Police say a former West Easton Borough employee stole money from the borough. 62-year-old David Gehman, of Coopersburg, allegedly stole more than $57,000 in sewer and trash cash payments made by West Easton residents from January 2021 to August 2023. Gehman allegedly accepted payments from residents, but made false entries into the Borough's computer accounting system saying the money was deposited. Residents still received receipts confirming their payment without the bank deposits ever being made.
The gas price situation in both the Lehigh Valley and across Pennsylvania is not pretty right now. According to AAA East Central, Pennsylvania's average gas price is $3.39 a gallon, up eight cents from one week ago. That's 23 cents less than this time last year however. In the Lehigh Valley, the average price sits at $3.29, up nearly nine cents from the previous week, but down 22 cents from the 2024 number.
Today is day three of the Miles Pfeffer murder trial in Philadelphia. He's charged with killing Temple University police Sergeant Christopher Fitzgerald in February 2023. Fitzgerald's father is former Allentown police Chief Joel Fitzgerald, who spoke briefly after Tuesday's testimony. "We got a judge who's trying to be balanced and fair. We appreciate that. All we wanted was a fair shake," Fitzgerald said outside the courthouse. Tuesday, Pfeffer's brother and a friend testified and a video was played in which the jury heard the struggle between Fitzgerald and Pfeffer and saw Pfeffer shoot Fitzgerald six times.
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity says the state's Money Match program is working. "The first batch of checks went out in March to more than 7000 people, getting more than $1.7 million back into the right hands," Garrity says. She says the second batch of checks, this time totaling more than $9.2 million, has been mailed. The checks are sent to residents who have unclaimed property valued at up to $500. That unclaimed property includes things like uncashed checks, insurance policies and items that may have been in abandoned safe deposit boxes. For property valued at more than $500, claimants still must file a claim.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is joining a lawsuit against the Trump administration over sweeping cuts to federal funding for states. The lawsuit filed yesterday by 20 states and Washington, DC argues the President is misusing a single provision buried in federal regulations to strip away billions of dollars in critical funding. It claims the regulation doesn't authorize federal agencies to terminate grants based on changes in agency preferences. Shapiro said "Pennsylvanians pay their taxes to the federal government, and they deserve the goods and services that were promised to them in return."
New Jersey lawmakers are reportedly close to a budget deal that will include tax increases and total over $58 billion. The package also features $4.3 billion in property tax relief for New Jersey residents. The proposed tax increases would affect cigarettes, higher-value homes and online gaming. The budget blueprint would continue the popular ANCHOR program as well as another year for the Senior Freeze program. The package must be finished before the new fiscal year begins July first.
It's been a busy year for Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. The 26-year-old won a Super Bowl, he was named Super Bowl MVP, married the love of his life, and he's now an author. Jalen's children's book "Better Than a Touchdown" will be available next March. Fans can pre-order a copy now.
Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey and his staff are preparing for draft night. The team will be on the clock this evening with the number-three overall pick. Philadelphia is coming off a disappointing season, finishing 24-and-58 while also losing nine out of their last ten games. Tonight's festivities will start at 8 p.m.