An Easton man wanted for a triple shooting remains on the loose. Police charged Oris Barner Wednesday with attempted homicide in connection to the incident which took place last summer. Barner allegedly shot two women and a man early on August 9th near 13th and Washington streets in Easton's West Ward, however all three survived the attack. Barner was already wanted for weapons charges and other offenses. Police warn Barner should be considered armed and dangerous.
A babysitter is facing charges for sexually assaulting one of the boys she was hired to watch. 19-year-old Aubrey Collins was arraigned Wednesday on counts related to child endangerment, the corruption of minors and indecent assault. Upper Nazareth Township police allege Collins, who was hired to sit for two boys ages 13 and five last July, ended up assaulting the older child in his home while leaving the younger boy unattended. Police say Collins and the victim also communicated through texts and social media concerning possible future physical interactions.
Bethlehem City Council has voted 5-0 in favor of a $16-to-$18 million expansion of the Banana Factory on West Third Street. The center aims to create an arts-based preschool program, additional classes for people of all ages and a black box theater. The expansion will require the demolition of some standing buildings, including a garage and a 19th-century house.
For the third time, South Whitehall Township commissioners have given the owner of the old King George Inn a one-year extension to determine how he plans to use the property. This time, however, commissioners are telling Atul Patel he'll need to make a progress update in six months. Patel has said he plans to keep most of the historic building to remain standing but hasn't indicated how it will factor into his plans to building a five-story hotel, drugstore and bank.
The state reports flu-related deaths in Pennsylvania are soaring. The confirmed fatality count in Pennsylvania due to the flu has risen from 31 to 47, with 30 of those being ages 65 and older. The total reported flu cases jumped by nearly 13,000 since last week. Lehigh County has the fifth-most reported flu cases, Berks County the sixth-most and Northampton County the seventh-most.
New Jersey officials are confirming a second child has died from flu-related complications. The Department of Health says the victim, identified only as a toddler from northern New Jersey, died earlier this month. A child from central Jersey who died in late December was the first confirmed pediatric flu death this season. Health officials recommend taking necessary precautions such as washing hands, covering when sneezing or coughing, staying home when sick and getting vaccinated.
A frequent Bethlehem performer is coming back to the that city this summer. The Steve Miller Band and five-time Grammy Award-winning country singer Marty Stuart are coming to Musikfest's Steel Stage on the night of August 3rd. Miller has been at Musikfest in both 2005 and 2011, at the ArtsQuest Center at an invitation-only show in 2011 and played a sold-out show at the Sands Event Center in 2015. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday.
A state lawmaker is pushing legislation aimed at preventing lawmakers who are convicted of breaking the law from keeping their pension. State Sen. John DiSanto wants to revive a bill that passed the Senate but stalled in the House last year mandating crime reporting to the State Employees' Retirement System and the Public School Employees' Retirement System.
In its second month, gamblers in Pennsylvania have doubled the amount they wagered on sports. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board says $32 million was bet in January, up from about half that in December. One-third of the bets were made at SugarHouse Casino, followed by Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh.
Two state senators are proposing a bill that would extend family medical leave rights. Senators Tom Killion and Andy Dinniman say their measure would provide up to six weeks of protected but unpaid leave for someone to care for a terminally ill family member, including a sibling, grandparent or grandchild. Dinniman says they're working to make this bill specific and as business friendly as possible.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro says his office is still getting complaints about Verizon Communications. Shapiro filed a lawsuit last week saying the company didn't deliver on promised incentives for some two-year contracts. Since filing the suit and receiving assurances from the company that the problems are behind them, Shapiro says he's gotten dozens of calls saying that isn't the case.
Authorities say New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker was among the targets listed by a Coast Guard officer facing charges for planning a domestic terror attack. FBI agents arrested Lt. Christopher Hasson and seized a stockpile of weapons and ammunition from his Maryland home. But authorities say that's just the tip of the iceberg. Government court filings claim Hasson planned to launch a terror attack on a list of targets that included Booker.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is out at least a week with a sore left knee. An MRI has revealed no structural damage, but the team says he will undergo physical therapy and be evaluated again next week.