Protesters Unite Against Westboro Baptist and Hate

Dozens of counter-protesters showed up at four Lehigh Valley churches Sunday where the controversial Westboro Baptist Church said it would protest.

Westboro Baptist Church's threat to protest at four Lehigh Valley churches on Sunday was, in the end, an idle one. The controversial church known for its extreme views on homosexuality and protests at military funerals, was a no-show. But the Kansas-based church rallied a diverse crowd that included a Sunday school teacher, a cigar afficionado club, motorcyclists in chaps and college students, to get up early on a frigid Sunday morning to publicly and peacefully take a stand against Westboro's message of hate and intolerance. Westboro's potential presence here was enough to get Ryan Bitler, 22, of Bethlehem, out of bed and attend his first protest. Bitler is a Pennsylvania National Guardsman who served a year in Afghanistan as a machine …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (9)
• Videos (1)

Oops! iPhone App Finds Phone Thief

Watch out if you're planning to steal an IPhone because there's an app that can find you.

South Whitehall Police were called to LA Fitness on Dec. 17 by David Orinski, who said his iPhone had been stolen. After using the Find my iPhone app, Orinski said it led him to a home at 1160 Overlook Rd. The phone was then shut down remotely. Police report Danielle  Gehringer, 31, lives at 1160 Overlook Rd., is a member of LA Fitness and was present at the gym when the phone was taken on Dec. 16 between 2:20 and 2:45 p.m. Police said Gehringer admitted to taking possession of the phone and had it in her bedroom. The phone was recovered and returned to Orinski. A summons was sent for her to appear before Magisterial District Judge Jacob Hammond. A summons does not indicate a conviction.

• Photos (1)

Man Stabbed Half Brother to Death, Police Say

A Lehigh County man is dead and his half brother jailed on criminal homicide charges following an alcohol-fueled fight early Saturday, police say

Manhunt at Parkland High School Was False Alarm

Friday's lockdown and manhunt at Parkland High School came after a teacher saw a student who appeared suspicious.

A high school student trying to get in shape for military boot camp inadvertently triggered a massive emergency response Friday at Parkland High School, law enforcement and school officials said. The student's behavior appeared suspicious to a Parkland teacher, who saw him sweating, in a flak jacket, making a salute and saying a prayer at the flag pole about 4:45 p.m. before he ran off, officials said. She called the Lehigh County Communications Center to report it. But the student's behavior turned out to be innocent, said Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin at a 10 p.m. press conference held with South Whitehall officials and the Parkland School District superintendent. Officers had responded to the school after the call came in…

•  14 Comments
• Photos (2)

Vehicle Break-in Suspects Captured After Chase

Macungie police say assisting department used spike strip to puncture tire, stop fleeing thieves.

A resident's tip, police teamwork and a sharp device combined early Wednesday to deflate the plans of a pair who were stealing valuables from vehicles in Macungie, according to police. The drama began when borough police received a call from a resident about 4:45 a.m. that someone was looking inside of cars at the Brookfield Apartments in the area of Brookfield Drive and Brookfield Circle, borough police said. A Macungie officer was nearby and saw a man duck behind a parked car. Emmaus police were called to help search. When the Emmaus officers arrived, a vehicle with two men was seen fleeing, police said. Officers from both departments took up the chase. Officers sought assistance from South Whitehall Township police as the chase headed …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

get real

7:26 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012

I agree, great job, well done and thank you to the citizen and all police departments that were involved. To the police departments; the majority of citizens appreciate and respect what you do on a dailey basis to keep us safe, THANK YOU!   more ›