http://www.wfmz.com/rss/rss-title.gif http://www.wfmz.com/ http://www.wfmz.com/ The online information service of WFMZ-TV. We feature news, weather, scores, webcams, and other items of interest to our viewers. en-us 30 http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302410 A two-car crash near the Lehigh Valley Mall parking lot Saturday afternoon leaves one woman dead. Police continue to investigate if alcohol played a role in the crash. WFMZ's Stephanie Esposito reports.

  
]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301999 It's the day many people have been waiting for. The line started to form more than an hour before the first state-run swine flu clinic opened Friday afternoon. 


[ 11/20/09 REPORT: Lehigh County H1N1 Clinic ]

[ STATEWIDE FLU CLINICS:  ( H1N1 In PA )    ( 877-PA-HEALTH ) ]
[ ACCESS INFO. FOR SWINE FLU CLINICS IN READING ]
[ WEB LINKS:  ( BARTA )   ( Reading Parking Authority ) ]
[ WEB LINK:  ( Reading Hospital Clinics ) ]
]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302424 College football's most-played rivalry lived up to the hype on Saturday, as Lehigh upset Lafayette in overtime, 27-21 at Goodman Stadium.  Lehigh quarterback J.B. Clark was named the game's MVP for the second straight year, throwing for two touchdowns, including the 8-yard game-winner to Alex Wodjowski in overtime.  Lafayette had a chance to win on the ensuing possession in overtime, but... ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302474 This weekend, the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem is debuting several new features, including two restaurants with fairly famous connections. Burgers and More, by famed chef Emeril Lagasse, and a new Carnegie Deli opened Saturday night. It's the second restaurant at the Sands for the man of *bam*. His "Chop House" opened with the casino.

]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302473 Thanksgiving is now less than a week away, but it was the holidays of December which brought people to downtown Reading Saturday morning. The city's annual Holiday Parade stepped off at 9:00 Saturday morning on Penn Street. There were marching bands, fire trucks, even Mayor Tom McMahon was on hand, as was WFMZ's Rob Vaughn, Pam Cunningham and other members of 69 News Berks Edition. The Mayor also lit the city Christmas Tree and Menorah at 5th and Penn Streets.

]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302472 Saturday afternoon some rather loud folks in the Lehigh Valley got into the holiday spirit. The 26th edition of the ABATE Toy Run was held. ABATE stands for Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education. An estimated 800-plus bikers, including Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, rode their hogs from the Trexlertown Walmart to the Allentown Childrens' Center on Union Street to deliver some holiday cheer and a lot of books and gifts.

]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302335 The fate of thousands of needy families in Berks County may be riding on how much the Salvation Army can raise this holiday season. And it appears the non-profit may be off to a positive start.  WFMZ's Dwayne Parker has the story.
]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302001 A suspect is now in custody for the murder of a man inside his home in Allentown. Jose Manuel Castillo (pictured), 42, was taken into custody early this morning. Police say he's a former roommate of the victim, Delfino Sanchez-Villanueva. Villanueva, 65, was found dead on the living room floor of his house at 516 Park Street Tuesday afternoon.

[ 11/19/09 REPORT: Coroner Rules Death Of Man Homicide ]
]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302160 When you hear the words "teen idol," you think of stars on magazine covers and teenage girls screaming at their shows. Friday night, three teen idols -- Peter Noone, Micky Dolenz, and Mark Lindsay -- graced the stage in downtown Reading. Earlier, two of them sat down for a chat with WFMZ's Pam Cunningham. 

[ 11/20/09 REPORT: Fans Come Out To See 60s Teen Idols ] 
]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302471 An early-morning car crash in Lehigh County takes at least one life. State police say the wreck happened around 1:30 in Washington Township when the driver lost control on a curve on Best Station Road and hit a tree. The Lehigh County Coroner says Michelle Pagano, 21, of Slatington, died at the scene. The driver was also taken to the hospital with serious injuries. No word on her condition. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302236 Two local vocational school teachers and a student say they were exposed to asbestos while rehabilitating a home. And they say they were told to keep quiet about it. They say they worked with dozens of others on the project, mostly students.

]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302334 Eighty-three workers at historical landmarks across Pennsylvania are now out of work.  A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission says the workers' last day on the job was Friday.  The layoffs include jobs at the Daniel Boone Homestead in Exeter Township.  The job cuts are part of the 319  layoffs announced earlier this week by Governor Ed Rendell because of budget cuts. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302333 An 11-year-old girl raising money for the Marine Reserves' Toys for Tots program has a very personal attachment to her cause.  Julia Jablonski organized a bake sale at the Primrose Daycare in South Heidelberg Township Friday. She'll use the proceeds to buy toys and next weekend she will present them to a very special Marine at a welcome home celebration.
]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301692 One person was taken to the hospital after a fire in Reading. It happened a little after 1:30 this morning in the 300 block of Miller Street. Officials say the fire started in the kitchen and caused smoke to spread through the building. There is no word on the condition of the person who was taken to the hospital. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301691 Police are now involved in the investigation of a three-alarm fire that damaged four town homes in Bethlehem. The fire started around 10:30 last night in the 1900 block of Gatewood Lane. Officials say everyone that was inside the homes was able to get out safely. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302324 Police in Monroe County say a man behind a violent holdup is now behind bars. They say Henry Bang Koroma, Jr held up a 15 year old girl at gunpoint and stole her Louis Vuitton bag in Tobyhanna Township yesterday. Koroma is facing three felony counts of robbery and other related charges. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302211 A Montgomery County community is helping 200 families celebrate Thanksgiving this year. 69 News cameras at the Keystone Opportunity Center food pantry in Souderton. Volunteers there were handing out meal bags to the less fortunate. All of the food was donated to the food pantry for the Thanksgiving giveaway.  ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302000 By all accounts, an accident involving a tractor trailer in Berks County could have been much worse. Police say the truck, in an effort to avoid hitting a school bus, took a sharp turn around the corner at Park and Dries roads in Ontelaunee Township. The truck's trailer then slid down the steep shoulder. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302232 Former NBA star Jayson Williams will have to wait to get his day in court. Williams was reportedly set to plead guilty today in connection with a 2002 shooting at his home in Hunterdon County.. New Jersey. But.. the Associated Press says travel problems prevented Williams from getting to court. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302230 A 2-alarm fire destroyed a barn in Montgomery County. The fire started at 11:30 Friday morning on Moyer Road in Salford Township. That's near Souderton. No one was injured. Firefighters say the barn may have been used as a storage shed. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302116 It's the first of three days of swine flu vaccine clinics offered by the State Department of Health. Eighteen clinics are open across the state, including one in Lehigh County and another in Reading. 

[ STATEWIDE FLU CLINICS:  ( H1N1 In PA )    ( 877-PA-HEALTH ) ]
]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302112 A brouhaha over a Boy Scout and his Eagle Scout project has brought down a local union leader. Nick Balzano has stepped down as head of the local Service Employees International Union. Balzano was roundly criticized for crying foul over a Boy Scout's effort to clear a walking path in a park in Allentown. He said the project was taking work away from union workers. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302063 Police and the coroner say they are investigating the death of a 14-month-old child in Allentown. They say Yohusue Juarbe-Torres of 524 Tilghman Street died last night at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township, Lehigh County. Police say they're being told a dresser may have fallen on the child. They are awaiting results of an autopsy to determine if the child's injuries are consistent with that report. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302092 He's in. Randall Miller has gotten the OK to trade in one law enforcement badge for another. Northampton County Council approved his nomination for county sheriff. Miller will be sworn in December 14th. He's currently the head of Bethlehem's Police Department. Deputy Commissioner Stuart Bedics has been nominated to take his place there. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302145 A diner in Exeter Township, Berks County is collecting toys for the Shriners Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Through December 17th, anyone can drop off a new, unwrapped toy here at the Breakfast Hut on Perkiomen Avenue. And on December 17, all proceeds from that day will also go to the Shriners Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302098 Believe it or not, smashing someone else's car was actually a sign of a good deed today in Northampton County. Radio station WZZO sponsored a canned food car crush in Bath. Anyone who donated a food item to the Salvation Army was invited to take a swing at DJ Barry Dawson's car. Don't worry about Dawson. The car was headed to the scrap heap anyway. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1302099 Full boxes mean full stomachs in Bethlehem. Cedar Crest students and staff have been busy collecting food for needy families. Today they boxed it all up and took it to New Bethany Ministries. The effort was a part of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301344 A federal judge in Philadelphia has found John Karoly guilty of all the charges against the Lehigh Valley-based attorney. Karoly was on trial for giving $500,000 to the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation in 2005 and taking a tax deduction on the money.

[ 10/28/09 REPORT: Judge Hears Oral Arguments ] 
[ 9/16/09 REPORT: Karoly Trial -- Day 3 ] 
[ 9/15/09 REPORT: Karoly Trial -- Day 2 ] 
[ 9/14/09 REPORT: Karoly Trial -- Day 1 ]
]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301532 Two of Reading's unions have said "no" to City Council's request for concessions. AFSCME, which represents public works and maintenance employees, rejected the concessions by a 123-to-30 vote Thursday night. The Reading Firefighters 1803 voted 98-to-21 against the concessions. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301635 As Reading passes out pink slips to police, the first officers to go were the last ones hired. Some of them were brought on the force specifically to help add diversity and serve the Spanish-speaking population in Reading. Some diversity experts fear laying off Spanish-speaking officers could create a safety hazard. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301578 Veterans will have a new place to turn for help in the Lehigh Valley. Allentown's Zoning Hearing Board has unanimously approved a Veterans Treatment Center. The center will take over the old St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church on South 5th Street. Supporters say it's vital to provide services for those who have sacrificed especially those soldiers who have seen combat. 
]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301281 The coroner says a man found dead inside a house in Allentown Tuesday afternoon was murdered. Results of an autopsy show Delfino Sanchez-Villanueva, 65, died of blunt force trauma. His body was found inside 516 North Park Street. The coroner hasn't given any time for when he thinks Sanchez-Villanueva was killed. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301610 Family and friends of Pottstown Memorial Medical Center are praying that the Pottstown Healthcare Professionals union does not need to strike. Folks gathered at St. John's United Church of Christ for a candlelight vigil this afternoon. Union members say they plan to strike because the hospital's parents company, Community Health Systems, will not meet with them to negotiate a new contract. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301557 There's now a new place to wine and dine in downtown Allentown. Officials cut the ribbon on the Made in Brazil steakhouse Thursday. It's located at the Holiday Inn on the corner of 9th and Hamilton streets. The owners say this restaurant is unlike other steakhouses in the city. 
]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301568 Four people were taken to the hospital after a pickup truck and ambulance collide. It happened Thursday morning here at the intersection of Blue Mountain Drive and Wood Street in Lehigh Township, Northampton County. Police still aren't saying what led to the crash. But... they do say the ambulance was responding to a call and had its lights and siren on. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301464 The swine flu has hit our region and for some parents and students, the wait for the vaccine is over. One school in our area held a free clinic for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. It's just the first of several clinics to be held around the area through the weekend.

[ STATEWIDE FLU CLINICS:  ( H1N1 In PA )    ( 877-PA-HEALTH ) ]
[ ACCESS INFO. FOR SWINE FLU CLINICS IN READING ]
[ WEB LINK:  ( Reading Hospital Clinics ) ]
]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301378 A colorful company is going green. Lehigh Valley-based Crayola broke ground today on a 15-acre solar farm.

[ NEWS RELEASE ]




]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301332 Officials in Berks County are taking a closer look at their surroundings. This morning, members of the Berks County Conservancy delivered the first ever State of the Environment Address. Officials with the conservancy are touting this study as the first of its kind in Pennsylvania. 

[ DOWNLOAD COPY OF REPORT ]
]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301446 A former Mortgage Solutions office manager is accused of ripping off customers in Berks County. Detectives say Kristine Brown offered customers appraisal services at her branch in Laureldale, but cashed those checks and kept the money for herself. They say the scheme started in 2007 and netted Brown about $29,000, so none of that money ever made it to the intended mortgage companies. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301520 Two Allentown men are heading to jail for a mistaken identity murder. The Lehigh County district attorney says Tariq Bailey and Brandon Figueroa were sentenced Thursday for shooting and killing 22 year old Jimmy Ortiz back in 2008. Bailey was sentenced to 17 to 40 years and Figueroa got 20 to 40 years in jail. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301494 Officials in the borough of Bangor in Northampton County say they are pursuing a historic designation. Borough council members plan to do a survey of Bangor businesses and then apply for the designation through the state. A historic designation boosts property value officials say they hope it will attract businesses. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301504 A cover shot of Sarah Palin on Newsweek magazine is creating a buzz. This shot was taken for Runner's World magazine.. owned by Rodale. But Rodale says the photos were under a one year embargo.. and Newsweek got the picture from the photographer's stock agency. The photo has caused a stir in the political world some saying it's sexist. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301377 The newest firefighters on the clock in Lehigh County are getting a new home base. The Weisenberg Township Volunteer Fire Department broke ground today on a brand new firehouse. The building is on Route 863, near the border with Berks County. The department was chartered five years ago, but it just recently got up and running after meeting all the necessary state and local requirements. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301280 An overturned tractor trailer closed Route 562 in the area of Schoffers Road and Farming Ridge Boulevard in Exeter Township, Berks County for a few hours today. Police haven't determined yet what caused the accident. Crews on the scene say the truck was hauling mulch and the driver appeared to be okay. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301425 Some Berks County artists are filling a tall order for a tall tree. More than 80 members of the Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen are designing 400 Christmas ornaments. The ornaments will be displayed on the 18-foot tree in the grand foyer of the Governor's Mansion in Harrisburg. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300910 Allentown City Council members are at odds over the mayor's proposed budget. They discussed Wednesday night two proposals that are creating some controversy. The first would require non-union workers to pay 7-1/2% of their health care coverage. 

]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300767 It's hard to ignore all of the warnings about the flu this year. And the jolly one himself is no exception. Santa, or at least some of his helpers, are even asking to be given priority for the H1N1 vaccine.



]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301395 Investigators say a fire that tore through two homes in Allentown yesterday was an accident. The fire went to three alarms in the 900 block of North Penn Street. Investigators still don't know exactly what started the fire, but they're looking into whether small appliances in one of the homes may have played a role. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301398 A nasty crash in Northampton County today involved an ambulance and a pick-up truck. The two vehicles collided at Blue Mountain Drive and Wood Street in Lehigh Township. Both the ambulance and the truck were pretty banged-up. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1301397 We're learning more about a hazardous materials scare at Planned Parenthood in Quakertown, Bucks County. Last night, a HazMat crew was called to Planned Parenthood on Park Avenue. That's after a powdery substance was found on anti-abortion literature dropped off at the clinic. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300907 Some leaders in Berks County are pushing for more Latinos to complete college, and the sooner the better. Education specialists at Kutztown University say this push could benefit everyone in Berks County.


]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300853 A popular high school coach has been identified as the victim of a fiery car accident. And now, an entire community mourns his sudden death.




]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300854 A school district in Chester County that came under fire after ousting its superintendent has now named a new one.  The Owen J. Roberts School Board held a special meeting Wednesday night. Board members tapped Joel DiBartolomeo to become the new head of the district.  He previously served as a principal in New York.  ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300897 Controversial whaling in Japan has received worldwide attention thanks to an Animal Planet show called Whale Wars. The show's hero Captain Paul Watson and his crew disrupt Japanese whaling boats in the Southern Ocean and protect whales from being killed. He spoke at Penn State Berks Wedneday night and WFMZ's Pam Cunningham has more. 

]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300856 A local college wants people to know what it's like to be homeless. DeSales University hosted a panel Wednesday night called ''The Faces of Homelessness.''  Three people shared their stories.  One... was out on the streets for about a year. Today.. she has her own house and goes to school. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300668 Police continue to search for clues in the murder of a barber who was shot and killed inside his home in Allentown early Tuesday morning. The coroner has released the victim's name, but the motive for his murder is still a mystery.


]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300789 Going after dogfighting rings and cockfighting rings: They've been busted in our area in the past. But animal advocates are now hoping to uncover more with the help of anonymous tipsters in Berks County. The Animal Rescue League is teaming up with Crime Alert to fight animal cruelty.

[ CRIME ALERT BERKS COUNTY: 877-373-9913 ]
]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300653 A report released today by the Pennsylvania Auditor General finds the Bethlehem Area School District lost at least $10-million in taxpayer money stemming from risky bond swaps.

]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300608 Firefighters say they used every fire truck in Allentown to wage battle against a three-alarm fire that spread through two row homes this morning. Witnesses on the scene in the 900 block of Penn Street say they saw heavy smoke and flames coming from the homes.

]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300781 Many of the troops who are already there will be spending the holidays overseas. But a Berks County-based group continues to make sure those soldiers are not forgotten.

[ WEB LINK:  ( Keystone Soldiers ) ]

]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300849 Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering legislation to outlaw public school teacher strikes. An amendment introduced earlier this week would make it unconstitutional for public education employees to strike or hold a lockout. The issue would have to be put on the ballot for voters to decide.. since it would change the state constitution. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300855 A white powder found on anti-abortion literature inside a Planned Parenthood center caused a hazardous materials scare in Bucks County Wednesday night. Police say a woman in her 20s dropped off the literature a little after 7:00 at the facility on Park Avenue in Quakertown.

]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1299585 A man is under arrest for the murder of his live-in girlfriend in Reading. Police say Brian Henderson, 40, stabbed Maria Albers-Cosme, 39, in the chest inside their house at 1111 Muhlenberg Street just before 2:00 Tuesday morning. Police say she then walked outside and collapsed.

 [ 11/17/09 REPORT: Family Speaks Out ] 
]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300147 Police are investigating what they say is the suspicious death of a man in the 500 block of North Park Street in Allentown. They say his body was found inside a house around 4:30 Tuesday afternoon. Police are not saying whether they think foul play was involved, but they say they are treating the death as suspicious. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300307 An office building in Montgomery County was destroyed by fire early this morning. The flames broke out a little before 3:00 at Mayer Pollack Steel Company at South Keim Street and Industrial Highway in Pottstown. It took more than an hour for firefighters to bring the fire under control.

]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1299586 Police are investigating the deadly shooting of a man in Allentown. He was found dead inside a house at 816 North 5th Street around 3:40 Tuesday morning. Friends say the victim, Alex Cercado, 32, worked as a barber. Police say he was shot several times.

]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300199 A first time look at plans to build an intermodal facility potentially linking Easton with New York City happened Tuesday evening in Easton. Mayor Sal Panto is spearheading the effort, but not everyone is on board. WFMZ's Jackie Shutack has more. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300246 And then there were three. Republican state Representative Sam Rohrer has thrown his hat into the ring for Governor. The Berks County lawmaker announced his candidacy at the Spring Township Fire Department. WFMZ's Pam Cunningham was there.  ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300455 After 74 years and four generations, the Jaindl family farm continues to provide Thanksgiving turkeys for families everywhere. Dave Jaindl stopped by 69 News at Sunrise Wednesday to talk about how the farm has managed to be so successful for so many years, and to tell us what's on the menu for customers this year. 
Jaindl.com 

[ PART 2: More "Turkey Talk" & What's for Sale This Year] ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300543 She started the Lehigh Valley Idol program eight years ago, and, now, she's proving that love can build a bridge...in this case, to Broadway. Linda Norris stopped by 69 News at Sunrise Wednesday to talk about how she's giving some talented performers from our area some exciting opportunities, and she introduced us to one of them, Bryn Holdsworth, who performed LIVE!
LehighValleyIdol.com  

[ PART 2: Bryn Holdsworth Performs LIVE! ] ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300195 A national advocacy group that aims to root out animal abuse is pointing the finger at a Pennsylvania company. Mercy for Animals accuses Country View Family Farms of animal cruelty. Mercy for Animals says the abuse was captured on undercover video taken at one of the company's pig farms in Fannettsburg, Franklin County. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300241 The Department of Environmental Protection is checking up on Exide Technology. A hearing was held tonight to look at whether the DEP will update and renew Exide's air quality permit. Dozens of people packed the public hearing at the Muhlenberg Recreation Building. Some people who live in the area spoke out against the plant. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300219 Crime Alert Berks County is teaming up with the Animal Rescue League to fight animal cruelty. Lamar Advertising is expected to donate six billboards next year featuring a tip line for people report dog fighting, cock fighting or any other any animal cruelty concerns. There will also be advertisements for the tip line added to some BARTA shelters. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300070 Berks County's second largest employer is worried new environmental standards may keep the company from getting any bigger. So, East Penn Manufacturing is showing off its green side.



]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300018 A little "make-believe" may help health care professionals do their jobs better. A local has a new educational tool that can simulate emergency situations in a very realistic way.



]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300016 Time to get out the calculators. The government is getting the ball rolling on the 2010 census. Local workers will be among those doing the counting. But the census is about a lot more than arithmetic.

[ WEB LINK: ( U.S. Census Bureau ) ]
]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300082 The Berks County commissioners are laying out a spending plan for 2010. For the seventh straight year, the county budget holds the line on taxes. The plan totals $446.3-million. It keeps funding for higher education, economic development, and farmland preservation.   Commissioners also say revenue fell short last year by about $750,000, but that's much better than the $12-million loss that was projected.  The board is scheduled to vote on the budget on December 17th.

[ WEBLINK: (2010 Proposed County Budget) ] ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300141 A group of East Stroudsburg University students are facing charges in connection with a marijuana distribution ring. Monroe County Officials say 22 year old Eugene Pavitt was the leader of the operation.. Officials say he is a student. Investigators say they found guns.. marijuana.. and thousands of dollars in cash when they searched Pavitt's apartment. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300135 Two ramps from Route 22 west will be closed Tuesday night for paving in Lehigh County. PennDOT officials say the ramps at 15th Street.. and Fullerton Avenue in Whitehall Township.. will be closed starting at 10 pm. The ramps will reopen at 6 am Wednesday morning. Wednesday night.. the eastbound ramps at those two exits will be closed. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300124 New recommendations concerning breast cancer screenings are creating controversy.  A government task force is now advising women in their forties to skip mammograms if breast cancer is not in their family history. WFMZ's Joscelyn Moes has the story. 
]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300121 It seems swine flu is dying down in local schools. Several school districts in the Lehigh Valley say absence rates have dropped recently.. meaning fewer students are out sick. Officials at the Allentown Health Bureau says they haven't been told of any mass absences .. in the past month. They say that's a good sign.. because school districts notify the health bureau when a lot of kids are sick. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300116 Last week, we told you that the Bridgeton Township supervisors in Bucks County had approved the demolition of the old Chef Tell Manor House along the Delaware. But during that story, we incorrectly showed pictures of the Bridgeton House a mile down River Road from Chef Tell's. The Bridgeton House is a thriving country hotel and it is NOT going out of business.

For more information on the Bridgeton House click here. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300099 Thanksgiving is creeping closer and that means Christmas is getting closer too! It's a winter wonderland at the Pearl S. Buck House in Bucks County.. The organization opened its 31st Annual Festival of Trees display today in Perkasie. The tree display will be open until December 31st. 

For more information on the Pearl S. Buck House and for tour dates and times, click here ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1299907 Officials are hoping a number of events, combined with a series of free swine flu clinics, won't combine to form a perfect storm of traffic gridlock and parking problems in downtown Reading this weekend. The clinics will be held at the state Department of Health offices in the 600 block of Cherry Street.

[ WEB LINKS:  ( H1N1 In PA )    ( Reading Hospital Clinics ) ]
[ ACCESS INFORMATION FOR SWINE FLU CLINICS ]
]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300666 Those who served our country instead of graduating from high school were awarded that opportunity today in Northampton County.  Veterans from each of the Armed Forces received their high school diplomas this afternoon.  The ceremony was held at the Brown and Lynch American Legion Post 9 in Palmer Township.  11 veterans were given their diplomas today, and for one man, he didn't have a choice to finish high school.

>> Thomas Todaro: I got a letter from Uncle Sam and he gave us a little furlough before we left, and that was it, off we went to Samson, New York for training, so I'm very pleased here with what they're doing for us.

>>  The diplomas were awarded to the veterans by the President and Vice-President of the Easton Area School Board. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1299967 Traffic is slow-going on a stretch of Lancaster Avenue in southwest Reading. Police say the driver of a pick-up truck had a medical issue when he slammed into a utility pole at Noble Street just before noon today. The crash knocked out power to the traffic light at that intersection. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300022 Police in hot pursuit of a murder suspect put the pedal to the metal on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, but in the end the bad guy got away. Police say they started chasing Maki Thomas, 24, in Philadelphia. He's a suspect in a murder in the city in 2001. The pursuit continued onto the turnpike, heading north towards our area. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300020 Two women charged in a random attack on a Lehigh University student are heading to trial. Preliminary hearings were held today for Justine Unkle and Marie Gerbig. Unkle waived hers. Charges against Gerbig were held over for court. Police say the pair attacked a female freshman student in a parking lot in September. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1300021 A child pornography case that stretched from Lehigh County to Germany is closed tonight. Timothy Strobl of Coplay has learned his fate. He's been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. Strobl pleaded guilty in August to two counts of production of child pornography. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1299991 A developer has suffered another blow in trying to build a treatment center for prison inmates in Bethlehem Township, Northampton County. The township has again rejected Abe Atiyeh's zoning ordinance challenge to build a prison near Route 191. The prison plan is Atiyeh's back-up plan for the proposed treatment center, which the township is also fighting. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1299818 An anonymous tip to Crime Alert Berks County led police in Berks County to find two people wanted for attempted murder in western Pennsylvania. Travis Pollock, 27, of Somerset, and Emily Smith, 21, of Reading, were taken into custody overnight at a house on Woodside Avenue in Alsace Township. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1299995 One Allentown teenager can already cross one thing off his wish-list this year. William Allen junior Josh Fogerty will be at the front of the line during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. He'll be the first cymbal player in Macy's Great American Marching Band. The band is made up of dozens of high school kids from across the country and Josh says he's thrilled to be among them. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1299969 A woman who reported being abducted in Berks County over the weekend was found this morning at a relative's house in Eaton, Ohio, according to police. They've asked Virginia Sayward to return to Pennsylvania to help them continue their investigation of her abduction claim. Police say they spent about two hours Sunday searching for the New York woman in and around the Penn Werner Hotel on Penn Avenue after receiving a call that claimed she had been abducted. Then yesterday, police say Sayward, 27, called 911 multiple times to claim she was in places she wasn't. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1299906 69 News chief meteorologist Ed Hanna is back in the weather center and on the air. He's been off the last couple weeks to undergo and recover from surgery on his neck and shoulder. He wishes to thank all the viewers who called in or e-mailed their concerns and well wishes while he was away. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1299436 President Obama is planning a visit to the Lehigh Valley next month to talk jobs and promote economic growth, the White House has announced. It says the president will travel to Allentown and other communities in our area. He'll be here December 4. It will be his first stop on a swing through several states. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1299532 Cuts to the police and fire departments in Reading are imminent. City Council approved a budget for 2010 Monday night. It's made significant changes from the original numbers, which were 45 cuts from the police department and 28 from fire and EMS. Now the total number of public safety layoffs is down to 13. ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1299968 Pennsylvania Representative Sam Rohrer of Berks County will formally announce his run for governor during a town hall meeting and live webcast tonight, according to his campaign manager. Rohrer is the latest candidate to enter a growing field of Republicans seeking their party's nomination in 2010. 

[ 10/15/09 REPORT: Local Lawmaker Considering Run For PA Governor ]
]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1299831 He's known around town as "The Bike Guy," and, Tuesday morning, Bob Swaim from Coopersburg cruised on over to our 69 News studio to show us part of his collection, which consists of some of the most unique bikes you've ever seen.  Bob talked with WFMZ's Eve Tannery about how his fascination started...and he even got her to do a little riding!
[ PART 2: Bob Gets Eve to Ride Blindfolded! ] ]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1299376 The bidding is over to flip the switch on the peace candle in Easton. The eBay auction topped out at $770 Monday to light the holiday landmark.

[ 11/16/09 REPORT: Local Judge Wins Bid To Light Peace Candle, Invites Famous Friend To Light It With Him ] 


]]> http://wfmz.com/view/?id=1299486 Stokesay Castle has a new look, a new menu, and is looking better than the owner expected. Monday night, the ribbon was cut at the castle officially reopening the building. It closed three years ago, but was bought at an auction earlier this year. The general manager says it will become a destination place. ]]>