The local team won 2 games on Wednesday.

Lehigh Valley is still playing in the Carpenter Cup softball tournament at FDR Park in Philadelphia.

The local team won two games on Wednesday and led a third game that will resume on Thursday morning.

Find full coverage of the Lehigh Valley team's day by clicking the links below:

Parkland's Kelly Dulaney shining in Carpenter Cup

Lehigh Valley scores early, holds on late in Carpenter Cup softball win

WATCH: Emmaus' Maddy Clark talks after key hit in Carpenter Cup

Lehigh Valley's offense breaks out in big way in Carpenter Cup softball win

WATCH: Northampton's Heather Alich talks after 3-run triple in Carpenter Cup

Lehigh Valley Carpenter Cup softball game to resume Thursday

Josh Folck may be reached at jfolck@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshFolck. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.

The local team leads Delaware County West 4-0 after the 1st inning in a game which will resume.

The Lehigh Valley softball team will continue play in the Carpenter Cup on Thursday.

The local team leads Delaware County West 4-0 after the first inning in a game which is scheduled to resume at 9 a.m.

If Lehigh Valley wins that game, the team could play three or four more games on Thursday in its search for the championship.

Follow Twitter updates from the day in the comments section below.

Josh Folck may be reached at jfolck@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshFolck. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.

A suicidal man was killed in May as he tried to set off an explosive around his neck, authorities said.

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli said Thursday morning he will announce at 1:30 p.m. whether he will turn over the case of a man killed by Pennsylvania State Police troopers to a county grand jury.

The news conference will be in his office in the county courthouse in Easton.

Police responded May 20 to a home on Good Road in Lower Mount Bethel Township for a report of Anthony Ardo, 47, trying to kill himself by setting off a device -- later determined to be a firework mortar -- that was around his neck.

Police: Troopers shot man as he tried to kill self

When Ardo, who lived in the 1300 block of Good Road, attempted to light the fuse, two troopers shot and killed him, authorities said at the time.

State police planned their own use-of-force probe and Morganelli questioned that decision and eyed his own investigation, The Morning Call reported.

A state police spokesman in Harrisburg didn't have information that the police investigation is over. A spokesman for Troop M, which is based in Bethlehem, didn't immediately return a phone message.

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

In addition to a state police internal probe, an investigative grand jury will look into the homicide of Anthony Ardo.

Northampton County's investigative grand jury will conduct a separate probe of the May 20 homicide by Pennsylvania State Police of a 47-year-old man in Lower Mount Bethel Township, District Attorney John Morganelli announced Thursday.

That's in addition to state police's own probe into the shooting death. Troop M, which covers the county, has assigned its major case team to investigate the incident and expects to forward a report on its findings to Morganelli for review in about two to three weeks, said Capt. Richard D'Ambrosio, commanding officer for the troop based in Bethlehem.

Anthony P. Ardo was fatally shot by state police during the incident outside his home. Troopers had said they responded to a call about a suicidal man and found Ardo with a fireworks mortar around his neck. They shot him after he refused their orders and attempted to light the fuse.

The prosecutor went back and forth the day of the shooting in the 1300 block of Good Road about whether state police or the district attorney's office would lead the investigation into whether the shooting was justified, Morganelli said.

Morganelli said he has no reason to believe state police cannot competently investigate the shooting, for which two troopers were placed on administrative duty. But he believes -- for the sake of transparency and public confidence in the outcome -- that having the grand jury comprising Northampton County residents is the best way to get to the bottom of what occurred.

State police did not attend a news conference Morganelli held to announce the investigation, in his office at the courthouse in Easton.

"Right now we have an honest disagreement," Morganelli said.

D'Ambrosio pledged the full cooperation of state police with the investigative grand jury's effort.

"We're not looking to hold anything back," he said Thursday. "We've been up front on our investigative steps. We've always had an excellent relationship with Mr. Morganelli."

2 fatal police shootings in 2 days under investigation

State police since their founding have had a policy under which trooper-involved shootings are investigated internally, D'Ambrosio said.

Morganelli said the grand jury will investigate that policy, as well, saying it's at odds with a best practices opinion released in December by the Pennsylvania District Attorneys' Association.

The best practice is to have an independent law enforcement agency investigate police-involved shootings, Moganelli said.

"It's our opinion," D'Ambrosio explained, "and this isn't a slight at anyone, but it's our opinion that we have very good resources, that we're capable of handling investigations like this. We have a wealth of experience in handling incidents like this and we have a long history, our department, of providing top-notch investigative services."

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

The South Whitehall Township-based health care provider is acquiring a Lackawanna surgical practice.

Coordinated Health is setting its expansion sights up north.

The South Whitehall Township-based health care provider announced Thursday it has signed an agreement to acquire the Scranton Orthopaedic Specialists practice in Dickson City, Lackawanna County.

The deal should be finalized in September, according to a news release.

Coordinated Health specializes in orthopedics, joint replacement, sports medicine, primary care and women's health. Scranton Orthopaedic would continue those specialties, with its 10 orthopedic surgeons, one rheumatologist and one podiatrist, as well as 120 employees.

Coordinated Health got its start in orthopedics in 1988, and now has 17 facilities throughout eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. In the Lehigh Valley area, the business has offices from Allentown to Warren County.

Coordinated Health in midst of major Lehigh Valley expansion

Coordinated Health currently operates campuses in Luzerne County -- Hazle Township and Pittston. Last August, Coordinated Health broke ground on a new medical campus and ambulatory surgical center in Hazle Township.

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

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli announced a grand jury investigation into Anthony Ardo's homicide. Watch video

Jean Monaghan's last memory of her only son is of him lying in a pool of blood, fatally shot by Pennsylvania State Police on May 20 outside the Lower Mount Bethel Township home they shared. 

Anthony P. Ardo is seen in an undated photo provided by his family. The 47-year-old was fatally shot May 20, 2017, by Pennsylvania State Police outside his Lower Mount Bethel Township home. (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com) 

She had called for police that morning with hopes they could get Anthony P. Ardo to a hospital or into a program that would help him overcome his drug addiction and anger. 

"And they opened fire on him," Monaghan said Thursday afternoon in the shade of a tree on her rural property south of Bangor, a few feet from where Tony, as Ardo was known, was killed. He was 47.

Exposing a rift with the policies of the state police, Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli earlier Thursday announced the county's investigative grand jury will look into whether troopers were justified. The probe is expected to begin next week and wrap up by year's end. The two troopers involved remain on administrative duty.

State police Troop M is also having its major case team conduct its own investigation. The findings, expected in two or three weeks, will be sent to Morganelli for review and a decision on the disposition of the case, according to state police.

It's state police policy to conduct an internal review of a trooper-involved shooting, said Capt. Richard D'Ambrosio, commanding officer for Bethlehem-based Troop M.

"Whenever we have an officer-involved shooting and obviously involving our troopers and it occurs in a jurisdiction which is ours, which was the case here, our policy is that our people will handle the investigation," D'Ambrosio said.

Monaghan questions how state police can investigate two of their own, a concern shared by Morganelli.

"The simple truth is that in order to assure public confidence in the ultimate decision to be made with respect to this matter, it is crucial that the investigation itself be independent and unbiased," the district attorney said. "Quite frankly, it is my view that a homicide committed by a police officer cannot and should not be investigated by a fraternity of police officers all of whom are members of the same fraternity.

"Criminal investigations, in particular criminal investigations of homicide involving the use of deadly force by a police officer against a citizen of our county, requires complete impartiality and neutrality."

Protection-from-abuse order

Monaghan had taken her son in to help him, but in the time leading up to the shooting, she grew to fear him. On May 19, the day before Ardo was killed, Monaghan obtained a temporary protection-from-abuse order against her son over his violent, drug-fueled outbursts.

"He is very disrespectful," she told county officials, according to court records. "When he is high he gets very violent and abusive. I'm afraid of him."

Ardo had been attending the New Directions methadone clinic in Bethlehem Township for years but was continuing to use street drugs, the records say. Monaghan gave him a job maintaining her Meadow Creek Farm, agreeing to compensation of $10 an hour but usually paying him more. 

It wasn't enough for Ardo, and when he would lose his temper he would scream in his mother's face or punch the walls, she said. 

"The last two weeks have been brutal," Monaghan told officials.

On May 19, he didn't want to go to the methadone clinic. He stormed out of the house, threatening to "rob you blind," he reportedly told his mother. 

Monaghan never stopped wanting to help her son.

"I got him back here for help and now he's just ...," she said, breaking off in tears. "It's a freaking nightmare."

'Rushed too quickly'

State police said they responded May 20 to the home owned by Monaghan for a call about a suicidal man and found Ardo with a fireworks mortar around his neck. They shot him after he refused their orders and attempted to light the fuse, according to police.

"I think they rushed too quickly," said Monaghan, who was on the phone with her son as she watched the ordeal unfold. 

In the wake of the homicide, she fears troopers policing themselves is not enough.

"I just don't agree with the internal procedure of the state police," she said. "I just have a real problem with them having a license to kill."

Morganelli orders probe of fatal state police shooting

Morganelli said he has no reason to believe state police acted improperly, but that an independent investigation is necessary to determine the facts. 

That is also the view of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys' Association under a best-practices policy adopted in November in response to national concerns about police-involved shootings, Morganelli said.

"I am not saying that investigators of the PSP could not be objective," he said. "What I am saying is that in order to have public confidence in the ultimate findings and decisions relative to the investigation itself, it is absolutely necessary that the matter be reviewed in an objective fashion so that the investigation itself does not become the subject of criticism. ...

"The powers of the grand jury is the best way to assure that the ultimate outcome and decisions of this matter are accepted as a fair and righteous resolution of the circumstances as they occurred on May 20, 2017."

D'Ambrosio pledged the continued cooperation of state police in the county's probe, though he said it will be up to the troopers and their counsel as to whether they respond to the grand jury's requests.

"Mr. Morganelli and our office have always had an excellent working relationship," D'Ambrosio said. "I don't see anything changing."

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

The man allegedly exposed himself to a mother picking up her child and asked, 'Do you want nuts?'

A man who served jail time for lewd acts in a video store is now accused of exposing himself in front of a Hellertown daycare center.

Hellertown police said a mother who witnessed the incident called police Thursday evening.

The woman said she was picking up her child at the Saucon Valley Community Center daycare, 323 Northampton St., when she saw a man out front exposing his genitals.

The man then reportedly asked the woman, "Do you want nuts?"

Police said the man was identified as 40-year-old Rick Musgnung. Musgnung admitted to an officer that he exposed his genitals, police said.

Musgnung, of the 300 block of Spruce Street, was arrested and charged with open lewdness, indecent exposure and disorderly conduct. He was sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $200,000 bail.

Police said that following his arrest Musgnung was taken to the Northampton County central booking center, where he was processed and arraigned Thursday night.

In 2009, Musgnung admitted rubbing his pelvis on inanimate objects in a video store and trespassing in a Hellertown home.

Musgnung was sentenced to 11 to 22 months in Northampton County Prison, followed by 38 months of county probation.

Hellertown man sentenced for lewd acts in 48 Hours Video store

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

Ronald Mumbauer of Allentown pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and burglary.

One of the two alleged helpers of a man who lost his hand during a botched burglary agreed to plead guilty Friday rather than go to trial.

Ronald Mumbauer pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and burglary for the break-in July 2 at 1337 Canal St. in Northampton. Crime victim Troy Imbody lopped off burglar William Andrews' hand during the caper.

Northampton County Assistant District Attorney John Obrecht recommends that Mumbauer be sentenced to a minimum of eight years in prison as part of the deal. The 44-year-old Allentown man will be sentenced July 21 by Senior Judge Leonard Zito.

Andrews, 55, of Lehigh Township, turned down a similar deal to plead guilty and get a minimum of seven and a half years in prison. He argued at trial that he was at the crime scene but wasn't aware a burglary was going to take place.

He was convicted of burglary, aggravated assault, criminal trespass, recklessly endangering another person and simple assault and sentenced to 13 to 30 years in state prison.

It's unclear what will happen to the third alleged accomplice, 28-year-old Christopher Delange of Allentown. He and his attorney will discuss the case with Zito next week.

Severed-hand burglar will spend up to 30 years in prison

Obrecht said the three burglars wore masks as they entered the lower level of the home. He said Imbody was shot twice with a BB gun and was slashed with the machete after burglars forced it from him.

Obrecht said surveillance footage shows Mumbauer dropping off Andrews at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg after his hand was cut off.

Imbody posted signs on his front door after the incident with drawings of hands.

"Come wit two, leave wit one," one sign said.

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

The Lehigh Valley fans have picked these multisport seniors.

Thirty-four children graduated from the Junior Police Academy Friday afternoon at Saucon Park in Bethlehem.

Alexa Laluz's only complaint about Bethlehem Police Department's Junior Police Academy is that she never got pepper sprayed.

The 13-year-old loved her experience, which she said further reinforced her dream of pursuing a career in law enforcement. She hopes the be to first female from the program to become a police officer, she said. 

"My favorite part about the program was having people from different units come in and show us what they do," Laluz said, emphasizing how much she appreciated them taking the time out of their schedule to do so. There was one thing she was disappointed about, however.

"They said they were going to pepper spray us," Laluz said, laughing as she admitted her disappointment when she realized they were joking. "I was excited!"

Laluz was among 34 young cadets who graduated from the Junior Police Academy Friday afternoon. The ceremony was held at Saucon Park in Bethlehem. 

The nearly two-week program -- which is in its third year -- is administered by Bethlehem Police Department School Resource Officers from all the secondary schools in Bethlehem. 

During the 10 days of class, students engage in observational and hands-on training with various specialized units of police, such as SWAT, the K-9 unit, the Crisis Negotiation Team and more.  

"This program introduces kids to police in the community and shows them that police are just like them," said Chief Mark DiLuzio. "It teaches them how to respect others and themselves, and how to work as a team."

WATCH: Bethlehem bomb robot clears suspicious package

The graduates ranged in age from nine to 14. After middle school, those interested in furthering their experience can join the Explorer program and help lead future young cadets.

Stephanie Molnar led the ceremony and awarded each student a certificate. After receiving it, they received praise from a line of people that included Chief DiLuzio and Mayor Robert Donchez, among others. 

Bethlehem Junior Police Academy Graduation at Saucon Park. pic.twitter.com/03hEksM969

-- Robert Donchez (@BethlehemMayor) June 23, 2017

"The goal is to break down barriers and build trust" between police officers and community youth, Donchez said. "We want them to establish a bond and a relationship."

Luke Heffelfinger, 14, had to sit down as he shared his thoughts on the program. His legs were still sore from the physical test that they had to complete, he said, which consisted of a mile and a half run, 30 sit-ups and 25 push-ups. Heffelfinger was one of just seven students that successfully completed the test, awarding him an additional certificate. 

"I definitely have a close bond with the officers," Heffelfinger said, adding that he would recommend the program to anyone.

Along with physical challenges and training segments, the cadets also went on trips. The highlight of the program for Heffelfinger was the bike and canoe excursion on the Tow Path beside the Lehigh River, which he said was an incredible bonding experience. 

Donchez said many children in the program come to visit the officers even after graduating, which he sees as a positive sign that the program is having the impact they hoped it would. 

"I think we're achieving our goal," he said. 

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

The 36-year-old was charged with heroin possession with intent to deliver, according to the Northampton County Sheriff's Department.

Durrell A. Carter (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com) 

Durrell Andre Carter, 36, is wanted to appear for a parole violation hearing after pleading guilty to heroin possession with intent to deliver, according to the Northampton County Sheriff's Department and court records. 

Carter, last known to frequent the Easton and Palmer Township areas, is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall and 140 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

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

The worst was expected in the southeast corner of the Lehigh Valley, the National Weather Service said.

Southeastern Lehigh County was included in a severe thunderstorm warning until 6:15 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service said.

In addition, all of Bucks, Lehigh, Monroe and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey were under a severe thunderstorm watch until 10 p.m.

Easton Out Loud is rain or shine, mostly

"A few storms that develop late this afternoon and this evening may become strong to severe with the greatest risk occurring between 5 and 9 p.m.," the watch read. "Locally damaging winds will be the primary threat from these storms.

"Pockets of heavy rainfall could lead to localized flooding, primary in poor drainage areas, late tonight."

The worst-hit areas could see wind gusts of 60 mph, the weather service said; the thunderstorm warning said to expect damage to trees and power lines.

"Some rotation has been indicated by radar inside this storm," the warning read. "While not likely, a tornado is possible."

Severe thunderstorm watch till 10 pm northern NJ, Eastern PA. reports needed. #pawx #njwx pic.twitter.com/BnSZcGuw5h

-- NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) June 23, 2017

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

The state's streams, including those in the Lehigh Valley, have been part of a trout survey for the last several years.

Pennsylvania has about 86,000 miles of flowing waters, and a state program has been working to determine which are home to wild trout populations.

In 2010, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission launched the Unassessed Waters Initiative, which involves state officials, conservation groups and citizens attempting to study the rivers, streams and creeks statewide that support wild trout.

So far, more than 3,000 streams totaling over 21,000 miles have been surveyed by the fish and boat commission.

Streams with large numbers of wild trout are a sign of excellent water quality, according to Trout Unlimited Mid-Atlantic Policy Director David Kinney. They're also popular with anglers.

Trout Unlimited is a national conservation group that has been helping the state survey streams.

"The water has to be exceptionally clean for there to be a naturally producing population of trout," Kinney said.

The waters receive different classifications based on the size and number of trout counted in a particular section of a stream.

Streams designated as Class A trout waters -- those that support a significant population of naturally produced trout -- receive special protections from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection during permitting processes. Nearby wetlands and associated tributaries also are eligible for increased protections.

"Whatever work you do around that water, you need to make sure that water remains to be high quality," Kinney said.

Horseshoe hall of fame: Blacksmith wins national honor

Trout are measured and counted by using a method called electrofishing. A surveyor will typically go into a stream wearing a backpack containing a 40-pound battery- or gas-powered generator connected to a large "wand." The wand emits a low voltage current in the water, which stuns and immobilizes the fish so they can be more easily collected and counted.

The fish are then released back into the water.

While wild brown trout and even rarer wild rainbow trout populations have been found, 95 percent of the wild population counted are wild brook trout, according to a state report.

Northampton County currently has 14 stream sections considered to be Class A trout waters and Lehigh County is home to 16 of the same designation. One designated section of Monocacy Creek runs through both counties.

Next month, the fish and boat commission will consider designating an unnamed tributary of the Little Bushkill Creek as a wild trout water.

Terry Kleintop, who is on the Plainfield Township Planning Commission, Environmental Advisory Council and is a Bushkill Stream Conservancy member, said the wild trout designation for the tributary that runs through Plainfield Township would be a good thing.

"The program could be a benefit to many municipalities so they can see what is going on in their streams," Kleintop said.

Here's a rundown of the Lehigh Valley stream sections given Class A designation:

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
Bushkill Creek from Tatamy's southern border to a private bridge off Route 2019;
Bushkill Creek from the dam at Binney & Smith to the 13th Street bridge in Easton;
Frys Run;
Martins Creek from its headwaters to the Bangor sewage treatment plant;
Martins Creek from the dam 0.6 km upstream from intersection Route 1015 and Old Franklin Hill Road to its mouth;
Monocacy Creek from the Route 987 bridge to the Route 248 bridge;
Monocacy Creek from the upstream boundary of Gertrude Fox Conservation Area to Illick's Mill dam;
Monocacy Creek from the Illick's Mill dam to the Schoenersville Road bridge;
Nancy Run;
Saucon Creek;
Unnamed tributary to the Delaware River;
Unnamed tributary to the Lehigh Canal;
Unnamed tributary to the Lehigh River;
Waltz Creek

Video tour of the Valley's covered bridges

LEHIGH COUNTY
Catasauqua Creek;
Cedar Creek;
Hosensack Creek;
Iron Run;
Little Cedar Creek;
Little Lehigh Creek from Smith Lane bridge to Spring Creek;
Little Lehigh Creek from Spring Creek to Wild Cherry Lane bridge;
Little Lehigh Creek from 0.4 km upstream of Country Club Road to the Fish Hatchery Road bridge;
Little Lehigh Creek from Fish Hatchery Road Bridge to just upstream of Bogerts Covered Bridge;
Ontelaunee Creek;
Saucon Creek;
Schaefer Run;
Spring Creek;
Trout Creek;
Unnamed tributary to Ontelaunee Creek;
Unnamed tributary to Saucon Creek

TRAVERSING BOTH COUNTIES
Monocacy Creek from Schoenersville Road to the Lehigh River

John Best is a freelance writer. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.

Northampton and Warren county authorities say they are looking for two suspects.

Northampton County authorities seek Durrell Carter - fugitive of the week

Warren County authorities seek Shane Timmons - fugitive of the week

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

There's plenty to do starting this weekend as the region gears up for Independence Day.

Two more were expected to surrender on Monday, authorities say.

Two wanted people were picked up Thursday during a Northampton County Sheriff's Department warrant sweep, authorities say.

Deputies attempted to serve 15 warrants, succeeded three times and made two arrests, the department said in a news release. Two more people were supposed to surrender Monday after family members were contacted during the sweep, the department said.

Justin David Lilly. (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com) 

Justin David Lilly, 30, of the 2900 block of Old Nazareth Road in Palmer Township, was wanted in separate cases that involved a Sept. 29 guilty plea to harassment and disorderly conduct on June 4 of that year and a July 7, 2016, guilty plea on an April 5 charge of possession of a controlled substance, records show.

Lilly was sentenced to 60 days to nine months on the first set of charges, but twice violated parole, once serving more time and the second time becoming the subject of a bench warrant on June 8 of this year, records show.

Lilly hadn't made any payments toward the $1,680 in court costs and fines from the first case, records show.

He received 12 months of probation in the second case and a bench warrant went out the same time as the other case, record show. He had not paid the $504 he owes on the drug charge, records show.

Carmen S. Marquez, 56, of the 1300 block of Fritz Drive in Bethlehem, pleaded guilty on Jan. 3, 2012, to an Aug. 7, 2011, DUI -- her second, records show. She received five years of alternate sentencing, including seven days in county prison, 23 days on work release and 60 days of house arrest, record show.

She made only $1,000 in payments on an assessment of $6,570, which, with adjustments of $1,122, she still owes $4,448, records show. Her sole payment was made in 2012, records show.

A bench warrant for her arrest was issued April 6 of this year, records show.

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

Firefighters urged the public to stay away from the fire in northern Lehigh County.

Firefighters from Lehigh and Northampton counties responded Monday afternoon to a large fire at an auto salvage yard.

It was reported shortly before 3:30 p.m. at Hanna's Auto and Truck Recycling, 4162 Best Station Road in Washington Township, Lehigh County.

Video posted from the scene on Twitter by @Newsworking showed a massive plume of black smoke as firefighters worked to get a handle on the blaze.

2nd Alarm building fire at salvage yard https://t.co/3TK5MDAF16

-- NewsWorking (@Newsworking) June 26, 2017

The Slatedale Fire Department that serves the township advised residents to stay away from the area.

Initial reports via emergency radio broadcasts indicated multiple explosions occurred as the fire was beginning.

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

The attacker began swinging various objects at a pair during an assault, police said.

A Slatington man was jailed after police said he threatened a pair by swinging a metal pipe, wooden plank and knife.

Charged is Charles Stephen Kutz, 38, of the first block of Center Street.

Walnutport police at 12:05 a.m. Sunday were dispatched to a home in the 300 block of Lehigh Street following a 911 hangup call. An officer met with a male victim who reported seeing the female victim running down the street yelling repeatedly, "He is going to kill me," according to court records.

The female victim reportedly told police Kutz held a knife to her throat and asked, "How do you want to die?" Court records do not indicate the relationship between either of the victims or with Kutz.

Police said the male victim then walked down the street with the female in an effort to calm down Kutz, but Kutz allegedly opened the front door with a metal pipe in his hands and began swinging at the male. The male dove off a front porch to avoid being struck by the pipe, he told police.

Kutz then swung the pipe at the female victim, narrowly missing her, the male victim reported. The pair ran in a full sprint to get away from Kutz. Kutz eventually caught up with the male and swung another object, but the male was able to duck and avoid being struck again, he told police.

Caregiver steals credit cards from patient's family, cops say

Officers arrested Kutz and searched him. Police said the home was in total disarray and appeared to show signs a physical struggle took place. Officers seized a 3-foot-long wooden plank from the bedroom, in which the male reported was one of the objects being swung at him, records say.

A knife also was found stuck into a wall, which the female victim reported Kutz used to swing at her.

Kutz is charged with aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, harassment and possessing an instrument of crime. He was arraigned before District Judge Antonia Grifo, who set bail at $50,000. In lieu of bail, Kutz was taken to Northampton County Prison.

The judge ordered him to enroll in Northampton County Pretrial Services, stay away from the victim and submit to random drug and alcohol testing. The judge allowed 10 percent of $50,000 bail if Pretrial Services approved it.

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

New route connects the downtown to the Hanoverville Road Corridor.

Getting from Downtown Bethlehem to businesses in the Hanoverville Road corridor just got a bit easier thanks to a new bus route that made its debut Monday.

(File photo) 

LANTA introduced Rt. 327 Monday, June 26, which connects the Bethlehem Transit Center at Broad and Guetter streets with businesses in the Hanoverville Road Corridor in Lower Nazareth Township.

The route schedule is designed around the needs of several businesses including C&S Wholesaler Grocers and Stitch Fix.

Grocery wholesaler expands
 
"The trips will begin at the BTC and use Center Street (Rt. 512) north to get to the Industrial Park, then continue to Bethlehem Square Shopping Center on Rt. 191," said Brendan Cotter, LANta's director of planning. 
 
Detailed route and schedule information is available at the LANta website.

Kareem Mitchell drove Todd West around the night he gunned down 3 random victims and tried to kill 2 others.

The getaway driver in a Lehigh Valley killing spree took a plea deal Tuesday on the day he was set to go to trial.

Kareem Mitchell drove the Mercedes SUV two years ago as Todd West murdered three people at random and tried to kill two others.

The 25-year-old Mitchell, who has no prior criminal record, previously said he did not know West before that night.

Was alleged getaway driver in Lehigh Valley killing spree willing or forced?

On Tuesday, Mitchell pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit third-degree murder. Under the deal, his sentence will be 7 years and six months to 15 years in state prison.

West, of Elizabeth, N.J., was charged with seven killings in all -- the three in the Lehigh Valley and four before that in New Jersey. West admitted to randomly gunning down Kory Ketrow in Easton, and Francine E. Ramos and Trevor D. Gray in Allentown.

In exchange for West's guilty plea to three counts of first-degree murder in the Pennsylvania killings, prosecutors dropped the death penalty. West was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without the chance of parole.

Robert Jourdain, of Easton, admitted to buying the ammunition West used, and was sentenced to 12 to 40 years in state prison for conspiracy to commit third-degree murder.

Mitchell, of Newark, N.J., previously told investigators that the night of July 4, 2015, he was giving Jourdain a ride with his 2-year-old son to Easton, and West, whom he had never met before, came with them. Prosecutors said Jourdain and West knew each other.

After dropping off the child, the trio went to Allentown so West could get a haircut, then went to an after-hours club, according to police.

Jourdain bought a 50-count box of .38-caliber bullets about 2:30 a.m. July 5, 2015, at a Lower Nazareth Township Wal-Mart.

A half-hour after the ammunition was purchased, the three were riding in Easton when West spotted Ketrow. West told investigators Ketrow looked tired as he was walking along Lehigh Street, and that he was going to "help" Ketrow.

After killing Ketrow, West opened fire at a Palmer Township woman stopped at a traffic light at Third and Spring Garden streets in Easton. West shot the woman's car as she sped away, but the driver and passenger escaped uninjured.

By 4 a.m., Allentown police found Ramos and Gray gunned down at Sixth and Greenleaf streets.

West has said he chose the victims at random and that he killed the pair in Allentown because "I just wanted to kill them."

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