 | The rough winter weather is bringing out the grouch in even the cutest little animals. Jimmy the official groundhog in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin was held up to the head of the city's mayor and... | From: ABC News Views: 0  1 ratings |
| Time: 01:40 | More in News & Politics |
 | The pop star was joined by Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott in an amazing performance at the NFL's biggest game of the year. | From: ABC News Views: 0   3 ratings |
| Time: 03:02 | More in News & Politics |
Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach has his eye on another term in office.
The Republican announced his re-election campaign tonight at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Reading.
He's been on the board of commissioners since 2008 and has been the chairman since 2011.
Reading Police are investigating a double homicide in the city that left a mother and son dead.
Mary Branford, 74, was found dead along with her son Johnny Branford, 52, on Saturday night in the living room of their home at 646 North 11th Street in Reading.
It is a loss that is struck many in the community.
"It really hit home because it was the same day that my mom passed way 10 years ago. So, I just know what that feeling is," said John Zuwiala, the owner of Haute Chocolate Cafe in West Reading
John Zuwiala is also good friends with Johnny Branford's brother Joey.
That is why he felt he needed to step up and help the Branford family.
"He is just a good person to be around in the community. He does what he he can for everybody and it is just time for us to help him out in his time of need," said Zuwiala.
Haute Chocolate Cafe will donate 100% of its proceeds from 11am-9pm on Wednesday to the Branford family.
"He is just not in a good place right now. I do not want to have somebody think about money during a time when they should be mourning. I just want him to focus on healing and getting past all this," said Zuwiala.
In addition to the fundraiser at the Haute Chocolate Cafe in the 700 block of Penn Avenue in West Reading, community members have set up a GoFundMe site for the family.
While the community raises support, police are still investigating to find suspects and a motive for the killings.
The coroner tells us Johnny died from multiple stab wounds, but the cause of Mary's death has not been released.
So far, police have not been able to identify a suspect, but they did said Monday that "based on the information developed so far, this does not appear to be random event."
Anyone with information that can help the case is asked to call Crime Alert Berks County at 877-373-9913. A cash reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.
More than 100 cases of measles have been reported in 14 states.
"This is unfortunate because this is a preventable disease and it's a disease that has a number of potential dangers," said Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, Chief of the Infectious Diseases Section for St. Luke's University Health Network.
"It is the most contagious disease."
Dr. Jahre said there are only a few groups of people who should not get the measles vaccine.
"If someone has a history of allergy to the vaccine, if someone has a problem with their immune system to or if someone is pregnant or about to become pregnant in the next four weeks, they should not get the vaccine," he explained.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends children get two doses of the MMR vaccine: the first between 12 and 15 months-old and the second between four and six years of age. According to the CDC, one dose is about 93 percent effective and two doses are about 97 percent effective at preventing the disease.
"Anyone born before 1957 is considered to be immune to measles because it was so pervasive," said Dr. Jahre.
There are some people who may have received an inactivated vaccine without the live virus that was not effective between 1963 and 1967. In that case, you may need a booster.
"If you were one of those individuals who got that inactivated version that was available between 1963 and 1967 then you probably ought to have your immunity checked," said Dr. Jahre. "A simple blood test can be done to show whether you have immunity or not to measles."
He said, "Prevention is always better than cure because we don't really have a cure once you actually have measles."
Monday, crews were out making sure roads were as clear as possible for drivers.
"Realize that roads aren't going to be perfect no matter how many vehicles or trucks we have out there," PennDot Press Officer, Sean Brown said.
In anticipation of a freezing Monday night, roads in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas received extra attention from crews.
By clearing the roads before temperatures plummet, Brown said crews can help stop a dangerous layer of ice from forming on the roadways.
When temperatures hit single digits, Brown also said salt is no longer effective as a de-icer. Therefore, an 'anti skid' material is used to help drivers navigate those more treacherous conditions.
"Anti-skid is sort of gravel, pebble, sand concoction that helps with traction," Brown said.
Brown also cautions that back roads will likely receive less attention than main roads, warning drivers to use special caution when navigating those areas.
"You might have to watch out for that," Brown said. "Anywhere where water is pooling."
And even when conditions potentially begin to clear in the days ahead, it is still important to keep your wits about you when behind the wheel.
"We could have a situation where roads clear nice and dry, and then heavy winds blow onto the road," Brown said. "Then you create a wet spot or a snowy spot; drivers aren't expecting that."
For that reason PennDot warns salt and anti skid are sometimes not be enough to stop weather related accidents from happening, especially when you're dealing with ice.
 | Whitney Houston's daughter was found face down in a bathtub in a scene tragically similar to her mother's death. Watch more ABC News coverage: www.abcnews.com Subscribe to WN on YouTube:... | From: ABC News Views: 0 0 ratings |
| Time: 01:35 | More in News & Politics |
 | New storm sweeps across Northeast, snarling traffic and closing schools again.Watch more ABC News coverage: www.abcnews.com Subscribe to WN on YouTube: http://ift.tt/1zB30VQ ... | From: ABC News Views: 0 0 ratings |
| Time: 02:39 | More in News & Politics |
The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission heard dozens of pitches today from municipalities hoping to be included in a regional transportation plan.
Getting in on the plan makes projects eligible for state and federal funding so they can be designed and built in the next 20 years.
Monday, officials from several local municipalities got to make their pitches for road, bridge and trail projects that are need of funding.
Representatives from Allentown are proposing two roundabouts in the city. They also want to upgrade American Parkway, Basin Street and South 4th Street between Airport Road and Emmaus Avenue.
The planning commission will announce the projects that will be included in the updated plan in June. We'll be back.
Mother Nature caused some problems for organizers of the 2015 Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Show.
A news conference was held Monday afternoon to announce changes for this year's event and introduce some of the new vehicles.
But, less than a handful of cars actually made it to the PPL Center in Allentown.
"Living in the northeast, you get to expect weather conditions. We were expecting to have 15 cars on the ice, but there was only two that showed up," said Tom Kwiatek, Executive Director of the Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association.
But hundreds more will be showcased at the 18th annual event, themed "Go Car Gazing," in March.
This year, more than 300 vehicles from more than 25 manufactures will be featured. New auto-technologies will also be in the spotlight, including internet-related capabilities, Kwiatek said.
Visitors to the four-day event will also notice a new tent filled with commercial vendors, including auto insurance, auto financing, and driveway repair services.
"It will add more value to the ticket holder," Kwiatek said.
Kwiatek also said that more manufactures will be offering test drive opportunities.
"There will be a much more enhanced ride-and-drive program. Normally, we have one manufacturer, or maybe two. This year, we have six," Kwiatek said.
There will also be a designated educational area inside the tent.
"We are going to have programs geared to the consumer, like do I buy or do I lease? How do I winterize my car? What about an electric car?" Kwiatek said.
The proceeds from this year's preview gala will benefit the prevention and treatment of motor vehicle trauma in kids and teenagers at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation's Pediatric Unit and St. Luke's University Health Network's Level 1 Trauma Center. The tailgate-themed event is scheduled for March 18th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The auto show begins on March 19th and runs through March 22nd at Stabler Arena on Lehigh University's Goodman Campus in Bethlehem. MORE HERE: http://glvautoshow.org/
The show runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
A man stole $40,000 worth of copper from a business in Berks County, police said.
Dyllan Hatfield took copper wire and copper rings from Regal Beloit, an electric motor manufacturer on Route 61 in Ontelaunee Township, police said.
Hatfield, 23, of Reading, took the copper over several months and sold it for cash at local scrapyards, police said.
Hatfield was charged with theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and conspiracy. He was committed to the Berks County Jail on $50,000 bail.
The state wrestling tournament isn't starting tonight, they've been postponed to tomorrow night, so for a handful of teams in our area that means an extra day to prepare and even workout. For Northern Lehigh, it changes nothing because the Bulldogs wrestle Thursday as the District 11 champs. Northern Lehigh is a surprise winner considering they came from the fourth seed to win the title. But the Bulldogs have gotten better and better as the year has gone along, and now they have a championship to show for their work. They also get to go wrestle in Hershey on the state's biggest stage, a first for many of these wrestlers, but not their head coach who was in Hershey when he wrestled for the Bulldogs.
 | There are remaining questions about how long winter will linger after three separate groundhogs behaved differently on groundhog day, February 2, 2015. | From: ABC News Views: 0 0 ratings |
| Time: 01:15 | More in News & Politics |
The Albright women are in the mix for a mac Commonwealth Championship this year, with a couple of weeks left in the regular season they are heading towards the playoffs. Kelecia Harris is a big part of their success, she's having a monster year for the Lions. Sam Marcinek has more on Harris and the Lions.
 | There are remaining questions about how long winter will linger after three separate groundhogs behaved differently on groundhog day, February 2, 2015. | From: ABC News Views: 0 0 ratings |
| Time: 01:11 | More in News & Politics |
Police are investigating the reported attempt to abduct a child in Berks County.
The 11-year-old child was grabbed on the arm around 8:20 a.m. Monday while walking to a bus stop in the 800 block of North Park Road in Wyomissing, police said.
The attempted abductor, described as a tall Hispanic man in his 20s or 30s, told the child to come with him, police said.
The child managed to escape the man's grasp and run away, police said.
Police said they had no reports of a vehicle being involved.
Anyone with information about the attempted abduction is asked to call Crime Alert Berks County at 877-373-9913. A cash reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.
The attempted child abduction comes on the heels of two reports of child luring in Berks County last week.
The text of the test article
Just-resigned Pennsylvania treasurer Rob McCord plans to plead guilty to federal extortion charges.
In the papers submitted Monday in federal court in Harrisburg, prosecutors filed two charges of extortion in connection with McCord's dealings with a law firm and a property management firm.
The papers included a plea agreement signed by McCord.
The firms were not named.
McCord, 55, resigned last Friday and said he planned to plead guilty to federal charges accusing him of using his office to threaten potential campaign donors during his failed gubernatorial primary race last year.
He apologized in a video released by his lawyers Friday and said he accepts responsibility for his actions.
The killings of a woman and her son in Reading do not appear to be the result of a random act of violence, police said Monday.
The victims, Mary Branford, 74, and her son, Johnny Branford, 52, were found dead by police in the living room of their home at 646 N. 11th St. Saturday night.
Officers were responding to calls from family members, who reported not being able to contact the Branfords for several days.
An autopsy revealed that Johnny Branford died of multiple stab wounds. Authorities are awaiting further tests to determine how his mother died.
Both victims' deaths were ruled homicides.
So far, police have not been able to identify a suspect, but they did say Monday that "based on the information developed so far, this does not appear to be random event."
Anyone with information that can help the case is asked to call Crime Alert Berks County at 877-373-9913. A cash reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.
Officials say a massive fire that caused heavy damage at a Berks County business is still under investigation.
According to officials, a fire at Reitnouer Inc., a business located at 5 East Pointe Drive in Cumru Township, was reported by a caller outside the facility around noon Saturday.
A second alarm was triggered soon after.
According to a WFMZ photographer at the scene, the fire appeared mostly contained to one truck trailer.
Some metal siding on the building was scolded, but the building itself was not on fire.
Tires on the property were on fire, causing heavy black smoke that could be seen for miles.
There is no word yet on how the fire started. Officials say a determination could be made by mid-week.
Officials are continuing to interview workers there.
No injuries were reported.
Reitnouer Inc. is a company specializing in the manufacturing of aluminum trailers.
