Lawsuit: Man held 20 hours after asking to file TSA complaint

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A traveler detained for more than 20 hours after a search of energy bars and a sports watch in his carry-on bag at Philadelphia International Airport has sued the Transportation Security Administration.


Architect and runner Roger Vanderklok says he was arrested after asking to file a complaint against the TSA.


His lawsuit accuses a TSA supervisor of lying in court for saying he made a verbal threat during the 2013 security stop.


The supervisor said he was concerned about the running gear in the bag. He testified ``organic mass'' and electronics can be used to make bombs.


A judge dismissed threat charges against Vanderklok.


The lawsuit was filed last month and seeks at least $75,000 in damages. The Philadelphia Daily News first reported on it Wednesday.


The TSA says it doesn't comment on pending litigation.






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Allentown repeals local gun laws to avoid Tea Party lawsuit

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Taking the advice of Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Allentown City Council unanimously voted to repeal some of its firearms ordinances to comply with a new Pennsylvania law Wednesday night.


The city faced a lawsuit by the Lehigh Valley Tea Party if it did not repeal those gun laws, because that new state law allows organizations to sue municipalities.


The city repealed its gun laws so it would not be sued.


Pawlowski did not attend council’s meeting, but city managing director Francis Dougherty read a statement from the mayor.


“I cannot put the city at risk of heavy financial loss with potential lawsuits,” said Pawlowski.


“We elected leaders of Allentown have a collective fiduciary responsibility to repeal the ordinances and adhere to current state law.


“We all took an oath to uphold the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and to protect our great city.”


The new state law, Act 192, allows individuals or organizations to sue municipalities if they have gun laws that are stricter than state laws.


Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Lancaster, as well as some state legislators, already have filed their own lawsuits in Commonwealth Court to overturn Act 192 —which went into effect on Jan 5.


Allentown is the third largest city in the state and “the mayor has a responsibility to join this fight against this particular law,” declared former City Council member Michael Donovan, who unsuccessfully tried to unseat Pawlowski in the 2013 election.


Donovan reminded council members that they are a political body and have a role as public policy makers.


“If other cities in the state are fighting this, and we are the third largest city, I suggest you get on the mayor to say join that fight,” he said.


Dr. Fritz Walker of South Whitehall, who introduced himself as a member of the board of directors of CeaseFirePA, had a different suggestion for council.


“If you must repeal the gun ordinances, please consider doing so with the proviso that should Act 192 be overturned, the laws will automatically and immediately be re-instated, without requiring an additional vote of the council,” said Walker.


“This will send a clear message regarding your belief in the importance of these ordinances.”


Council declined to take Walker’s suggestion.


“We can’t do that,” said council vice president Julio Guridy. “We would have to write another bill.”


“If court challenges are successful, I will be the first to re-introduce our ordinances for council’s consideration and support,” promised Pawlowski in his statement.


“The fight here needs to be with the state legislature,” stated the mayor. “I will be there every step of the way to get sensible and modern-day laws enacted, such as the ones that we are proposing to repeal here tonight.”


Dougherty told council that 22 municipalities across the state already have repealed their gun laws and “at least 100 municipalities, such as ours, have been placed on notice of the law on the books, which is prompting us to take this action.”


Other local municipalities have repealed their firearms ordinances to avoid being sued, with little fanfare or controversy.


But Allentown council’s vote during its regular Wednesday night meeting was preceded by the full council holding a special committee-of-the-whole meeting on the issue.


Thirteen people addressed council during its 6:15 p.m. committee-of-the-whole meeting.


Some of them spoke again during the regular council meeting that followed at 7 p.m.


Some comments at the meetings sounded like a broader debate about gun control and gun violence — including in Allentown.


Donovan was the only person who addressed council that was applauded, when he said: “I would love to see the city of Allentown join the lawsuit.”


That spurred council president Ray O’Connell to warn the audience that clapping and cheering are not appropriate at a City Council meeting.


O’Connell threatened to end the meeting if it happened again. “I’m not trying to be mean or disrespectful,” he said.


Allentown laws repealed


Pawlowski said the city laws being repealed were “effective and reasonable.”


One of them required owners of firearms that are lost or stolen to report that loss or theft to local law enforcement officials within 24 hours.


The city enacted that law in 2008.


Another repealed law prohibited using, carrying or discharging firearms of any kind on any city property.


It now only prohibits anyone from “unlawfully” discharging firearms within city limits or on any city property.


Hunting still will be prohibited on all city property.


Also repealed was a regulation prohibiting firearms in city parks or recreation areas.


Council member Jeanette Eichenwald was concerned that the city still could be subject to legal action because of a possible loophole.


While council removed language that prohibited using, carrying or discharging firearms of any kind on city property, Eichenwald was concerned that a prohibition against “any other forms of weapons dangerous to human safety” was not removed from that same law.


“A firearm produces danger,” said Eichenwald. “Couldn’t one argue that any form of a dangerous weapon could include a firearm? A firearm is a weapon. How can you read this to exclude firearms?


“If we’re doing this to prevent the city from being sued, why would we not make sure the language is so perfectly clear that it would not put us into any jeopardy?”


Assistant city solicitor Frances Fruhwirth said Eichenwald raised a very good point, but added: “This is the drafting we feel comfortable with in addressing a problem at hand.”


“If our solicitor is comfortable with this language, I will bow to that,” said Eichenwald.


Despite her concern, she joined her colleagues in voting to repeal the laws with no additional changes.


Council opinions


“I don’t want to put the city in jeopardy of being sued,” said council vice president Julio Guridy before the vote. “It could be costly for the citizens.”


“We really do not have a choice,” said Eichenwald. “Based on the law, the way it presently is interpreted, we need to repeal this. If not, we definitely open ourselves up for a lawsuit, which will cause us financial harm.”


Eichenwald hopes the state will repeal Act 192.


“I cannot believe we’re being put into this position by our own state legislature,” said council member Joe Davis.


He added any organization anywhere could sue the city “and put us in financial difficulties because we’re trying to protect our citizens.”


Davis and others noted someone now could legally take a gun to a City Council meeting, but they would not be allowed to carry a firearm into the state capitol, where the legislature meets.


O’Connell’s opinion on the issue? “Common sense, throw it out the window.”


Residents speak


A couple of people sought to bring the issue home by reminding council members of the three people killed by an angry resident during a municipal meeting in August 2013 in Ross Township, Monroe County.


“City Council meetings are a place where tempers flare,” said Walker. “Guns and council meetings are a recipe for tragedy.”


Almost everyone who addressed council objected to Allentown’s firearms laws being weakened by the state.


“I urge you to hold onto our local ordinances while the constitutionality of Act 192 is decided,” said resident Carol Gonzalez.


“This makes no sense,” said city resident Ed Degrace. “Do not repeal this law.”


“I find it really offensive that the NRA [National Rifle Association] can bully us,” said resident Kate Riker. “This is insane, absolutely nuts.”


But a very different opinion was offered by city resident Eric Trimmer, a Lehigh Valley Tea Party member who told council it is disingenuous to expect residents to obey any city laws when the city will not respect the state’s laws. “If you want us to obey your laws, you should obey the state laws.”


“History has shown that when you pass gun laws, all you do is disarm law-abiding citizens,” said Trimmer. “Criminals still carry guns.”


Tea Party threatens to sue Allentown


Tom Campione of Hellertown, vice chairman of the Lehigh Valley Tea Party, told City Council that on Jan. 12 his organization’s attorney sent a letter to Allentown’s solicitor about city ordinances that violate the new state law, which had been passed only seven days earlier.


That letter, from Atty. Thomas Carroll of Bethlehem, threatened legal action against the city if it did not repeal the ordinances.


Campione urged council to do the right thing by repealing “the offending ordinances.”


He acknowledged there are residents “and perhaps some council members” who would like the ordinances to remain. “However, the reality is the city is not authorized to regulate firearms in any manner. That power is reserved to the state legislature.”


Campione also warned council that, if his organization would sue the city under Act 192, “you’re immediately on the hook —liable for all reasonable plaintiff legal fees.”


Speaking immediately after Campione, Rev. Phyllis Cucchiani beseeched council “not to be intimidated by those who would have you worry about money when God is in control. I’m urging you to take the risk and confront the NRA and the Tea Party.”


Donovan said he was offended that a member of the Tea Party “comes from out of town and basically threatens the city…and tells us what we should or should not do.”


Pawlowski’s statement


In his statement, Pawlowski called himself a law-and-order advocate with a strong record of promoting reasonable and sensible gun laws.


He said Allentown was one of the first cities to join Mayors Against Illegal Guns and CeaseFirePA.


While calling himself a fierce advocate of the Second Amendment, the mayor also stated: “I have publicly and vocally stood up for common-sense gun legislation and, as a result, have been the target of the NRA on numerous occasions for my stands on this issue.”


Walker of CeaseFirePA said it was an outrage that Pennsylvania’s legislators would kowtow to the NRA and create such a law as Act 192.


“It is a law that is almost certainly unconstitutional,” he said.


Elaborating, Walker maintained Act 192 clearly violates the single subject provision of the state’s constitution, which states: “No bill shall be passed containing more than one subject.”


He explained Act 192 got passed by being attached to an unrelated bill about increasing penalties for the theft of copper and other metals from building sites.


At the start of the discussion, Dougherty told council the new state law is designed to give gun owners and gun rights groups “a better chance at dismantling local firearms ordinances.”


Eichenwald was troubled that the state would enact legislation giving any organization the ability to sue a municipality that wishes to protect its residents, “even when that organization has suffered no harm.”






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Lower Saucon gives go ahead to Woodmont apt. developer

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The Lower Saucon Township Council passed a resolution Wednesday giving the go-ahead to the developers of the proposed Woodmont Saucon Valley apartments on Friedensville Road to begin working directly with township officials to further their development plans for the 204-unit complex.


Chief Investment Officer David Trager and Senior Vice President for Development Steven Varneckas of Woodmont Properties appeared before council to provide an update to their development proposal on approximately 24 acres of land located across Friedensville Road from Lehigh University's graduate student apartment buildings.


Trager's update included retaining the same 204 various sized apartments while providing more open space on the west end of the property adjacent to Society Hill and concentrating the living units on the eastern side closer to Hellertown.


He pointed out Lehigh Valley Woodmont complexes in west Bethlehem located behind Lowe's Home Improvement and the second in Palmer Township have been successful ventures, providing high quality rentals to younger "millenials" and "baby boomers" interested in downsizing.


Varneckas said the plans include one and two bedroom apartments designed on one and two floors in addition to 50 percent of the units containing integrated and stand-alone garages.


Council members raised concerns over parking, traffic on area roads especially Friedensville Road, and water and sewer connections to neighboring Bethlehem's system.


Councilwoman Priscilla deLeon said, "I don't see anything new with this proposal tonight and I'm against it." She was referring to Woodmont representatives appearing before council late last summer to first introduce their development plans.


DeLeon objected not only to a substantial increase in area traffic as a result of the development, but also to a higher zoning density change, and the use of Bethlehem water and sewer allocations by Woodmont that were previously designated for area homeowners.


Councilman Tom Maxfield said if Lower Saucon was ever in need of more residential water hookups from Bethlehem, all the township need do is ask for them. "I don't see the sewer issues being a problem," he stated.


Councilman Dave Willard advised Trager, "Go and make changes to you plans and we'll consider it further."


Council President Ron Horiszny and councilmen Maxfield and Willard voted to have Woodmont work with township planners, zoners, and engineers to take the project to the next level.


"It's not a bad plan", remarked Maxfield who encouraged Trager and Varneckas to begin consultations with Lower Saucon representatives.


DeLeon offered the only no vote on the project.


However, Maxfield said with regard to the increased traffic on Friedensville Road, "This could become problematic--it can be hairy at times."


When council inquired about a fiscal impact study to be done on the Woodmont proposal Varneckas commented, "This study will be a fiscal positive for the municipality.






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4-alarm fire in Norristown apartment building turns fatal

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A massive apartment building fire killed one person and injured three others in Montgomery County.


The four-alarm fire broke out around 12:45 a.m. at an apartment complex at 611 Swede St. in Norristown.


Crews responded to reports of a fire in the basement of the Norris Apartments, but when they arrived, flames were in the second and third floors of the building.


Firefighters used long ladders to rescue residents from the upper floors.


At one point, firefighters were told to evacuate the building, and a rear part of the building collapsed.


People living in the complex were immediately evacuated, and the Red Cross is assisting.


About two dozen residents were displaced and are being assisted by the Red Cross.


Officials said the fire burned for more than four hours before it was brought under control.






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PennDOT considers closing 8th St Bridge to finish project months faster

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Reconstruction of Allentown’s Eighth Street Bridge could be finished up to one year sooner if the city agrees to completely close the bridge, city managing director Francis Dougherty told City Council Wednesday night.


The 102-year-old bridge is a key link to center city from the south.


Because of the $18.5-million construction project, traffic on the bridge is restricted to just one northbound lane. One sidewalk also remains open.


The bridge occasionally has been completely closed during the project, which began last year, but usually for no longer than several hours.


If the bridge is not completely closed, the work won’t be completed until mid-2016, said Allentown public works director Craig Messinger.


No formal request to close the bridge has yet been made to the city by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, which owns the bridge.


The issue was raised when City Council president Ray O’Connell asked Messinger about the timeline for the Eighth Street Bridge during Wednesday’s meeting.


“We’re looking at 2016,” said Messinger, generating some surprised groans.


He added: “PennDOT did come to me and say that possibly they would give me a proposal about closing it down and trying to get it done maybe toward the end of this year, maybe the beginning of next year.”


But Messinger told council he has not yet received any formal proposal from PennDOT.


Elaborating, city managing director Francis Dougherty told council: “Informally, PennDOT had a discussion with Craig basically vetting the proposal that, if the city was amenable to shutting the entire bridge down, they could expedite completion of the project by almost a year.”


Dougherty said the city has waited and waited, but never received a formal request to do that from PennDOT.


“Once we do, we’ll bring that to council and we’ll have some deliberations, because there are some concerns about some of our school children who use that bridge.”


Jefferson Elementary School is just south of the bridge, at Eighth and Saint John streets. If the bridge would be closed completely to speed up the project, those children might have to be bused to school, said Dougherty.


“I’m glad you’re looking at it,” said O’Connell.


Outside the meeting, Messinger said closing the bridge completely probably would speed up completion of the project by six months rather than a year.


The possibility of expediting the reconstruction was suggested to PennDOT by the project contractor, IEW Construction Group of Trenton, N.J.


PennDOT passed the suggestion on to Messinger.


Messinger said if the city does get a formal request to close the bridge, the administration would take it to City Council because “it’s the right thing to do.”


He said a full closure would impact too many people to not do that.


Dougherty agreed, saying: “We would not have to come to council, but we would consult with council.”


He noted any full closure of the bridge also would involve discussions with Allentown School District.


“We don’t know all the impact, but since we never received a letter, we haven’t begun anything,”said Dougherty.


He said he’s losing hope PennDOT will ever send such a letter because more than month has passed since Messinger informally was advised the work could be completed sooner if the bridge would be closed.


“Maybe the circumstances have changed and they no longer feel that way, I don’t know.”


The bridge rehabilitation project began in May 2014. It always has been projected to be a two-year project.


“It just seems like it’s moving really slow,” said O’Connell, adding: “That’s just my perception.”


“I agree with you,” said council member Cynthia Mota.


Messinger indicated construction has been slowed by winter weather.


The project includes reconstructing both approaches to the bridge, replacing the entire bridge deck, constructing new alcoves, repairing bridge piers, reconstructing roadway approaches, installing new ornamental lighting, new sidewalks and curbs and decorative fencing designed to prevent suicides.


Messinger added “spot repairs” are being done on the entire bridge, explaining someone standing beneath it can look up and see areas where chunks of concrete have broken off and rebar is exposed.


Eighth Street Bridge was constructed in 1913 and last rehabilitated in 1973.


In 1974, the span was renamed Albertus L. Meyers Bridge, after a long-time conductor of the Allentown Band.


But most residents still know it simply as the Eighth Street Bridge.


Until the early 1950s, trolleys ran across the bridge and motorists had to pay tolls to cross it.


Messinger also reported to City Council that the American Parkway Bridge being constructed over the Lehigh River is 70 percent complete.


He said the American Parkway bridge will be finished by the end of this year.


He told council rehabilitation of the Tilghman Street Bridge, which also crosses the Lehigh River south of where the American Parkway Bridge is being built, will begin after that new bridge is completed.






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Life Lessons: A fresh twist on winter's finest veggie

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Tender and golden, butternut squash is loaded with vitamins A and C, and when it’s served with a savory risotto, fresh goat cheese and drizzled with sage and honey, you’ll have a dish that’s not only healthy, but sure to please.


At Catering by Liz, owner Liz Grenamyer uses only the freshest ingredients to wow party and event goers.


Today she’s dishing up a delicious vegetarian option with some flair.


Grenamyer says, “We’re making butternut squash risotto cakes.”


First, peel your butternut squash and chop it up into small cubes.


“Butternut squash has such a sweet, wonderful flavor,” says Grenamyer.


While you roast your squash, let’s get ready for the risotto. Start with shallots.


Sautee, mince garlic and add it to the mix.


For a creamy texture, add Arborio rice.


“It’s a little starchier rice; it’s a short grain rice that Italians love to use in their risotto dishes,” she says.


Glaze with wine and cook for 20 minutes until rice is tender.


“It is a little bit of a labor of love, but it’s worth the effort,” says Grenamyer.


Puree squash, add it to your risotto and rice mix, and scoop into a ball. Put a little indentation right in the center, which is where you will put your goat cheese.


Dip in flour, egg and Panko and drop it in a pan until golden.


Next, heat honey and sage leaves and add a little bit of lemon juice.


“Now we have butternut squash risotto cakes with your sage, honey with just a little touch of lemon.”


You can also make a non-vegetarian version. Try the cakes with prosciutto!






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Train Engineer Helped Pull Passengers to Safety

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The hero train engineer Steven Smalls who helped saved passengers during Tuesday's fiery commuter crash, is being treated for smoke inhalation and emotional trauma.


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Quakertown welcomes new council member

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Quakertown Borough has a fresh face on council.


At Wednesday evening's council meeting, Jane Paulovitz took the oath of office and officially began her duties as a councilwoman.


Paulovitz expressed gratitude for the chance to serve the community.


"I am thankful to the borough for the opportunity," she said. "I am also thankful to Quakertown Alive! for their support over the years. And, I also want to thank my husband."


Paulovitz will finish former Councilman Dan Williams' term, who recently resigned.


She currently serves as president of Quakertown Alive!.


She and her family have resided in Quakertown for 38 years.


Also during the meeting, borough police officer Matthew Molchan was formally sworn in as detective.


Molchan was hired by the borough in 1997 and has served in the bicycle unit, as a field officer, K-9 officer and is NRA instructor certified.


Molchan is a graduate of Parkland High School and the Allentown Police Academy.


He also served in the U.S. Coast Guard for a period of four years.


"Congratulations, Matt, we wish you well," council President L. James Roberts said.


In other business, Borough Manager Scott McElree provided an update on the advanced metering infrastructure project and bid recommendation.


According to McElree, the previous company incorrectly bid on the electrical meters, resulting in a $700,000 error.


"We learned at the end of December they made a fatal error in the bid," he said.


The company, McElree said, pulled out of the bid.


Elster is the second company to bid and based on projections, is $250,000 less than the initial bid.


Elster produces fully integrated water meters along with software.


"It's not only less expensive but its capabilities exceed what we are looking for," McElree said.


Council expects to vote on the Elster bid at the March meeting.


Council also bid farewell to Junior Council Member Joy Zheng.


Zheng, who will be moving to Milford Township with her family, completed one year as a junior council member this past September.


She is a senior at Quakertown Community High School.


"We wish you well," Roberts said.


Councilman David Erwin was not present for Wednesday's meeting.






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Trial set for man who allegedly claimed he was attack by Stone

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A Doylestown man charged with calling in a false report during the search for mass killer Bradley Stone is heading to trial.


Luke Sanderlin waived his right to a preliminary hearing today.


Sanderlin was charged with risking a catastrophe, reckless endangerment and making false reports to law enforcement during the hunt for Bradley Stone.


Stone killed six people and then himself back in December.


Sanderlin's formal arraignment is scheduled to take place early next month.






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Police warn parents: man targeting children for abduction

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Wyomissing criminal investigators are putting out a warning to parents after a male attempted to lure four children over the last week in Berks County.



"Run, yell and tell," said Daren Anders, a criminal investigator for Wyomissing Police Department.



The first instance was last Tuesday morning in Reading near Millmont Elementary School. There, the young girl told police she was approached by a hispanic male driving a black SUV with dark tinted windows.



Since then, there have been two other attempted lurings in Bern Township and Shillington both matching the same description.



Wyomissing Police have also released this sketch after a hispanic male on foot approached and grabbed a child by the arm in the 800 block of Park Road. The child broke free and got away.



Police and several school districts are reminding students to be alert and observant. They say that means: take your eyes off your cell phone and keep your eyes on your surroundings.



They also tell students to never go with a person you do not know and to be prepared if you are approached.



"Teach them to fight back and not go willingly, make as much commotion as they can if they feel they are being threatened by somebody they do not know," said Anders.



Parents too should be on the look out and if you see someone suspicious try to get a good description of the person and a license plate and immediately report it to police or the school district.



"We just need to keep our kids safe by making them aware and encouraging them to be aware of their surrounds and just be careful," said John Yount, the Director of Safe Schools for Governor Mifflin School District.



Police tell us they have been following up on several leads, but they have not caught this person and are still asking the public to be vigilant.






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Family remembers woman who died in the cold

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According to officials last night's frigid temperatures are to blame for the death an elderly woman in Bernville.



They were as close as two sisters could be until a fierce winter wind changed everything.



Reporter: Arleen Schwartz is still trying to process the fact that her loving sister died trying to get to her house. The coroner says 89-year-old Esther May Luckenbill slipped on a patch of ice Tuesday night and then died from from exposure to the freezing cold. Arleen says her sister was always very active.



Arleen: Oh, yeah, she was always active. She was always doing things.



Stand up: Now Arleen says she used to speak to her sister everyday single day and when she didn't hear from her she knew something was strong.



Arleen: When i came home from the store, and i didn't get no answer, and then i went and i kept calling and calling and didn't get an answer.



Reporter: It turns out Esther couldn't get into her house, so she decided to head to Arleen's place ... Just a few doors down ... Penn Valley Road ... And that's when when she slipped on that nasty patch of ice. When family didn't hear from Esther, they came running ... But it was too late. Moving forward, Arleen prefers to rember the good times.



Reporter: Esther would have turned 90 years old on Valentine's Day. Arleen says it won't be the same without her best friend ... But no amount of cold will ever be able to steal the lifetime of great memories.



Arleen: Oh yes, she was really nice.Yup she was, yup, she was.She was really nice.



Reporter: In Bernville, Dwayne Parker, 69 News.






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Royals edge Nailers for 8th consecutive win

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After sweeing their five game road trip after the All-Star break, the Royals kept on rolling with a 2-1 win over the Wheeling Nailers on Wedneday night at Santander Arena. The Royals have pushed their overall win streak to eight games.


Pat Mullane and Adam Hughesman scored the goals for the Royals. They got 42 saves from Connor Knapp.


Reading did benefit from a disallowed goal in the final 16 seconds that would have tied the game.


The Royals host Florida this weekend in a pivotal three-game series. The Everblades lead the East Division, with the Royals hot on their tails.






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Royals edge Nailers for 8th straight win

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Marquette... >>> The Reading Royals are playing well. They've won 7 straight games and that has them second in their division right now, a really good spot to be in heading towards the postseason. They hoped to add to their winning streak tonight as they returned home






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KU men, women sweep Cheyney as playoff chases narrow

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The Kutztown men's and women's basketball teams swept Cheyney on Wednesday at Keystone Arena. Both Golden Bear teams are jockeying for playoff position.


In the men's game, Kutztown pulled away for an 84-68 win. Josh Johnson dropped 30 points to lead four KU players in double-figures.


The Golden Bears trail East Stroudsburg by one game for first place in the PSAC East.


In the women's game, KU held off a feisty Cheyney team for the 65-60 win.


Alyssa Bonenberger dropped 17 points as the Golden Bears moved into a fourth place tie in the PSAC East at 8-9.






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KU basketball sweeps double-header with Cheyney

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their fourth Super Bowl win. >>> rob vaughn: Here's Troy. >>> The Kutztown men are still chasing a division title in the psac. They still trail East Stroudsburg after losing in 4 overtimes Saturday. That's a tough loss for any team, and a loss the ku men hoped to put behind them tonight. a win over Cheyney is exactly what they needed to get back on track... >>> The ku women played game one of the doubleheader






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Running team empowers young girls in Bethlehem

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The Donegan Dashers is a new running team at Donegan Elementary in Bethlehem.


Every practice, 25 girls on the team hear their teachers and coaches cheering them on.


"I used to think about sad things that happened to me, but then I realized I shouldn't be thinking about those things," Donegan Dasher Melany Gil said. "I realized I should be thinking about what I would like to be when I grow up."


It is a group that's doing a lot more than teaching girls in 3rd 4th and 5th grade the fundamentals of the sport.


"I think that I can do anything," Donegan Dasher, Kendal Cheatum said.

Donegan Elementary School Principal, Sonia Vazquez, saw a need in her school to empower young girls through an athletic outlet.


"I knew if we found a passion for them, something would take," Vazquez said. "Whether it was letting the energy go, or just being part of a group."


She chose accomplished marathon runner and teacher Kathy West to lead the charge, taking the girls from recreational joggers to athletes training for an upcoming 5K.


"She has transformed these girls," Vazquez said. "It is not just the running, it is their entire lives."


Teachers, coaches and students alike have taken note of that transformation.


"We feel independent we feel strong now," Donegan Dasher, Melony Nonnemacher said.


"It makes me feel different than everybody else," Donegan Dasher Aiyana Rivera said. "I am proud to be a Dasher."


West dreams will continue to grow in the years ahead. And with the results she's seen so far, it doesn't seem like keeping the volunteer program running will be too much of a hurdle.






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