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File Photo/LehighValleyNews.comLehigh and Northampton counties don't release inmates into ICE custody unless federal agents present them a warrant. The policies are likely why the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has labeled the counties as sanctuary jurisdictions. -
The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts shared a news release warning of a recently reported text scam that attempts to "spoof" or mimic the Pennsylvania Courts and/or Unified Judicial System website. The AOPC says anyone who receives the text should not provide payment the text demands or any sensitive information.
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A Black employee reported finding a noose at her desk in City Hall on Jan. 10. Two months later, a city spokesperson confirmed the incident is still under investigation by police. -
A police officer discharged his firearm in an armed confrontation with the victim, who shot himself during the encounter Saturday night in Wind Gap, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
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Forest Touchberry, 31, was pronounced dead Thursday at 3:29 p.m. in the emergency department of St. Luke’s Hospital, Sacred Heart Campus, according to Lehigh County Coroner Dan Buglio.
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A proposed ordinance to essentially decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana in Easton failed to pass at Wednesday's meeting, with the discussion prompting impassioned debates on the topic.
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John Gehrmann, 44, was charged with three third-degree misdemeanor counts of harassment, with a criminal complaint stating he was involved in the continued harassment of person he suspected of playing a part in his stepdaughter’s disappearance.
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Collectively, the shipments destined for Allentown and Whitehall were valued at $28,550 had the cosmetics been genuine, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers said.
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Alberto Jose Rios-Santiago, 26, of Deltona, Florida, was denied bail Friday by a Lehigh County judge.
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The man suffered multiple traumatic injuries after he was hit by a car Friday morning, but he is expected to survive, police said.
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Evan Weaver and Jason Krasley were released in January after posting 10% of their $900,000 and $750,000 bail amounts.
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Former Hellertown police chief Robert Shupp pleaded guilty to charges of theft and forgery for stealing tens of thousands of dollars from borough coffers.
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Students across the Lehigh Valley have been speaking out about racial inequalities in schools. And as part of these discussions, students say that they don’t want the police to play a role in their academic future. WLVR’s Genesis Ortega reports.
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The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office is not planning to investigate a police use-of-force incident in Allentown.
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This week Lehigh County Controller, Mark Pinsley, called for criminal justice reform.
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Pennsylvania Senate Democrats are doubling down on police reform. This month, they proposed more than a dozen bills to ensure police accountability.
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As the 4th of July holiday approaches, calls for increased policing in Allentown - on setting off fireworks - dominated a city council meeting this week. WLVR’s Tyler Pratt reports.
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Calls for reforms to policing continue across the U.S. In the Lehigh Valley citizens are demanding that departments release their use-of-force policies. As WLVR’s Tyler Pratt reports, Bethlehem released its policy this week. But Allentown officials are taking more time.
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From the White House to Pennsylvania’s state capital, government officials are facing mounting pressure to address police brutality. Hasshan Batts of Promise Neighborhoods in Allentown says the criminal justice system is the human rights issue of our time.
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Erie officials on Monday said they are imposing a three-day suspension on a city police officer who was captured on video kicking a woman during a protest in the wake of the George Floyd killing.
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Legislation aimed at reducing police brutality in Pennsylvania is moving through the state House.The move comes a week after Black lawmakers protested on the chamber floor, calling for action on more than a dozen proposals.
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Calls for reform in police departments echo across the country. The city of Allentown has begun conversations with Black Live Matter activists who want to see increased transparency from law enforcement.
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Members of the Lehigh Valley Black Lives Matter chapter met with Allentown’s mayor and head of law enforcement last week with demands for increased police transparency and use-of-force policy reforms.
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Justan Fields, a 36-year-old full-time worker, student and father of two, said he thought only 10 people would show up. Instead hundreds rallied and marched to city hall demanding social justice.
