Health Beat: Gene therapy: Hope for the blind?

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Six-year-old Andy Moorhead is learning how to read, but instead of using his eyes, he's using his fingers.


"Well, I read the letters with my fingers," said Andy, who is blind.


"He was around nine months, and we started to notice his eyes were twitching," explained Andy's mother, Heather Ingram-Moorhead.


Andy has Leber congenital amaurosis, or LCA. It's the most common type of childhood blindness and is caused by genetic mutations.


"It is just very hard. It's taken us a while to really understand the condition and do everything to help Andy," Ingram-Moorhead said.


Andy's whole family is hands-on. Even his sister, Valerie, gives him guidance, but despite their efforts, his mom said gene therapy is their only hope.


Shannon E. Boye, a scientist at the University of Florida, is using a $900,000 grant to perfect a gene therapy that could restore vision.


"It's not an attempt just to slow the progression of the disease. It's actually an attempt to halt the progression and make the patient better by delivering them the gene they don't have," Boye said.


Boye said the therapy has worked in animals.


"We're able to show, via what's called an electra retinal gram, that the retinal function has been restored to the mice," she explained.


Gene therapy is still an investigational treatment with risks and only available for those in a clinical trial. Right now, there are hundreds of studies underway to treat conditions like LCA, cancer and HIV.


It's hope that one day Andy could put down his cane and see his family for the first time.


Boye said gene therapy is typically a one-time treatment. According to the National Institutes of Health, gene therapy in the eye has a good safety record, so far, and is still under study to make sure it is safe and effective.


You can search online for clinical trials involving gene therapy.


DOWNLOAD and VIEW medical blueprint






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Storm brings boost in business for collision repair centers

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A storm over the weekend caused quite a bit of damage to vehicles.


Vinart Collision in Allentown saw business more than double on Monday.


Collision shop manager Mark Vucenic says the shop typically sees about 15 to 20 cars dropped off for repairs in a day.


But on Monday, on top of those repairs, the shop saw an extra 25 cars come through for unscheduled maintenance.


"Front end, fenders, bumpers, suspension, wheels, tires things of that nature," Vucenic said. "We've heard stories of people have just lost control of their cars and were unable to stop."


Vucenic says most of the repairs will take about a week and cost anywhere from $500 to $1,500 hundred dollars. He also says the influx of cars isn't surprising.


"In the automobile industry, I guess it is the nature of the beast when winter hits," Vucenic said.


Vucenic's best advice for staying safe on the roads this winter: invest in a pair of tires suitable for slippery conditions.


"It is the only connection that you have to the roadway," Vucenic said. "If you have bad tires, then you have no connection to the roadway."






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Police: brothers steal $500,000 in sewer grates in Philadelphia area

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Police say two brothers stole nearly $500,000 worth of sewer grates from the Philadelphia suburbs and sold them for scrap at pennies on the dollar.


Brian and John Vetrulli Jr. were jailed Saturday in Montgomery County on charges of theft, conspiracy and receiving stolen property.


The 36-year-old Brian Vetrulli and 38-year-old John Vetrulli Jr. were unable to post $10,000 cash bail as of Tuesday and could not be reached for comment.


Police say the Gilbertsville men stole 13 sewer grates from area parking lots since the beginning of December and had receipts showing they'd sold more than 1,000 grates to scrap-metal dealers.


Each grate weighs about 100 pounds and costs about $475. Police say the Vetrullis sold them for $9 each.


A preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 30.






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Tom Wolf becomes Pennsylvania's 47th governor

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Democrat Tom Wolf has been sworn in as Pennsylvania's 47th governor, replacing Republican Tom Corbett.


Wolf took his oath of office Tuesday before a large crowd gathered for the ceremony outside the Capitol.


Wolf, 65, is calling for bipartisanship in a divided state government and has said his goals are creating good-paying jobs, good schools and a government that works.


Pennsylvania is at a crossroads, he said, because many of the industries the state's residents relied on for good-paying jobs are struggling to succeed.


"Travel to Bethlehem or to Mount Wolf or to York or Reading or Wellsboro, from rural counties to inner-cities across the commonwealth, and the story is the same."


Wolf is a former businessman who ran his family's business for nearly 30 years. He tapped his personal wealth to give himself a leg up in his first election campaign.


Wolf denied Corbett a second term by winning nearly 55 percent of the vote. He was the only Democrat nationally to unseat a sitting Republican governor in the Nov. 4 election.


Pa. Sen. Mike Stack of Philadelphia earlier took the oath as lieutenant governor during a ceremony in the state Senate chamber.


The inauguration events will continue with Wolf and his wife hosting an open house at the governor's mansion. That is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.


An inaugural celebration, with the theme, "Let's Get Started," will be held at The Hershey Lodge between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.






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Teacher charged with having sex with student at school

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Police say an elementary school teacher in the Poconos had a sexual relationship with a minor he first met when she was his student.


Brandon Flatley, 39, was placed on unpaid leave earlier this month amidst a criminal investigation.


According to a police criminal complaint, Flatley first met the alleged victim in 2007, when she was 10-years-old, and a student in his music class in the Stroudsburg School District.


Officials say Flatley became friends with the girl on Facebook in April of 2013, when she was 15.


A short time after, police say Flatley began sending the girl private messages that continued through December, 2014. Over the course of 18 months, officials say Flatley and the victim exchanged 90,000 messages.


Police say the messages included sexual content, photos and videos.


Investigators say Flatley had sexual contact with the victim at the Stroudsburg Intermediate School in Stroud Township multiple times between October and December of 2014.


They also say the two had sexual content at a residence in Hamilton Township in November and December of 2014.


Flatley will be formally arraigned on Wednesday morning.






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Mike Stack sworn in as Pennsylvania's lieutenant governor

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The transfer of power in Pennsylvania state government is underway with the swearing-in of Mike Stack as lieutenant governor.


Stack took his oath Tuesday from his mother, retired Philadelphia municipal judge Felice Stack. He has been a state senator from Philadelphia for 14 years.


Gov.-elect Tom Wolf was among the people attending the ceremony, as were former lieutenant governors Mark Schweiker and Mark Singel. Wolf is slated to be sworn in at noon.


Stack is relinquishing his seat in the Senate, but the duties of his new office include serving as the chamber's presiding officer.






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Kansas ready to rock Reading with concert in May

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Classic rockers are coming to Reading.


Kansas will take the stage at the Santander Performing Arts Center on Thur., May 28.


The band, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, is best known for the hits "Dust in the Wind" (a million-selling gold single) and "Carry On Wayward Son" (the most played track on classic rock radio in 1997)


Kansas is currently comprised of original drummer Phil Ehart, bassist/vocalist Billy Greer, keyboardist David Manion, vocalist/keyboardist Ronnie Platt, violinist/guitarist David Ragsdale, and original guitarist Richard Williams.


Tickets for the concert will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at the Santander Arena box office and online or by phone through Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000.






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Music Monday: Sharon Elizabeth

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She's a singer/songwriter from Stewartsville, New Jersey, she's won two Lehigh Valley Music Awards, and she was the winner on The Lehigh Valley's Happening List of Musicians and Bands for 2014.



Monday, we welcomed Sharon Elizabeth to our studio for Music Monday.



Click the video link attached to this story to see Sharon's interview with WFMZ's Eve Tannery and to hear her perform LIVE!






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Jury selection underway for trial for Miguel Torres, former fugitive

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Jury selection is underway for the murder trial of a Berks County man who was once one of America's most wanted fugitives.


Attorneys in the trial of Miguel Torres began the process Tuesday morning of selecting 12 residents of York County to sit on the jury panel.


Torres stands accused of shooting to death his estranged wife, Barbara Torres, on a parking lot near the Berks County Courthouse in downtown Reading on Sept. 12, 2005.


Torres fled the country, landing on the list of U.S. Marshal's most wanted fugitives until his capture in Bologna, Italy, on March 15, 2013.


Torres' attorney argued that the extensive media coverage the case has received in Berks County over the years since the homicide would prevent his client from receiving a fair trial, so the judge decided to choose the jury in York.


The jurors will then be bused to Berks County for each day of the trial, starting next Monday in downtown Reading.


WFMZ's Ryan Hughes is in York County for the jury selection. He'll have much more on this story on 69 News at 5:30.






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Jury Views Graphic Video in Vanderbilt Sexual Assault Case

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Two former football players at the university stand accused of assaulting a female student in a dorm room. Learn more at GoodMorningAmerica.com.


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Life Lessons: Conquer your biggest challenge

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hour. >>> jaciel cordoba: Is there something you would really like to accomplish in the New Year? Something different and daring? >> eve tannery: Some of us do but it sometimes doesnt seem possible. In Life Lessons, Some of us do but it sometimes doesnt seem possible. In Life Lessons, WFMZs Nancy Werteen shows us one woman who didnt let anything stand in her way. >>Nancy: Maybe its writing the novel youve always wanted to or starting your dream business sometimes reaching your goals just takes putting one foot in front of the other.And no one knows that more than a woman who literally walked around the world. >>nat sound (military music and bag zipping) (:04) >>nancy: anthonette klinkerman is very clear when it comes to her passion. >>Anthonette Klinkerman Founder of Courtesy Boot Camp and Author i came up with this idea for a mobile etiquette school. Everybody wants everything in a boot camp format.They want it in one hour and they want it yesterday." (:06) >>nat sound (whistle, whistle iten-hut!?) (:03) >>nancy: her confidence is apparent up on stage but it wasnt always so easy. unsure of taking on the huge task of starting her own business-she need inspiration. >>Anthonette Klinkerman "She walked all the way around the world.Just walked, one step in front of the other and i thought-what am i afraid of?"(:07) >>nancy: shes talking about her mentor - author and motivational speaker polly letofsky-an inspiration to women all over the world for trekking more than 14-thousand miles in 22 countries. >>Polly Letofsky Author and Motivational Speaker "i had a dream my whole life to go discover the world by foot in slow motion." (:04) >>nancy: after conquering her biggest goal- shes helping others do the same. first off, get it on paper write down all your fears, reach out for help, surround yourself with supportive people, and expect tough times. >>Polly Letofsky "Expect that theres going to be hurdles so that youre not surprised and blindsided by






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Bomb threat called in to JFK Airport

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your own personal boot camp like anne or walking around the world like polly. -- >>Nancy: Polly Letofsky shares her tips in her book Three Miles Per Hour-her adventures in her walk around the world.Nancy Werteen 69 news. >>> eve tannery: It's time to take a look at what's happening Now in the Northeast.. >> jaciel cordoba: a bomb threat was called into John f Kennedy airport last night. Passengers on a Delta flight from San Francisco to New York had to get off the plane away from the terminal. Bomb-sniffing dogs checked the plane's cargo, but found nothing. The passengers were then interviewed. So far, no arrests have been made. Delta had another plane with the same flight number at the airport last night that was heading to Tel Aviv. It was boarding at the time the threat was called in, and officials say proper security measures were






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Gunfire erupts during attempted robbery of a dollar store

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Workers at a Family Dollar in Reading are breathing a huge sigh of relief after a close encounter with an armed thief.


Police have charged 21-year-old Robert J. Taylor II, from Reading, in connection with the crime.


Taylor walked into the Family Dollar in the 900 block of N. 6th Street in Reading, around 8 p.m., Sunday evening, and asked the cashier to show him where the lotion was, according to investigators.


Once the cashier took the suspect to the lotion section, police say Taylor pulled out a handgun and demanded money.


The cashier called out her manager's name and began to back away from the gunman quickly when he fired a single shot and then fled the store, police said.


A customer that previously left the store, but who had noticed the suspect acting suspiciously, observed him running out the door and heard an employee scream, police said.


The customer followed the suspect at a distance and directed police to his location, investigators said.


Taylor is facing a long list of robbery-related charged, including aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person, police said.


Taylor is currently behind bars on $100,000 bail.






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Clouds and sun today, 'nuisance snow' moves in Wed.

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Today will feature intervals of clouds and sunshine (although there will be more clouds than sun at time) with afternoon high temperatures topping out in the upper 30s and lower 40s.


An area of low pressure passing to our south will bring some snow to the region Wednesday afternoon and night.


LINKS: HOUR BY HOUR FORECAST | LOCAL RADAR


Total snow accumulations will average a coating to an inch or two.


Clouds will break for some sunshine on Thursday with highs hitting the upper 30s.






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Life Lessons: Conquer your biggest challenge

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This is the year: conquer your biggest challenge!


Maybe it’s writing the novel you’ve always talked about, losing that last 10 pounds or starting your dream business.


Reaching your biggest challenge is about putting one foot in front of the other: that’s according to one woman who not only talks the talk but walked the walk, right around the world.


Anthonette Klinkerman takes no prisoners when it comes to her passion.


"I came up with this idea for a mobile etiquette school. Everybody wants everything in a boot camp format. They want it in one hour and they want it yesterday,” says Klinkerman.


Her confidence is apparent up on stage, but it wasn’t always so easy.


Unsure of taking on the huge task of starting her own business, she needed inspiration.


Klinkerman explains that she found it in another person,


"She walked all the way around the world. Just walked, One step in front of the other and I thought, what am I afraid of?"


She’s talking about her mentor: author and motivational speaker Polly Letofsky. She's been an inspiration to women all over the world, for trekking more than 14,000 miles in 22 countries.


"I had a dream my whole life to go discover the world by foot in slow motion,” says Letofsky.


After conquering her biggest goal, she’s helping others do the same.


First off, get it on paper.


Write down all your fears, reach out for help, surround yourself with supportive people and expect tough times.


Letofsky says, "Expect that there’s going to be hurdles so that you’re not surprised and blindsided by them."


After following these tips and taking action to start courtesy boot camp, Klinkerman's future looks bright.


"You have to just put yourself out there and trust that it’s going to fall into place eventually,” says Klinkerman.


One foot in front of the other, whether it’s around your own personal boot camp like Anne or walking around the world like Polly.


Letofsky shares her top tips with the world in her book "3MPH: the Adventure of One Woman’s Walk Around the World."






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