Allentown Diocese Bishop Alfred Schlert says he's optimistic about the Catholic Church's first American Pope, Leo XIV. Schlert says the new Pope has a terrific background for the job. "I think he brings a truly global perspective in the sense that he knows the South American reality. He knows the North American reality. He knows the European reality because he's been in all those areas and I think he would also understand the African reality to the extent that somebody who hasn't lived there would," the bishop says. Schlert admits he was a bit surprised to have the new pope elected as quickly as he was.
It turns out the new pope previously spent time in the Philadelphia area. Robert Francis Prevost graduated from Villanova University back in 1977. He took the name Pope Leo XIV yesterday. Pope Leo XIV earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. Students heard bells yesterday at Villanova which informed them that the new pope was one of the university's own.
Both Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy have released statements following the election of Pope Leo XIV. In a post on X, Shapiro wrote, "Congratulations to Pope Leo XIV - a Villanova U grad with roots right here in our Commonwealth. May your papacy be marked by strength, courage, compassion, and humility as you lead the Catholic Church forward." Murphy says he prays for the pope's enduring success as he becomes the spiritual leader for more than one billion Roman Catholics around the world, including himself.
A man faces up to life in prison for the fatal shooting of a teenager when he was 16 years old. Elijah Patterson was sentenced to at least 50 years behind bars yesterday for the death of 15-year-old Treshawn Tracy in September 2022. The now-19-year-old Patterson shot and killed Tracy at Stevens Park in Allentown following an altercation that started over a bag of chips. He was convicted of first-degree murder in March. Video surveillance showed Patterson and Tracy arguing and Patterson shooting Tracy once in the face with a handgun and then after Patterson fell, twice more in the back.
After pleading guilty to a 2020 robbery and killing, 42-year-old Jose Santiago has been sentenced to 30-60 years behind bars. Santiago robbed and then killed 21-year-old Christian Lopez-Rodriguez on the Hamilton Street Bridge on the afternoon of October 17, 2020. Video surveillance from the Hamilton Street Bridge showed the robbery and killing, and prosecutors say ballistic evidence determined Jose Santiago’s gun was used in the killing.
Authorities are confirming the cause of an apartment fire in Bethlehem last week that displaced over 100 people. Investigators say the massive blaze at the Five Ten Flats apartment building was started by "improperly discarded smoking materials." Former Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan says surveillance video appeared to show a man putting out a cigarette in a planter on the roof. Officials said the fire displaced 135 residents.
There are no reports of injuries after a partial building collapse in Easton. Officials said part of the front of a building on the 1200 block of Butler Street came down yesterday afternoon. The collapse reportedly caused bricks and other debris to fall onto the sidewalk in front of the structure. The cause of the collapse remains under investigation.
Spring turkey hunting season continues across the commonwealth this weekend. Hunters can take aim on state game lands beginning 30 minutes before sunrise until noon each day between now and May 17th. The limit is one turkey per day and a total of two for the season with a valid license. Pa.gov has more details.
The National Association of Letter Carriers will conduct its annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive tomorrow. About 10,000 cities across the U.S. will participate. To donate, leave non-perishable food items in a bag near your mailbox on Saturday, May 10th. Donations will return to the local post office and then sent to nearby food banks. Tomorrow is the 33rd anniversary of the largest one-day food drive in the nation.
It's back to the drawing board for state lawmakers who are trying to pass legislation to help crack down on disturbances on Jersey Shore beaches. Governor Phil Murphy vetoed a bill that would increase penalties for starting public brawls. The bill was in response to fights that broke out last summer on Jersey Shore beaches. It had quickly passed both chambers this year but Governor Murphy says he worried it could infringe on First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly. Murphy praised legislators for acting quickly to tackle the problem. Lawmakers have about three weeks to change the bill to address Murphy's concerns before the Memorial Day holiday.
It's win or go home for the Hershey Bears. The back-to-back Calder Cup champions need a win in Game Four of the Atlantic Division Semifinals tonight to keep their hopes for a three-peat alive. A road victory against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms sends the series back to Hershey for a deciding Game Five. Game Four is set for just after seven in Allentown.