Tanker Fire Video on New PennDOT YouTube Channel

PennDOT's new YouTube channel features safety information and a video of a recent highway tanker fire.

PennDOT has a new YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/PennsylvaniaDOT, to expand its public outreach on safety and education initiatives, as well as department operations. “Our YouTube channel is our next step in communicating with our customers in more personal, interactive ways,” PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch said. So far, the new PennDOT YouTube channel includes: In the future, the department plans to add videos featuring department maintenance operations as well as highway safety efforts. The channel complements PennDOT’s social media outreach on Facebook and Twitter. Since the department launched its official Twitter account – PennDOTNews – in 2010, more than 11,000 followers have signed on. The PennDOT Facebook page, which was …

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Zero Tolerance for Seat Belt Violations Over Memorial Day Weekend

Drivers can expect roving patrols, safety checkpoints and special attention to seat belt compliance over Memorial Day Weekend.

PennDOT will partner with more than 600 law enforcement agencies and the Pennsylvania State Police to participate in a national “Click It or Ticket” seat-belt enforcement effort through June 9. The effort will focus largely on nighttime enforcement, using traffic safety checkpoints and roving patrols. Police will also use Traffic Enforcement Zones, which combine roving patrol and checkpoint tactics on roadways with high numbers of unbuckled crashes. According to PennDOT data, 503 people died last year in unbelted crashes, a decrease from 509 such fatalities in 2011. The total number of crashes in which people were not wearing seat belts also decreased to 15,528, compared with 16,298 in 2011. The majority of enforcement will occur at night…

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Kyle

2:31 pm on Saturday, May 25, 2013

Can you site your source for those facts?   more ›

Alleged Embezzler's Pension Could Get Frozen

Nancy Tonkin, the former South Whitehall utility supervisor who is charged with her husband, William, of embezzling $850,000 from the township, might not have access to her pension.

The pension South Whitehall Utilities Supervisor Nancy Tonkin earned over 30 years could be frozen if she is judged guilty of embezzling $850,000 from the township, according to Township Manager Jon Hammer. Hammer said the township would take steps permissable under law to stop the flow of money from Tonkin's pension. Her husband, William, 69, a South Whitehall police officer from 1969 to 1996,was charged Wednesday with the same felonies. Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin said there was some question under the law whether his police pension could be frozen. "But that's a civil matter that's left up to the township," Martin said at a press conference on Tuesday. None of the money has been recovered yet, Martin said. "We will …

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Jean

11:22 am on Saturday, May 25, 2013

I know Ganguzza and Fehnel have sex in the office now that Gasda and Perry dont anymores   more ›

Casey, Toomey Comment on IRS Hearing

Wednesday's Senate hearing on the IRS 'Tea Party' scandal included Pennsylvania's Sen. Pat Toomey and Sen. Bob Casey, who both released statements after the event.

Pennsylvania's Sen. Bob Casey (D) and Sen. Pat Toomey (R) both participated in Wednesday's hearing about IRS scrutinty of conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status. Both men released statements regarding the event. Witnesses before the Senate Finance Committee were: Casey, chairman of the Finance Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth, said:  “Pennsylvanians and Americans across the country deserve to know that the IRS and all government agencies do their jobs without prejudice or political agenda.  I intend to hold accountable those responsible for any breach of the taxpayer’s trust.  Today, as a member of the Senate Finance Committee, I directly questioned top IRS officials about what took place, who was …

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Election 2013

Browning Concedes, Ott Wins GOP Nod for Lehigh County Executive

Republican Dean Browning concedes defeat to Scott Ott for their party's nomination for Lehigh County executive in Tuesday's primary, according to unofficial vote tallies.

Republican Scott Ott apparently beat challenger Dean Browning for the GOP nomination for Lehigh County Executive, according to unofficial tallies. Ott, a Lehigh County commissioner, will now face the apparent Democratic nominee, Tom Muller, who was named acting county executive last week, in the November general election. Browning, of South Whitehall, conceded the race about 10 p.m. at a gathering at the Buckeye Tavern in Macungie. He had been trying to make a political comeback after having been ousted as a county commissioner two years ago. He campaigned hard, airing TV commercials and emailing campaign messages. According to tallies reported on wfmz.com, Ott, of Lower Macungie, had 5,688 votes with 83 percent of the precincts reporting…

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South Whitehall Voters Guide: 2013 Primary

Here's what you need to know about Tuesday's primary election in South Whitehall Township.

Tuesday, May 21 is primary election day in Pennsylvania. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Poll problems? Contact the Lehigh County voter registration office at 610-782-3194. How to Use Touch Screen Voting Machines South Whitehall Races (click on the link for information on candidates) Lehigh County Races Voter ID According to Lehigh County Voter Registration: Polling Places Find Your Polling Place

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Liquor Bill Could Reform Beer Sales in Pa.

Privatization debates in the Pennsylvania General Assembly could mean changes to where Pennsylvanians can buy six-packs.

By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent HARRISBURG — A simple six-pack of beer is becoming a focal point of the most substantive legislative debate on Pennsylvania alcohol laws since Prohibition. A Tuesday afternoon Senate Law and Justice Committee on liquor privatization, headed by Chairman Chuck McIlhinney, R-Bucks, featured numerous testifiers discussing the already-private industry of beer sales. Chief among the concerns from the beer distributor industry and taverns is package reform, or allowing establishments who sell beer to sell different amounts. Under current law, beer distributors cannot sell less than a case, and bars or grocery stores with the ability to sell bottles cannot sell more than a 12-pack. The Senate, under McIlhinney’s…

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