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Calling all Northampton County centenarians

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Are you or do you know someone who is 100 years old or more? The Northampton County Advisory Council wants to hear from you.

ThinkstockPhotos-176810325

Northampton County Advisory Council on Aging is looking for Northampton County Centenarians, residents 100 or more years of age, to celebrate at the annual Centenarian Luncheon 11:30 a.m. Sept. 28, at the Green Pond Country Club.

Centenarians honored at luncheon

All Centenarians are invited along with one guest. RSVP by July 1to Kim Nichol at 610-829-4519 or knichol@nothamptoncounty.org.


Bill to rein in Pa. pension benefits on fast track

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The state Senate approved changes to the public employee system that could see swift action in the House.

Most rookie teachers and newly minted Pennsylvania government employees would see a smaller retirement benefit in the coming decades through the state's two big debt-plagued pension systems, under legislation that passed the Senate on Monday and has the backing of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.

The Republican-controlled Senate's 40-9 vote could be followed by swift House action this week to send the just-unveiled bill to Wolf's desk.

The bill is the product of months of closed-door negotiations and more than four years of Senate Republicans pushing to end or reduce the traditional pension benefit for future state government and public school employees in favor of a 401(k)-style benefit. If it becomes law, it would be the second pension benefits reduction of future employees in eight years, both spurred by a debt tied to the pension benefits of current and retired public employees.

The bill, unveiled Sunday, would create a less expensive and less generous pension benefits structure in the future, while also shifting some risk of investment losses off taxpayers and onto the public employees of tomorrow.

But actuaries note that creating the new benefits plans still leaves Pennsylvania's massive pension debt intact, and will not stop the rising pension obligation payments that are squeezing the budgets of school districts.

In his floor comments, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson, called the legislation "historic reform" that "will help ensure the stability of the commonwealth for decades to come." Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre, said if lawmakers had adopted the same changes in 2001 -- the year they approved a huge benefits increase -- the state "wouldn't be in this situation that we're in today and dealing with skyrocketing increases of our contribution."

The 50 Pa. school districts that pay the most

Wolf's office said he supports the bill and its goals of paying down the pension debt on the current schedule, reducing pension fund investment fees and shifting investment risk away from taxpayers.

Under the bill, most new employees hired after 2019 would see a smaller traditional pension benefit combined with a new a 401(k)-style benefit, and a larger employee contribution, according to an analysis of the plan by the Legislature's nonpartisan fiscal agency. They also could choose a plan based entirely on a 401(k)-style benefit. About one-third of future state government employees, including Pennsylvania state troopers and state corrections officers, are exempt from the plan changes.

An employee who retires with 15 years of service and a final average salary of $60,000 would see an annual benefit of about $12,000 from the new blended plan, compared to $17,000 for someone hired under the current law, according to the analysis. Most public employees hired before 2011 have a more generous pension benefit.

The roughly $60 billion projected debt in Pennsylvania's two big public pension systems is attributed to the benefits of current and retired employees and will take more than two decades to pay down, according to estimates by the pension systems.

That debt stems from years of lawmakers and governors deferring payments into the system and approving pension benefits increases, plus disappointing investment performances in some years.

The bill does not reduce the benefits for current public employees, lawmakers or retirees, and it does not pledge a big influx of money to pay down the pension debt.

In 2015, Wolf had proposed borrowing $3 billion in bonds to refinance part of the pension debt and save a projected $8 billion, but legislators opposed it. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans had sought billions of dollars in concessions from current employees, but it hit opposition in the House.

Wolf vetoed Republican-penned legislation in 2015 that would have ended the traditional pension benefit for new hires in favor of a 401(k)-style benefit.

About one-third of U.S. states already administer a mandatory or optional 401(k)-style retirement benefit for employees, according to the National Association of State Retirement Administrators.

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Catasauqua High School graduation 2017 (PHOTOS)

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Catasauqua High School held its 2017 commencement ceremony at the school.

Catasauqua High School held its commencement Monday night at the school.

Check out the celebration by scrolling through the photos atop this post.

Catasauqua High School prom 2017 (PHOTOS)

LOOKING FOR A KEEPSAKE?

Are you one of the people pictured at this graduation? Want to buy the photo and keep it forever? Look for a link below the photo caption to order prints in a variety of sizes or products like shirts or coffee mugs.

Be sure to check out our complete graduation coverage at lehighvalleylive.com/graduation.

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.

Cops: Woman hits mom with glass vase after all-nighter with friends

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The fight stemmed from the daughter being out all night and who she was with, police said.

Lehigh Township woman is accused of hitting her mother with a vase in an argument stemming from the 27-year-old daughter being out all night.

Charged is Nicole Marie Dunbar, of the 4200 block of Hawthorn Drive.

Township police were called at 9:17 a.m. Saturday to Dunbar's home for a report of woman reporting her daughter was assaulting her. The female victim told police around 6:30 a.m. that day she was arguing with Dunbar, her daughter, while holding a soda can.

Dunbar allegedly struck the can, causing it to hit the victim's face and nose. She then picked up a glass vase and threw it at her mother, hitting her in the knee and leg, the victim reported.

Dunbar allegedly told police the fight was over her mother upset she stayed out all night and the people she was hanging out with. She told investigators she was making something to eat and her mother wouldn't let her prepare the food, according to police.

Slate Belt man robbed victim of $125 in alley, cops say

Dunbar allegedly admitted to throwing the vase, but said she wasn't trying to purposely hit her mother.

Dunbar is charged with harassment and simple assault. She was arraigned Saturday before District Judge John Capobianco, who set bail at 10 percent of $5,000. Court records indicate Dunbar posted bail.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

 

Northampton County welcomes 22 new U.S. citizens (PHOTOS)

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Twenty-two immigrants can now say they are American citizens, after a naturalization ceremony in Northampton County.

Who says dreams don't come true? 

For 22 local residents, their dreams were answered Tuesday as they became new American citizens. 

Northampton County Judge Michael Koury Jr. administered the oath of allegiance to people from 17 countries during the bi-annual naturalization ceremony, held at Northampton County Courthouse in Easton. 

As part of the ceremony, the county bar association recognized the elementary school student winners of the "My Favorite Place in America" picture contest.

The third-grade winners were: Jacob Darois, of St Jane Frances De Chantal School, and Alyssa Vasquez, of Freemansburg Elementary School.

The fourth grade winners were: Sarah Banko, of Holy Family School of Nazareth, and Zoe Davis, of St Jane Frances De Chantal School.

The fifth grade winners were: Riley Tan, of St Jane Frances De Chantal School, and Colin Muh, of Fountain Hill Elementary School. 

The 22 new citizen are: 

Amy Ngoc My Huynh, Mita Divyesh Desai, Richard Eland Jackson, Marica C. Naranjo Caques, Sandra Fabiola Betancourt De Echeverri, Idalmis Lozano Regidor, Guillermo Cortez, Leonora Beatriz Guzman, Mark Carl Thomas, Le Pham, Nicolise Barr, Nathalia Andrea Villamizar, Quyen My La, Maria Victoria Salinas, Maria Lucia Gladfelter, Cristina Celia Da Silva Papiomitis, Amitai Eli Eilam, Christian Morales, Romancia Elodea Shannon Dorsett, Lilian Esther Castillo Chicas, Jaiden Chikuta Phiri and Stephen Tamoh Bechem. 

Saed Hindash may be reached at shindash@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @SaedHindash. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.

D-Day remembered: Veterans of epic battle honored in Lehigh Valley

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The Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Battle of the Bulge Association held its 16th Annual D-Day remembrance picnic in Nazareth.

Seventy-three years later, Nathan Kline can still remember the fear he felt when he saw Germans shooting at his airplane as Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944.

Eight thousand ships filled the English Channel, he recalled, and the invasion was almost cancelled due to weather, making the conditions less than desirable. 

"I'm very proud to be part of the invasion," the 92-year-old Kline said Tuesday at Nazareth Borough Park during the 16th Annual D-Day Remembrance Picnic.

American flags waved and voices echoed "God Bless America" to kick off the picnic, which brings veterans, their families and the community together to remember and honor D-Day veterans.

The battle is described as "the largest invasion in history" in "the war to end all wars."

"Our freedom is not free," said Judy Greenhalgh, a member of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Battle of The Bulge Association that helped organize the event. "So many people sacrificed for our freedom and it's important to let them know how much we appreciate it."

Kline, a retired U.S. Air Force major from the Allentown area, wasn't the only D-Day veteran in attendance. Others included Robert Gangeware, of Wind Gap, and Richard Schermerhorn, of Allentown.

Gangeware served with the U.S. Army in the 90th Infantry Division and the 357th Infantry Regiment. Schermerhorn served with the Army's 531st Engineer Shore Regiment.

"It's something I'll never forget," the 95-year-old Shermerhorn said of D-Day, adding that the English Channel was flooded with ships for as far as you could see. Anyone who says they weren't scared is lying, he added with a chuckle. 

What patriotism means to a 92-year-old WWII veteran

Alongside members of the association, Eagle Scout Jack Wiener expressed his sentiments to the veterans, saying that simply thanking them would "understate the gratitude" of all Americans. He encouraged them to continue to share their experiences, as it inspires him to hear them and teaches him more than a textbook ever could.

As chapter president John Kuhn read the words originally spoken by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower on D-Day 73 years ago, the veterans choked back tears.

"The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you," Kuhn read. "...I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory."

As well as honoring D-Day veterans, other World War II veterans were asked to stand and be honored as well. Seven veterans stood and accepted the thanks of those around them. Some wore WWII hats, while another sported American flags on his walker.

Although a day of honor and celebration, attention was brought by some to the apathetic attitude toward the flag, patriotism and the nation's history.

Kuhn spoke of the importance of knowing the history, the Constitution and why Americans have the freedoms that they do. He described such knowledge as a necessity so as to not take the sacrifices of those who serve for granted.

Military re-enactor Dave Pucci further emphasized that point by addressing those who burn the American flag as a means of protest. He shared a story from when he was in college, when he asked his father what he thought of the burning of the flag. The response was eye-opening.

"Ask the veterans whose coffins were draped with that flag. If they say it's OK, than maybe I will to," he said.

With that, many in the audience nodded their heads as their eyes filled with tears.

As bugler Ed Brace played taps at the conclusion of the ceremony, veterans saluted and the flag danced in the wind. 

"It was an honor (to be honored at the picnic)," Schermerhorn said. "We should never stop honoring all veterans."

Alyssa Mursch may be reached at amursch@lehighvalleylive.com. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Northampton County has three new Top 10 fugitives

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Recent arrests left openings on the sheriff's department's list.

With the recent arrests of three of the Northampton County Sheriff's Department's Top 10 fugitives, three others have been elevated to the list.

Kyle S. Bracey

Replaces: Secundino Cruz

Age: 24

Height: 6 feet, 2 inches

Weight: 180 pounds

Eyes: Brown

Hair: Black

Main charge: Robbery

Last known sighting: Brooklyn, New York

Bracey pleaded guilty Nov. 13, 2014, to robbing a Lehigh University student of her purse on Aug. 15, 2014, on Asa Drive in Bethlehem, court records show. S

everal related charges with withdrawn in the plea deal. He was sentenced to a maximum of 18 months in prison and was released the same day as his plea due to time served, records show.

He was brought in several times on parole/probation violations, the most recent on Dec. 2, when another bench warrant was issued, records show. He still owes $1,489.22 in fees and fines, records show.

Robert Eric Barrigher

Replaces: Samuel Rodriguez

Age: 32

Height: 5 feet 9 inches

Weight: 145 pounds

Eyes: Brown

Hair: black

Main charge: Criminal trespass

Last known sighting: Easton

Barrigher pleaded guilty April 24, 2015, to breaking into a Wilson Borough home on Nov. 8, 2014, with two other men to steal copper pipes, records show. The men did more than $2,000 damage to the vacant house, police said at the time.

He was sentenced to three to 12 months in jail on the criminal trespass charge, followed by 36 months of probation. Charges of burglary and related offenses were withdrawn, records show. A violation hearing was scheduled Sept. 25, 2015, but didn't happen, leading to a warrant for Barrigher's arrest.

Luke Andrew Caffrey

Replaces: Johnnie Kashaun Johnson

Age: 34

Height: 6 feet 1 inch

Weight: 245 pounds

Eyes: Hazel

Hair: Brown

Main charges: Fleeing, simple assault, criminal mischief

Last known sighting: Stockertown

Caffrey pleaded guilty Sept. 1 in two cases. He was charged with assaulting a 16-year-old girl and spraining her wrist on May 9, 2016, and pleaded guilty to simple assault and criminal mischief, records show. He was sentenced to one month in jail and 12 months of probation. He also pleaded guilty to fleeing an officer after a high-speed chase April 15, 2016, in the Nazareth area, records show. He received the same sentence as the other incident. Several charges were withdrawn.

A probation violation hearing was scheduled Feb. 22, but he did not appear, records show. A warrant was issued for his arrest.

If you know the whereabouts of one of the county's Top 10 fugitives, you are asked to call 610-829-6520 or click on the "summit a tip" link on the county's Top 10 page. Tips are kept anonymous, the sheriff's department said.

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

Here's the 2017 Lehigh Valley Carpenter Cup softball team

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See who will compete in the tournament in Philadelphia later in June.


Patrons over-served, underage drinking among Lehigh Valley liquor violations

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Pennsylvania State Police announced another round of citations against Lehigh and Northampton county liquor licensees.

Pennsylvania State Police on Wednesday announced alleged liquor and other state law violations at Lehigh Valley bars and private clubs.

According to the state police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the citations included the following in Lehigh and Northampton counties:

Loyal Order of Moose Slatington Lodge No. 1375, 716 Main St., Slatington, was cited May 31 for failure to maintain to complete and truthful records covering operations related to the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act for two years immediately preceding April 21, 2017; failure to maintain records as required under liquor and other state law from April 21, 2016, through April 21, 2017.

Volpes Sports Bar LLC, 1926 Tilghman St., Allentown, was cited May 26 for providing alcoholic beverages to a visibly intoxicated patron April 15, 2017.

Northampton Post VFW Home Association, Main Street and Laubach Avenue, Northampton, was cited May 26 for failure to require liquor code-mandated written application, investigation and ballot to become a member July 6, 2016, through March 28, 2017; failure to charge and collect dues July 6, 2016, through March 28, 2017; transporting malt or brewed beverages without a license Jan. 13 and 26 and Feb. 1, 2017; and failure to maintain records as required July 6, 2016, through March 28, 2017.

This I-78-side convenience store wants to sell beer

OBT Restaurant Inc. (Old Brewery Tavern), 138 W. Union Blvd., Bethlehem, was cited May 22 for permitting four minors ages 18 to 20 to frequent the licensed premises and providing alcoholic beverages to them on March 19, 2017, "and diverse other occasions within the past year."

BJs Restaurant Operations Co., 665 Krocks Road North, Lower Macungie Township, was cited May 17 for failure from Jan. 19 through March 19, 2017, to notify the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board within 15 days of a change of manager.

Heights Athletic Association, 2345 Easton Ave., Bethlehem, was cited May 12 for failure to break empty liquor bottles within 24 hours as required under state liquor law and possessing or operating gambling devices paraphernalia or permitting gambling, lotteries, pool-selling or bookmaking Feb. 1, 2017.

K&S Pubs Inc. (Keystone Pub), 3259 Easton Ave., Bethlehem Township, was cited May 8 for providing alcoholic beverages to a visibly intoxicated patron April 1.

Telfair Inc. (Fairgrounds Hotel & Saloon), 448 N. 17th St., Allentown, was cited April 24 for permitting outside parties to operate a business on the licensed premises May 1, 2009, through March 8, 2017.

The Poison Apple Inc. (Hometown Heroes), 310-12 E. Goepp St., Bethlehem, was cited April 19 for failure Nov. 4, 2016, through March 16, 2017, to follow the manufacturer's cleaning frequency and cleaning method guidelines when using an ultrasonic, electromagnetic or similar system to clean a malt or brewed beverage dispensing system.

Each charge will be brought before an administrative law judge, who may impose penalties ranging from $50 to $1,000 for minor offenses and up to $5,000 for more serious offenses. The judge may also suspend or revoke liquor licenses, based on the severity of the charge, and mandate training for the licensee on their requirements and duties.

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

Split verdict in attempted homicide, sexual assault trial

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Demetrius Davis was convicted of attempted homicide but acquitted of sexually assaulting his victim

A Northampton County jury convicted a Bethlehem man of beating, kicking, stabbing and nearly killing a woman.

But Demetrius Davis didn't sexually assault the victim, according to the jury.

The 31-year-old nearly killed the woman at his home in the 900 block of Argus Street in an attack that started July 6, 2016, and continued overnight.

After about an hour and a half of deliberations Thursday, Davis was found guilty of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, theft and access device fraud. He was found not guilty of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault.

He was convicted on only one of three robbery counts, the least serious of the three.

"We're very pleased with the verdict, especially for the victim," said Assistant District Attorney Erika Farkas.

Farkas said she believes Northampton County Judge Jennifer Sletvold has the authority to sentence him to up to 59 years in state prison, although she said she would give that estimate a closer review later. Sentencing is scheduled for July 31.

Davis held down the woman and choked her until she lost consciousness. He kicked out two of her teeth.

"I was just horrified," the victim testified Monday, the first day of the trial.

When she escaped he chased her down, dragged her back and stabbed her in the side.

Jurors saw graphic photos of her face with huge purple and red bruises on her forehead, eyes, tongue and behind an ear.

While she lay bleeding on the floor, he took her credit cards and bought himself a pair of sneakers.

"It was a night of terror," Farkas told the jurors Monday.

The victim testified that Davis forced her to perform a sex act on him after he kicked out her teeth, but jurors didn't find that testimony credible.

Trial revisits 'night of terror' for Bethlehem stabbing, sexual assault victim

Defense attorney Joseph Yannuzzi said the attack didn't rise to the level of the charges Davis faces. He also questioned whether Davis was responsible for all of the injuries.

The victim said she underwent emergency surgery for a wound to her intestine. Jurors saw a photos of a foot-long gash across her stomach that was stapled together.

Multiple bones were broken around her eye. She said her eye is permanently set back in her head and she has double vision when she looks left.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.

Did you know your dog needs a license? Norco targeted in canvass

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State dog wardens will conduct license and rabies compliance checks in Northampton County.

Did you know that Pennsylvania law requires that all dogs three months or older must be licensed by Jan. 1 of each year.

Dog wardens from the state agriculture department recently announced plans to canvass Northampton County during June. This outreach program helps to ensure that all dog owners in the county have current licenses and rabies vaccinations for their dogs.

The fee for licenses is $6.50 for each spayed or neutered dog and $8.50 for other dogs. Older adults and persons with disabilities may purchase a license for $4.50 for spayed or neutered dogs and $6.50 for others.

All dogs and non-feral cats (three months of age and older) must be vaccinated against rabies. Booster vaccinations must be administered periodically to maintain lifelong immunity.

Violators may be cited with a maximum fine of $300 per violation plus court costs.

For more information, dog owners should contact the county treasurer's office at  610-829-6186.

For More information, visit licenseyourdogPA.com or call 717-787-3062.

Commonwealth Charter Academy celebrates Class of 2017

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Public cyber charter school holds graduation ceremony at Penn's Peak.

Commonwealth Charter Academy, a public cyber charter school serving more than 9,000 students in Pennsylvania, on Wednesday held a graduation ceremony for its students from the at Penn's Peak, in Jim Thorpe.

The event was live-streamed so family and friends who could not attend the ceremony could view the graduation. This year marked the first class to graduate as "Commonwealth Charter Academy" students, following the school's name change in 2016.

The following Lehigh and Northampton county students earned diplomas:

Lehigh County graduates were: Elicia Gintz, Marianna Gonzales, Talitha Harry, Samantha Hengeveld, Zachary Nycz, Darby Pender, Mary Elizabeth Rossignuolo, Ashley Snyder, Meriyen Gonzales, Hunter Hovan, Anthony Williams, Josiah Rothrock-Reynolds, Max Portnoy, Tyler Kiukys, Dylan Klidonas, Jasmine Acosta, Raphaella Mizrachi, Cassandra Nicholson, James Reid, Giovanni Sanchez, Bianca Selph, Jadyn Homa, Dominic Papa and Cody Serfass.

Northampton County graduates were: Alyson Beers, Carly Capone, Summer Colabaugh, Kiara Drogo, Gabrielle Flank, Wesley Hoyle, Shannon Muretta, Alexis Rute, William Smith, Sarah Stahl, Samantha Yeager, John Zangari, Jenelle Bayer, Gary Enman, Katelyn Gregory, Brett Upton, James Harvat, Hailey Hein, Regina Jones, Savannah Packard, Tara Seaman, Zachary Taffurelli and Zane Zureiqi.

2nd suspect in Lehigh Twp. gun, tool thefts arrested

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Lehigh Township police said guns, tools and $2,500 were stolen in a garage burglary in May 2015.

Police have charged a second man with stealing $2,500, guns and tools from a Lehigh Township garage in May 2015.

James Robert KeiperJames Keiper (Courtesy photo) 

James Keiper, 33, of Effort in Monroe County, was arraigned Tuesday on charges of burglary, theft, receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy.

District Judge Alicia Zito set bail at $75,000 and ordered Keiper to Northampton County Prison pending a preliminary hearing.

Lehigh Township police said the break-in occurred at a garage in the 1200 block of Red Maple Drive between May 26 and May 27, 2015.

A co-conspirator, 33-year-old Edward M. Mackerley, of Mahoning Township in Carbon County, was charged May 30 with similar crimes, according to police.

Police allege they stole a jug with $1,700 in coins, $800 cash from a desk drawer, four guns and tools from a garage belonging to Edward Longenbach. The victim was the grandfather of Mackerley's girlfriend at the time, police said.

Authorities had issued a warrant for Keiper.

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.

Look who made the East Stroudsburg dean's list

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Many area students make the ESU dean's list.

The following area students were named to the dean's list at East Stroudsburg University.

From Warren County

East+Stroudsburg+HPIM2590.JPG 

Megyn Berezny, Edward Biegaj, PaytonMcBride and Allyson Penna, of Belvidere; Eric Di Stasi and Ashley Maclean, of Blairstown; Hana Cicerelle, of Broadway; Gabrielle Cardosa, of Columbia; Michael Rice, of Great Meadows; Stevi Irwin, Nada Kheiralla, Johnpatrick Montgomery, Riley Montgomery, Monica Naxera, Elena Paul and Rachael Swartz, of Hackettstown; BrianDocimo and Bebhionn Pasko, of Hardwick; StashaHeinrich, of Oxford; Alyssa Ayala, Jessica Ayala, Taylor Bess, Brianna Boyer, Anthony Guarino, Denasia Mosteller, Daeja Robinson, Gina Santini  and Kelsey Tompkins, of Phillipsburg; Lauren Toth and Justin Watts, of Port Murray; Emily Brady and Eric Herner, of Stewartsville; Amanda Crampton, Tess Edwards, Larysa Hachlica, Emily Pietrangelo, Camerin Savacool and Allison Stahl, of Washington.

From Lehigh County

Aislinn Galvin  and Danielle Santapaola, of Albrightsville; Haley Bergstrom, TaraBoehner, Melissa Burns, Michelle Cesar, Sadilyia Davis, Tamara Dennie, Erin Evans, Cyan Fink, David Fritsche, Tanner Fritz, Andrew Fuehrer, Andrew Gomez, Abigail Hawk, Micaela Herczeg, Ahmadu Jalloh, Demitri Lahanas, Madeline Molitoris, Tomas Montalvo, Kimberly Montgomery, Sharhan Perez, Bradley Reeves, Timothy Robbins, Sean Robbins, Taylor Schrecengost, Alexandra Sciacca, Ryan Utsch and Erin Ward, of Allentown; Robert Comins, Maggie Connelly, Amanda Gonzalez, Kyle Mackay, Michael Saparito, Michael Stefanik and Julia Sule of Bethlehem; Luke Garner, Brandon Keks, of Catasauqua; Ashley Weaver, of Center Valley; Kylie Schmitt and Siara Singleton, of Coopersburg;

Also: Lauren Galati, Bridaliz Delcid and Marina Zardet, of Coplay; Megan  Lawrence, of Emmaus; Tatiana Thompson, of Fountain Hill; Trisha Bankowski, of Germansville; Jessica Krynicki, of Laurys Station; Desiree Dierolf, Victoria Gurrieri, Alexandra Kalinowski, Abigail Moore, Olivia Orbe and Peyton Ritter, of Macungie; Matthew Steinmann, of Neffs; Clay Steber of New Tripoli; Hannah Gombos and Jordan Hodge, of Schnecksville; Brianna Barone, Nicole Horn, Alexis Merkle and Christopher Troxell, of Slatington; Kathryn Cavaiuolo, Shaun Cramsey, Yadira Dejesus, Tyler Durfey, Alyssa Fitzgerald, Arianna Guerino, John Johnson Jr., Decontee Krayeeand Brandon Levano, of Whitehall.

From Northampton County

Amber Marx, Meagan Ackerman, Alicia Day, Carson Freeman, Emily Howell, Sabrina Lefsyk, Renee  Lilly, Carissa McCollian, Ashley Meinhart, David Olaniyan, Kira Russo, Jessica Silverstein, Taylor  Smith, Grace Stianche, Candace Trafford, Gabrielle Walker and Cheyanne Werkheiser of Bangor; Glenda Fevrier, Hayley Jackson, Ryan Kelly, Derek Kulp, Marissa Kvacky, Kaitlyn Nasatka and Ashley Reppert, of Bath; Ryan Blowars, Alexis Brenner, Carolina Abreu, Mary Anne Batiz, Carly Blazinski, Madeline Brinker, Christian Colon, Deven Dadlani, Glenis Diez, Dalton Laut, Kiara Lebron, Sarah LiCari, Elizabeth Margle, Ashley McCauley, Amber Miller, Nicole Miller, Bnafsheh Eliason, Jessica Fenon, Kelvin Garcia, Alexandra Harte, Shannon Johnson, Daniel Keyser, Chad Kleppinger, Jillian Krupa, Bailley O'Neill, Alexandra Richiez, Daniel Rinkenberg, Victoria Salvadge, Dakota Sarbaugh, Cassandra Sedler, Jared Serman, Mickatelyn Shumanis, Jason         Stives, Emily Wallis, Nancy Wang and Dana Williams, of Bethlehem;

Also: Anthony Brinkley and Kaitlyn  Mack, of Catasauqua; Ashley Schell, of Danielsville; Gracey Eden and Alexis Kettenburg, of East Bangor; Morgan Adams, EmilyBedoya, Alec   Benson, Kyle Benson, James Blaine, Cade Blendon, Heather Brescia, Alyssa Canone, Kaitlyn Casciole, Tanya Claudio, Olivia Corpora, Alexa DeRaymond, Alieah Dunkins, Carla Dutt, Maria Escobar Alday, Michael Fleming, Breanne Giberson, Karisa Glassmoyer, Heather Goff, Elizabeth Gordon, Paige Grays, Stephanie Huff, Lydia Johnson, Laura Jungblut, Jacob Kelly, Angalyse Keyock, Wadih Khoury, Elizabeth Lewis, Emmanuel Lumbayi, William Luttmann, Alyssa McCluskey, Alexandra Misczenski, Jaime Narvaez, Amanda Notte, Joseph O'Dea, Joseph Orlando, Olivia Perini, Brenna Perry, Madison Pope, Michael Pope, Kimberly Reilly, Isabella Santucci, Megan Serrano, Paul Skinn, John Smestad, Rafael Stephens, Colin Varju and Katelyn Wolfe, of Easton; Cory Oswald, of Freemansburg; Faith Appolloni, Timothy Hoyt, Samantha Laub, Ethan Sinko, Casie Williams of Hellertown; Sebastian Czajka, Aislinn Gerena , Thomas Hardardt, Samantha Hartmann, PavelJaworski, Dana Laclair, Lindsay Prator, Kimberly Pulliam and Catherine Reis, of Upper Mount Bethel;

Also: Samuel Avalos, Kourtney Bartholomew, John Beaupre, Gabrielle Brescia, Michael Burns, Maria Callie, Claire Crown, Mia Gaeta, Jared Labar, Abby Marchese, Savannah Murphy, Devin Presby, Shannon Rider, Elizabeth Romberger, Nathan Rubio, Jordyn Sales, Eleni Sfiridis, Lauren Shook, Allyson Stitzer, Amy Strauser, Shannon Taby, Taylor Umar, Jayme Whipple and Chester Williams, of Nazareth; Mallory Johnson, Giovanni Lombardo, Makenna Marhefka, Sara Pease, Gabriella Pizzoferrato, Jennifer Reznick, Olivia Schneider and ZaneSebesta, of Northampton; Chelsea Bacon of Palmer; Kody Hines, Catherine Kluge and Toniann McErlean, of Pen Argyl; Ryan McAbee and Kaitlyn Vanscoten, of Portland; Stephanie Ricker, of Roseto; Timothy Beery, of Tatamy; Kaitlyn Fehnel, Kathleen Fritzges, Katelyn Hugo, Hannah Marth, Rebecca Owens, Kirstin Stettler, Morgan Szoke, Lee Wolbach and Allyson Zelienka, of Walnutport; Brooke Bostic, Liliana Ilieva, Emily McDermott, Keirstan Wambold and Zeynepa Zaimova, of Wind Gap.

Songs for Sisters showcases talent of Lehigh Valley women

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The Single Sisters Series will present original music and art at Songs for Sisters on June 15 to highlight the talents of local women.

Music, coffee and pop-up exhibitions will fill the second floor of the Single Sisters' House from 6 to 8 p.m. on June 15 in Bethlehem

Beginning in April 2017, the Single Sisters Series sought to celebrate accomplishments of Lehigh Valley women from the past and present.

The project highlights the history of the Single Sisters' House beginning in 1748, when the West Church Street building housed single women, providing them with the opportunity to live independently and remain unmarried if they chose.

It was quickly discovered that perseverance, ambition and sisterhood was a recipe for success, especially through the accomplishments of two sisters: Anna Rosina Kleist and Maria Beaumont.

Both women serve as inspiration for the upcoming event. Kleist held her first painting class at Moravian Seminary in 1788 and inspired the art portion of the show. Beaumont inspired the show's musical aspect. She entered the seminary in 1787 and became known as the best pianist in Bethlehem.

As an outlet to celebrate the achievements of Lehigh Valley women while simultaneously remembering the struggles of the women of the past, the Single Sisters Series now holds monthly events.

One such event is Song for Sisters, which will feature original singer-songwriters Tara Walsh, Julia Sommer and Chelsea Lyn Meyer. Walsh helped coordinate this lineup along with Gerard Longo of Lehigh Valley Underground.

"My story resonates with the Sisters. I came from a family of very resilient women. It never occurred to me that I couldn't be strong and intelligent," Walsh said.

For a long period of her life, she found herself in situations that made her filter who she was and quiet her creativity, she said.

After her parents divorced when she was 13, she found herself consumed with worrying about what people thought of her. So, when she was made to feel as though she was inherently flawed for having an outspoken personality, she retreated. She was silenced.

Two years ago, however, when her 11-year-old son almost died of severe aplastic anemia, she "broke out of her filtered silence."

"(My story) is the essence of the songs I'm putting out," Walsh said. "It's my opportunity to rise above the circumstances that were destroying me."

She was finally able to be herself and gain a voice through her music. She compared herself to the Single Sisters and their choice to live independently from men and forge their own path. Like them, she said, she didn't do this to rebel or set a precedence, but rather because she simply felt it was right.

Although she has been singing since the age of six, she didn't pursue it as a career and stopped altogether for a long time. Instead, she used her creative mind to help her teach at-risk youth as a high school English teacher. Now, she has one wish for her music.

"I hope I can be one of the Single Sisters to someone and inspire them," she said.

The 50 best Lehigh Valley concerts to see this summer

There will also be pop-up exhibits of women's regional zines curated by Pocono-based artist Lauren Beauchner of the creative collection Many Mothers. Zines are a type of do-it-yourself magazine, which make it possible for artists and writers to self-publish and distribute their work inexpensively.

"All of the women in (Many Mothers) are huge supporters of each other and I believe that being in frequent conversation and collaboration with each other is what pushes all of us to create more than we might otherwise," said Beauchner, who has been creating zines since 2015.

"I think because of this group of incredibly strong-willed and proactive women, we were able to join a lot of different groups of people together and encourage the do-it-yourself community in the valley."

The women whose works are featured in the pop-up range in profession from photographers to poets, bakers to gardeners, painters to writers and more. Beauchner sees this collaboration of multi-disciplinary women as a parallel to the diverse backgrounds of the original Single Sisters.

Now, the voices of early Moravian sisters echo through the halls, where the walls are lined with the same wallpapers that once enclosed them. Keeping these artifacts was a conscious decision in an effort to connect those visiting to the site's history.

"It's important to think of this as a historically rooted women's space," said director of collections and programming Lindsay Jancay, emphasizing the history of Moravian College

The college historically educated women and men equally, making Bethlehem one of the first places where women received an education in the country.

It's also important to look forward and consider what the space can help create now and in the future, Jancay said.

The goal is for it to be a meeting place for women -- somewhere they can learn about the successes and hardships of those before them while simultaneously displaying and celebrating their own talents.

"(The success of the original Moravian sisters) shows what can happen when there is support, dialogue and collaboration among women ... that's what we're trying to offer again," Jancay said.

The Single Sisters' House is located on 50 W. Church St. in Bethlehem. Admission for Song for Sisters is $5 per person. Jancay encourages those interested in collaborating or volunteering to contact her at ljancay@historicbethlehem.org.

Other upcoming events include the Zug Lecture on July 30 and Back to Basics on Aug. 26.

Alyssa Mursch may be reached at amursch@lehighvalleylive.com. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook


Northampton County authorities seek Damitry Laws -- fugitive of the week

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The 23-year-old is wanted on robbery charges and failure to appear in court on a probation violation.

Damitry LawsDamitry Xavier Laws (Courtesy photo)
 

Damitry Xavier Laws, 23, is wanted on robbery charges and failure to appear in court on a probation violation, according to the Northampton County Sheriff's Department.

Laws, who is known to frequent the Wilson and Easton areas, is described as 6 feet 2 inches tall and 180 pounds with brown eyes and black hair.

The sheriff's department asks anyone with information about Laws to call Sgt. Michael Orchulli at 610-829-6520.

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

Have you seen these suspects? Fugitives of the week June 10, 2017

Why the Lehigh Valley became a hotspot for journalists worldwide

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Journalists participated in hands-on training that will prepare them for hostile and challenging environments.

A group of people huddle in protest of their government and failing economy. Click. Someone yells "thief" as a man runs from the crowd. Click. The group catches up, surrounds him. Click. They begin beating him; he falls to the ground. Click. Click.

Through the lens of his camera, Carlos Becerra sees something being poured on the man, who is now just two meters away. Click. The camera focuses, a man flicks on his lighter, and drops it.

Click.

This is just one of the many horrific scenes Becerra has shot in his time photographing the protests in his home of Venezuela.  

"You can see how badly people can act toward another human being," Becerra said as he lightly cradled his casted arm, which was recently hit with a tear gas canister thrown into a protesting crowd by police. "Even when they're on the same side."

It was the first time he had ever seen someone lit on fire, Becerra explained. It was the hardest piece he ever had to shoot, but as one of the only sources of news in his country, he felt compelled to give the story an ending.

"As sadistic as it sounds, I realized I had to take another picture to show the state that (the thief) ended in," Becerra said. The man was able to fight his way to his feet and began running, still on fire. As Becerra hustled after him, he was told he could not take pictures. Recognizing that he and his photos may be in danger, he retreated.

Weeklong training session

There have been countless instances where his life was put in danger while working as a freelance photojournalist. Some, he knew how to deal with. Others, he was unsure. Knowing that the risk associated with his job would not soon subside, Becerra flew to the Lehigh Valley to partake in Hostile Environment First Aid Training.

The four-day course is held at Hellertown Sportsman's Association and is designed to train journalists working in dangerous environments to keep themselves and others safe, emphasizing both security and medical training. Sixteen journalists came last week from all over the world -- Thailand, Iraq, Venezuela and more -- to learn tips that could be the difference between life and death.

After a morning of lectures, the journalists participate in hands-on training. They are provided with scenarios that are based on factual events and must think on their feet to get through them safely.

In one scenario, the group was told they were in a Third World country and were going to interview Michael Phillips, a man that trained locals how to navigate mine fields. Before even entering the car, they flooded their instructor with questions.

Can the driver be trusted? Who recommended him to us? Have we made a security plan?

When they got to the site, they made sure the path was clear and that their guide could be trusted before following him to their source. They walked in single file, directly following his footsteps to avoid any potential mines. The guide went far in front of the group, running carelessly through the woods.

Boom.

A mock explosion went off. Smoke filled the air. The guide was injured, covered in blood. The group had to think quick and respond.

Not knowing if there were other mines, they got down on the ground and stayed put. One yelled to their guide to keep him calm and assess the severity of his injuries while another immediately called for help. When told the area was cleared, they ran to his assistance and used their First Aid training to help treat his wounds.

Then, they were kidnapped. Even with bags over their heads, unable to see, they had to remain calm and remember the options for action that they had learned earlier: Run, negotiate, fight, accept.

As they were raised from the ground, one made a break for it. Guns fired. Others tried to negotiate. "We have money," said one, her voice muffled by the bag. "Just tell us what you want.

Special forces instructors

The training was sponsored by the New York Times and the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting and offered through Northampton Community College, which assisted in leading the courses along with former British Special Forces members Steve Cook and Alison Baskerville.

Cook, who joined the army at 16 and worked as a freelance bodyguard in Iraq and as a CNN safety consultant prior to teaching this course, explained that this training is important not only for conflict areas, but any other challenging environments as well.

"There's always an element of risk," Cook said. "Our job is to train (journalists) to help mitigate the risks. It's all about awareness."

NCC class helps you keep cool in workplace

Participants learned how to deal with ambushes, kidnappings, minefields, checkpoints and more. Many have already been faced with these situations, yet still feel that the stories they are telling are worth the risk.

Like Carlos Becerra.

He has only been working as a journalist for three years. He took courses in photography for five years as a hobby, but owned a company to earn a living. As the economy in his home country began to flounder, however, and the government restricted public access to mainstream media, he decided to put his talent to use.

He began shooting protests and posting them on his social media accounts. Soon, his work was picked up by the Associated Press and Agency France Press.

"I always loved photography, but didn't know how to use it until the protests started," Becerra said. "Then I got to contribute in a meaningful way."

Alyssa Mursch may be reached at amursch@lehighvalleylive.com. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Allentown man gets 19 years in kidnapping, $3M jewelry store robbery

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Timothy Forbes was also involved in a December 2012 robbery of Bixler's Jewelers in Whitehall Township, prosecutors said.

An Allentown man serving 14 years for a jewelry store robbery in York County, is now facing 19 more years for a more sinister version of the crime in Connecticut.

Timothy Forbes was one of five men, four from the Lehigh Valley, charged in the April 2013 robbery of Lenox Jewelers in Fairfield, Connecticut.

The four co-defendants in the Connecticut case were previously sentenced as follows:

  • Kasam Hennix, of Easton, was sentenced to 14 years and three months.
  • William Davis, of Allentown, was sentenced to 14 years and eight months.
  • Jeffrey Houston, of Allentown, was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years.
  • Christopher Gay, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years.

The five men were ordered to pay more than $3.1 million in restitution, and have forfeited gemstones, jewelry, watches, a vehicle, and more than $127,000 in cash seized from them at the time of their arrests, prosecutors said in a news release.

Investigators said Forbes, Houston and Gay traveled from Pennsylvania to Connecticut several times prior to the robbery, in order to track the victims as they traveled from work to their home. Forbes and Gay placed a GPS unit on one ofg the victim's vehicles to make it easier to track him, prosecutors said.

The 35-year-old Forbes pleaded guilty in January to kidnapping, interference with commerce by robbery and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He was sentenced on Friday to 19 years in prison, followed by five years of probation.

Forbes was involved in three other similar jewelry store robberies, prosecutors said, including the December 2012 robbery of Bixler's Jewelers in Whitehall Township.

Prosecutors link Connecticut jewelry heist to 2012 Bixler's robbery

According to sentencing documents for Gay, he along with Forbes, Houston and Hennix were responsible for the Dec. 28, 2012, kidnapping of a Bixler's Jewelers gemologist at his West Bethlehem home.

Houston and Hennix allegedly held the employee and his wife at gunpoint, bound them with duct tape and placed pillowcases over their heads.

Forbes called Houston and Hennix once Bixler's closed, and the pair took the gemologist to the store in a stolen car, forcing him to unlock the door, disarm the alarm and open the safes while Gay kept watch over the wife, prosecutors say.

Houston and Hennis stole about 46 Rolex watches, loose diamonds and gold valued at about $500,000 wholesale in total, according to the court records.

Six months earlier, prosecutors said Forbes along with Jamell Smallwood and Jesse Brewer robbed a York County store of more than 50 Rolex watches valued at more than $500,000.

In July 2012, Smallwood, of Allentown, and Brewer entered White Jewelers and Brewer shot the owner three times, permanently disabling him, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

As Smallwood came out the back of the store, he was shot in the abdomen by Brewer, apparently with a pistol belonging to the owner, authorities said.

Forbes proceeded to break the jewelry cases and stash in a duffle bag 53 watches worth $380,149. Forbes was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his role in the White Jewelers robbery.

Brewer was convicted at trial in September 2015 of robbery and firearms offenses. He was sentenced Feb. 24 to life imprisonment plus 20 years. Smallwood pleaded guilty previously and was sentenced to 17 years for his role in this robbery.

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

 

Woman allegedly behind wheel in fatal crash is briefly jailed

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The investigation into the wreck is continuing, Easton police say.

The 18-year-old Easton woman who city police say was driving the car that crashed into two other vehicles and fatally injured a Bethlehem woman on Lehigh Drive was briefly behind bars last week.

Mazell TrussMazell Truss, 18, of Easton. (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com)

While Mazell Truss, of the 1000 block of Lehigh Street, hasn't been charged in the June 2 crash that took the life of 64-year-old Elizabeth Audrey Rafferty, she was wanted on a bench warrant involving a May 8 retail theft, according to court records.

She didn't appear May 22 for a hearing involving the theft charge and a Northampton County bench warrant was eventually issued for her arrest. The charge was forwarded to county court in her absence, records show.

Driver accused in deadly crash identified

Her unsecured bail was already revoked when, about 11:30 a.m. June 2, police say Truss fled a minor crash in the 300 block of Larry Holmes Drive, turned left onto Lehigh Drive, crashed into one SUV, went airborne and landed on a second, killing Rafferty.

Truss' $3,000 unsecured bail was revoked June 1 but reinstated Friday after she was arrested Thursday by city police on the warrant, according to the Northampton County Sheriff's Department and court papers. Records don't show if authorities requested an increased bail due to the pending fatal crash investigation.

Police Capt. David Beitler on June 5 told the Morning Call that police were getting medical records and blood test results. He also said police were going to inspect the 2006 Chrysler Sebring that Truss was allegedly driving, the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander occupied by driver Deborah Szulborski, 61, of Lower Saucon Township, and passenger Donald Turissini, 62, of Allentown, and the Toyota Rav 4 driven by Rafferty.

He told the newspaper the investigation would take two weeks.

Beitler declined comment the rest of the week, saying Friday when asked about Truss' arrest that the crash remained under investigation. "I don't have anything to release at this time," he said in a text message.

He declined to answer follow-up questions about when Truss got out of the hospital -- she was injured in the second crash -- and why she wasn't jailed when police believed she was fleeing another accident when she caused the second crash.

Court papers don't list an attorney for Truss. Records show she was released from jail by court order.

Her formal arraignment on the theft charge is scheduled July 6 in county court.

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

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