The death of the 53-year-old from Palmerton was ruled an accident.

A 53-year-old Carbon County man died after a motorcycle crash Friday in Lehigh Township, according to the Northampton County coroner.

Thomas Tsirlemes Sr., of the 100 block of Lehigh Avenue in Palmerton, died of blunt force trauma, Coroner Zachary Lysek said Saturday. Tsirlemes' death was ruled an accident.

The crash occurred about 2 p.m. in the 100 block of Riverview Road, the coroner said. Police did not immediately release additional information on the crash.

A second motorcyclist also died in a crash Friday in the Lehigh Valley. That one happened about 6:30 p.m. in South Whitehall Township. Release of the victim's identity is pending an autopsy.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

All the times and distances.

Saturday PIAA track and field championship results

(Lehigh Valley schools only)

BOYS

Class AAA

100 dash

Julian Liaci, Nazareth, 10.92 (semifinal)

Julian Liaci, Nazareth, 11.03, 6th

200

Jahan Dotson, Nazareth, 21.78 (semifinal)

Jahan Dotson, Nazareth, 21.93, 4^th

800

Joe Espinal, Wilson, 1:51.09, 1^st (all-time regional record)

Calvin Schneck, Whitehall, 2:06.04, 11th

3,200

Kevin Lapsansky, Easton, 9:22.79, 7th

400 relay

Nazareth (Sammy Avalos, Jahan Dotson, Kenny Stocklinski, Julian Liaci), 41.86, 1st

1,600 relay

Parkland, 3:26.09, 21st

High Jump

Greg Lauray, Notre Dame, 6-10, 1^st (fewer misses)

Long jump

Jahan Dotson, Nazareth, 24-4½, 1^st

Evan Culver, Saucon Valley, 21-3½, 19^th

Discus

Andrew Rochon, Southern Lehigh, 153-10, 15^th

Tyler Meyers, Whitehall, 143-10, 21^st

Cam Strohe, Bangor, 143-5, 22nd

Team score

Nazareth 28, 4th

Class AA

100

Jonathan Marfisi, Pen Argyl, 11.46 (semifinal)

200

Michael Creighton, Palisades, 22.85 (semifinal)

Jonathan Marfisi, Pen Argyl, 23.00 (semifinal)

3,200

Gavin Kemery, Northern Lehigh, 10:08.55, 19^th

Pole Vault

Logan Blasiak, Palmerton, 13-6, 8th

Triple Jump

Matt Siley, Palisades, 43-11, 6th

GIRLS

Class AAA

100 dash

Amanda Crooks, Whitehall, 12.03 (semifinal)

Jaylyn Aminu, Liberty, 12.08 (semifinal)

Jaylyn Aminu, Liberty, 11.93, 1^st

Amanda Crooks, Whitehall, 12.15, 4^th

3,200

Raisa Kochmaruk, Liberty, 11:14.07, 15^th

Emily Deschler, Central Catholic, 11:38.31, 27th

100 hurdles

Mahendra McWhite, Dieruff, 14.23, semifinal

Mahendra McWhite, Dieruff, 13.85, 3^rd (all-time regional record)

300 hurdles

Mahendra McWhite, Dieruff, 44.24, 6th

400 relay

Liberty, 48.68, 8th

1,600 relay

Easton, 4:00.97, 23^rd

Liberty, 4:08.00, 27^th

3,200 relay

Emmaus, 9:18.77, 8th

Liberty, 9:21.93, 9^th

High jump

Morgan Sherwin, Parkland, 5-4, 8^th (fewer misses)

Ivana Jones, Whitehall, 5-2, tie-13^th

Long jump

Ivana Jones, Whitehall, 17-4¾, 15^th

Grace Mittl, Liberty, 16-6¾, 28th  

Discus

Aja Blount, Northampton, 121-4, 7th

Meghan Hemmingway, Northampton, 105-10, 16^th

Javelin

Eleni Prodes, Liberty, 116-11, 20^th

Team score

Liberty 16, tied 10th

Class AA

100

Mary Ramsden, Palisades, 12.77 (semifinal)

200

Mary Ramsden, Palisades, 26.17 (semifinal)

1,600 relay

Palisades, 3:59.54, 3rd

3,200

Kassi Yocco, Bethlehem Catholic, 11:38.85, 17^th

Triple Jump

Lindsay Bauer, Salisbury, 37-5, 2^nd

Alexa Parks, Palisades, 34-11¾, 17th

Team score

Palisades 16.5, 10th

Brad Wilson may be reached at bwilson@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradwsports. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook. 

The large crowd at Shippensburg gave the Konkrete Kid junior some issues with nerves.

Aja Blount has played basketball in front of a lot bigger crowds than watched her throw the discus at the PIAA Class AAA girls track and field championships at Shippensburg University.

But the crowd’s impact in track made a much bigger difference – and it was a difference the Northampton junior had to overcome to earn her seventh-place medal Saturday.

“The crowd’s very different in basketball,” Blount said. “In basketball you’re out there as one player on a team and it is less all on you. Today, it was everybody all with their eyes staring at you and there were a lot of people. It was very nerve-wracking.”

Blount, a first-team All-lehighvalleylive baskeball player who averaged 18.7 points a game, overcame the jitters caused by the gallery to throw a personal-best 121 feet, 4 inches and finish seventh.

But it was a near-run thing.

“I fouled on four of my six throws,” she said. “I was very nervous.”

Blount’s first two fouls came on her first two throws, meaning if she fouled on the third throw, she would have been out of the competition. But she came up with an effort of 117 feet, 5 inches to qualify for the 3-throw final.

Where, once again, she fouled on the first two throws and was danger of not medaling. On the third, Blount said, “I had nothing to lose,” and bang! – she uncorked the lehighvalleylive regional-best 121-foot effort and made the podium.

“I’m very pleased and happy,” Blount said.

Brad Wilson may be reached at bwilson@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradwsports. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.

Because it's a federal and state holiday, mostly all government offices are closed, as are banks, libraries and businesses.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed every year on the last Monday in May.

It honors those who died serving the U.S. military. It is traditional to fly the American flag at half-staff until noon and then raise it until sundown.

Memorial Day originated after the Civil War to honor both the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the war. The holiday was later extended to include all American soldiers.

In addition to federal offices, state and local government offices are closed, and there will be no mail delivery.

Here's a rundown of what else is closed.

Liquor stores: In Pennsylvania, liquor stores are state-run and are closed. New Jersey liquor stores are privately owned and hours vary by location.

Department of Motor Vehicles: New Jersey DMV offices and Pennsylvania driver's license centers are closed.

List of Memorial Day services

Libraries: In New Jersey, four branches of Warren County Library system, the Phillipsburg Free Public Library, the Hackettstown Free Public Library and W.H. Walters Free Public Library, in Alpha, are all closed. In Pennsylvania, the Easton Area Public Library, Bethlehem Area Public Library, Hellertown Library, Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity and Allentown Public Library are all closed.

Money and markets: The New York Stock Exchange is closed. Most banks and financial institutions are also closed.

Public transportation: LANTA bus and van services will not operate. TransBridge will follow a normal Sunday schedule on Monday.

Email KJ at kjfrantz@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow lehighvalleylive.com on Twitter at @lehighvalley. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

The wreck happened Friday afternoon in Lehigh Township.

A 53-year-old Carbon County man who died Friday afternoon in a motorcycle crash in Lehigh Township was not wearing a helmet, police said.

Thomas Tsirlemes, of Palmerton, also didn't have a valid endorsement on his driver's license to ride a motorcycle, township police said in a news release.

Riders in Pennsylvania are not required to wear helmets, but they must be licensed.

MORE: Man killed motorcycle crash

Tsirlemes was speeding north at 2:07 p.m. when the bike went off the road onto a stone berm and crashed in the 400 block of Riverview Drive, police said. No other vehicles were involved in the wreck.

The street was closed until 6 p.m. as township police reconstructed the crash.

Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek said Tsirlemes died from blunt force trauma and the death was an accident.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

The 1897 house is one of five featured on the Friends of the Bangor Public Library Spring House Tour.

From the moment you walk into Barbara and Ron Zavacky's Bangor house, you realize there is something special going on.

The house in the heart of town has a small-town charm that is warm and inviting.

Pickled pine paneling frames an original marble fireplace and doors, which when closed, blend into the room. If you didn't realize there was a button system to open the doors, you'd be stuck in the front room.

Nifty features like a passageway for a telephone and a built-in china cabinet make this house a pretty cool space.

But it is Barbara's personality that really shines in the home. She likes to collect, so a walk inside reveals story after story about her collections -- where and when they started and how long she has been collecting.

She also makes good use of family heirloom pieces that seem to fit exactly where she has them placed.

Cool Spaces: Remaking a mansion

The home was owned by the Shimer family and passed down through generations. The Zavackys were comfortable in their former house but when this one came on the market, they said they knew they had found their real home.

Barbara enjoyed a career as a hairdresser and although somewhat retired, she still has clients who come to her beauty shop in the back of the house.

The house is one of five featured on the Friends of the Bangor Public Library Spring House Tour, which is being held beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 4.

Tickets cost $15 and are available at the Bangor Public Library, 39 S. Main St.,  up to and including the day of the event.

For information, call 610-588-8615.

Do you know of any cool spaces that you'd like to share? Let us know by leaving a comment below or email me at kjfrantz@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow lehighvalleylive.com on Twitter at @lehighvalley. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Ungerer & Co., which operates a facility in Hanover Township, has been cited for repeated workplace safety issues.

A Lehigh Valley fragrance plant has been the site of repeated workplace safety violations that have contributed to sickening employees, a federal agency said Tuesday. 

Ungerer & Co., which operates the plant at 110 N. Commerce Way in Hanover Township, Northampton County, faces a $63,450 fine for six serious violations uncovered in an investigation earlier this year, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration reports. 

On March 11, three Ungerer employees were taken by ambulance to area hospitals in what authorities at the time described as a chemical mishap. Hazmat crews and firefighters responded, and brought the situation under control. 

Employees fall ill in chemical mishap

OSHA says in a statement that an investigation revealed the employees were exposed to unsafe levels of hydrogen sulfide. 

The citation for that violation, one of the six serious ones identified by OSHA, says the concentration of hydrogen sulfide exposed to the employees was 14 times greater than what is considered acceptable.

The other serious violations OSHA alleges include: No developed emergency response plan; a lack of proper engineering controls; no maintenance of safety records; inadequate safety features on a mobile ladder stand; and a lack of explosion protection or suppression systems on a device that collects combustable dust. 

OSHA notes in its statement that Ungerer was cited for similar violations in 2013. 

That year, the plant was the site of a May 31 explosion that injured two employees and sparked a fire that burned potpourri manufactured at the plant. 

Ungerer has until June 10 to respond to the most recent citations. 

Ungerer, based in Lincoln Park, N.J., disputes the allegations that OSHA is making, according to an Ungerer executive.

"We're reviewing the violations right now," Ungerer CFO Richard Dambres said Tuesday morning. "We don't agree with them. We're going to discuss it further with OSHA."

Dambres declined to go into specifics about the company's disagreements with the OSHA findings. 

The company built the plant in the late 1980s on 43.2 acres in Lehigh Valley Industrial Park IV. It employs about 100 people. 

Nick Falsone may be reached at nfalsone@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickfalsone. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

The arrests include a man facing attempted homicide charges for allegedly trying to run down Lehigh's assistant chief.

The Bethlehem Police Department made 19 arrests last week as part of a three-day campaign called "Operation Steel Force."

In addition to the arrests, the police department issued 39 traffic citations and 23 parking tickets, and seized three handguns as well as cocaine, crack, methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana and illegal prescription drugs worth a total of about $40,240.

Bars cited for alleged liquor law violations

Bethlehem officers and officers with a number of local, state and federal departments patrolled and conducted undercover operations in areas of the city with high call volumes to police.

"Law enforcement today not only needs to partner with neighboring law enforcement agencies, we also need to partner with the communities we police. Much of the information utilized in 'Operation Steel Force' came from concerned citizens and concerned community groups," police Chief Mark DiLuzio said in a news release.

"Citizens are the eyes and ears of every police department. Police cannot be everywhere all the time. This cooperative operation shows that when agencies work together, with public help, support and information, we can make a difference."

The arrests included Dennis Lee Englert, who is facing attempted homicide and related charges for trying to run down Lehigh University police Assistant Chief Stuart Bedics while fleeing officers, police said.

Deputy police chief the victim of attempted homicide, cops say

The other arrests were for charges that ranged from criminal trespass, to possession to drug paraphernalia, to public drunkenness.

The guns and most of the drugs were found Wednesday on a man who fled from officers, rammed a Lehigh County detective's vehicle with an SUV, and then hit several other cars before he was arrested, police said.

Police said they observed Wilfredo Nieves-Cruz deliver cocaine and marijuana to at about 2:30 p.m. in front of the Dollar Tree, 1838 Stefko Boulevard. Police did not identify the customer, but said officers were able to recover the drugs.

Officers in a marked police cruiser tried to stop Nieves-Cruz as he drove away, but instead Nieves-Cruz sped up and rammed an undercover detective's vehicle, police said.

Nieves-Cruz then crashed into three parked vehicles on Jennings Street, south of Rockland Street, police said.

Police found the abandoned Explorer on Rockland Street, and moments later the 911 Center received calls of two men fighting at Barbara and Hilton streets. A resident witnessed Wilfredo Nieves-Cruz hit a car with the Explorer and then try to flee, police said.

The man tried to stop Nieves-Cruz, and the two began to fight, police said. Police found a briefcase Nieves-Cruz was carrying, and inside they allegedly found:

• $31,000 worth of cocaine
• $4,500 worth of methamphetamine
• Marijuana
• Clonazepam, an anti-seizure and anxiety medication
• A loaded Glock .40-caiber pistol
• A loaded Kel Tec .380 pistol
• A Colt .38 caliber revolver

Police are still working to trace the firearm's ownership information.

After the fight, Nieves-Cruz was taken to St. Luke's University Hospital in Fountain Hill for undisclosed injuries. He was released on Saturday and charged with four counts of possession with intent to deliver controlled substances, as well as fleeing and eluding police, possession of drug paraphernalia, accidents involving injury, and three counts of accidents involving unattended vehicles.

Nieves-Cruz was sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Bethlehem police's "Operation Steel Force" was conducted in partnership with officers from the Allentown Police Department, Lehigh County Drug Task Force, Northampton County Drug Task Force, Lehigh University Police Department, Northampton County Sheriff's Office, Northampton County Adult Probation, Northampton County Juvenile Probation, Pennsylvania State Police, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Pennsylvania State Constables, U.S. Marshals, and Pennsylvania Liquor Control Enforcement.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Marijuana was found in one bar's office, according to the Pennsylvania State Police's Bureau of Liquor Control.

As part of Bethlehem police's "Operation Steel Force" last week, four city businesses were cited for allegedly violating state liquor control laws.

On Friday night, agents with Pennsylvania State Police's Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement conducted a check at La Casa Blanca, 946 Evans St.

Agents found marijuana in the office area of the bar, and bar manager Jose Gonzalez said the pot was his, police said. Gonzalez, 47, of the 1200 block of Railroad Street, was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana.

La Casa Blanca was cited for drugs found on premises, police said.

The following businesses were also cited Friday night:

• Antlers Association of Bethlehem, 431 West Union Blvd, allegedly failed to post its liquor license and health permit.
• Broadway Social, 215-217 Broadway, allegedly had loud music.
• Tally-Ho Tavern, 215 West Fourth Street, allegedly had loud music.

Liquor control law violations carry fines ranging from $50 for minor offenses to $5,000, and the possible suspension or revocation of liquor licenses for serious offenses.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

The Macungie couple had crack, heroin and their 18-month-old in the car with them, Bethlehem police said.

A Macungie couple took their baby with them on a drug buy in Bethlehem, only to be caught during the Bethlehem Police Department's "Operation Steel Force," according to police.

Officers began following the couple Thursday night after a suspected hand-to-hand drug deal, Bethlehem police said.

The vehicle was stopped in the 700 block of Hillside Avenue, and inside were Michael Budner, 34; Crystal Kiley, 34; and their 18-month-old child, police said.

'Operation Steel Force:' Bethlehem bars cited

Kiley was found with crack cocaine, a crack pipe, and two Clonazepam pills, police said. Budner had 10 packets of heroin in his sock, and at the time was free on unsecured bail on charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, police said.

Budner will be charged with possession of heroin and child endangerment, while Kiley will be charged with possession of cocaine, possession of Clonazepam, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The child was turned over to its maternal grandparent and the Northampton County division of children, youth and families was contacted to initiate an investigation, police said.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Grads at Lehigh came from 39 states and 16 countries. Many came from the Lehigh Valley.

During Commencement ceremonies on May 23 2016 Lehigh University conferred 1159 bachelor's 519 master's and 80 doctoral degrees., of the nearly 1700 graduates degree recipients came from 39 states and 16 countries majoring in 70 different disciplines. The following is a list, of local graduates.

Akshay Damany,, of Allentown

Samantha Sarli, of Easton

Natalie Bader, of Nazareth

Matthew Gardner, of Macungie

Sharon Gingrich, of Bethlehem

Jasmine Singh, of Bethlehem

Joseph Teyim, of Whitehall

Michelle Sanabria, of Milford

Caitlin Bryan, of Emmaus

Anna Corch, of Emmaus

Michael Fink, of Allentown

Richard Johnson, of Bethlehem

Brianna Lohman, of Bethlehem

Sean Nelson, of Pittstown

Kelsey Wieland, of Phillipsburg

Michael Airo, of Bethlehem

Casey Hollawell, of Orefield

Francesco Grossi, of Washington

Emma Hillman, of Stockton

Michael Horgan, of Lambertville

Taylor Alexy, of Bethlehem

Jordan Alston, of Easton

Sierra Benbrook, of Easton

Lauren Bridges, of Bethlehem

Alexandra Cacciatore, of Bethlehem

Wo-Chu Chan, of Bethlehem

Sheyn Denizov, of Wind Gap

Courtney Desh, of Breinigsville

Michael Garzillo, of Easton

Timothy Gerancher, of Northampton

Kristopher Gontzes, of Bethlehem

Conor Gum, of Easton

Emily Hernandez, of Pen Argyl

Allison Hodges, of Bethlehem

Malavika Jain, of Bethlehem

John Kalafut, of Allentown

Ansah Kamara, of Bethlehem

Kristin Kay, of Bethlehem

Kerry Kinek, of Whitehall

Suxin Lan, of Bethlehem

Matthew Laub, of Coplay

Xiaoyan Liu, of Bethlehem

Ilana Marks, of Bethlehem

Robert Michaelis, of Macungie

Colin Miksiewicz, of New Tripoli

Mitchell Minotti, of Easton

Zachary Morgan, of Bethlehem

Allison Morrison, of Bethlehem

Manh Nguyen, of Bethlehem

Joseph O'Brien, of Coopersburg

Ann O'Connell, of Bethlehem

Keith Shedlock, of Bethlehem

Paul Sloand, of Bethlehem

Ryan Spirko, of Easton

Zikang Wu, of Bethlehem

Leor Zelicovitz, of Bethlehem

Xuanwen Liu, of Bethlehem

Erdal Yulu, of Bethlehem

Jonathan Dzierzawiec, of Flemington

Kirsten Leskowich, of Walnutport

Jeffrey Mhrtam, of Allentown

Judson Smull, of Bethlehem

Bo Hak Yoon, of Bethlehem

Gregory Pauley, of Ringoes

Francesco Grossi, of Washington

Sheyn Denizov, of Wind Gap

Joshua Ryan, of Danielsville

James Cahill, of Pittstown

Wilfred Geldorp, of Easton

Joshua Kurpat, of Fountain Hill

Nur Jahangir, of Allentown

Adam Kafka, of Bethlehem

Luchen Wang, of Bethlehem

Ali Famili, of Orefield

Kaylee Kraft, of Emmaus

Eric Niziol, of Bethlehem

Ricardo Alvarez, of Bethlehem

Richard Liao, of Bethlehem

Suzanne Scheckenback, of Emmaus

Nicholas Trivelis, of Bethlehem

Casey Kozoh, of Frenchtown

Juliana Telles, of Bethlehem

Lindsey Schott, of Washington

George Atiyeh, of Allentown

Bernard Brown, of Bethlehem

Lily Hsu, of Bethlehem

Aimee Niwenshuti, of Bethlehem

Jose Sierra, of Bethlehem

Yanxing Yang, of Bethlehem

Maxwell Williams, of Bethlehem

Keith Bell, of Bethlehem

Judson Smull, of Bethlehem

Wayan Fowler-Puja, of Bethlehem

Akshay Damany, of Allentown

Connor Fulbright, of Bethlehem

Angela Lawrence, of Bethlehem

Emily Madzik, of Allentown

Manh Nguyen, of Bethlehem

Earlier in the night, the man drove with his suspended license, got a car stuck in the woods and stole a bike to get home, police said.

An Allentown man's Monday morning began with him getting a car stuck in the woods and ended with him drunk and naked, huffing from a gas can on a Fountain Hill stoop, according to police.

Anthony Figueroa Schankowitz, 23, of the 500 block of West Wyoming Street, is in Lehigh County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail on a host of charges stemming from his early morning debacles.

Fountain Hill police were called at 5:37 a.m. Monday to the 500 block of North Bishop Thorpe Street for a report of a nude man sitting on a home's front steps with a gas can between his legs.

The caller put a blanket around the man and called police. The man, later identified as Figueroa Schankowitz, appeared confused and disoriented, and smelled like gasoline and alcoholic beverages, police said.

Figueroa Schankowitz was taken to the emergency room at St. Luke's University Hospital, where he was medically cleared.

Later that morning, Salisbury Township police found a disabled vehicle stuck in the woods off Cardinal Drive, near Constitution Road. Police called the owner, who arrived with a tow truck.

The owner, Chaz Vanhorn, told police that at about 3 a.m. Monday, Figueroa Schankowitz was driving Vanhorn's vehicle when the car drove off the road and got stuck.

The pair couldn't get the vehicle free, and began walking, police said. Figueroa Schankowitz was "extremely high on drugs" and took off all his clothes, according to Vanhorn.

Figueroa Schankowitz then pointed to a house and reportedly said he wanted to steal a bike; as Figueroa Schankowitz began walking to a backyard shed, the friend fled "because he did not want to be a part of this theft," police said.

Vanhorn reported that was the last time he saw Figueroa Schankowitz.

The bike was reported stolen later Monday morning, police said.

Figueroa Schankowitz is charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property, driving with a suspended license, indecent exposure, open lewdness, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

State Rep. Marcia Hahn organized the public informational meeting at Northampton Community College's main campus.

A public meeting on heroin and opioid painkillers is scheduled Thursday at Northampton Community College's main campus.

State Rep. Marcia Hahn, R-Northampton, is hosting the meeting scheduled 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Lipkin Theatre of Kopecek Hall at the 3835 Green Pond Road campus in Bethlehem Township. It is free.

A similar meeting organized in February by a colleague of Hahn's, state Rep. Daniel McNeill, D-Lehigh, drew a standing-room-only audience to Whitehall High School.

"Pennsylvania health officials have labeled the opioid epidemic the worst health crisis of the last 100 years," Hahn said in a news release. "This is a problem that has no socio-economic boundaries and claimed thousands of lives statewide in the last few years. The town hall meeting is an opportunity to raise awareness as to the severity of the epidemic."

Mom left kids to shoot up in bathroom, cops say

Scheduled to speak Thursday night are parents affected by addiction and a recovering heroin addict, along with Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli, Court of Common Pleas Judge Craig Dally and Coroner Zachary Lysek.

The meeting comes as police in Phillipsburg warned over the weekend that a dangerous batch of heroin was linked to multiple overdoses, the victims of which were revived with the antidote naloxone.

"There no doubt are parents and grandparents who feel this is something that can't happen to them," Hahn stated. "Hearing from people who are living this nightmare will hopefully make them realize it can."

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

These restaurants offer unique tastes, yummy finds and quick bites we want in our hometowns.

The action begins June 15 in the 16-team tournament sponsored by the Phillies.

Northampton County's controller said rentals set up online could be worth $100,000-plus annually.

Northampton County is missing out on an estimated $100,000-plus annually by not collecting its hotel tax on rentals arranged online, through sites such as Airbnb, HomeAway, TripAdvisor and FlipKey.

That's according to county Controller Stephen Barron Jr., who proposed Wednesday pursuing collection of the tax on these short-term rentals of private homes and rooms.

"A hotel room in Northampton County is any space that has four walls and a bed that is for rent," Barron wrote in a memo to other county officials.

The concept is in place elsewhere. Airbnb, for one, reached an agreement last month with Montgomery County, Maryland, to collect the tax from its network of homeowners and remit the revenue to the county, The Associated Press reports.

Airbnb already primes its homeowners on how to collect a tax themselves, emphasizing telling guests up front about the exact tax amount prior to booking. Intuit Turbo Tax offers "10 Tax Tips" for ensuring property tax laws are applied, and followed, fairly.

"I sent a ton of information to the county executive that I was able to gather from the city of Philadelphia," Barron said in a statement. "We don't need to create a system, we just need to replicate what others have already done."

County council President John Cusick said it's an idea worth exploring, and one that he plans to bring up at Thursday night's council meeting.

"What I see it as, it's a way that we can put the old economy on the same playing field as the new economy," Cusick said Wednesday. "One of the key foundations of Pennsylvania's tax law is it's equitable. I think we've just got to make sure we apply the law in an equitable manner as it exists."

MORE: Tenants revealed for Easton silk mill

Barron said he found more than 300 short-term rentals advertised on the sites in Northampton County.

"If these rentals are filled half of the year and go for an average of $50 per night, that would net Northampton County $108,000 in additional revenue to be invested in travel and tourism," he stated.

Hotel tax revenue has been slowing, with growth not keeping pace compared to years past, Barron said.

Barron and Cusick both said they don't see the need for new legislation.

"The question is how we enforce it," Cusick said.

Barron shared an anecdote of one property owner paying the tax on his rentals without even being asked.

"This individual sends us an average of $40 per month and in '15 sent us $132.54 in hotel tax," Barron stated, calling it success "on a very small scale" but one that shows promise toward fair application of the hotel tax and a new revenue source.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

All the top times and distances.

Marks are taken from publicly available sources. Only fully-automatic times are used for sprints and hurdles. Only one performance per athlete/relay is listed. Lehighvalleylive regional athletes only. To submit a performance or make a correction, contact Brad Wilson at bwilson@lehighvalleylive.com. 

100 meters

11.93 Jaylyn Aminu, Liberty, 5/28 in PIAA Class AAA finals, Shippensburg University

12.00 Amanda Crooks, Whitehall, 5/27 in PIAA Class AAA preliminaries, Shippensburg University

12.21 Sydney Hawkins, Phillipsburg, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

12.38 Mahendra McWhite, Dieruff, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

12.46 Mary Ramsden, Palisades, 5/11 at Colonial League championships, Whitehall HS

12.55 Nioami Miranda, Hackettstown, 5/11 at NJAC Freedom, Independence and Liberty championships, Wallkill Valley HS

12.65 Peyton Shaffer, Liberty, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

12.66 Brinn Doherty, Palmerton, 5/27 in PIAA Class AA preliminaries, Shippensburg University

12.76 Grace Mittl, Liberty, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championship preliminaries, Whitehall HS

12.85 Brianna Doherty, Palmerton, 4/8 at Olympian Invitational, Jim Thorpe HS

200

24.98 Jaylyn Aminu, Liberty, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

25.24 Sydney Hawkins, Phillipsburg, 5/28 at North 2 Group 4 sectional at Ridge HS

25.28 Nioami Miranda, Hackettstown, 5/11 at NJAC Freedom, Independence and Liberty championships, Wallkill Valley HS

25.55 Mary Ramsden, Palisades, 5/11 at Colonial League championships, Whitehall HS

25.74 Amanda Crooks, Whitehall, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

25.93 Peyton Shaffer, Liberty, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

26.36 Grace Mittl, Liberty, 4/23 at Jack Roddick Shippensburg Invitational, Shippensburg University

26.58 Jessica Manners, Phillipsburg, 5/28 at North 2 Group 4 sectional at Ridge HS

26.69 Allison Schroy, Southern Lehigh, 5/11 at Colonial League championships, Whitehall HS

26.74 Aimee Badman, Wilson, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championship preliminaries, Whitehall HS

400 

56.85 Nioami Miranda, Hackettstown, 5/27 at North 2 Group 2 sectional at Madison HS

59.02 LizMarie DeJesus, Dieruff, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

59.53 Morgan McDonald, Easton, 4/23 at Jack Roddick Shippensburg Invitational, Shippensburg University

59.78 Peyton Shaffer, Liberty, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

59.93 Delaney Jordan, Notre Dame, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

1:00.01 Gabrielle Beneducci, North Hunterdon, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

1:00.31 Lydia Bottelier, Palisades, 5/11 at Colonial League championships, Whitehall HS

1:00.49 Emily Willcox, Parkland, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

1:00.52 Emily Renner, Northwestern Lehigh, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

1:00.53 Rylee Donaldson, Salisbury, 5/11 at Colonial League championships, Whitehall HS

800

2:13.79 Anna DiMarcello, North Hunterdon, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

2:17.55 Olivia Sahaydak, Liberty, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

2:18.26 Elena DiMarcello, North Hunterdon, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

2:18.79 Paris Boucher, Warren Hills, 5/28 at North 2 Group 3 sectional at Ridge HS

2:19.52 Haven Snyder, Nazareth, 4/22 at Red & Black Invitational, East Stroudsburg University

2:19.73 Grace Stuckey, Liberty, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

2:20.51 Lauren Wagner, Voorhees, 5/10 at Skyland Conference championships, Hillsborough HS

2:20.62 Angela Kearsley, North Hunterdon, 5/10 at Skyland Conference championships, Hillsborough HS

2:20.85 Katie Bacher, Emmaus, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

2:21.33 Devyn Anderson, Parkland, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

1,600

5:02.92 Anna DiMarcello, North Hunterdon, 5/10 at Skyland Conference championships, Hillsborough HS

5:03.49 Hannah Bonaguidi, Delaware Valley, 5/27 at Central Group 2 sectional, Northern Burlington HS

5:05.03 Elena DiMarcello, North Hunterdon, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

5:07.14 Diana Hammerstone, Easton, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

5:08.76 Zoe Geis, Southern Lehigh, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

5:09.09 Lauren Wagner, Voorhees, 5/27 at Central Group 2 sectional, Northern Burlington HS

5:10.39 Kelley McCarten, North Hunterdon, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

5:12.3 Katie Bacher, Emmaus, 4/25 in EPC dual versus Parkland

5:13.61 Angela Kearsley, North Hunterdon, 5/10 at Skyland Conference championships, Hillsborough HS

5:13.7 Abby Dalton, Emmaus, 5/2 in home EPC dual 

3,200

11:01.91 Elena DiMarcello, North Hunterdon, 5/10 at Skyland Conference championships, Hillsborough HS

11:08.80 Raisa Kochmaruk, Liberty, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

11:11.48 Emily Deschler, Central Catholic, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

11:11.79 Lauren Wagner, Voorhees, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

11:19.17 Abby Dalton, Emmaus, 5/10 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

11:19.42 Kassi Yocco, Bethlehem Catholic, 5/10 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

11:22.9 Katie Bacher, Emmaus, 5/2 in home EPC dual

11:27.76 Angela Kearsley, North Hunterdon, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

11:32.21 Molly Tarvin, Northwestern Lehigh, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

11:35.47 Kiele Riefenstahl, Saucon Valley, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

100 high hurdles

13.84 Mahendra McWhite, Dieruff, 5/28 in PIAA Class AAA finals, Shippensburg University (all-time regional record)

15.28 Megan Stenberg, North Hunterdon, 5/28 at North 2 Group 4 sectional finals at Ridge HS

15.63 Emily Wahlgren, Nazareth, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships Whitehall HS

15.70 Emma Mikitiuk, North Hunterdon, 5/28 at North 2 Group 4 sectional finals at Ridge HS

15.90 Grace Reed, Parkland, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

16.02 Rachel Panek, Saucon Valley, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships Whitehall HS

16.16 Shannon Livezey, Southern Lehigh, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships preliminaries, Whitehall HS

16.22 Tatiana Lopez, Northampton, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships preliminaries, Whitehall HS

16.49 Katherine Schiereck, Delaware Valley, 5/28 at Central Group 2 preliminaries, Northern Burlington HS

16.55 Laura Billings, Southern Lehigh, 5/10 at Colonial League championship preliminaries, Whitehall HS

300 intermediate hurdles

44.18 Mahendra McWhite, Dieruff, 5/27 in PIAA Class AAA preliminaries, Shippensburg University

47.37 Emily Wahlgren, Nazareth, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

48.06 Jen Panny, Parkland, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

48.08 Lily Cooper, Palisades, 5/17 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

48.41 Rachel Panek, Saucon Valley, 5/10 at Colonial League championship, Whitehall HS

48.53 Alnisa Alston, Easton, 4/23 at Jack Roddick Shippensburg Invitational, Shippensburg University

48.59 Laura Billings, Southern Lehigh, 5/10 at Colonial League championship, Whitehall HS

49.42 Madelyn Mertz, Whitehall, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

49.68 Claire Bassler, Parkland, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

49.93 Jordan Young, Bethlehem Catholic, 5/17 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS 

400 intermediate hurdles 

1:04.85 Gabrielle Beneducci, North Hunterdon, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

1:08.49 Carmen King, North Hunterdon, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

1:10.41 Megan Stenberg, North Hunterdon, 4/16 at Skyland Conference Relays, Ridge HS

1:12.28 Emma Mikitiuk, North Hunterdon, 4/16 at Skyland Conference Relays, Ridge HS

1:12.98 Molly Gorczyca, Hackettstown, 5/10 at NJAC Freedom, Independence and Liberty championships, Wallkill Valley HS

1:13.49 Alainna Sharp, Voorhees, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

1:13.69 Margot Lewis, North Hunterdon, 5/27 at North 2 Group 4 sectional at Ridge HS

1:14.01 Stephanie Taylor, Phillipsburg, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

1:14.99 Amalia Crevani, Delaware Valley, 5/10 at Skyland Conference championships, Hillsborough HS

1:15.35 Caitlin Snellen, Voorhees, 5/27 at Central Group 2 sectional, Northern Burlington HS 

400 relay

48.30 Liberty 5/27 in PIAA Class AAA preliminaries, Shippensburg University (No. 2 all-time regionally)

49.61 Phillipsburg 5/28 at North 2 Group 4 sectional at Ridge HS

49.73 Whitehall 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

50.59 Palisades 5/18 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

50.60 Catasauqua 5/18 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

50.88 Bethlehem Catholic 5/18 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

51.27 Parkland 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

51.31 Southern Lehigh 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

51.82 Palmerton 5/18 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

51.88 Nazareth 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

1,600 relay

3:59.54 Palisades 5/28 in PIAA Class AA final, Shippensburg University

4:00.97 Easton 5/28 in PIAA Class AAA championships, Shippensburg University

4:05.05 Liberty 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

4:05.94 North Hunterdon 5/28 at North 2 Group 4 sectional at Ridge HS

4:08.32 Whitehall 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

4:10.29 Bethlehem Catholic 5/18 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

4:10.39 Southern Lehigh 5/11 at Colonial League championships, Whitehall HS

4:10.5 Nazareth 4/26 in EPC dual versus Whitehall

4:10.82 Parkland 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

4:12.11 Warren Hills 5/28 at North 2 Group 3 sectional at Ridge HS

4:13.80 Northwestern Lehigh 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

3,200 relay

9:18.77 Emmaus 5/28 in PIAA Class AAA final, Shippensburg University

9:21.93 Liberty 5/28 in PIAA Class AAA final, Shippensburg University

9:23.27 North Hunterdon 4/28 at the Penn Relays, Franklin Field, Philadelphia

9:34.26 Nazareth 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

9:39.06 Easton 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

9:40.45 Southern Lehigh 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

9:44.49 Parkland 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

9:50.14 Northwestern Lehigh 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

9:59.34 Whitehall 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

10:00.22 Central Catholic 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

Pole vault

12-9 Rachel Finn, Liberty, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

12-9 Greer Gumbrecht, Easton, 4/18 in EPC tri-meet at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium

11-0 Hannah Foley, Warren Hills, 4/16 at Skyland Conference Relays, Ridge HS

9-6 Chloe Vanduyne, Delaware Valley, 4/30 at Mustang Invitational, JFK-Iselin HS

9-6 Dana Evans, Pen Argyl, 5/3 in home Colonial League tri-meet

9-6 Morgan Robins, Hackettstown, 5/10 at NJAC Freedom, Independence and Liberty championships, Wallkill Valley HS

9-3 Hannah Frankenfield, Bangor, 4/19 in Colonial League tri-meet at Bangor Memorial Park

9-0 Joslynn Rose, Saucon Valley, 4/19 in Colonial League tri-meet with Northern Lehigh and Palmerton

9-0 Jamilie Atiyeh, Parkland, 4/14 in EPC tri-meet at Pocono Mountain East

9-0 Alexis Barrall, Northampton, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

8-6 Kylee Will, Bangor, 4/26 in Colonial League tri-meet at Bangor Memorial Park

8-6 Julia Bradley, Liberty, 4/14 in EPC tri-meet at Pocono Mountain East

High jump

5-9 Alexa Parks, Palisades, 5/17 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

5-5 Morgan Sherwin, Parkland, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

5-4 Ivana Jones, Whitehall, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

5-4 Lydia Bottelier, Palisades, 4/13 in home Colonial League dual

5-3 Kate Willshaw, Easton, 4/14 in EPC tri-meet at Northampton

5-2 Megan Benner, Palisades, 5/3 in Colonial League tri-meet at Northern Lehigh

5-2 Jordan Young, Bethlehem Catholic, 5/17 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

5-1 Veronica Green, Northern Lehigh, 4/5 in Colonial League dual at Bangor Memorial Park

5-1 Madison McTier, Freedom, 4/15 in EPC tri-meet at Whitehall

5-0 Shannon Livezey, Southern Lehigh, 4/12 in home Colonial League dual meet

5-0 Jennifer Murray, Voorhees, 5/27 at Central Group 2 sectional, Northern Burlington HS

5-0 Brooke Scheier, Delaware Valley, 5/27 at Central Group 2 sectional, Northern Burlington HS

Long jump 

18-8 Grace Mittl, Liberty, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

18-7 Lindsay Bauer, Salisbury, 4/5 in home Colonial League dual meet

18-4 Kay West, Liberty, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

18-3½ Ivana Jones, Whitehall, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

18-0¼ Brinn Doherty, Palmerton, 5/27 at PIAA Class AA championships, Shippensburg University

17-5¾ Jillian Olewine, Northern Lehigh, 5/17 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

17-2¼ Emily Wahlgren, Nazareth, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

16-9¾ Quinn Bachman, Catasauqua, 5/17 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

16-6¾ Mackenzie Bradley, Catasauqua, 4/12 in home Colonial League dual

16-6 Samantha Webber, Parkland, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

16-6 Liz Lieb, Bethlehem Catholic, 5/17 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

Triple jump 

38-8 Lindsay Bauer, Salisbury, 5/18 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

36-8 Ivana Jones, Whitehall, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

36-8 Kay West, Liberty, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

36-3¾ Madison McTier, Freedom, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

35-10 Alexa Parks, Palisades, 5/18 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

35-6 Samantha Webber, Parkland, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

35-0½ Jillian Olewine, Northern Lehigh, 5/18 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

34-10½ Jackie Tracy, Palmerton, 5/11 at Colonial League championships, Whitehall HS

34-10 Anna Patrice-Roberts, Easton, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

34-9½ Emma Mikitiuk, North Hunterdon, 5/27 at North 2 Group 4 sectional at Ridge HS

Shot Put

39-11½ Kathleen Butler, Delaware Valley, 5/28 at Central Group 2 sectional, Northern Burlington HS

38-7¾ Jochobed Arthur, Liberty, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

34-6½ Sydney Wilson, Liberty, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

34-6 Sally Baer, Emmaus, 4/18 in home EPC tri-meet

34-2¼ C.J. Lynch, Central Catholic, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

33-10¼ Katie Alvarez, Dieruff, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

33-9½ Aja Blount, Northampton, 4/25 in home EPC dual

33-8½ Autumn Carr, Palisades, 4/19 in Colonial League tri-meet at Southern Lehigh

33-8 Vanessa Hadeed, Whitehall, 4/12 in EPC tri-meet at Whitehall

33-7½ Vanessa Blose, Northwestern Lehigh, 4/5 in home Colonial League dual

Discus 

121-4 Aja Blount, Northampton, 5/28 in PIAA Class AAA championships, Shippensburg University

115-0 Jochobed Arthur, Liberty, 4/25 in EPC dual at J. Birney Crum Stadium

113-8 Sydney Wilson, Liberty, 4/23 at Jack Roddick Shippensburg Invitational, Shippensburg University

112-8 Rachel Tanczos, Bethlehem Catholic, 5/17 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

106-10½ Katelyn Warnke, Saucon Valley, 5/3 in Colonial League tri-meet at Northwestern Lehigh

105-10 Meghan Hemmingway, Northampton, 5/28 in PIAA Class AAA championships, Shippensburg University

104-6 Jennifer Panny, Parkland, 4/18 in EPC tri-meet at Nazareth

103-3½ Katie Hohl, Notre Dame, 4/19 in Colonial League tri-meet at Pen Argyl

102-10½ Quintessa Zamolyi, Bethlehem Catholic, 4/14 in EPC tri-meet at Nazareth

99-11 Vanessa Hadeed, Whitehall, 4/26 in EPC dual at Nazareth

Javelin 

127-1 Madison Brader, Palisades, 3/26 at Pirate Invitational, Palisades HS

122-2 Eleni Prodes, Liberty, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

119-8 Quintessa Zamolyi, Bethlehem Catholic, 4/25 in EPC dual at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium

115-10 Michelle Petrik, Notre Dame, 5/10 at Colonial League championships, Whitehall HS

115-8 Morgan Weindel, Phillipsburg, 5/28 at 5/28 at North 2 Group 4 sectional at Ridge HS

114-10 Logan Miller, Whitehall, 5/2 in home EPC dual

113-6 Kaitlyn Cavallaro, Palisades, 3/29 in Colonial League tri-meet at Palisades

113-5 Jochobed Arthur, Liberty, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

109-5 Katie Hohl, Notre Dame, 4/26 in Colonial League tri-meet at Palmerton

109-1 Vanessa Huber, Emmaus, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS\

Brad Wilson may be reached at bwilson@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradwsports. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook. 

The man faces a theft charge for the $45 handcuffs he allegedly ran off in, police said.

A handcuffed Bethlehem man who bolted from city police last month was finally caught after almost three weeks on the lam, the department said.

Alberto Rivera, 38, of the 500 block of Ontario Street, fled from officers May 14 after dumping a shoe full of heroin packets in the back of a police SUV, police said.

Rivera was arraigned Thursday morning in Northampton County on charges of escape, tampering with evidence, possession of controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia and theft. The theft charge is for the $45 handcuffs Rivera was wearing when he allegedly absconded.

Rivera was sent to Lehigh County Prison in lieu of $32,000 bail for two cases -- the alleged escape and a retail theft case in the Lehigh County portion of Bethlehem.

MORE: 2 accused of taking baby on drug deal

Police said Rivera was a passenger in a car stopped at Mohican and Cherokee streets. A search of Rivera's pants revealed a bottle of sedative pills prescribed to someone else and a syringe, police said.

Rivera was arrested, handcuffed and secured with a seat belt in the back of a police SUV.

Rivera removed the seat belt and his shoe, spilling five packets of heroin on the door sill, according to police.

Officers took Rivera out of the SUV so they could search the vehicle, which was when he ran off still cuffed, police said. Police couldn't find Rivera, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Records show Rivera was arrested by Bethlehem police on the retail theft charge Wednesday night.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

All the top times and distances.

Marks are taken from publicly available sources. Only fully-automatic times are used for sprints and hurdles. Only one performance per athlete/relay is listed. Lehighvalleylive regional athletes only. To submit a performance or make a correction, contact Brad Wilson at bwilson@lehighvalleylive.com.

100 meters

10.92 Julian Liaci, Nazareth, 5/28 in PIAA Class AAA championship semifinals, Shippensburg University

10.96 Jahan Dotson, Nazareth, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

11.16 Patrick Sullivan, Hackettstown, 5/27 in North 2 Group 2 sectional, Madison HS

11.18 Nysir Minney-Gratz, Easton, 4/23 at Jack Roddick Shippensburg Invitational, Shippensburg University

11.25 Michael Creighton, Palisades, 5/10 in Colonial League championship preliminaries, Whitehall HS

11.26 Jonathan Marfisi, Pen Argyl, 5/27 in PIAA Class AA championship preliminaries, Shippensburg University

11.29 Jeremy Parker, Freedom, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championship preliminaries, Whitehall HS

11.31 Morgan Heffelfinger, Northampton, 4/23 at Jack Roddick Shippensburg Invitational, Shippensburg University

11.39 Victor Santiago, Liberty, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

11.41 Job Goodman, Wilson, 5/11 in Colonial League championships, Whitehall HS

200

21.78 Jahan Dotson, Nazareth, 5/28 in PIAA Class AAA championship semifinals, Shippensburg University

22.21 Nysir Minney-Gratz, Easton, 4/23 at Jack Roddick Shippensburg Invitational, Shippensburg University

22.47 Julian Liaci, Nazareth, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

22.75 Jonathan Marfisi, Pen Argyl, 5/18 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

22.85 Michael Creighton, Palisades, 5/11 in Colonial League championships, Whitehall HS

23.00 Mike Stasko, Palmerton, 5/18 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

23.11 Arjun Tisseverasinghe, Hackettstown, 5/28 in North 2 Group 2 sectional, Madison HS

23.29 Alex Rand, Notre Dame, 5/11 in Colonial League championships, Whitehall HS

23.32 Victor Santiago, Liberty, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

23.31 Jasone Means, Wilson, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championship preliminaries, Whitehall HS

400

50.55 Connor Tempro, Parkland, 5/27 in PIAA Class AAA championship preliminaries, Shippensburg University

51.34 Colton Maxwell, Northampton, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championship, Whitehall HS

51.36 Arjun Tisseverasinghe, Hackettstown, 5/27 in North 2 Group 2 sectional, Madison HS

51.56 Tim Susko, Central Catholic, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

52.01 Donovan Sanders, Easton, 4/23 at Jack Roddick Shippensburg Invitational, Shippensburg University

52.03 Sean McFarland, Emmaus, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

52.12 Quadir Collier, Wilson, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championship, Whitehall HS

52.15 Alex Rand, Notre Dame, 5/11 in Colonial League championships, Whitehall HS

52.16 Alvin Pacheco, Central Catholic, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

52.21 Nathan Anzel, Hackettstown, 5/27 in North 2 Group 2 sectional, Madison HS

800

1:51.09 Joe Espinal, Wilson, 5/28 in PIAA Class AAA championship final, Shippensburg University (all-time regional record)

1:55.65 Calvin Schneck, Whitehall, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

1:57.17 Brendan McGill, Voorhees, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

1:57.50 Greg Jaindl, Emmaus, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championship, Whitehall HS

2:00.06 Ethan Wimmer, Warren Hills, 5/28 at North 2 Group 3 sectional, Ridge HS

2:00.37 Gerald Mbevi, Easton, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championship, Whitehall HS

2:00.73 Stephen Kraus, Easton, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championship, Whitehall HS

2:00.76 Zach Oliver, Warren Hills, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

2:00.84 Nick Gristina, North Hunterdon, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

2:01.06 Joey Capone, Voorhees, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

1,600

4:11.67 Chris Romero, Voorhees, 5/19 at Holmdel Twilight Series Royal Rumble, Holmdel HS

4:17.13 Ray Sellaro, North Hunterdon, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

4:19.71 Rob Whitney, Voorhees, 5/19 at Holmdel Twilight Series Royal Rumble, Holmdel HS

4:20.06 Brendan McGill, Voorhees, 5/19 at Holmdel Twilight Series Royal Rumble, Holmdel HS

4:20.16 Evan Minor, Voorhees, 5/19 at Holmdel Twilight Series Royal Rumble, Holmdel HS

4:21.90 Sam Morgan, Parkland, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championship, Whitehall HS

4:22.26 Kevin Lapsansky, Easton, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championship, Whitehall HS

4:22.77 Will Alpaugh, Freedom, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championship, Whitehall HS

4:24.21 Joe Espinal, Wilson, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

4:24.59 Ethan Wimmer, Warren Hills, 5/27 at North 2 Group sectional, Ridge HS 

3,200

9:17.36 Chris Romero, Voorhees, 5/6 at Holmdel Twilight Series Night of 3,200s, Holmdel HS

9:22.79 Kevin Lapsansky, Easton, 5/28 in PIAA Class AAA championship final, Shippensburg

9:26.42 Rob Whitney, Voorhees, 5/6 at Holmdel Twilight Series Night of 3,200s, Holmdel HS

9:27.40 Ray Sellaro, North Hunterdon, 4/22 at Red & Black Invitational, East Stroudsburg University

9:34.00 Brendan McGill, Voorhees, 5/6 at Holmdel Twilight Series Night of 3,200s, Holmdel HS

9:39.77 Brian Spolarich, Warren Hills, 5/6 at Holmdel Twilight Series Night of 3,200s, Holmdel HS

9:40.5 Joe Espinal, Wilson, 5/3 in home Colonial League tri-meet

9:42.93 Evan Minor, Voorhees, 5/6 at Holmdel Twilight Series Night of 3,200s, Holmdel HS

9:43.82 Daniel Kyvelos, Parkland, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championship, Whitehall HS

9:44.78 Jake Hardin, Phillipsburg, 5/28 at North 2 Group 4 sectional, Ridge HS

110 high hurdles 

14.68 Eric Moul, North Hunterdon, 5/28 at North 2 Group 4 sectional, Ridge HS

15.16 Job Goodman, Wilson, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championship preliminaries, Whitehall HS

15.18 John Martin, Phillipsburg, 5/28 in North 2 Group 4 sectional final, Ridge HS

15.20 Jack Memoli, Voorhees, 5/28 at Central Group 2 sectional, Northern Burlington HS

15.57 Shamus Williams, Bethlehem Catholic, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

15.67 Jahrod Amoroso, Whitehall, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

15.67 Josh Hudak, Central Catholic, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

15.78 Brandon Baker, Hackettstown, 5/28 in North 2 Group 2 sectional final, Madison HS

15.82 Isreal Selassie, Easton, 5/11 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

15.88 Elajah Finneran, Bethlehem Catholic, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

300 intermediate hurdles

39.57 Job Goodman, Wilson, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

40.42 Eric Moul, North Hunterdon, 4/22 at Red & Black Invitational, East Stroudsburg University

40.82 Jack Memoli, Voorhees, 4/22 at Red & Black Invitational, East Stroudsburg University

40.80 Michael Couch, Easton, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

40.87 Ryan Dec, Voorhees, 4/22 at Red & Black Invitational, East Stroudsburg University

40.96 Isreal Selassie, Easton, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

41.06 Trevor Cunningham, Northwestern Lehigh, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

41.60 Kenny Stocklinski, Nazareth, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

42.02 Brian Grady, Parkland, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

42.04 Josh Hudak, Central Catholic, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

400 intermediate hurdles

53.71 Eric Moul, North Hunterdon, 5/10 at Skyland Conference championships, Hillsborough HS

56.21 Kevin Moran, Delaware Valley, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

56.92 Jack Memoli, Voorhees, 5/27 at Central Group 2 sectional, Northern Burlington HS

57.44 Ryan Dec, Voorhees, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

58.71 Brandon Mee, Phillipsburg, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

1:00.40 Jason Kunzmann, Hackettstown, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

1:00.90 Joe Tampone, North Hunterdon, 5/10 at Skyland Conference championships, Hillsborough HS

1:01.45 Luis DeAraujo, Hackettstown, 4/30 at Randolph Relays, Randolph HS

1:01.93 Zachary Panzarino, North Hunterdon, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

1:02.19 Jack Nesheiwat, Hackettstown, 5/11 at NJAC Freedom, Independence,  Liberty championships, Wallkill Valley HS

400 relay

41.64 Nazareth 5/27 in PIAA Class AAA championship semifinals, Shippensburg University (all-time regional record)

43.59 Central Catholic 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

43.82 North Hunterdon 5/28 at North 2 Group 4 sectional, Ridge HS

44.04 Emmaus 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

44.10 Wilson 5/11 in Colonial League championships, Whitehall HS

44.35 Palisades 5/18 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

44.53 Liberty 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

44.57 Whitehall 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

44.67 Easton 4/23 at Jack Roddick Shippensburg Invitational, Shippensburg University

44.72 Warren Hills 5/28 at North 2 Group 3 sectional, Ridge HS

1,600 relay

3:24.59 North Hunterdon 5/28 at North 2 Group 4 sectional, Ridge HS

3:26.09 Parkland 5/28 in PIAA Class AAA championships, Shippensburg University

3:27.50 Wilson 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

3:29.17 Allen 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

3:29.78 Emmaus 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

3:31.01 Easton 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

3:31.79 Palisades 5/18 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

3:33.99 Hackettstown 5/28 at North 2 Group 2 sectional, Madison HS

3:34.15 Notre Dame 5/11 in Colonial League championships, Whitehall HS

3:34.72 Delaware Valley 5/10 at Skyland Conference championships, Hillsborough HS

3,200 relay

7:59.60 Voorhees 4/15 at Holmdel Twilight Meet, Holmdel HS

8:05.82 Emmaus 5/27 at PIAA Class AAA championship preliminaries, Shippensburg University

8:06.06 Parkland 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

8:08.99 North Hunterdon 5/28 at North 2 Group 4 sectional, Ridge HS

8:11.50 Easton 5/10 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

8:13.22 Warren Hills 5/27 at North 2 Group 3 sectional, Ridge HS

8:18.61 Whitehall 5/10 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

8:18.81 Central Catholic 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

8:23.37 Notre Dame 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

8:26.1 Wilson 4/19 in Colonial League tri-meet at Southern Lehigh 

Pole Vault

14-0 Logan Blasiak, Palmerton, 5/18 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

13-9 Cole Boychuck, Parkland 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

13-9 Anthony Colasurdo, Southern Lehigh, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

13-0 Conor Dec, Voorhees, 5/10 at Skyland Conference championships, Hillsborough HS

13-0 Dominic Nosenzo, Easton, 5/2 in home EPC dual

12-9 Gavin Wood, Whitehall, 4/26 in home EPC dual

12-9 Ryan Fox, Nazareth, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

12-9 David VanBlargan, Northwestern Lehigh, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

12-6 Cooper Bertoldo, Phillipsburg, 4/16 at Skyland Conference Relays, Ridge HS

12-6 Jason Kunzman, Hackettstown, 4/30 at Randolph Relays, Randolph HS

12-6 Elliot Miller, Whitehall, 4/15 in home EPC tri-meet

12-6 Ethan Smith, Warren Hills, 5/10 at Skyland Conference championships, Hillsborough HS

High jump

7-1 Greg Lauray, Notre Dame, 5/11 in Colonial League championships, Whitehall HS (all-time regional record, tied for No. 7 U.S. jump this spring)

6-8 Spencer Hay, Palmerton, 5/27 at PIAA Class AA championships, Shippensburg University

6-6 John Reichenbach, Salisbury, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

6-4 Will Brown, Palisades, 5/3 in Colonial League tri-meet at Northern Lehigh

6-4 Devante Cross, Parkland, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

6-3 Charles Hudson, Whitehall, 4/18 in home EPC tri-meet at Whitehall

6-3 Javaughn Hussett, Whitehall, 5/2 in home EPC tri-meet

6-3 Josh Briggs, Nazareth, 4/18 in home EPC tri-meet

6-2 Manny Romero, Phillipsburg, 5/10 at Skyland Conference championships, Hillsborough HS

6-1 Joseph Smith, Bethlehem Catholic, 4/14 in EPC tri-meet at Nazareth

6-1 Tahweed Muhammad, Easton, 5/2 in home EPC tri-meet

Long jump

24-4½ Jahan Dotson, Nazareth, 5/28 at PIAA Class AAA championships, Shippensburg University (all-time regional record)

22-0½ Evan Culver, Saucon Valley, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

21-8½ Darian Street, Liberty, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

21-7½ John Reichenbach, Salisbury, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

21-6½ Sammy Avalos, Nazareth, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

21-5½ Ethan Price, Southern Lehigh, 4/12 in home Colonial League dual

21-4¾ Logan Sterner, Pen Argyl, 5/11 in Colonial League championships, Whitehall HS

21-3½ Manny Romero, Phillipsburg, 5/10 at Skyland Conference championships, Hillsborough HS

21-3¼ Connor Robisheau, Pen Argyl, 5/18 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

21-2½ Jonias Jones, Liberty, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

Triple jump

45-2½ Roland Cash-Mabry, Freedom, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

44-9½ Manny Romero, Phillipsburg, 4/30 at Lion Invitational, Middletown North HS

44-2½ Matt Siley, Palisades, 5/17 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

43-11½ Joseph Smith, Bethlehem Catholic, 4/14 in EPC tri-meet at Nazareth

43-10½ Holden Scott, Hackettstown, 5/27 at North 2 Group 2 sectional, Madison HS

42-11 Bryan Morris, Northampton, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

42-9 Andrew Barnes, Wilson, 4/8 in home Colonial League dual

42-8 Isiah Davis, Easton, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

42-7½ Matt Zebley, Nazareth, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

42-7 Jonias Jones, Liberty, 4/29 at Allentown School District Invitational, J. Birney Crum Stadium

Shot put

54-3 Andrew Rochon, Southern Lehigh, 4/19 in home Colonial League tri-meet

53-10½ James Barnes, Easton, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

53-9 Al Crespo, Phillipsburg, 4/30 at Lion Invitational, Middletown North HS

52-9 Jim Marinelli, Phillipsburg, 4/30 at Lion Invitational, Middletown North HS

50-1½ Cam Strohe, Bangor, 5/11 in Colonial League championships, Whitehall HS

48-6 Tyree King, Dieruff, 48-6 in EPC dual at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium

47-6 Peter Martin, Southern Lehigh, 4/2 at Zephyr Relays, Whitehall HS

47-1¼ Chet Karpyn, Northwestern Lehigh, 5/11 in Colonial League championships, Whitehall HS

46-4 Jaohne Duggan, Liberty, 4/25 in EPC dual at J. Birney Crum Stadium

45-2 Jahan Worth, Parkland, 4/5 in EPC tri-meet at J. Birney Crum Stadium

Discus

162-0 Cam Strohe, Bangor, 5/17 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

156-5 Andrew Rochon, Southern Lehigh, 5/10 in Colonial League championships, Whitehall HS

155-0 Tyler Meyers, Whitehall, 4/23 at Jack Roddick Shippensburg Invitational, Shippensburg University

144-8 Jim Marinelli, Phillipsburg, 5/10 at Skyland Conference championships, Hillsborough HS

140-0 Austin Wilson, North Hunterdon, 4/22 at Red & Black Invitational, East Stroudsburg University

138-7 Conrad Bevans, Northern Lehigh, 5/18 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

137-3 Ethan Kendzulak, Delaware Valley, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

134-6 Jake Danko, Palisades, 5/18 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

134-4 Andrew Lessig, Parkland, 5/10 at EPC championships, Whitehall HS

131-5 Scott Heffelfinger, Palmerton, 4/14 in home Colonial League dual

Javelin

185-0 Tevon Weber, Salisbury, 4/13 in Colonial League dual at Palisades

178-7 Justin Wulff, Warren Hills, 5/21 at H/W/S championships, Hunterdon Central HS

165-2 Brandon Kelly, Bethlehem Catholic, 5/18 at District 11 Class AAA championships, Whitehall HS

164-7 Nick Cregar, Voorhees, 5/27 at Central Group 2 sectional, Northern Burlington HS

162-2 Jackson Buskirk, Whitehall, 4/15 in home EPC tri-meet

154-0 Kyle Edelmann, North Hunterdon, 5/27 at North 2 Group 4 sectional, Ridge HS

153-9 Trevor Silfies, Southern Lehigh, 4/8 at Olympian Invitational, Jim Thorpe HS

152-5 Nick Swope, Palisades, 5/17 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

152-1 Brandon Trippeda, Palisades, 5/17 at District 11 Class AA championships, Whitehall HS

150-8 Mike Kiley, Voorhees, 4/30 at Randolph Relays, Randolph HS

Brad Wilson may be reached at bwilson@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradwsports. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.

One of the dogs helped sniff out $31,000 worth of cocaine during last week's Operation Steel Force, the chief said.

The Bethlehem Police Department's K-9 pack has doubled with the addition of two new pups that debuted Thursday.

Rico is a 15-month-old Dutch Shepherd partnered with officer Paul Fischer, and Blaze is a 16-month-old Shepherd-Malinois mix partnered with officer Rob Hoppes. Both dogs will serve as narcotics K-9s, as well as working on patrol, tracking and apprehending suspects.

City police now have four dogs total in the K-9 unit, one for each of the platoons that patrol the city, said Mayor Bob Donchez. There are three narcotics dogs, while the fourth, Hix, is an explosives dog.

"Each of the dogs has a specialized skill, or nose," said police Chief Mark DiLuzio.

Meet Hix, Bethlehem's newest K-9 officer

Rico was purchased through a donation from Dr. Caesar DePaco and his wife, Deanna Padovani-DePaco. The donors who funded Blaze wished to remain anonymous.

The DePacos own Summit Nutritionals International in Branchburg, N.J., and have purchased dogs for police departments around the world. That includes the dog that replaced Diesel, a French National Police dog killed in the ISIS attacks in Paris.

Padovani-DePaco said the couple enjoy helping law enforcement, and were excited to now help the Bethlehem Police Department.

Hix was introduced in December, after the passing of Rexo to cancer. Hix was named for his donors, Shirley and Joe Hixson Jr., who own Joe's Battery and Tire in the city.

While donors have helped purchase the dogs, DiLuzio said the city has used drug forfeiture funds to buy the specialty equipment to outfit police vehicles for the animals.

"We are using forfeited proceeds from drug dealers and other criminals to purchase public safety equipment to apprehend additional criminals and to serve our communities," the chief said.

The pair of newbies have already been put to work. DiLuzio said they were part of Operation Steel Force last week, and that Blaze's nose helped detect $31,000 in cocaine.

Fischer said the pair trained for seven weeks before doing on-the-street training over the past month. The dogs live with their handlers.

"Training never ends," the officer said.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.