Criminal Justice

Northampton County awarded 49 Public Safety Grant Awards, totaling $600,000, announced Friday by county Executive Lamont G. McClure.

Shaba Xavier Hill, 26, of Allentown, fatally struck the 77-year-old victim at Springhouse Road and Springwood Drive on Oct. 30, 2022. His sentencing hearing was held Tuesday before Lehigh County Court Judge Thomas Caffrey.

Costas Alestas, a 17-year veteran of the Bethlehem Police Department, was fired after the allegations came to light. He worked as a school resource officer at East Hills Middl School in the Bethlehem Area School District.

David J. Gibbs, 34, was killed and two others were hurt in a shooting early Friday morning inside Big Woody's Sports Bar and Restaurant on Allentown’s East Side, authorities said.

Anderson Jorge Cruz, 27, no known address, was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter-unreasonable belief, a first-degree felony, for killing Juan Alfredo Sanchez, 24.

The delivery driver was wanted on a warrant issued Dec. 10 on charges of third-degree murder in the Nov. 21 killing of 29-year-old Rigiberto Hernandez Arias, of Allentown, authorities said.

Several signature displays — valued at more than $60,000 — were unsalvageable and declared “total losses" after vandals struck over the weekend at Lights in the Parkway, according to officials.

“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.

Security officers searched multiple students Monday morning after finding them smoking in a bathroom during school hours, according to police.

The May shooting death of a man from Upper Mt. Bethel Township by his girlfriend was justified, prosecutors announced Tuesday.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

WLVR's Megan Frank talks with reporters Tom Shortell and Julian Abraham.

Allentown City Council on Wednesday moved a step closer to launching an investigation into claims of racism and discrimination at City Hall.

Online listings show Synergy Hookah Lounge is permanently closed, and a “For Rent” sign could be seen Tuesday at the property, where a 29-year-old man was stabbed and killed.

Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck announced police have charged John Bradley, 17, of North Whitehall Township, with two counts of homicide and car theft in relation to Thursday's double-homicide in North Catasauqua.

Pennsylvania State Police and the Northampton County District Attorney's Office have scheduled a news conference for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday regarding a double-homicide investigation in North Catasauqua.

Rosalyn Glass, 39, and Rianna Glass, 16, died of "sharp force injuries" Sept. 14 inside Rosalyn's home in North Catasauqua, according to authorities. Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek ruled the cases homicides, but investigators say the public is not in danger.

Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate last week's double homicide in North Catasauqua. A search warrant filed in district court revealed new details in the investigation.

Nine juveniles who escaped from a detention center in Berks County and were at large for less than a day have been captured, state police said Monday.

Sammy Sasso was shot in a carjacking last month near Ohio State University. “Every donation, message, and positive thought has made a difference in Sammy's spirits and his path toward recovery,” his family says.