Meteorologists are predicting that the upcoming weekend might mirror the previous one, featuring a rainy Saturday, followed by a breezy Sunday with dropping temperatures. Although weather models are aligned on the overall pattern, one scenario suggests that Saturday's storm might veer off the coast, leaving us dry. If the Lehigh Valley weather forecast seems déjà vu, it's because meteorologists are closely monitoring another end-of-the-week system. The question remains: could it bypass us this time?

• Local Festivals

  Send us your events - [email protected]

  1. Seiple Farms Fall Festival

     • Dates: Weekends through Oct. 29

     • Activities: Hayrides, pumpkin patch, corn mazes, farm animals, pony rides, amusement rides, food trucks, vendors.

     • Website: seiplefarms.com/autumn/

  2. Hausman Fruit Farm Fall Festival

     • Dates: Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 30 to Oct. 29

     • Activities: Free admission, hayrides, pony rides, corn maze, live music, food and drink options.

     • Pricing: $2 to $5 for kids' activities, optional wristbands available.

  3. Bethlehem Running Festival

     • Dates: Oct. 21-22

     • Races: 5K, 10K, half-marathon, fundraiser walk for American Cancer Society.

     • Start/End: South Bethlehem’s SteelStacks, courses around the city.

  4. ChiliFest

     • Date: Oct. 21, 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

     • ChiliFest in the SouthSide Arts District is an annual festival celebrating the flavor of our local community through food and fun.

     • Activities: Chili tasting from local restaurants, people's choice voting, entertainment.

  5. Harvest & Haunts Fall Festival

     • Date: Oct. 28, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

     • Activities: Vendors, crafters, historical tours, ghost tours at George Taylor House in Catasauqua.

  6. PA Bacon Fest

     1. Dates: Nov. 4-5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

     2. Activities: Bacon-flavored foods, pig and weiner dog races, contests, live music, 5K race, and more.

  7. 49th Annual Antique Bottle & Antiques Show & Sale
     9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Admission is $3.00 for the public (Children under 12 admitted free). Macungie Park, 50 Poplar St, Macungie, PA, 18062

  8. https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=sdep

     

• Macungie Minstrelaires upcoming production “A British Invasion”. Show dates are October 27 & November 3 @7:00pm and October 28 & November 4 @2 pm & 7pm at Lower Macungie Middle School. A portion of proceeds will go to The Kindness Project (LV). Tickets are available at www.macungie-minstrelaires.org, at 484-353-2331 or at the door.

• The Great Pumpkin Fest
  Great Pumpkin Fest at Dorney Park offers one-of-a-kind Halloween events for kids and families! Through October 29.
  discoverlehighvalley.com/event/the-great-pumpkin-fest/55642/

  Send us your events - [email protected]

Change to Crossing Guard Management in Emmaus

Emmaus is considering transferring the responsibility of crossing guards to East Penn School District. This decision stems from a request made by the school district, a similar arrangement in Lower Macungie, and a decrease in volunteerism. The proposal involves transitioning these roles from voluntary to hired positions. Although an official agreement has not been presented yet, the Borough Council discussed an ordinance on Monday. This ordinance, prompted by a resolution passed by the East Penn School Board on October 9, aims to shift control of elementary school crossing guards from Emmaus to the school district, making them paid positions instead of voluntary roles.

Health Beat: Burning Away Breast Cancer Tumors

Scientists are exploring a groundbreaking technology capable of eliminating certain breast tumors without the need for surgery. Known as the MUSE Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound System, this innovation has the potential to revolutionize breast cancer treatment methods.

The system utilizes the precision of MRI to locate a breast tumor and eliminate it using high-intensity focused ultrasound, effectively destroying the cancerous cells while preserving the surrounding tissue and organs. Central to this technology is a specialized table designed to ensure patients' comfort during the procedure, which lasts a couple of hours. Within this time frame, the device delivers ultrasound waves directly into the tumor, concentrating the energy to a minuscule point comparable to a grain of rice.

Remarkably, this outpatient procedure allows patients to remain awake throughout. Currently undergoing clinical trials, experts anticipate that it will only be a matter of a few years before this technology becomes available, potentially replacing surgery for select patients.

Macungie Neighbors Told to Shelter in Place

Residents in Macungie were instructed to stay indoors after a man managed to escape police custody, leading to a tense situation at the Macungie Village Apartments on Monday afternoon. Some individuals found themselves stranded outside their apartments for hours.

During the incident, neighbors were advised to remain inside their apartments, while others were unable to return home as law enforcement searched for the escaped individual. Witnesses reported hearing police attempting to coax the man out of an apartment, although no one saw him leave.

After a period, the police left the scene without the suspect. Macungie Police later confirmed that they did not have anyone in custody and assured the public that there was no ongoing threat. Following this confirmation, the shelter-in-place order was lifted.

While the event was unusual for the community, residents noted that such incidents were not entirely unheard of in the area. Macungie Police stated that they would provide further updates on the situation through their social media channels.

Flyers shut down Vancouver in 2-0 win

One thing the Flyers have stressed this season is keeping the puck out of their own net. They gave a pretty good example of that intention by shutting down one of the NHL’s improving offenses on Tuesday night, blanking the Vancouver Canucks.

Meanwhile, a day of rest apparently had the desired effect for Sean Couturier. One day after skipping Monday’s practice for “maintenance,” Couturier scored on a rare penalty shot in the first period and team defense did the rest, leading the Flyers to a 2-0 win over Vancouver in Philadelphia’s season-opener at the Wells Fargo Center.

Goaltender Carter Hart enjoyed another strong performance as the Flyers raised their season record to 2-1. An apparent goal by Conor Garland at 2:36 of the third period was disallowed because two Vancouver players were in the crease, creating goaltender interference.

The Flyers completely dominated the Canucks in the second period, outshooting the visitors by a whopping 23-2 margin and maintaining a 2-0 edge. The Flyers improved their record in home openers to 32-17-7.

In a thrilling Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, Zack Wheeler showcased his brilliance over six innings, anchoring the Phillies to a 5-3 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.

Phillies Beat Diamondbacks in Games 1 and 2 of NLCS

The Phillies wasted no time establishing dominance when Kyle Schwarber, facing South Jersey’s Zac Gallen, smashed the very first pitch for his inaugural postseason home run. Following suit, Bryce Harper, just one out later, sent a pitch soaring out of the park, swiftly followed by Nick Castellanos, who delivered another homer in the second inning, propelling the Phillies to a commanding 3-0 lead before the Diamondbacks could catch their breath in the crisp South Philly air.

Harper's birthday celebration was nothing short of historic. On his 31st birthday, he became only the fourth player in MLB history to hit a home run on his birthday during the playoffs, a feat last achieved by Kolten Wong in 2015. This blast also tied him with Chase Utley for the second-most playoff home runs in Phillies history at 10, just one shy of Jayson Werth's record. Harper marked the occasion by forming a "3" and "1" with his fingers, mimicking blowing out candles, as he crossed home plate.

Meanwhile, Castellanos continued his extraordinary performance, hitting his fifth home run in a remarkable three-game streak. This achievement placed him in exclusive company with Reggie Jackson’s 1977 World Series record. Capitalizing on a 1-1 fastball that caught the outside edge of the plate, Castellanos sent the ball sailing to right field.

The Phillies asserted their dominance with a commanding 10-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, seizing an early lead in the NLCS. Kyle Schwarber led the charge with two powerful home runs, while Turner contributed another, further solidifying their impressive record. With this win, the Phillies took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, igniting the enthusiastic cheers of 45,412 fans at Citizens Bank Park.

Nola showcased his skill on the mound, pitching six strong innings, allowing only three hits, and striking out seven batters. Throughout the postseason, Phillies starters have demonstrated exceptional control, conceding just eight earned runs in 46.1 innings.

The Phillies' remarkable power hitting was evident as they smashed a total of 19 home runs in their eight postseason games. Notably, they hit 11 home runs in the second round against Atlanta, equalling an NLDS record and showcasing their offensive prowess.

Why I Can't Come to Work Today…

I can't come in to work today because I'll be stalking my previous boss, who fired me for not showing up for work. OK?

I am stuck in the blood pressure machine down at the Food Giant.

Yes, I seem to have contracted some sort of attention-deficit disorder and, hey, how about them Skins, huh? So, I won't be able to, yes, could I help you? No, no, I'll be sticking with Sprint, but thank you for calling.

Constipation has made me a walking time bomb.

The dog ate my car keys. We're going to hitchhike to the vet.

Really?

Between 1873 and 1880 some U.S. doctors gave patients transfusions of milk instead of blood.