A woman admits to helping set up her husband's murder. Brenda Rodriguez, of Palmerton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy yesterday in the death of Hector Garcia Gomez last December. He was shot to death in the parking lot of a store in Whitehall Township. Authorities said Rodriguez arranged her husband's death because she thought he was having an affair. She faces up to 20 years in prison. The two men accused of carrying out the killing are still awaiting trial.
A Lehigh Valley man has changed his mind. In April, 44-year-old Costas Alestas pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a female student at East Hills Middle School. Now, he is withdrawing that guilty plea. Alestas was in court Monday with the expectation he would be sentenced for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. Instead, his attorney said Alestas has decided to now plead not guilty. Alestas was a school resource officer and soccer coach at East Hills Middle School at the time of his arrest.
Lehigh University is selling a church it bought two years ago to St. Luke's University Health Network. Lehigh says it has struck a deal with St. Luke's for the former St. John's Windish Evangelical Lutheran Church at 617 East 4th Street in Bethlehem. The church was one of three Lehigh University purchased back in 2023 for $3.75 million, after the congregations voted in favor of consolidation. St. Luke's says the property will "expand the scope and impact of St. Luke’s community health services." The sale price wasn't disclosed.
When the Easton Area School Board meets one week from tonight, a demonstration is planned in support of Easton Area High School nurse Kelly Keegan. She is being criticized by some for her social media posts following the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In those posts, Keegan called him a “monster” and said his wife and children are better off without him. Supporters are being asked to bring “I’m with Kelly” signs to the school board meeting at on Tuesday. That meeting has been moved from the education center to a larger venue at Easton Area Middle School in Forks Township.
The search for a man who went missing in a pond in Allentown yesterday is being suspended. First responders were called to the pond at Allentown Rose Gardens shortly before 5 p.m. following reports the man was missing and possibly in danger. Crews found the man's belongings along the edge of the pond, but were unable to find him after several hours. He has not been identified.
A man is in custody after authorities say he shot himself during an assault. Authorities said the man grabbed a gun after he and a woman assaulted multiple people in a Bethlehem parking lot last weekend but accidentally shot himself. He was taken to the hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The man faces several charges, while the woman is charged with simple assault.
Thousands gathered in front of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Monday for the annual March for Life. Michael Geer is the president and CEO of the PA Family Institute and says the issue is not going away despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning the Roe vs Wade ruling that legalized abortion. "There are lawmakers who are doing other things to try to expand and create more abortions in our state," Geer says. This year's march started with a worship service that included prayers for the fallen York County officers and conservative figure Charlie Kirk.
The Northern York County Regional Police officers killed in the line of duty last week will be laid to rest on Thursday. The funeral for Detective Sergeant Cody Becker, Detective Isaiah Emenheiser, and Detective Mark Baker will be held at Living Word Community Church in Red Lion. It's the same church where the funeral was held for West York Officer Andrew Duarte earlier this year. The service is not open to the public, but will be live-streamed.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office is warning the state to watch out for scammers after the deadly shooting of three police officers in York County last week. AG Dave Sunday says criminals are always looking to scam caring and generous people after tragedies. Sunday said anyone looking to donate should do your research to make sure your donations reach the people who need them. Anyone who believes they were targeted by a scam is encouraged to contact the Attorney General's Office.