EASTON AREA NEWS

Real-time news for Easton, Wilson Borough, Forks Twp. & more

Interstate 78 in Williams Township will be closed in both directions for a few minutes early this afternoon for a blasting operation.

The road will be shut down for five to 15 minutes between 1 and 2 o'clock this afternoon from Exit 71 (Route 33) to Exit 75 (to Route 611).

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation encourages drivers to use Routes 33 and 22 as an alternate route.

There will be lane restrictions on this same stretch of the highway from 9 o'clock this morning until 2 o'clock this afternoon as crews conduct milling work.

Matching shell casings led authorities to believe the same people were responsible for three New Jersey bank robberies, according to testimony in the first day of trial for three alleged bank robbers linked to the shooting death of FBI agent Barry Lee Bush.

FBI agent Carrie Brzezinksi took the stand and described the clues that led them to a PNC Bank branch in Hunterdon County on April 5, 2007. Shells from a .380 caliber handgun were found at three of banks hit between February and April 2007, she said.

"We believed we knew who was doing these robberies," Brzezinksi said. "We believed a pattern had been established."

Continue reading "UPDATE: Shell casings, other clues led FBI to Hunterdon County bank where agent got shot" »

An FBI agent is testifying in the trial of three accused bank robbers whose capture led to the death of another agent, according to an Associated Press report.

Agent Carrie Brzezinski is describing the investigation that led to the arrest of Wilfredo Berrios, Efrain Lynn and Francisco Herrera-Genao, who are accused of robbing four banks and trying to rob a fifth in early 2007.

At the last one, FBI Agent Barry Lee Bush of Forks Township was shot and killed by another agent who mistook him for a suspect.

Continue reading "Trial under way for three alleged bank robbers whose capture led to death of FBI Agent Barry Bush" »

Easton Area High School was evacuated briefly this morning after someone found a note indicating there was a bomb in the building, according to an e-mail alert.

The building was cleared out, and authorities searched the premises after the note was found at 9:55 this morning in a girls' bathroom. Authorities did not find anything suspicious, and students were allowed to return to the building before 11 o'clock.

A woman was robbed of cash Sunday morning in Easton and police are investigating.

Inspector Matthew Gerould said an Easton woman was robbed about 7 a.m. near Sixth and Northampton streets. Gerould said two men jumped out of a van and approached the woman. They fled with about $200, and the woman could not provide a description of them.

Gerould said no weapons were displayed during the robbery and the woman, whose name police are not releasing, was not injured.

A fire that damaged one apartment at 609 Northampton St. on Sunday was arson, Easton fire officials said today.

The fire broke out about 8:45 a.m., city police Inspector Matthew Gerould said. He said there were no injuries reported.

Fire officials on Sunday said one person was displaced by the fire.

Continue reading "Northampton Street fire was arson, Easton officials say" »

PTA membership is overwhelming female. Out of the 5.5 million members in the National PTA, only about 10 percent are men. That trend is starting to change, albeit slowly, both locally and nationally.

Next year's incoming president, Chuck Sailors, will be the first male president in National PTA history. Locally, about 80 fathers sat down for a breakfast last month with their kids at the Easton Area Middle School 5-6 building.

Jennifer Holzberger, who helped organize the breakfast, said children are used to their mothers participating in school events, but having both parents involved places that much more emphasis on the value of education.

Continue reading "PTA breakfast celebrates importance of fathers in kids' education" »

The Paul Green School of Rock Music is coming to Easton.

The Lopatcong Township couple who plan to open the franchise, Sue and Ray Thierrin, were inspired by their son's commitment to practicing his instrument after beginning lessons at another School of Rock location.

"We can't get him off the bass," Thierrin said.

The Thierrins plan to lease the South Bank Street site that is currently home to the Easton Museum of Pez Dispensers.

Marlen Elias Horvath of Forks Township has donated more than 20 gallons of breast milk to the WakeMed Mothers' Milk Bank in Raleigh, N.C., for newborns whose mothers can't breast feed them.

The frozen milk can be stored for up to six months and is especially good for infants born prematurely. Elias Horvath, who has two sons under 5, uses a breast pump to collect the milk she donates.

"I'm a giving person," said Elias Horvath, an adjunct professor at Warren County and Northampton community colleges. "And when I do, it feels good, and in a way, it's almost selfish ... I feel selfish feeling so good."

Read the story linked above then tell us what you think of donating breast milk by posting a comment.

Shoppers came from near and far to spend one final Black Friday shopping at Bixler's Jewelers on Centre Square. The Easton institution, which has billed itself as America's oldest jeweler, is shuttering its doors early next year after 223 years in the city.

The company plans to continue its other Lehigh Valley location at 1457 MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township and is pursuing plans to open a new store along the Route 33 corridor.

"When we heard my wife and I couldn't believe it," said Easton native Michael Loquasto of Virginia, who was intent on making one last trip to the store.

Continue reading "Bixler's Jewelers opens doors for last Black Friday at Easton location" »

Three Phillipsburg fans, including two Phillipsburg High School students, faced summary charges after a fight Thursday against one Easton fan during the traditional Thanksgiving Day football game at Lafayette College.

"It was an Easton versus Phillipsburg thing," said Easton police Captain Michael Vangelo.

Craig Williams, 18, of Mansfield Township, and two 16-year-old males attacked an Easton fan during the second quarter, when the Red Rovers led the Stateliners by at least four touchdowns.

Continue reading "Three Phillipsburg fans fight Easton supporter at Thanksgiving football game" »

Easton's annual Peace Candle lighting ceremony begins tonight at 5 o'clock in Centre Square.

Adam Garcia, a 9-year-old city resident, is scheduled to throw the candle's light switch at 7:15.

Downtown streets will be lined with luminaries for the event and fire pits are to be lit for hand-warming during the ceremony.

The event will feature Santa Claus, live reindeer, horse-drawn carriage rides, Christmas caroling and more. It runs until 9 o'clock. Here is a complete listing of tonight's schedule.

The much-anticipated game wasn't much of a game after all.

Easton's Red Rovers couldn't be stopped in the first half, scoring 21 points in the first quarter and rolling to a 35-0 halftime lead in what was their best performance of the season, a 35-14 victory in the 102nd meeting between the two teams.

With the mercy rule in force in the second half, Phillipsburg played better after intermission, but with the clock running continuously, the Stateliners never threatened a serious comeback.

Continue reading "Easton dominates Phillipsburg in Turkey Day trouncing, 35-14" »

A man was robbed at knifepoint in Easton's West Ward shortly before 10 o'clock tonight, according to radio reports.

According to reports the man knocked on the door of a house on the first block of South Seventh Street and told the person inside he was robbed. A Northampton County dispatcher said no injuries were reported.

Continue reading "Man robbed at knifepoint in Easton" »

The players and fans are ready, the weather is expected to cooperate and the storylines are in place for the 102nd meeting between cross-river rivals Easton and Phillipsburg.

The game means everything to the two teams.

Easton is looking to avoid its first losing season since 2002.

Phillipsburg wants to continue a stretch of impressive football which has the Stateliners still alive for a New Jersey sectional title.

Continue reading "Tradition before turkey: Easton versus P'burg for the 102nd time" »

On Wednesday morning, somebody fired a flaming arrow at the massive pile of wood Easton Area High School students built for the bonfire they burn each year before the Thanksgiving Day showdown with Phillipsburg High School.

That somebody -- and we shouldn't be so presumptuous as to guess who it might have been -- tried to steal the Red Rovers thunder in advance of their Fisher Stadium match-up with the Stateliners.

Upon hitting its mark, the arrow was immediately extinguished, and the mischievous archer foiled. Easton students lit the bonfire themselves on Wednesday night while Phillipsburg students enjoyed a fireworks show across the Delaware River.

Continue reading "Flaming arrow nearly ignites Easton bonfire; Stateliners eyed as pranksters" »

If Eric Burgey's case were being tried in the court of public opinion, he'd be in bad shape right now.

Five out of seven lehighvalleylive.com readers who posted comments about the 17-year-old's attempt to get back on Easton Area High School's wrestling team via a lawsuit don't think he deserves a second chance. He got booted following his arrest on drug and alcohol charges.

marky22 wrote: HE BELONGS IN JAIL!!!!!!

adcs2 wrote: Bye, Bye Burgey

goodgovern wrote: The school board did the right thing. Why send our children to a school where preferential treatment is given athletes on disciplinary matters.

Continue reading "Former Easton wrestler seeking second chance with lawsuit" »

A 19-year-old has been charged with theft and other offenses after police say he stole cash and merchandise from his Palmer Township employer, Piercing Pagoda.

Donald G. Heimbecker of the 2700 block of John Street in Palmer Township allegedly took $1,500 cash and $1,700 in jewelry from the Palmer Park Mall kiosk where he worked.

Continue reading "Police: Palmer Twp. teen stole cash, merchandise from employer" »

A former Easton Area High School wrestler kicked off the team following his arrest on alcohol and drug charges is suing the district in hopes of competing with the Red Rovers again.

Palmer Township resident Eric Burgey, 17, and his parents filed the lawsuit today in Northampton County Court.

According to the suit, Burgey was found intoxicated and carrying a small amount of marijuana during a football game at Easton's Cottingham Stadium. He was subsequently expelled from EAHS and, contrary to a school board recommendation, booted from the team.

Continue reading "Ex-Easton Area High School wrestling standout suing to rejoin team" »