Downtown Allentown is losing a drug store. Rite Aid has announced it's closing its store at North Seventh and Linden streets, with its inventory being sold for up to 75-percent off. That store opened nearly nine years ago and is one of nearly 1200 other Rite Aid stores set to close. An official closing date has not been announced. Rite Aid has already transferred prescriptions at that location to the CVS at 1601 Liberty St. or other CVS locations.
The Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority launches a new app and fare system today. LANTA usage will be tracked through the app or use of a permanent smartcard with riders charged according to what would be the best deal for their travel. Otherwise, passengers can pay two dollars for a single-use ticket with 25 cents for transfers. Lantabus-dot-com has more details.
St. Luke's University Health Network has reported the Lehigh Valley's first confirmed human case of West Nile virus for this year. St. Luke's says the patient had been critically ill, but has since recovered. West Nile virus is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito, though some other insects can carry it. The vast majority of people who become infected will experience no symptoms, but about 20% may experience some symptoms within two to 14 days of being infected. Those symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, a rash on the chest or back, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat and pain behind the eyes.
Authorities are continuing their search for a New Jersey man wanted in connection with a Bethlehem shooting. Two people were injured in the Friday night incident at the Sizzling Bites restaurant on East 3rd Street. Reports say that 18-year-old Ashton Thomas was part of a group of people caught on video engaged in an argument outside of the restaurant. Thomas is charged with attempted homicide.
A woman is facing charges after a man's body was found Sunday inside a Carbon County home. Police were headed to the residence to serve a warrant when they received a dispatch about some sort of disturbance at the property. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found a 79-year-old man unresponsive. The victim was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Thirty-two-year-old Ashley Self is charged with involuntary manslaughter.
State Police are reporting results from a weekend roving enforcement patrol in Northampton County. Between 10 p.m. Saturday and 3 a.m. Sunday, twelve people were arrested for DUI. Other arrests and citations were also made or issued. Five people were busted for underage drinking.
Northampton County is getting a new Chipotle restaurant. The fast causal Mexican food chain continues its growth in the area with a new location on Butler Street in Wilson. The restaurant is expected to open next month.
The overdue Pennsylvania budget has gotten to the finger-pointing stage. House Republican Leader Jesse Topper is blaming the Democrat-controlled House. Topper says, “It is sad to say the state budget is now 42 days late and the continued piecemeal approach taken in the House regarding SEPTA funding and the lack of authentic negotiation has put an agreement further off than it has been before. If we continue down the path of showmanship instead of showing up to find real solutions to these very serious problems, this budget impasse will only continue to deepen." In a statement released Monday, Topper said SEPTA is in crisis, the state’s education system is in crisis and the state’s economic outlook is in crisis.
Two people are dead after explosions at the Clairton Coke Works just before 11 o'clock Monday morning. Sara Innamorato is the Allegheny County executive and promises a thorough investigation into the tragedy at the U.S. Steel facility. "We aim to get to the bottom of the origin of what caused this explosion and prevent it from ever happening again," Innamorato said. Ten others were injured, five of whom have been released from the hospital.
Citing the state's efforts to increase its surplus and reduce its long-term liabilities, the S-and-P rating service has upgraded New Jersey's credit rating to A-Plus, the eighth credit rating upgrade since Governor Phil Murphy took office. The rating service last upgraded its rating for the Garden State from A-minus to A in April of 2023. In that same month, another rating service, Moody's, boosted its credit rating for New Jersey from A2 to A1.
Ed Kiziukiewicz has been working for a long time as a lifeguard at the Jersey Shore, saving lives and spending countless days making sure everyone on his watch leaves the beach safely. He has been working as a lifeguard since 1961 when he was math teacher at Brick High School. Now he's retired but he still spends his days at the Bay Head beach, where he has worked for the last 23 years. In fact, he has been working as a lifeguard longer than anyone in the country and is now, at 82, recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest sitting lifeguard in the country. The winter doesn't slow him down, either: He's a ski instructor in upstate New York
The Eagles are hoping a key member of their offensive line will return for the regular season opener. ESPN reports Landon Dickerson is having a "minor procedure" on his right knee. The Pro Bowl guard suffered a meniscus injury during practice on Sunday and was carted off the field. The defending Super Bowl champs kick off the season at home against the Cowboys on September 4th.