69News:News

Parkland will pass a 1.92 percent tax increase next week

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:30:47 GMT

Residents of the Parkland School District can expect a 1.92 percent increase in their 2013-14 school taxes.

Parkland School Board is expected to approve that tax increase at its June 25 public meeting.

An update on the budget was presented to six school board members attending a public workshop meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

No one from the public attended to comment on the 2013-14 budget or to ask questions about it. Board members also had no comments on the final proposed budget.

It will be the lowest annual increase in at least the last three years, said John Vignone, Parkland’s director of business administration, who gave the presentation.

He said taxes increased 3.67 percent in the current school year.

Assuming the board approves the new budget, tax bills containing the increase will be sent July 1, the first day of the new school year.

An average home in the district has an assessed value of $221,000, according to Vignone, and that homeowner will pay $3,036 in school taxes.

“I’m happy that we can bring forth a budget that balances our wish to provide a high quality, comprehensive educational program -- that’s rich in visual and performing arts and athletic opportunities -- and balance that need and desire with the taxpayers’ ability to afford it,” said Parkland superintendent Richard Sniscak. “That’s what we strive to do and work hard to do.”

Explaining the evolution of the proposed budget since February, Vignone said: “We started at 5.82 percent and we ended up at 1.92 percent. A lot of hard work went into that, a lot of cuts, a lot of reductions.”

Vignone said the school board has been working on the 2013-14 budget since November.

The district’s 2013-14 budget totals $143.6 million, which Vignone said is more than 4 percent higher than the 2012-13 budget.

Vignone said Parkland is using half of its $1 million reserve to help balance the budget, as well as $4 million from its $21 million fund balance.

He said salaries for administrators will increase 2.5 percent. Teachers, who will be in the second year of a two-year contract, will get a flat $1,250 stipend rather than a percentage increase in their salaries. He said they got no increase in the first year of their contract.

Five teachers and two members of the support staff who retired or left will not be replaced, said Rodney Troutman, assistant superintendent, and other replacement personnel have been hired at lower salaries.

The number of teachers is dropping from 600 to 595, according to Troutman, who said the district has a total staff of more than 1,300.

Vignone told the board three positive “adjustments” totaling $480,443 have been made to the budget since late May, when the district was facing a possible 2.43 percent increase.

One adjustment was generated by Lehigh County’s reassessment, which created many appeals. The district projected property tax decreases based on those appeals because “you cannot budget money that you may lose in the appeal process,” explained Vignone.

But now that appeal hearings are being held, “we are mitigating many of those losses we thought we were going to receive. That brings assessed value back onto the district’s rolls. Our revenue goes up. As our revenue goes up, the value of a mill is more and we need less mills to balance the budget.”

He said a second positive adjustment is anticipated new construction, which will produce the same result.

The third adjustment is an unexpected savings on dental insurance, with no increase in the district’s premiums in 2013-14 and only 11 months of payments required for 12 months of coverage.

Vignone said every property in the district also will get a $105 “assessed value exception” on their tax bill. Clarifying, he said residents won’t get checks or $105 knocked off their tax bills. “We’ll translate that $105 into an assessed value reduction” – meaning the assessed value of properties will decrease by $105, so property owners will pay somewhat less in taxes. He explained that is possible because of gambling revenue received from the state.

During the board’s regular meeting after the workshop Tuesday night, the superintendent explained that the federal government has mandated a 10-cent increase in school lunch prices. Lunches will be $2.25 for elementary students, $2.50 for secondary students and $3.50 for adults.

Sniscak said prices are not increasing for milk, breakfast or reduced lunches and breakfasts.

One of the many items approved without discussion during the board’s regular meeting was a $99,878 contract with Prism Response, Inc., of Drums, Luzerne County, to remove asbestos from Kratzer Elementary School.

Maple syrup used to vandalize St. Thomas More church

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:20:55 GMT

Police are asking for the public's help in tracking down the people who vandalized a Roman Catholic church in Chester County.

On the night of June 10, the doors were left open at the St. Thomas More church located at 2101 Pottstown Pike in Pottstown, police said.

That's when the vandals got inside and sprayed fire extinguishers throughout, took maple syrup from the pantry and emptied it onto the kitchen floor, and then stole a bottle of wine, investigators said.

Micaela Pupek is a long-time member of the church and was even baptized there. She calls the crime shocking.

"I find it really upsetting," Pupek said. "Because I feel like churches should be able to have the doors open, and stuff shouldn't happen like that."

Now just when this crime couldn't get any more concerning, nearby business owners tell 69 News that this crime also happened hours before the church was to open its doors for a funeral.

"They had a large cleaning crew over there just to clean things up to prep the church for the funeral," said Jim Fitch.

Fitch owns Fitch Enterprises, an auto repair shop across the street from the church, and has even worked on the head priest's car.

Fitch says he hopes police find the culprits.

"But just to go in and destroy someone else's property, it has to be a demented mind that does something like that," Fitch said.

If you have any information, you are urged to contact state police immediately, at (610) 486-6280

New proposal waters down liquor privatization plan

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:00:49 GMT

Gov. Tom Corbett wants to get Pennsylvania out of the booze business, but his privatization plan is on life support.

Now, one local lawmaker is offering a less ambitious alternative that seeks to protect mom-and-pop beer businesses.

At Beerco Distributing in Allentown, Robert Mickus can sell you almost any kind of brew you want -- as long as it comes in a case.

"It pays my mortgage," he said. "It pays my health insurance and it pays for the food on my table."

But like a lot of distributors, Mickus is nervous about Corbett's push to overhaul alcohol sales in Pennsylvania.

"It does scare me," said Mickus.

With opposition mounting, powerful State Sen. Chuck McIlhinney, R - Bucks Co., is proposing a watered-down compromise.

"To try to do this all at once caused a lot of problems," McIlhinney said of Corbett's plan.

McIlhinney's alternative would not allow any new grocery or convenience stores to sell alcohol. That was a cornerstone of Corbett's plan. He insists grocery store sales will be more convenient for customers, but beer distributors fear they can't compete.

Many distributors spent tens of thousands of dollars for their beer licenses.

"I would not be able to stay in business," said Mickus.

As far as wine and liquor, those infamous "state stores" would stay open -- for now. But they'd have competition.

McIlhinney would allow beer distributors like Mickus, as well as restaurants and pubs, to sell spirits. Those businesses would still have to buy booze wholesale from the state, but they'd get it at a discount.

The idea is to run the "state stores" out of business -- slowly.

"They're being charged with closing the stores once the private sector has fulfilled that service in the area," said McIlhinney.

Opponents call the compromise a buzzkill.

"More retail outlets will be able to sell wine and spirits, but they'll still have to get their product from the government," said Nathan Benefield with the Commonwealth Foundation, which supports Corbett's original proposal. "And that's going to mean less selection for consumers."

Even Mickus thinks that adding liquor sales would not help him out much.

"That's a completely different business, and it's a different business model," he said.

Mickus would get another perk though. Under the McIlhinney plan, distributors, taverns, and restaurants would also be allowed to sell six-packs. Right now, they are limited to cases and kegs.

Either way, time is running out. Lawmakers in Harrisburg have two weeks to pass something before the state budget is due. Small business are hoping they're not left with a nasty hangover.

Arturo Trujillo habla sobre su primera victoria como pugilista profesional

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:05:59 GMT

Arranca el prgrama RBI en la ciudad de Reading

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:03:25 GMT

El condado Berks fue escenario para otra nueva temporada de béisbol para niños que residen en la ciudad de Reading.

La ligao programa llamada "Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities" inició hoy en el estadio Gordon Hoodak en Reading, Pensilvania.

El programa es auspicada por los Filis de Filadelfia y los Reading Fightin Phils.

Pero todo es organizado por el Club Boys and Girls de Olivet.

El programa es para niños de entre diez a 18 años de edad.

Allentown Immigration rally encourages reform

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:01:41 GMT

A big vote on immigration reform is coming up in the U.S. Senate next week and that has local politicians and community leaders sounding off on the issue.

Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski took part in an immigration rally Tuesday at City Hall accompanied by City Council President, Julio Guridy.

The event, organized by a local democratic and immigrant support group had just one message and that is to urge Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey to vote in favor of the senate's immigration bill.

“I think it's critical for our American economy, I think it's critical for our city, I think it's critical for the country as a whole to get behind comprehensive immigration reform that has a path to citizenship,” said Pawlowski.

However that may not be easy, the bill would offer a 13-year path to citizenship for the nation's 11-million undocumented immigrants.

Even if the Senate approves the bill, it could face a tough fight in the GOP-controlled House.

"Any immigration reform bill that is going into law ought to have the majority of both parties support, if we are really serious about making that happen. I don't see any way of bringing an immigration bill to the floor that doesn't have a majority support of Republicans," said House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Tuesday.

A recent poll done by CNN/ORC shows a small majority of Americans in support of the Senate's immigration bill. With 51% in favor and 45% against.

When it comes to a pathway to citizenship only 36% of those polled believe that should be the government's main focus while 62% say there needs to be an increase in border security.

Regardless, those who spoke at Tuesday's rally believe Washington is closer than ever in passing meaningful reform.

"They've been talking about it for some time, they have tried so many times and have failed. and I think in a bipartisan way with this gang of eight I think they're going to be successful," said City Council President, Julio Guridy.

Boehner is scheduled to meet with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Wednesday to discuss immigration reform.

The senate is expected to have its vote on the bill by the end of next week.

Fire damage at Timet Corporation tops $3 million, officials say

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:58:02 GMT

An explosive 3-alarm fire at a metal manufacturing company in Berks County caused $3.5 million worth of damage, a state police fire marshal said Tuesday.

The massive fire that drew dozens of firefighters from Berks, Chester and Lancaster counties ignited at the Timet Corporation on Hemlock Road in Caernarvon Township shortly before 8 p.m. Monday.

The fire started in the area of the processing machine and bins of staged titanium waiting to be processed, said Tpr. Michael Yeity, a Pa. State Police fire marshal.

"I was sitting right outside the garage door and I seen a loft of oil-based smoke come out," said a worker who was standing feet from the flames.

Workers activated the suppression system and were then told to get out.

"The bosses realized there was no way we were going to stop this, so they got on the intercom and said all raw materials meet at our evacuation area," said the worker.

At one point, firefighters who battled the flames were forced to retreat. A fork lift filled with propane that was sitting near the flames exploded. Firefighters saw the tank leaking and got out in the nick of time, said officials.

"A ball of fire came out the side and they had all the fire company members retreat in the area due to the potential danger of flash or another explosion," said Chief Paul Stolz, Caernarvon Twp. Police Dept.

Miraculously, no one was injured during the fight. It took dozens of firefighters from about 20 different departments more than three hours to bring it under control.

Firefighters were forced to use foam to contain the fire because of the substances inside the building. Titanium is highly flammable, and officials said water would have caused the fire to spread.

Plumes of smoke billowed above the manufacturing company and could be seen for miles in the Morgantown area.

"It was a stubborn fire because of the type of building and the ventilation until they got the roof opened up and allowed ventilation, that's when they got the fire under control," said Stolz.

Authorities credited Timet's safety training of its employees for helping to prevent injuries and minimize and contain the fire damage.

Alice Cooper rocks Reading

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:57:41 GMT

Alice Cooper is rocking Reading.

The shock rocker is playing right now at the Sovereign Center.

Cooper was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011 and is known for hits including "No More Mr. Nice Guy" and "School's Out."

He was in town Tuesday night for the "Masters of Madness" tour.

Marilyn Manson also hit the stage.

City council backs state grant for charter school despite educators' misgivings

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:36:36 GMT

Opponents of a $3 million state grant for a new charter school in Bethlehem came up short Tuesday night in an effort to have city council back off in helping the school get the money.

Despite strong pleas from Bethlehem Area School Board president Michael Faccinetto and Bethlehem Education Association president Jolene Vitalos, city council voted 5-2 to allow Mayor John Callahan to help the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts apply for funds from the state's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Grant Program.

Council president Eric Evans and council member J. William Reynolds cast the no votes.

The school intends to relocate to 321 East 3rd Street for the 2014-2015 school year, after operating in leased space at 675 East Broad St. since 2003. Ground was broken for a new, three-story, $27 million building 11 days ago.

Faccinetto, speaking for the school board, said that while the Charter High School for the Arts "has every right to expand," giving the school $3 million from a state program designed to spur redevelopment "is not fair to [the school district] and an insult to public education. ... There will be no new tax revenue and no new job creation."

Vitalos made similar points, noting that even though the charter school is being built in a Tax Increment Financing zone, "the land will never be available for tax purposes." And, she asked, "what economic development is being created?"

She also noted that while state grant money is available for a charter school, the Corbett administration has a moratorium on public school construction projects.

Council members David DiGiacinto, Michael Recchiuti and Robert Donchez were not unsympathetic to what Faccinetto and Vitalos had to say.

But DiGiacinto said if the city did not act as the "pass through" agency for the grant, the county or redevelopment authority would, while Recchiuti and Donchez said the school could help other businesses along 3rd Street.

"This parcel has been vacant for 15 years, and SteelStacks is kind of on an island," Recchiuti said. "The school helps bridge the gap that's there between SteelStacks and the main business district.

Council member Karen Dolan was the most passionate in her support of helping the charter school get the grant, and she forcefully refuted accusations that the $3 million that charter school would be getting from the state is coming at the expense of projects such as the proposed Nitschmann Middle School renovation.

"They don't pull from the same source of funding," she declared. "If we want to get at Governor Corbett, let's do it directly, not by stopping a good development. ... You don't hold up a grant from passing through for philosophical reasons."

Dolan also had some harsh words for Faccinetto and Vitalos. "This is [city council's] decision to make. ... To send a message a message on behalf of the teachers is a very bad way to go. ... It's not our job."

Charter school director Diane LaBelle told council that helping the school to expand "is the right thing to do," while project architect Christine Ussler predicted, "In the long run, more tax dollars will be coming from the South Side."

Distillery plan unveiled in Phillipsburg

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:29:38 GMT

Phillipsburg Town Council heard plans Tuesday night for a distillery in Union Square.

Nick Piperata of the Piperata Group opened his presentation with his local history as a 1989 graduate of Phillipsburg High School, in the town where his parents opened their own small business and his mother donated her home to house the local fire department. Piperata is now planning to open his own business: a distillery.

A month ago, a brewery operating in Phillipsburg relocated to Whitehouse Station, leaving a distillery-ready building vacant in Union Square.

Piperata is in discussions with the building owner to lease the property in the event he is able to proceed with his business plan. He explained the process of opening a distillery in the State of New Jersey, where the business owner has to seek approval from both the state and the municipality in which it operates.

Piperata compared his business model to that of the Crayola Factory in Easton, where he would begin operations as a non-foot traffic business that would eventually expand to attract tourists.

He assured the council he had the ability to ferment his wine in-house, bottle his product and begin as his own distributor as the property he is looking at sits directly across from a wine and spirits store.

Production would take about three months, and while distillery start-ups typically cost approximately $1 million, Piperata believes that he could open his at ten percent of that cost with his personal network of engineers and other technicians.

As a veteran, he will be seeking grants and aid from the Small Business Administration.

"I'm asking the town's permission to get this off the ground," Piperata said. "I'd like to get this started as soon as possible."

The council was very receptive to his proposal and engaged in some discussion on their best course of action. A town engineer was in attendance at the meeting and was able to answer some of the council's questions on the next appropriate steps for the distillery project. The property would have to be granted a conditional use permit to function as a distillery and the town council would later have to approve a liquor license.

Town Attorney Richard Wenner stated that the current zoning of the property would have to be examined after Piperata came to a formal lease agreement with the building owner. Members of council pointed out that the Union Square area is in need of redevelopment and Councilman Todd Tersigni called it a "positive endeavor" he will support "100 percent."

The council passed a no-action motion to move the project forward and to discuss their formal role in approving and licensing the distillery at a later meeting.

NCC set to expand dormitories

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:24:37 GMT

Northampton Community College will double its dormitory capacity thanks to a zoning change in Bethlehem Township.

The Township Supervisors have changed a zoning ordinance that had barred the construction of new dormitories since the early 1990s.

College officials say that construction ban was put in place after the last new dorms were built in the late 1980s.

They say there had been concerns from neighboring residents about quality-of-life issues which have since subsided.

The new dorms will add about 270 beds.

The college is hoping to begin construction by next spring.

Man accused of using MMA move to kill friend headed to trial

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:23:17 GMT

A New Jersey man accused of strangling his friend during a fight in Monroe County is now facing a homicide trial.

Charles Derr of East Hanover was in court Tuesday for a preliminary hearing.

A homicide charge against Derr was held for court but drug charges were dropped.

Police say Derr killed his friend, Matthew Stilwell, by the use of a martial arts move known as "a rear naked choke hold."

New urgent care center to open in Slate Belt

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:01:51 GMT

The Lehigh Valley Health Network will open a new urgent care center in Bangor early next year.

It will be called the Health Center at Bangor. The center will be located at the former Majestic Athletic Factory Outlet in the Bangor Plaza.

A town hall meeting was held on Monday at the Washington Township Fire Hall to inform the community of plans for the center. 225 people attended the meeting -- too many for the hall forcing some people to be turned away.

Construction has already begun on the campus that will contain 30 full time employees on its 32,000 square foot campus. It will be open twelve hours a day during the week and eight hours a day on the weekend. Many health care services will be offered on site, such as physical therapy, chemotherapy, digital x-rays, and breast health services.

This health center will be a good starting point for the community to get health care in their own area, said Brian Downs, Media Relations Director of the Lehigh Valley Health Network. The community has expressed interest for this center to be in the area.

While there were citizens in attendance who felt the same as Downs, there were those who felt differently. Some people were disappointed by the services offered because they felt as though their families' needs would not be met at the health center. However, one of the main reasons the staff held the meeting Tuesday night was to hear the community's requests so they can use the additional 18,000 square feet of land they have to offer more services needed by those in the area in the future.

Open houses will be held for the community prior to its tentative scheduled opening of February 3, 2014.

DEP wants Allentown to think twice before voting on "Clean Air Ordinance"

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:10:39 GMT

The Department of Environmental Protection is warning Allentown to slow down and think twice about the possibility of making the City's air quality standards stricter than the state's.

Wednesday night, Council is expected to vote on an ordinance that would allow the City to set stricter air quality control than the state's own Air Pollution Control Act. This all stems from the plan for Delta Thermo to build a waste-to-energy plant in the city.

If Council votes it down, the issue will go to the voters as a referendum on the November ballot.

Council has yet to decide if it strengthen the City's standards but Tuesday John Marchetto, a lawyer for the DEP, warned Council that city ordinances do not supersede state law.

For one, he pointed to the ordinance's requirement to set emissions limits, fees and penalties for the waste-to-energy plant as being in conflict with the fact that state lawmakers have given the DEP exclusive authority to regulate emissions.

Again, City Council has not voted on this ordinance but the City's spokesperson said it's unclear how this letter will influence Council members' votes. Allentown City Council meets Wednesday at 7:00pm.

You can read the letter from the DEP here.

Ex-custodian suing Bethlehem YMCA for allegedly defaming her

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:33:40 GMT

A custodian at the Bethlehem YMCA who was fired last year over a missing wallet on the same day she was given a raise is claiming in court her former employer defamed her.

Nancy Rivera, of 1115 Fritz Drive, Bethlehem, filed an amended complaint Monday in Northampton County Court against the YMCA branch at 430 East Broad St., Bethlehem, and two of its staff members.

Rivera says in her suit that after she had finished her shift on Aug. 15, 2012, she was called at home by Chris Brown, acting branch manager at the Bethlehem Y, and told she was fired because she was seen on camera stealing a wallet from the Y's "teen room."

Brown's call came just a short time after Rivera had been told at work by her supervisor, Rob Fritz, that her request for a raise had been approved, the suit says.

The lost wallet was eventually found in the Y parking lot with nothing missing, the suit says.

Rivera claims in her suit that Brown and Jenna Spirk Camasta, the Y's child-care coordinator, made "defamatory, malicious, slanderous, false, distorted [and] incomplete" statements about her to Y employees and staff as well as the alleged victim (and Rivera's co-worker at the Y), Kirby White.

The statements were intended to "inflict emotional distress and damage," the suit says.

Rivera also claims that Brown and Camasta portrayed her in a false light.

Brown reported to Bethlehem police that Rivera was seen stealing the wallet from a locker room at the Y, the suit says.

Rivera's attorney, Joshua Fulmer, told WFM.com Tuesday afternoon that the wallet was found next to White's car.

The suit points out that Rivera, whom Fulmer said worked at the Y for 10 years, never walked through the parking lot because she doesn't own a car; that she used public transportation, and that the bus stop is located in the opposite direction of the lot.

Also, the suit says, the Y videotape does not show Rivera stealing White's wallet.

Fulmer said the video shows Rivera emptying a trash can in a classroom with lockers used by Y employees, including White, "but she [Rivera] did not take anything."

Fulmer said Y officials concluded Rivera must have taken the wallet "because she was the only person in the room" at the time the theft supposedly happened.
Rivera does not ask for a specific amount of money in the suit, but she is requesting legal costs as well as punitive and other damages.

Atty. Ed Easterly, who is representing the Y, told WFMZ.com Tuesday afternoon he could not comment on Rivera's amended complaint because he has not yet seen a copy of it.

He said, "We will vigorously defend any and all claims against the Y by Ms. Rivera."

Easterly said he filed preliminary objections against Rivera's original complaint in February, because it did not mention the specific names of Y employees and staff to whom Brown and Camasta allegedly defamed Rivera.

Rivera's amended complaint cites a maintenance employee named Jim and another employee named Gaye, but says she does not know their last names.

Magazine: MontCo one of healthiest counties for kids

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:08:18 GMT

Montgomery County is celebrating an honor that's all about the kids.

U.S. News and World Report has ranked Montgomery County as one of the nation's 50 healthiest counties for children.

It's 35th-best and it's the only Pennsylvania county in the rankings.

The rankings take into account several statistics including poverty infant deaths and teen births.

Marin County near San Francisco is the healthiest county.

Hunterdon County, New Jersey was actually ranked higher than Montgomery County at 13th.

Casey talks about seniors and scams

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:43:49 GMT

Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey wants to make it tougher on criminals who target seniors.

Casey wants to increase criminal and civil penalties for senior fraud cases.

He's proposing a bill that takes several actions including adding a federal civil penalty of up to $50,000.

Casey says American seniors control $18 trillion in assets and that makes them vulnerable.

He says it's time to clamp down on scammers who target seniors.

"They target them in a very particular and deliberate and I would say, diabolical way, so when they do that we've got to smack them hard and hit them really hard with tough penalties," said Sen. Casey.

Casey says fraud cases targeting seniors make up 26 percent of all fraud cases in the U.S. and the population of seniors is expected to more than double over the next 50 years.

What are the true signs of drowning?

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:40:20 GMT

Experts say drowning is a leading cause of death among children between the ages of one and four.

Would you recognize the distress signs?

Fire Department Assistant Chief and Water Rescue Instructor Chris Kiskeravage says drowning can be deceiving.

"Drowning doesn't come along with a lot of thrashing and splashing, that is seen in the movies or Hollywood type drowning," he said.

But Kiskeravage says drowning will more likely resemble a calm almost lifeless body.

"Children will just dip into the water, slip under and it's all very quiet," he said.

Top signs to look for are the head low or tilted back in water, mouth open, closed or glassy eyes, hyperventilating or gasping and trying to roll over or appearing to be climbing an invisible latter.

"As heads dip under water, you're watching how long underwater, and if they're coming back up," Kiskeravage said.

Officials say always know the ability of those you came with and keep your eyes on the water.

Sen. Bob Casey calls on Congress to stop student loan rate increase

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:32:37 GMT

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey is calling for legislation to prevent an interest rate increase on federally subsidized student loans.

The current interest rate on Stafford loans is nearly 3.4 percent, and it's set to double July 1. Democrat and Republican bills to stop the rate increase failed to get enough votes to pass the Senate in early June.

Casey, a Pennsylvania Democrat, said in a speech in Philadelphia on Monday that Congress should draft a new bill that has bipartisan backing.

"It's the least Congress can do," he said.

The office of U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, a Pennsylvania Republican, said the interest rate increase would amount to only few dollars a month and that the focus should be on the economy and on the rising cost of education in general.

Youth baseball players pay tribute to late coach

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:02:39 GMT

A youth baseball coach who passed away this year is being honored for his work with the RBI League in Reading.

The family of Leon Gibbs was emotional as a tribute to Gibbs was unveiled at Gordon Hoodak Stadium on Tuesday.

Gibbs' son spoke about his dad.

Police said Gibbs fell asleep at the wheel of his car just before it crashed on Route 222 in Maidencreek Township last month. He died a short time later.

A banner celebrating Coach Gibbs now hangs above center field at the ballpark.

Youth baseball players show off new look, learn from pros

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:01:56 GMT

Tuesday was opening day at Gordon Hoodak Stadium in Reading for the RBI League -- Reviving Baseball in the Inner City.

The players, all from the Olivet Boys and Girls Club, practiced hitting and catching, but they also showed off their skill and creativity by designing their own uniforms and logos.

"The design to each of the teams were done by the kids themselves, along with a marketing group that... the Reading Phillies use," said Jeff Palmer, president and CEO, Olivet Boys and Girls Club.

The new uniforms are the final step of a program called "9 to the Nines," which means nine players dressed "to the nines."

The design company, Brandiose, worked with five local teams to come up with names like the Mulberry Lightning Wolves.

The result was the kids getting new uniforms and the teams getting new names.

"They picked like lots of little details, like cool, wolf, lightning, thunder, and then whichever the kids want or us wanted, lightning they screamed, and wolf they screamed and they put those together," said Randy Guzman, a player for the Mulberry Lightning Wolves.

The players also had coaching sessions with players from the Reading Fightin Phils.

Centerfielder Zach Collier taught the kids how to field line drives.

"I love it. It's a good opportunity for these kids to get out and do something, you know. I think it's great what they're doing for these guys," said Collier.

Following the coaching session, Collier and his team headed back to FirstEnergy Stadium for a double-header and the start of a 7-game home-stand.

Pedaling4Paws participants cycling 500 miles to benefit animal shelters

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:59:49 GMT

A group of bicyclists has hit the road for a 500-mile trip to benefit select animal shelters.

One of the lucky shelters is the Animal Rescue League in Cumru Twp., Berks Co., where the group, Pedaling4Paws, took a break Tuesday morning on its way from West Chester to Ogdensburg, N.Y.

"This is called Pedaling4Paws. It's our fifth annual ride. It's a five-day, 500-mile bike ride. It benefits animal shelters along the way. It benefits 15, 16 and actually 17 shelters that we support," said Viktor Ohnjec, founder.

The group raised more than $17,000 last year. Organizers said they hope to top $25,000 this year.

Police warn of home burglaries in Easton

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:37:14 GMT

Easton police are investigating a series of residential burglaries in the western part of the city.

"We would like to remind the public about the importance of securing your homes and also remaining vigilant," said police inspector Daniel J. Reagan. "We want the public to be aware and alert."

Reagan reported that homes were left unsecured, with unlocked doors or windows, during some of the incidents.

Entry to homes was made through front, rear and basement doors as well as first-floor windows. In one case, an air conditioner apparently was pushed in to gain access.

Items most often taken are cash, computers, jewelry and televisions.

Police believe the burglar or burglars are leaving on foot with items they steal.

A possible suspect is described as being in his 30s, with a slender build, brown hair, mustache and wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

Police report evidence has been recovered from many of the crime scenes and they actively are investigating the burglaries.

Anyone who sees suspicious activity immediately should notify police. If a crime is in progress, 911 should be called.

Anyone with information on the burglaries should contact Detective Matthew Rush at 610-250-6639. Information about crimes also can be relayed to police by calling its tip line at 610-250-6635.

Ranch plays host to kids for first 'ranch camp' of season

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:29:18 GMT

Some local children are learning about life on the ranch in the Lehigh Valley.

Gress Mountain Ranch, in Orefield, Lehigh Co., is hosting its first ranch camp of the summer this week.

The camp is for kids from 3rd through 8th grades.They get to participate in arts and crafts, games and other activities. They also get to learn about all the animals at the ranch, including pigs, donkeys, goats, horses and alpacas.

"I think that it's nice for them to interact with these animals and learn that not only can people help animals, but animals can help people, as well, which is our mission here at the Gress Mountain Ranch," said Tori Buser, ranch camp co-coordinator.

Two more sessions of ranch camp will be held this summer, one in July; the other in August.

Lehigh County man breaks silence about Edward Snowden, son who leaked NSA secrets

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:23:17 GMT

Edward Snowden is the man who leaked the government's top-secret phone and Internet records program.

Snowden's father, Lonnie, who lives in Upper Macungie Twp., Lehigh Co., has finally broken his silence in an interview with Fox News.

Lonnie Snowden urged his son to come home and to not commit "treason."

"The last seven days have been extremely difficult," he told Fox News. "I've gone from not knowing where my son was -- thought he was missing. And then the news broke on Sunday, which just shocked everyone in the family that he was the NSA leak."

Monday's interview was Lonnie Snowden's first since news of the NSA leak broke.

"I would like to see Ed come home and face this," he said.

The senior Snowden spent 30 years in government service. Although he disagrees with his son's decision to leak classified government documents, Snowden also shares Edward's concerns about the massive reach of the NSA program.

"I don't want the government listening to my phone calls. I don't want the government archiving the places that my other children visit on the Internet," he said. "They have no right, not even under the guise of, 'We need to keep you safe.'"

Edward Snowden has threatened to release even more information. His father urged him not to, calling the action potential "treason."

"I think it puts him at peril from a foreign government, from opportunists, and, in my opinion, clearly from our own government as well," said Lonnie Snowden.

Fox News asked, "If Ed coming back meant jail time, still want him to come back?"

Snowden replied: "I have faith in our justice system, if applied correctly. Absolutely."

Edward Snowden fled to Hong Kong after he leaked the NSA documents. His father said he doesn't know why Edward picked China.

"I was asked that question by the government, and I can't answer that," he said, "but I just believe it's a place that he was comfortable with and I don't believe he chose it by accident."