Criminal Justice

Easton City Councilman Frank Pintabone introduced a new ordinance at the board's Wednesday meeting that would see marijuana possession and use reduced to summary offenses with fines.

Wilson Borough Council officially vacated the seat of Scott Palinkas at their Monday meeting, citing his numerous absences and public conduct as justifications for the decision.

Wilson borough solicitor Stan Margle III acknowledged drug charges levied against him at Monday's council meeting, with members of council expressing support as he faces drug possession charges.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has released further details of the arrest made at Northampton County Prison on Friday, again accusing Northampton County Prison of not cooperating. County Executive Lamont McClure challenges that.

Tracy Dechant, 42, the twins' mother, and Joshua Dechant, 36, their stepfather, were arrested Jan. 26, days after emaciated 15-year-old twin boys were found in their Lower Macungie Township home.

Federal agents were at Northampton County Prison on Friday morning to apprehend an inmate upon his release. The man was alleged to be in the country illegally. The level of cooperation between ICE agents and the county has come under attack by U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie.

Wilson Borough solicitor and attorney Stanley Margle III has been charged with possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Three Bethlehem residents face hundreds of charges related to a scheme that involves over 130 victims in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas. If you believe you’ve been a victim of such a scheme, Bethlehem police ask you to call 610-997-7682.

Cedar Crest College will use a $608,000 grant from the U.S. Justice Department for creation of an Expert Witness Training Center and Crime Scene Lab.

Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle L. Kott and Mayor J. William Reynolds released a joint statement Monday calling a proposed "welcoming ordinance" regarding federal immigration policies unnecessary in the city.

Faith leaders in Allentown held a service Sunday night remembering Nichols and lamenting the forces that ended his life.

Northampton County's district attorney announced the program Thursday, saying it keeps the county ready for anything.

Lehigh County has laid out a budget plan for the $17.5 million received through lawsuits with opioid manufacturers

Lehigh University asks for the community's continuing assistance in locating Daniel Lee, a student who has been missing since Friday, Jan. 20. A Wednesday message to faculty and students asked that all tips be directed to campus safety at 610-758-4200.

The new unit will allow law enforcement from municipal, state and county agencies to pool resources for particularly complex cases.

A driver is suspected by police to have been driving under the influence and had fallen asleep behind the wheel in the Friday morning crash between a double tractor-trailer and a decommissioned school bus on I-78 that closed both lanes.

Daniel Lee, a Lehigh University student, has been missing since Friday, Jan. 20, according to Lehigh University officials. No foul play is suspected.

The crash occurred at I-78 westbound on marker 48.3 Pennsylvania State Police Public Information Officer Nathan Branosky said.

Lehigh president Joseph J. Helble said "racist language" was used, but the assault was not racially motivated.

Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin will not be seeking reelection after nearly 25 years in the office

Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck is running for a second term in office. This will be his first race defending the seat as an incumbent.

Christopher Schweikert, 27, of Coplay, who also is a teacher at Freedom High School, had a sexual relationship with the girl, whom he coached, according to Northampton County prosecutors.