Penn State VP for Intercollegiate Athletics Patrick Kraft says watching Penn State lose at home to Northwestern was the straw that broke the camel's back in terms of coach James Franklin's future. "I felt after Saturday and sitting down and looking at everything and in the best interest of our student-athletes and where the program was going, at this time we just had to make the hard decision," Kraft said. Franklin is replaced by his cornerbacks coach, Terry Smith, who explained what success will look like over the next six games. "Success is the team pulling the rope in the same direction. When you watch us play, you guys (the media) will come in here and your questions won't be effort. They won't be why we looked lethargic. If we lose, it's going to be because the other team beat us and they were just better," Smith said. Smith was a Nittany Lions wide receiver from 1987 to 1991.
A third person has now pleaded guilty to the December murder of a man in Whitehall Township. 35-year-old Christian Martinez-Ramos, of Allentown, will spend up to 60 years in prison after admitting to killing a Palmerton man to death outside a MacArthur Road store. Two other defendants in the case previously pleaded guilty. The wife of the victim Hector Garcia Gomez, Brenda Rodriguez, could get up to 20 years when she is sentenced next month. Martinez-Ramos’ ex-partner, Liz Pacheco, was already sentenced to five-to-ten years behind bars.
A man wanted by police for allegedly shooting into a moving vehicle in Wilson on October 4, is now also accused of a crime in Pen Argyl. 19-year-old Frandy Almanzar is accused of shooting into a moving vehicle in the 2000 block of Ferry Street in Wilson and injuring his brother with a hammer before fleeing. Now, Slate Belt Regional Police say Almanzar is facing terroristic threats and simple assault charges for an incident in Pen Argyl last month. Authorities say Almanzar should be considered armed and dangerous.
A driver suffered minor injuries after being pulled out of a burning car in North Whitehall Township. The crash happened around 3:30 Monday afternoon on Coplay Creek Road. The driver was trapped inside before being pulled out of the burning car. State police are investigating the crash.
A man is in custody after authorities say he broke into a sorority house at Lehigh University. LUPD officers were called to the Alpha Phi sorority early Sunday morning after a student discovered a back door forcibly opened. Police said a man inside the building was found and arrested. The department said the man was not a student at Lehigh, but did have a connection to the house.
Penn State's public radio and television station will stay on the air. The Board of Trustees approved a deal yesterday that will transfer the operating assets of WPSU to Philadelphia-based public media organization WHYY. Before the deal, the university was planning to close WPSU due to financial issues. Penn State said the agreement keeps the station operational while reducing its financial commitment.
Communities along the Jersey Shore are recovering from the damaging effects of a nor'easter that hit this past weekend. The storm, coupled with high tides and strong winds, caused widespread flooding all along the coastline Sunday and Monday with communities like Manasquan and Sea Bight among those hit the hardest. New Jersey Transit announced coastal bus routes and train service are running for the morning commute. Service between Atlantic City and Philadelphia has also resumed.
The Eagles are losing a key member of their pass rush to retirement. Philadelphia edge rusher Za'Darius Smith abruptly announced his retirement on social media on Monday. The veteran informed the team Monday morning about his decision following their Week Six loss to the New York Giants. The 33-year-old signed a one-year, 4.25-million-dollar deal with the team following Week One. He totaled 10 total tackles and one-and-a-half sacks through five games. Smith wraps up his career with 70-and-a-half sacks in 145 games split between the Ravens, Packers, Vikings, Browns, Lions and Eagles.