Federal officials gave an update yesterday on the investigation into the devastating fire at an Easton hotel earlier this year. Investigators said there were numerous unsolved problems at the Hotel Hampton years before the blaze in February, adding that the building hadn't been inspected for almost a decade. Henry Hennings is Easton's fire chief and says he welcomes the investigation. "The city of Easton welcomes the recommendation and views them as an opportunity to further strengthen its already strong operational foundation. And at the same time, it is important to clarify that the actions taken by Easton personnel were appropriate given the information and resources available at the time the incident was dispatched," Hennings said. The report noted that the fire department made many requests for the city to conduct inspections, but they were never fulfilled. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
Ground has been broken on a new Public Safety Building in Allentown. The new $37 million facility will be an expansion of the current building in the 400 block of West Hamilton Street and will allow up to 250 officers to work under the same roof. $9 million of the cost will come from federal funds, while the city will pick up the tab for the remaining $28 million. Construction is expected to take about two years. The new building has allowed the city to sell its police substation at 1005 West Hamilton Street to the Allentown Art Museum.
A Bethlehem Township commissioner is accused of harassing his neighbors over the course of several years. Township police say they have 11 reports since September 2022 of 67-year-old Michael Hudak harassing his next door neighbors. Hudak and the neighbors share a property line and the neighbors claim Hudak will go outside every time they do and follow them around their yard. Police say Hudak has no apparent reason to do that, other than to harass them. He's charged with stalking and harassment.
Police in Forks Township are looking for a missing man they say has early-onset dementia and Type II diabetes. Selwyn Forrester left his home in the 1800 block of Cherry Avenue in Forks Township Monday evening at approximately 6 o'clock and hasn't been seen since. Forrester is described as a Black male and weighing 6-foot-4, weighing approximately 220 pounds, and having salt-and-pepper hair and a beard. He was last seen wearing a beige, black, and white plaid shirt with black slacks.
Hersheypark is planning to open as scheduled as contract negotiations continue with its workers union. Park officials say Hersheypark is still preparing to begin the 2026 summer season next Thursday but acknowledged discussions with Local 464 are ongoing. The park said it wouldn't "speculate on outcomes," but remains committed to the bargaining process. Local 464 represents more than 4000 workers at Hershey Entertainment and Resorts.
President Trump is on his way to China for a meeting with President Xi Jinping. Pennsylvania senator Dave McCormick hopes the two leaders cooperate on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and concluding the war with Iran. McCormick says China is far more dependent on Iranian oil that we are. "They should want to find a resolution and add more pressure. They are also a supporter of Iran with a lot of military technology and I would hope the president is going to make them stop helping Iran with its ballistic missiles and so forth," McCormick said.
Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman joined Senate Republicans in confirming Kevin Warsh to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors on Tuesday, paving the way for his chairman vote. The vote was 51-45 along party lines except for Fetterman, who voted with the GOP majority. Warsh has expressed caution about cutting interest rates this year despite pressure from President Trump to lower borrowing costs. The Senate is expected to hold the final confirmation vote for Warsh to become the new Federal Reserve Chair on Wednesday.
A New Jersey judge has refused to dismiss charges against the driver charged in the fatal accident that killed NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. Salem County court records show the motion was denied Monday after a judge ruled the grand jury evidence was sufficient. Officials say Sean Higgins was drunk and driving recklessly when he struck the brothers while they rode bicycles in August 2024. Defense attorneys argued the grand jury received misleading blood alcohol evidence and claimed Higgins' BAC was below the legal limit. Prosecutors maintain witness statements and Higgins' leaving the scene support the aggravated manslaughter charges. Higgins' next court appearance is set for June 16th.
Tickets have gone on sale for New Jersey Transit train rides for World Cup match days. NJ Transit has increased up the price to $105 dollars for the eight World Cup matches to be played at MetLife Stadium. NJ Transit estimates it will be cost $48 million to disrupt normal train service to accommodate for the World Cup. Governor Mikie Sherrill insists it will not be paid for by New Jersey taxpayers. Sherrill says she is still putting pressure on FIFA to help cover train costs and is talking with corporate sponsors to lower the price.
A Temple University scientist has found a plant that botanists believe only exists in The Garden State's Pine Barrens. Horticulture professor Scott Eisenman says he spent ten years researching the plant, which grows to about two feet high with small, white flowers sprouting from the top of stems. It falls in the Triantha family of plants, and Eisenman named it "novacaesariensis," which translates to "New Jersey" in Latin. The Temple professor and other scientists say giving the plant a name and identifying it as found only in New Jersey's Pine Barrens can help efforts to protect it and its habitat.
The 76ers fired Daryl Morey on Tuesday. He was the president of basketball operations. The Sixers also announced Nick Nurse will remain the head coach, but acknowledged they need to find the "right leader" to shape the future of the team. Morey held the president role for the past six seasons, with Philly reaching the playoffs in five of them.