POLICE SAY A TRAIN HIT A CAR THAT STALLED ON TRACKS IN ALLENTOWN, BUT THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE BEFORE IMPACT. INVESTIGATORS SAY THE DRIVER MISTAKENLY DROVE ONTO THE TRACKS AT 31ST STREET AND INDUSTRIAL AVENUE AROUND 6:30 A.M. TUESDAY AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. POLICE SAY THE DRIVER THEN CALLED POLICE, WHO NOTIFIED NORFOLK SOUTHERN OF THE PROBLEM. BUT THE ONCOMING TRAIN WASN'T ABLE TO STOP BEFORE HITTING THE CAR AND PUSHING IT DOWN THE TRACKS. BY THAT TIME, THOUGH, THE DRIVER HAD ESCAPED AND NO ONE WAS HURT.
FORMER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT COMES TO THE LEHIGH VALLEY NEXT MONTH. ALBRIGHT, WHO SERVED UNDER PRESIDENT CLINTON, WILL BE AT LEHIGH UNIVERSITY ON FEBRUARY 12 AS PART OF THE SCHOOL'S KENNER LECTURE ON CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING AND TOLERANCE SERIES. HER ADDRESS WILL BE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
THE TRAVEL CHANNEL'S "EDGE OF AMERICA" SHOW CAME TO THE LEHIGH VALLEY LAST SEPTEMBER TO CHECK OUT BETHLEHEM'S CELTIC CLASSIC AND ITS HAGGIS EATING COMPETITION. THE SHOW AIRED TUESDAY NIGHT WITH HOST GEOFF EDGERS GOING TO THE BRAVEHEART HIGHLAND PUB IN HELLERTOWN TO LEARN HOW TO MAKE THE HAGGIS. EDGERS WAS ALSO SEEN AT THE CELTIC CLASSIC AND AT THE HAGGIS EATING CONTEST, WHICH HE DID NOT WIN.
INVESTIGATORS ARE CALLING AN EARLY MONDAY MORNING FIRE IN NORTH WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP SUSPICIOUS. THE FIRE BEGAN JUST BEFORE 1:30 MONDAY MORNING AT A BARN AT THE OLD IRONTON SLAUGHTERHOUSE. THE BARN WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. A STATE POLICE FIRE MARSHAL AND AN ALLENTOWN POLICE DOG TRAINED TO DETECT FIRE STARTERS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN TO AID THE INVESTIGATION.
GOV. TOM CORBETT IS EXPECTED TO CALL FOR AUCTIONING OFF WINE AND LIQUOR STORE LICENSES AND OPENING BEER AND WINE SALES TO A BROAD ARRAY OF RETAILERS, FROM BIG-BOX STORES TO DRUGSTORES. THE GOVERNOR WILL ANNOUNCE HIS PLAN TODAY IN PITTSBURGH. THE PLAN REPORTEDLY INVOLVES SHUTTING DOWN THE MORE THAN 600 STATE-OWNED WINE AND LIQUOR STORES AS A PRELUDE TO AUCTIONING 1,200 WINE AND LIQUOR STORE LICENSES. ALSO, OWNERS OF SUPERMARKETS, DRUGSTORES AND BIG-BOX STORES WOULD BE ABLE TO BUY SEPARATE LICENSES TO SELL BEER AND WINE. CONVENIENCE STORES WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO SELL BEER WHILE BEER DISTRIBUTORS WOULD BE ABLE TO BID FOR LICENSES TO SELL WINE AND LIQUOR.
A NEW POLL SHOWS GOV. TOM CORBETT'S POPULARITY SHRINKING, EVEN THOUGH HE SCORED POINTS FOR CHALLENGING THE NCAA SANCTIONS AGAINST PENN STATE. THE QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SURVEY RELEASED TUESDAY SAYS 51 PERCENT OF REGISTERED VOTERS BELIEVE THE REPUBLICAN DOES NOT DESERVE RE-ELECTION NEXT YEAR. THIRTY-ONE PERCENT SAID CORBETT DESERVES ANOTHER TERM. THE POLL OF 1,221 VOTERS SAYS 42 PERCENT DISAPPROVE OF HIS JOB PERFORMANCE, UP FROM 38 PERCENT IN A NOVEMBER SURVEY BY THE CONNECTICUT-BASED UNIVERSITY, WHILE THOSE WHO APPROVE SHRANK FROM 40 TO 36 PERCENT. FIFTY-THREE PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS SAID THE NCAA SANCTIONS WERE TOO SEVERE. FORTY-THREE PERCENT APPROVED OF CORBETT'S COURT CHALLENGE WHILE 37 PERCENT DISAPPROVED.
PENNSYLVANIA'S STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND ITS FACULTY ARE SET TO MEET AGAIN AS THEY TRY TO RESOLVE A PROLONGED CONTRACT DISPUTE. HUNDREDS OF FACULTY MEMBERS FROM THE 14 STATE-OWNED UNIVERSITIES PROTESTED LAST WEEK OUTSIDE THE STATE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION OFFICES WHILE THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS HEARD FROM BOTH SIDES. NOW, THE SIDES ARE SET TO MEET AGAIN FRIDAY. THE SIDES REMAIN DIVIDED ON HEALTH CARE, DISTANCE EDUCATION, CURRICULUM AND CLASS SIZE. UNION MEMBERS HAVE BEEN WORKING WITHOUT A CONTRACT SINCE JUNE 2011. THEY HAVE AUTHORIZED THEIR LEADERSHIP TO CALL A STRIKE IF NECESSARY. THE UNION SAYS THE SYSTEM IS PROLONGING THE IMPASSE BY MAKING UNREASONABLE DEMANDS FOR CONCESSIONS ON HEALTH COVERAGE AND OTHER ISSUES. SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAY CONCESSIONS ARE NECESSARY TO ENSURE AFFORDABLE, QUALITY EDUCATION.
PENN STATE HAS COMPLETED ABOUT 75 PERCENT OF THE 119 RECOMMENDATIONS TO STRENGTHEN UNIVERSITY POLICIES FROM THE FORMER FBI DIRECTOR WHO LED THE SCHOOL'S INVESTIGATION INTO THE JERRY SANDUSKY CHILD SEX ABUSE SCANDAL. ROB PANGBORN, THE INTERIM EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND PROVOST, TOLD THE UNIVERSITY'S FACULTY SENATE ON TUESDAY THAT THE SCHOOL WAS ON PACE IN STUDYING OR IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS RELEASED LAST SUMMER FROM LOUIS FREEH. PENN STATE WAS EXPECTED TO PROVIDE A DETAILED PROGRESS REPORT LATER THIS WEEK. FREEH'S RECOMMENDATIONS COVERED AREAS INCLUDING CAMPUS SAFETY, TRAINING AND GOVERNANCE. SEPARATELY, THE FACULTY SENATE IS CLOSE TO DELIVERING TO THE SCHOOL'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES ITS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GOVERNANCE REFORMS. THE POWER STRUCTURE AND COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN LEADERS AT PENN STATE HAVE BEEN SCRUTINIZED IN THE FALLOUT FROM THE SCANDAL.
EIGHT PENN STATE STUDENTS EACH FACE A MISDEMEANOR CHARGE OF FURNISHING ALCOHOL TO MINORS AFTER POLICE SAID THEY ATTENDED A PARTY DURING WHICH A SCHOOL CHEERLEADER SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES FROM A FALL OUT A FIFTH-FLOOR WINDOW. NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD PAIGE RAQUE HAD HEAD AND PELVIC INJURIES AFTER FALLING 39 FEET OUT A SCREENED WINDOW OF A DOWNTOWN STATE COLLEGE APARTMENT IN OCTOBER. POLICE HAVE RULED THE FALL ACCIDENTAL. AUTHORITIES SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT CRIMINAL COMPLAINTS FOR THE FURNISHING CHARGES AND RELATED OFFENSES WERE FILED TUESDAY, AND THAT THE EIGHT DEFENDANTS WOULD RECEIVE SUMMONSES. RAQUE RETURNED HOME TO LOUISVILLE, KY., FOR HER RECOVERY. HER FAMILY HAS SAID THAT RAQUE STILL HAS PROBLEMS WITH HER FEET, BUT THAT SHE IS DOING WELL OVERALL WITH COGNITIVE AND PHYSICAL THERAPY.
PENNSYLVANIA STATE SENATORS HAVE PAVED THE WAY FOR THE FORMATION OF A TASK FORCE TO STUDY MASS SHOOTINGS. THE STATE SENATE ON TUESDAY APPROVED A RESOLUTION SPONSORED BY SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN STEWART GREENLEAF. THE RESOLUTION DIRECTS THE JOINT STATE GOVERNMENT COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF ABOUT 25 PEOPLE, INCLUDING PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EXPERTS ON VIOLENT CRIME. ITS FINAL REPORT CAN INCLUDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO CHANGE THE STATE'S LAWS ON MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT AND FIREARMS, POLICIES ON VIOLENT CRIME AND SCHOOL SAFETY PRACTICES. GREENLEAF PROPOSED THE RESOLUTION IN THE WAKE OF DECEMBER'S DEADLY SHOOTING AT SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN NEWTOWN, CONN.
THE STATE AG DEPARTMENT'S LYDIA JOHNSON SAYS A BERKS COUNTY RESTAURANT HAS RECEIVED A CALL FROM A PERSON POSING AS A HEALTH INSPECTOR IN HER DEPARTMENT. "THEY ARE ASKING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE RESTUARANT AND THEY'RE MENTIONING FINES AND MONEY. THAT IS DEFINITELY NOT WHAT WE DO," JOHNSON SAYS. THE CALLER IS NOT A LICENSED AGENT OF THE STATE OF ANY COUNTY AND IS TRYING TO RIP OFF THE RESTAURANT. SHE SAYS INSPECTORS NEVER NOTIFY THE RESTAURANT IN ADVANCE OF A VISIT.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS SIGNED INTO LAW A $50.5 BILLION EMERGENCY MEASURE FOR SUPERSTORM SANDY VICTIMS. CONGRESS GAVE THE MEASURE ITS FINAL APPROVAL LATE MONDAY. OBAMA SIGNED IT TUESDAY NIGHT, MINUTES AFTER RETURNING TO THE WHITE HOUSE FROM A VISIT TO NEVADA. IT TOOK CONGRESS THREE MONTHS AFTER SANDY DEVASTATED AREAS ALONG THE EAST COAST TO APPROVE THE EMERGENCY FUNDING. OBAMA SCOLDED LAWMAKERS FOR DELAYING RECOVERY EFFORTS EVEN AS HE COMMENDED THEM FOR PROVIDING THE LONG-AWAITED AID. CONSERVATIVES CONCERNED ABOUT BILLIONS IN DEBT OPPOSED THE MEASURE. EARLIER THIS MONTH, HOUSE REPUBLICANS REMOVED UNRELATED SPENDING FROM THE BILL. THE OCTOBER 29 STORM WAS ONE OF THE WORST TO STRIKE THE NORTHEAST AND IS BLAMED FOR MORE THAN 130 DEATHS AND TENS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN PROPERTY DAMAGE.
FUNERAL SERVICES HAVE BEEN PLANNED FOR BELOVED CHILDREN'S TV HOST SALLY STARR. THE LEGENDARY PHILADELPHIA-AREA TV AND RADIO HOST DIED SUNDAY AT A NURSING HOME IN NEW JERSEY. STARR PASSED AWAY JUST DAYS AFTER CELEBRATING HER 90TH BIRTHDAY. SERVICES ARE PLANNED FOR MONDAY AT THE CONSTANTINO FUNERAL HOME IN BERLIN, N.J. RELATIVES, FRIENDS AND FANS OF THE HOST, KNOWN AS "OUR GAL SAL," CAN VISIT THE FUNERAL HOME BETWEEN 5 P.M. AND 8 P.M. ON MONDAY. THE FUNERAL HOME SAYS STARR'S FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A PRIVATE BURIAL.
YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE HEARD OF NEW JERSEY STATE SEN. BARBARA BUONO, THOUGH YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD OF THE MAN SHE'S ITCHING TO TAKE ON IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION _ GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE. EXPECT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT HER. BUONO PICKED UP KEY ENDORSEMENTS TUESDAY AND SEWED UP ENOUGH SUPPORT STATEWIDE TO BECOME THE DEMOCRATS' PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR. SHE'S A 59-YEAR-OLD DEMOCRAT, WHO SAYS "I WAS ALWAYS CONFIDENT THE PARTY WOULD COME TOGETHER."
PHILLIES CATCHER AND NORTHAMPTON HIGH GRAD BRIAN SCHNEIDER IS HANGING UP HIS CHEST PROTECTOR FOR GOOD. AFTER 13 YEARS AND MORE THAN 1000 BIG LEAGUE GAMES, ALMOST 800 HITS AND 67 HOME RUNS, SCHNEIDER HAS ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT.
