Five Things to Know Today: Feb. 11

1.  Weather: Sunny with a high near 32 according to the National Weather Service. The wind will be from the southwest at 7 mph to 10 mph. Sunrise is at 7:01 and sunset at 5:32, which gives us about 2 minutes and 24 seconds more daylight than yesterday.

2.  Patch Exclusive: Emmaus and Macungie EMTs responded to a fatal explosion in an Allentown neighborhood late Wednesday. By Thursday morning media from Philadelphia and New York descended on the city, but only Patch got dramatic and emotional interviews with residents who escaped from the fire with only the clothes on their backs.

3.  Coming Up: The Big Freeze – Governor Corbett last week froze portions of the state budget most of which was slated for education. This comes just as East Penn is considering a tax increase to mend its own budget shortfall. On Monday, the school board votes on the preliminary budget. Later today, Patch will provide you with a primer on the East Penn budget process.

4.  Library Fundraiser: The Emmaus Public Library is holding its Valentine’s Gala at Brookside Country Club, Saturday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. There will be hors d’oevres, complimentary wine (and a cash bar) with David Roper on piano. But most importantly, it contributes to the building of a new children's wing for the library. Tickets available at Library.

5.  Words to Live By: That which doesn’t kill us makes us stronge. – Friedrich Nietzche