Criminal Justice

The changes, introduced at a county council committee meeting Wednesday, would eliminate some youth care worker positions at the county's juvenile justice center, and create new assistant supervisor roles.

Members of the Allentown Police Department gathered Wednesday to celebrate lifesaving efforts and actions of merit and heroism. The idea was to recognize those law enforcement officers who went above and beyond their call of duty.

A grand jury has indicted a man who was already charged in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, allowing prosecutors to skip a planned week-long preliminary hearing that was set for late June.

Primary candidates for Northampton County judge, Republican Nancy Aaroe and Democrat Brian Panella, secured their parties' nominations and will face off for the seat in November.

Gavin Holihan, the uncontested candidate for Lehigh County district attorney, has been endorsed by incumbent Republican Jim Martin and Democratic County Executive Phil Armstrong, among others.

Eric Schwab was arrested Monday on forgery charges. He's now facing additional charges brought forward Thursday by Northampton County DA Terry Houck.

Senior Judge Thomas Munley would not agree Monday to let police officer Johnathan Miklich regain his firearms if he's not cleared to work. Miklich is under investigation after his wife and ex-girlfriend sought protection-from-abuse orders in Northampton County Court.

Lehigh used its HawkWatch alert system Sunday to inform the campus community of events as they were happening.

Lehigh County Coroner Daniel A. Buglio is working to determine the identity of skeletal remains discovered by hikers in Canal Park in Allentown in April 1991. Forensic analysis has shown the remains to be an African-American male, aged 25-35 at time of death, who grew up in the South.

Stephen Baratta spent more than $115,000 in his bid for Northampton County district attorney, not including in-kind contributions of nearly $50,000. Incumbent Terry Houck raised nearly $100,000, according to campaign finance reports.

“Every time someone makes the intentional decision to get behind the wheel intoxicated, they endanger every person they encounter on the roadway,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said. “I have seen far too many tragedies caused by completely avoidable vehicle crashes rooted to DUI.”

Lights in the Parkway will be closed Sunday night after significant vandalism caused extensive damage to holiday light displays and park facilities at Lehigh Parkway, according to Allentown officials.

Currently authorized to employ 154 officers, the city department has 138 on the roster, but only 127 can report for work for various reasons, Chief Michelle Kott told City Council during a Nov. 20 budget hearing.

Prosecutors finally shared details of the charges with some defendants after three-and-a-half months, but a court order bars them from disclosing any of the information publicly.

“These scammers have well-rehearsed scripts and are readily prepared to convincingly answer any question posed to them," Lehigh County Sheriff Joe Hanna said.

Lehigh County Commissioner Zachary Cole-Borghi is among dozens of people charged by the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office in a large-scale drug investigation announced in August.

Cristian Jimenez, 27, of Allentown, hit a fire hydrant and utility pole before crashing into the Lehigh Valley Logistics building on South Twelfth Street early Sunday morning, police said.

The pickup truck lost control near 12th and Vultee streets in Allentown and hit a fire hydrant, utility pole and the Lehigh Valley Logistics building at 1801 S. 12th St., according to state police.

Alfeni Romero-Tavares, 23, and Joel Garcia-Paulino, who turns 23 on Thursday, Dec. 4, both of Allentown, had preliminary hearings on felony counts of homicide and conspiracy to commit homicide and a misdemeanor charge of tampering with evidence.

Allentown must turn over records from former FBI agent Scott Curtis' probe of racism allegations within city government, but a second investigation can remain under wraps, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.

Former Parkland High School performing arts administrator Francis Anonia pleaded guilty Monday to 19 criminal counts for secretly recording a student changing clothes during rehearsals for a school musical.

Easton Police Department says no charges will be filed against an Easton resident regarding allegations of harassment directed at Councilwoman Taiba Sultana at the city's Christmas parade.