise and banging," explained Suzanne Scott, multi-modality technologist of pediatric imaging for Wolfson Children's Hospital.
Scott said the Cinemavision goggles help immerse kids in a movie and stay still without sedation.
"Around four to five years old, we're seeing some children can get through their MRI for that at that age, which is huge, because pretty much they were looking at sedating anyone under 10," Scott explained.
"I heard noises and I heard the movie," Koral Del Mar said.
The goggles helped Koral Del Mar's mom, too.
"I started crying when I saw her in the donut hole, but when I saw her relax, I said, OK. I'm good now,'" said Fernandez.
An MRI can sometimes last up to three hours. The MRI Cinemavision goggles are now being made available to adults who suffer from claustrophobia in some centers around the U.S.
DOWNLOAD and VIEW medical blueprint
Veterans of Pennsylvania state government are Gov.-elect Tom Wolf's picks to head up state agencies that oversee environmental protection, parks and forests and administration.
Wolf on Wednesday announced the nomination of John Quigley to be secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.
His choice for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is Cindy Dunn, and he wants Sharon Minnich to take over at the helm of the Office of Administration.
Quigley was conservation and natural resources secretary under Gov. Ed Rendell, and Dunn has been a deputy secretary in that agency. Minnich is the state government's former assistant chief information officer.
Quigley and Dunn will require Senate confirmation.
Wolf, a Democrat, will take the oath of office Tuesday, succeeding Republican Gov. Tom Corbett.
An Allentown man is facing charges after police say he had sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl.
Allentown police were contacted by a staff member at SKOUT, which is a developer of a location-based social networking and dating application and website.
The SKOUT official had been monitoring an inappropriate chat between a 13-year-old and a 32-year-old man that was sexual in nature.
Police said the 13-year-old girl was chatting with another user, and during the chat it was agreed between the two that the man would drive to the teen's house for a sex act.
During the chat, the 13-year-old told the man, identified by police as Gary Allen Muth of the 1600 block of Shiloh Court, that she was 13.
On Dec. 18, 2014, police interviewed the girl who said she performed a sex act on Muth in her bedroom.
Police interviewed Muth on Dec. 29 and he admitted to the act, and said "she looked really young."
Muth was charged with statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, corruption of minors and related offenses.
Bail was set at $50,000 unsecured.
The National Rifle Association is filing suit against three Pennsylvania cities, seeking to stop them from enforcing their firearms laws.
The NRA is taking advantage of a new state law that makes it easier for gun-rights groups to sue to overturn local firearms measures.
The group filed suit against Lancaster late Tuesday and is in the process of suing Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
NRA official Chris Cox contends the cities have "openly defied" a 40-year-old state prohibition of municipal firearms regulation.
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Lancaster are challenging the new law in court.
Philadelphia officials have long contended the local measures are needed to combat persistent gun violence.
Another group, Houston-based U.S. Law Shield, sued Harrisburg on Tuesday over that city's gun laws.
In an effort to avoid a lawsuit against Reading, city officials told 69 News last week that they plan to repeal an ordinance that requires people to report lost or stolen guns within 24 hours.
A tribute service has been set for a man who left a lasting impact on generations of people in Berks County.
A celebration of life for Severin Fayerman will be held Sat., Jan. 31, at 10 a.m. at the Bean Funeral Home, 3825 Penn Ave., in Sinking Spring.
The service will be preceded by visitation at 9 a.m. that day and from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Fri., Jan. 30.
Interment will be private.
Fayerman's family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in his memory to the Berks County chapter of the American Red Cross, 701 Centre Ave., in Reading.
Fayerman died early Monday morning at his home in Muhlenberg Township. He was 92.
Born in Poland, he was separated from his family as a teenager and held at a number of Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, until the end of World War II.
His family then reunited and immigrated to the United States, where he and his father founded Baldwin Hardware in 1946 and later relocated to Reading.
A Bethlehem man has been charged with burglary after police say he broke in to the same Allentown business three times within a month.
According to court documents, police responded to the Auto Spa at 649 Union Blvd. on October 30, 2014, when the owner, Kevin McFarland, discovered the burglary.
This incident happened between 5:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. on October 29.
McFarland told police the cash register was damaged, as well as ceiling tiles in the building. He said approximately $1,000 was taken from the register and $200 from the office.
Surveillance video showed the burglary enter the business, damage the register and take the money. He then climbed onto a television, entered the drop ceiling and from there was able to access the office, documents say.
On November 10, McFarland reported another break-in to the police, which had happened between 4 a.m. and 7:32 a.m.. The burglar had smashed the glass in the rear door to gain access.
As before, the cash register was damaged with some kind of pry bar, and the burglary got around $150. Surveillance video shows the same man from the previous burglary entering the business.
He was wearing a white sweatshirt with the numbers 213, and police said he takes the money from the register, climbs on the same television into the drop ceiling to enter the office.
During one of these incidents it was discovered later that he took a business credit card.
When McFarland contacted American Express, he was told the card was being used at numerous locations around the area, including several declined purchases at Hess and Wawa gas stations on Union Boulevard and a Wawa on Broad Street in Bethlehem.
Police reviewed surveillance video from the Union Boulevard Wawa and police said the video clearly shows a man enter the store from the gas pumps wearing a white sweatshirt with the numbers 213 on the front that exactly matched the one worn by the burglar, and facial features matched as well.
As police pursued surveillance video from the other businesses, a third break-in was reported to police Nov. 19 from the Auto Spa's alarm company.
This one happened on November 19 and the rear glass door was broken out.
According to court documents, video surveillance clearly shows the same man that committed the previous two burglaries as he smashes the glass and enters the business.
In the video he accesses the cash registers but finds no money. He ransacks the desk area, then climbs onto the television to access the business office.
He's seen leaving with a bag, but it was unknown what was taken.
McFarland also told police his wallet was stolen from the office which contained his personal credit cards, driver's license, social security card as well as his wife's personal credit card.
When McFarland contacted his financial institutions, he found his and his wife's credit cards were being used throughout the area, for more than $1,000 in purchases at Wawa, Giant, Advanced Auto Parts, Ray's Pizza, Walmart and Burger King.
Police said surveillance video from Walmart clearly shoed the same man involved in all three burglaries entering the store and making purchasing using the stolen credit card. Video from Advanced Auto Parts showed the same man, also used a stolen credit card.
Police obtained a copy of the Advanced Auto receipt, which showed the man entered a phone number with the transaction.
Police traced the number to Efrain Flores, and PennDOT records included a photo which matched the man in the surveillance videos, according to police.
Flores was taken to Lehigh County Prison after being unable to post $80,000 straight bail.
No final decision was made Tuesday evening at a joint Lynn and Heidelberg Townships' Boards of Supervisors meeting at the New Tripoli Fire Co. concerning a new choice of ambulance service for the municipalities.
Over 50 residents from both townships crowded the fire hall to voice their concerns over which ambulance company out of the three who made presentations to the supervisors should be chosen.
This was after Northwestern Ambulance Corps notified the townships they would no longer be able to answer emergency calls after February 13 due to ongoing financial struggles.
Heidelberg Township supervisors requested no final decision be made since vice chairman David Fink was unable to attend the meeting and supervisor Rodney Schlauch was undecided after proposals were made by Northwestern, Cetronia, and Northern Valley (NoVa) Ambulance Corps.
Lynn Township supervisors made a conditional decision in favor of Cetronia Ambulance Corps. based primarily on its financial solvency. Lynn chairman Justin Smith said, "It's about the economics of the situation, although we are thankful to Northwestern for all their years of service."
Northwestern Ambulance Executive Director Kathy Van Allen said her ambulance company has been serving the majority of northwestern Lehigh County for the past 43 years and would need an immediate bailout of $50,000 from the townships in order to continue operating.
She cited diminishing financial support in the form of donations from area residents, approximately $200,000 in uncollected patient unpaid bills, and a lack of growth in the areas served, resulting in the same annual emergency call volume for Northwestern's financial difficulties.
Lynn Township vice chair Steve Feinour said referring to Northwestern's mounting debt, "It's too big of a nut to crack" for his township to subsidize.
Heidelburg chairman Steve Bachman who favors Northern Valley Ambulance (NoVA) remarked about Northwestern's finances and township assistance, "I don't think we can pull you out of this; it's too far gone." He termed NoVa's community service model as "impeccable."
Smith said he favors Cetronia because they run their business based on data and as a result generates the largest amount of income and would require the least township financial assistance at $100,000 annually for three years.
According to NoVa financial manager Joe Solderich, his company would require a $110,000 township subsidy for three years and would provide one ambulance to cover both Lynn and Heidelburg Townships. NoVa has a $1.2 million annual budget and no debt reserve and its headquarters in Ormrod is also debt-free.
Heidelburg supervisors promised to finalize their decision at their next meeting on Jan. 15.
Lynn supervisors approved on condition Cetronia until Jan. 15, depending on the outcome of the Heidelburg vote.
Smith said his township will opt for another plan after Jan. 15 if Heidelburg does not concur with Lynn's vote for Cetronia.
The Allentown Police Department has said goodbye to a longtime friend who sniffed out a lot of crime over the years.
K-9 Beny went on his farewell tour Thursday after his handler, Ofc. Matt Geake, decided to retire him.
Beny was sent off with lots of hugs, praise and pats on the back. Geake called it a bittersweet day.
"I guess happy because it's been good, but sad because of where it is," said Geake.
Three weeks ago, a veterinarian found and removed a large tumor wedged between Beny's heart and lungs.
"It was my worst nightmare come true," Geake said.
The tumor was benign, but Beny will need continued checkups to monitor potential growth.
The Slovakian German shepherd will live at home with Geake and his two other dogs. As for the pup's plans, Geake said he anticipates a lot of rest and relaxation.
"He's going to stay home, chill out, relax. Enjoy some time on his own. Eat when he wants to eat. Sleep when he wants to sleep, and wake up when he wants to wake up," Geake said.
But Geake admitted it won't be easy leaving Beny at home in the morning. The pair has worked together every day for the last seven years.
"As soon as I open up the door and I'm like, 'he's not in there…' that's the stuff I'm going to miss," Geake said.
The department sent Beny off with his final badge. The gold plate reads "Retired Patrolman."
He also leaves his post with high praise from his master.
"There's no other partner I'd want, bottom line," Geake said.
The department is currently exploring options to replace him. There are four other K-9s on the force.
Two children have been struck by a vehicle outside an elementary school in Reading.
The accident happened around 11 a.m. in front of Riverside Elementary, 1400 Centre Avenue.
Initial reports from the scene were that one of the children may have struck the windshield of the vehicle.
69 News crews are on the scene. Refresh this page for updates as information becomes available.
Already over that diet you committed to at the start of the year?
Well, health and wellness expert Melissa Farley says she doesn't believe in diets!
She sat down with WFMZ's Eve Tannery on 69 News at Sunrise to tell us why and to share her five slim-down secrets.
Click the video link attached to this story to learn more!
An Erie-area man has been jailed on charges he stole the cruiser of a state police trooper who was trying to arrest him for a domestic dispute the day before.
State police told the Erie Times-News that Anthony Kuroda assaulted his wife Monday. When a trooper went to arrest him Tuesday morning, he instead saw Kuroda walking near his Harborcreek Township home with a gun bag.
Kuroda, 28, somehow weathered stun gun shocks and jumped into the cruiser as the trooper fired two shots at the vehicle. Kuroda drove away and eluded police until he got a ride from a friend and surrendered at the nearby Erie police station about 10:30 a.m.
Online court records don't list an attorney for Kuroda, who faces a preliminary hearing Jan. 28.
A Reading man was killed in a crash involving a car and a tractor trailer in Berks County early Tuesday morning.
The accident happened around 6:30 a.m. in the 7700 block of Bernville Road/Route 183 in Jefferson Township.
A car traveling north on the highway was attempting to pass another vehicle when it lost control and was struck by the southbound tractor trailer, according to state police on the scene.
The driver of the struck car, Joel R. Torres, 23, of Reading, died at the scene; the tractor trailer driver, Adam Moyer, 30, of Bethel, was not injured, said state police.
Route 183 remained closed between New Schafferstown and Henne roads for several hours while police investigated the accident.
Police in Montgomery County need your help to identify a man who robbed a convenience store Tuesday night.
The incident happened around 9 p.m. at the 7-Eleven located at 1647 N. Broad Street in Hatfield Township.
Police said a man wearing a black hooded sweatshirt entered the store, displayed a knife and demanded money from the cash registers.
After getting money, he fled on foot in an easterly direction.
The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall, wearing a black and orange baseball cap, gray sweatpants with black trim on the pockets and a black cloth partially covering his face.
Anyone with information is asked to call the detective division of the Hatfield Township Police Department at 215-855-0903.
Friends say they're saddened by the loss of Severin Fayerman, but his impact on Berks County will never be forgotten.
Fayerman, who died early Monday morning at the age of 92, was very involved with schools in Berks County, including Reading Area Community College, telling his story of survival and inspiring many generations of people over the years.
"I think he was a beautiful nice man. He helping so much. He gave a lot of things to organizations, and I think this is the best man I ever know," said Krystyna Zalewski.
Fayerman was a Holocaust survivor, businessman and inspiration to so many across Berks County.
The Poland native spent his teen years in Auschwitz and other Nazi concentration camps during World War II.
At the end of the war, he was released and emigrated with his family to America. Just a year later, in 1946, he founded Baldwin Hardware with his father and relocated to Reading.
And when Krystyna and her husband, Roman, came to America from Poland, Fayerman gave Roman and other immigrants a job.
"He knew everybody. He was on the floor everyday, talk to the people and try to help them," Roman said.
But beyond his success as a businessman, Fayerman was involved in the community. He served on the board of directors for the Berks County chapter of the American Red Cross, as well as on RACC's Foundation board for 24 years.
But some area leaders say, more importantly, he was determined to tell his story of survival.
"Writing his biography, making appearance and speaking with students to try to tell them so that that mission of never forget. He embodied that," said Pa. Sen. Judy Schwank. "I admired him so much."
Fayerman's friends told 69 News he had recently gotten sick and knew his time was coming to an end, but he was grateful for the life he lived.
"He had a good life. He did a lot of good things," Roman said. That's what he told me, and he's ready to go. He have a good things, helped a lot of people and he enjoyed his life."
RACC released a statement saying many of the faculty and students were inspired by Fayerman and considered him a wonderful advocate and friend.
"Many of us, including faculty, staff and students with whom he interacted were inspired by his personal story as a Holocaust survivor who eventually became a successful entrepreneur in the United States," said Anna Weitz, RACC's president.
We invite you to share your own memories or stories of meeting Severin Fayerman. Email us at yourtake@wfmz.com.
A 17-year old who's facing homicide charges in a Marine's beating death has been identified.
Stanley Kralik, along with 21-year-old Oliver Trizarri of Reading, are accused of luring 24-year-old Corey Samuels into the woods last January and beating him to death.
According to court documents, Trizarri told police that he and Kralik got Samuels to go with them in rural Coaldale, Schuylkill County, under the guise of going to smoke and drink on Jan. 20, 2014.
Trizarri told investigators he and the teen suspect believed Samuels had sexually assaulted a female friend.
Together, the two proceeded to attack Samuels by choking him, beating him and striking his head with a shovel, to get revenge, according to court documents.
They then allegedly buried the body under snow in the woods.
Samuels' remains were found in September 2014 by hikers.
Trizarri and Kralik are charged with first and third degree homicide, robbery and related offenses.
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