 | Pennsylvania's most famous groundhog gives us an insight to how much longer we'll be battling winter weather. For more on this story: http://abcn.ws/16kNqDc. | From: ABC News Views: 0  0 ratings |
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The handlers of Pennsylvania's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, say the furry rodent has forecast six more weeks of winter.
Members of the top hat-wearing Inner Circle announced the ``forecast'' just before 7:30 a.m. Monday in Punxsutawney, Jefferson County.
A German legend has it that if a furry rodent sees his shadow on Feb. 2, winter will last another six weeks. If not, spring comes early.
In reality, Phil's prediction is decided ahead of time by the group on Gobbler's Knob, the tiny hill in the town for which he's named about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
Records going back to 1887 show Phil has now predicted more winter 102 times while forecasting an early spring just 17 times. There are no records for the remaining years.
If you're heading out on mass transit Monday morning, better check with your bus or airline first.
Trans-Bridge officials say bus service is running to New York City, Newark and JFK Airport, but based on road conditions, there may be some delays.
For Trans-Bridge customers booked on casino, one-day or overnight excursions, officials said a representative will call if there are any changes to their trip.
Bieber Bus Lines are running on schedule,
Due to inclement weather, Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANta) officials say all LANta Bus and LANtaVan service has been cancelled until 8 a.m. Monday,
Upon service resuming, LANta bus service will operate under a full snow emergency.
Lehigh Valley International Airport only has one cancelled flight listed. All others are reportedly on time.
Travelers are encouraged to check with their airline before heading out.
Many in the area will be digging out Monday morning, before heading out for the morning commute.
However, before you grab those winter tools, there are some important safety tips to keep in mind before you start shoveling.
"It's important to pace yourself," said Dr. John Wilson, emergency medicine at St. Luke's University Health Network. "Don't try to tackle this all at once if you are not physically fit. Do it slowly."
According to a recent study, more than 11,000 people are hospitalized each year while digging out.
"When you go the the gym, you warm up and stretch out," said Dr. Wilson. "It's important to do that before you shovel snow as well."
Think of shoveling as an outdoor workout, so you'll want to take precautions to prevent injuries.
"Take a brisk walk, do some jumping jacks," said Dr. Wilson. "Get that blood flowing.Then do some stretches for your back and hamstrings."
According to a study, the group most at risk is men 55 and over. They are 4 times more likely to suffer from cardiac symptoms while shoveling.
In the most severe cases, that can lead to heart attacks.
"My recommendation would be to hire someone or purchase a snow blower," said Dr. Wilson.
However, if you are going to be out working in the elements, make sure you take frequent water breaks and dress appropriately.
"Don't bundle up so much because that will cause you to lose water and become dehydrated," said Dr. Wilson.
A tractor trailer has slid off the NE Extension of the Turnpike in Lehigh County early Monday morning.
Crews are on the scene and traffic is getting by the 18-wheeler.
The accident happened around 4:30 a.m. in the northbound lanes of the Turnpike about halfway between the Quakertown and Lehigh Valley exits in Upper Milford Township.
This is in the Vera Cruz area.
There's no word on the driver's condition.
Studies show every 45 seconds another patient in the US undergoes knee replacement surgery-but there may be a less invasive procedure available in the future.
For the first time in the U.S., surgeons at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center have implanted a plastic device designed to help patients with injured or deteriorating meniscus cartilage.
The meniscus is located between the thigh and shin bones and once it’s damaged can’t heal on its own.
“We don’t have many options for these patients, unfortunately. Once the meniscus is damaged, pain sets in and can ultimately lead to arthritis and the need for knee replacement surgery,” said Dr. Christopher Kaeding, the surgeon who implanted the device and executive director of OSU Sports Medicine.
“If this implant works as well as we think it will, it fills a gap in our treatment spectrum for those with injuries to their meniscus,” said Kaeding.
Currently about 720,000 patients a year undergo knee replacement surgery, but that number is expected to swell to more than 3.5 million cases by 2030, an increase of nearly 400 percent.
“We’re hoping this implant can not only alleviate the pain in these patients but help them avoid, or at least delay, a knee replacement procedure,” said Dr. Kaeding.
Drake Ross has always been committed to staying fit. He’s an avid runner and student of martial arts.
But over the years, the cartilage between his thigh and shin bones known as the meniscus began to tear and his activity level took a serious hit.
“It kind of dwindled to the point of not running, because I knew I wasn’t going to get better. The meniscus doesn’t repair itself,” said Ross.
He had three procedures to shave off the damaged part of his meniscus and went online to see if there were any other treatment options.
Dr. Kaeding says there aren't many options and usually such an injury will only get worse.
“They’re starting to have pain on that side of the knee, the concern for most orthopedic surgeons is that knee is starting to get Arthritis and the arthritis will progress over time.”
So Dr. Kaeding said some patients in European studies have found this new implant conforms to the body.
"Actually, with time, they’ve noticed it will aplastic and deform and actually custom fit that particular knee.”
The device will be implanted at seven different sites around the U.S. and doctors will follow the patients for several months to chart their mobility and level of pain.
They think the device will help millions of middle age patients who are too old for meniscus repair but too young for knee replacement.
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A new turn in a story of remarkable recovery. Remember Cheesedoodle? She's the pet pot-bellied pig, left for dead back in December.
"Oh my gosh she was horrible, somebody tried to chop her head off," Last Chance Ranch Owner Lori McCutcheon said. "It was bloody, it was right down to the bone, I don't even know how she survived."
Ranch hands at Last Chance Ranch Animal Rescue in Quakertown took her in, gave her food, water shelter and most importantly affection. Initially it was thought the humane thing to do was to euthanize the pig. But it was Cheesedoodle's miraculous recovery and charming personality that won over her caretakers.
"It is amazing to me how forgiving she is, and how trusting she is," Last Chance Ranch Kennel Manager AnnMarie Petitto-Thomas said.
They say a mother's instinct is one of the most powerful forces on Earth, and it may have been just that, that got Cheesedoodle through one of the toughest times in her life. The pot-bellied pig was making a speedy recovery, impressing ranch hands while simultaneously wiggling her way into their hearts. No one could have guessed what would happen next.
"She was healing really, really well and we're thinking, pretty soon we can put her up for adoption," McCutcheon said. "We walk in Saturday morning and 'oh my gosh!'"
Cheesedoodle had brought four baby piglets into the world.
"I think she just had that will to live," McCutcheon said. "I'm a mom of three and nothing is going to stop me from my kids!"
The group is affectionately referred to as the 'snack pack' complete with Chex, Triscuit, Chip and Pringle.
It is an ending to a story that McCutcheon could have never imagined.
"People should get along this well and not be as miserable to each other," McCutcheon said. "Because this is just a miracle."
In six weeks when the piglets are more mature, the entire snack pack will be up for adoption. McCutcheon says she will do everything in her power to make sure they head to loving homes.
McCutcheon also says her ranch is in need of donations. For more information, click here.
Tom Brady threw for four touchdowns and Malcolm Butler intercepted Russell Wilson's pass in the end zone with 20 seconds left, helping the New England Patriots hold on to beat the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 Sunday night for their fourth Super Bowl title.
The Patriots had lost three straight Super Bowls since winning three in four years a decade ago.
The 37-year-old Brady led them back, hitting Julian Edelman with 2:02 left for his 12th career Super Bowl touchdown pass, breaking Joe Montana's record.
The Seahawks pulled off a miraculous rally to beat Green Bay in the NFC Championship game and were in position for another improbable victory when Jermaine Kearse made a juggling, 33-yard catch while on his back.
With the ball on New England's 1, Seattle appeared to be headed toward a second straight Super Bowl title. Butler spoiled the Seahawks' bid, stepping in front of Ricardo Lockette for the interception.
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Rush Township police say they are investigating a head-on collision at the intersection of Claremont Avenue and East Main Street.
According to authorities, the crash happened around 11:00p.m. Saturday night.
Police say 47-year-old Edward Farley of Sugarloaf was driving a 2011 Ford Taurus on East Main Street as he approached the fork in the road at the intersection.
Farley then crossed over the double yellow line and traveled north in the south bound ramp.
Farley entered Claremont Avenue, still traveling north in the south bound lane when he collided head-on with a 2002 Nissan operated by 24-year-old Gabrielle Lech of New Ringgold.
Officials say Lech was taken to a local hospital for unknown injuries.
Police say Farley showed signs of intoxication and was taken to Pottsville Hospital for a blood test.
DUI charges are pending.
This is the second alcohol-related accident within 12 hours in the same area.
Former World War II U.S. Army battalion Cpl Harold Billow still can't believe how lucky he is after all these years.
In addition to being 92, Billow is one of two remaining vets alive who can still recall his surviving the notorious Malmedy Massacre in Belgium -- the result of about 130 American soldiers cutoff by a German offensive which forced them to surrender.
This massacre by the Germans during the infamous Battle of the Bulge was a Nazi war crime where 87 trapped American prisoners of war were shot in cold blood on December 17, 1944, at the Baugnez crossroads just outside of Malmedy on their way to St. Vith, Belgium.
Billow of Mount Joy, Lancaster County, spoke before a crowd of nearly 200 veterans and their wives during a monthly meeting of the Lehigh Valley Veterans History Project held at the Center for Lehigh Valley Active Life on Elm Street in Allentown.
Dressed in his vintage uniform and just over five feet tall with a slim build, Billow said, "It felt like days, even weeks" lying in the snowy ground face-down as the Germans fired machine guns positioned atop tanks at the mass of American soldiers standing before them.
He also noted how the Nazi SS soldiers sifted through the slain bodies looking for any signs of life and how he had to stifle his breath to remain undetected and continue "playing dead." He said if he had moved in the slightest he would have been detected instantly and shot in the head.
Billow said the Germans stated there was no time for them to take any prisoners; therefore the captured Americans were to be killed.
He pointed out when a number of prisoners fled the gunfire and hid in a nearby café, the SS doused the building with gas, set it on fire, and shot anyone fleeing the scene on foot.
He said he eventually was picked up by another American battalion nearby before he could be recaptured by the Germans.
Billows said he hoped to survive the ordeal in the hopes of testifying about the atrocity. He added although he himself never appeared at the Nuremburg war crimes trials, he knew of several fellow survivors who managed to testify against the Nazis.
At the end of the war in Europe, Billows said he left for England where he married his wife Vera before returning to the U.S. to work for Tyco in Reading.
For every national holiday celebrated, Billows said he decorates the front yard of his Mount Joy home with 87 flags to commemorate the men who perished in Malmedy at the hands of the Nazis.
U.S. Congressman Charlie Dent (R-PA 15th District) presented Billow with a special citation in recognition for his bravery and service to nation.
Local students such as Salisbury High School student Catherine Kenyon said Billow's speech is recorded on digital video disc (DVD) and transcribed by students such as herself as part of their senior history project.
She said the students' efforts are forwarded to the Library of Congress where they become part of the National Veterans History Project archives.
Police say they are looking for a man who escaped from a corrections center in South Heidelberg Township, Berks County.
According to official reports, John William Diven pulled the fire alarm at Wernersville Community Corrections Center and escaped.
Officials say Diven then ran from the building and got into a red passenger car.
Anyone with information is asked to call PSP Reading at (610) 378-4011.
A two-alarm fire in Lehigh Township, Northampton County has left one home severely damaged.
Officials say the fire happened in the 4600 block of Steven Lane, Lehigh Township around 9:00a.m.
No injuries were reported.
There is no word on whether or not the two-story home was a total loss.
Local police and fire officials have responded to reports of suspicious activity along the route of the Super Bowl 10k on Lehigh Parkway South.
Police say a suspicious package was located along the running route.
Police and fire officials have set up a perimeter around the area and are taking precautionary measures.
Scanner reports indicate police are also looking for a possible male suspect who was watching the area with a pair of binoculars.
Standing around 5 feet 9 inches tall, he is described as wearing all camouflage with a grey beard and brown eyes around 45 years of age.
Scanner reports also say he is suspected of driving a black Dodge Ram.
Anyone with information is asked to call police.
The Super Bowl 10k has been cancelled.
