Federal Judge: Undated and Wrongly Dated Pennsylvania Mail Ballots Must Be Counted

By Daniel Patrick Sheehan. Undated or wrongly dated mail ballots that are submitted in time for Pennsylvania elections must be counted, a federal judge has ruled.

Disqualifying such ballots is a violation of the federal Civil Rights Act, according to the opinion filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

The ruling is in response to NAACP v. Schmidt, a lawsuit filed in November 2022 by six voting rights advocacy organizations and joined by five individual voters. The plaintiffs are represented by legal counsel from the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, ACLU National and the law firm Hogan Lovells.

“Every eligible person who casts a ballot should have their vote counted,” said Witold Walczak, legal director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania. “The handwritten-date requirement is completely irrelevant and unnecessary because elections officials know whether the ballot was received on time.”

Excepted from Morning Call November 21.2023

Surge in COVID Cases as Holidays Near

As the holiday season approaches, COVID-19 cases are climbing, contributing to what health experts are dubbing a "tripledemic" in the United States, coinciding with the yearly flu season and a surge in RSV infections.

Differentiating between these respiratory illnesses poses a challenge due to their overlapping symptoms. According to the CDC, both COVID-19 and the flu present common symptoms like a runny or congested nose, fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, and vomiting.

However, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea are more frequently associated with the flu rather than COVID-19. While both illnesses may affect taste and smell, a complete loss of these senses is more commonly linked to COVID-19 than the flu.

RSV exhibits some symptoms shared with COVID-19 and the flu, such as a congested nose, cough, fever, and sore throat. Nevertheless, the cough associated with RSV tends to be notably dry, and fevers are generally less severe, as observed by the Mayo Clinic.

RSV infections are notably prevalent in young children and older adults, particularly those with preexisting respiratory or immune conditions.

'Tis The Season: Tree Lighting Ceremonies Around the Lehigh Valley
Special from http://LehighValleyNews.com

Christmas City Tree Lighting Ceremony Nov. 24, begins at 5 p.m.
Payrow Plaza, 10 E. Church St., Bethlehem
Live performances, free hot chocolate and cookies and a visit from Santa.

Hellertown Light Up Night Nov. 24, 4 - 8 p.m.
Dimmick Park, 570 Durham St., Hellertown
Live reindeer, cash wagon rides, adult beverage bar, hot chocolate and cookies.

Easton Peace Candle Lighting Nov. 25, Activities begin at noon. Candle lighting ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m.
Easton’s Centre Square
Live music, carriage rides, ice carvers and strolling street performers.

Coopersburg Tree Lighting Nov. 25, 6 - 8 p.m.
13 S. Main St., Coopersburg
Featuring hayrides, live music, a visit with Santa and an ice carver.

Southside Tree Lighting Celebration Nov. 25, 5 p.m.
Bethlehem Greenway between 324 S. New St Parking Deck and 306 S. New St. building
Featuring the Touchstone Theatre & Moravian University MFA students. Free cocoa and cookies will be provided by Bethlehem’s Roasted. Rock band The Beautiful Distortion will be performing holiday tunes.

Bath Area Tree Lighting Nov. 26, 6 p.m.
Monocacy Creek Park, Bath
Bath Area Community Choir will be performing holiday tunes and Santa will arrive at the park in a fire truck.

Borough of Northampton Tree Lighting Ceremony Nov. 26, 7:00 p.m.
Main St. and Laubach Ave., Northampton
Featuring the Pennsylvania Classical Ballet and Good Shepherd Catholic School Choir, a visit from Santa, and goodie bags filled with holiday treats for all the children!

Phillipsburg Tree Lighting Ceremony Shappell Park Nov. 27 6-9 p.m.
Olaf, Elsa, Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman will be making an appearance. Free hot chocolate and cookies will be served

Pen Argyl Borough Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 1 6-8 p.m.
Weona Park
Enjoy vocal performances by Mackenizie Hughes and a visit from Santa.

Slatington Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 1, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
509 Main St., Slatington
Food and craft vendors in the park

Hanover Township Tree Light Ceremony Dec. 1, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
3660 Jacksonville Rd., Bethlehem
A visit from Santa, hot chocolate bar, indoor snowball fight, live reindeer and more.

Downtown Allentown Tree Lighting Celebration Dec. 2, 4-7 p.m.
20 N. 5th St., Allentown
Live musical performances, dance acts, horse-drawn carriage rides, children’s activities and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Emmaus’ Old-Fashioned Christmas Dec. 2, 4 -7p.m.
Triangle Park, Main St., Emmaus
The event will include the Candy Cane Lane with Emmaus Historic Sites and the Cheers Trail with Old Fashioned Christmas.

South Whitehall Township Tree/Bridge Lighting Ceremony Dec. 2, 5:30 p.m.
Covered Bridge Park 2465 Wehr Mill Road
Enjoy family activities like the Candy Cane Hunt, s’mores stations, dance performances, and live entertainment.

Forks Township Tree Lighting Dec. 3, 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
1606 Sullivan Trail, Easton
Santa will arrive for the tree lighting at 7 p.m.

Whitehall Township Tree Lighting Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m.
3219 MacArthur Rd., Whitehall
Santa will be making an appearance just in time for the Whitehall Township Tree Lighting

North Whitehall Township Annual Tree Lighting Dec. 10, 5-7 p.m.
3256 Levans Rd., Coplay
Food will be available for purchase, as well as local businesses will host a holiday shopping market. The Grinch will be making an appearance.

LehighValleyNews.com | By Emily Baxter

Emmaus Historical Society

The date of the Annual December Potluck Christmas Party special event has been changed from December 13th to December 20th. Please mark your calendars. The annual Christmas Potluck Party will begin at 5:30 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 501 Chestnut Street, Emmaus. Drinks and the main course will be provided by the Emmaus Historical Society. Please bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert to complement the main course.

Reprinted/shared with permission from the Emmaus Historical Society

Joan Baez’s iconic 1929 Martin 0-45 guitar and signature prototype is seen in the new exhibit “Joan Baez: Musician & Artist” on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at The Martin Guitar Museum in Nazareth. The exhibit celebrating the life and musical legacy of the singer/songwriter, marks the first time a museum show will be dedicated solely to her guitars and original artwork. The exhibit runs through April. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Dinosaurs Invade The Lehigh Valley!!!

What does this mean? Jurassic World Live Tour hits the PPL Center this Weekend. Tickets can be purchased here.

Christmas City Village opens in Bethlehem

This beloved part of the Lehigh Valley opens soon. Get the info here.

Emmaus Police Blotter October 20 - November 14

Open Lewdness: Charges were filed against Andrew Krowitz 21 of Emmaus on 10/11/2023 for Open Lewdness. Charges were filed with Lehigh County Courts.
Driving Under the Influence: Jada Morton 24 of Emmaus was arrested on 10/11/2023 in the 300 block of State Avenue for Driving Under the Influence, and Obedience to Traffic Control Devices. She was transported to Lehigh County DUI Center and processed.
Strangulation: Giuseppe Carbone 23 of Macungie was arrested on 10/11/2023 following an event in the unit block of South 10th Street. Charges were filed with Lehigh County Courts for Strangulation, Simple Assault, Harassment, Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition, Receiving Stolen Property and Criminal Mischief.
Simple Assault: Charges were filed against Kyle Tarboro 25 of Emmaus on 10/12/2023 for Simple Assault and Harassment following an incident on 9/13/2023 in the 100 block of Main Street. Charges filed with Lehigh County Courts.
Found Property: Reported on 10/12/2023 a cell phone was found in the 100 block of Klines Lane. The phone is being held at the Emmaus Police Department.
Criminal Mischief: Reported on 10/13/2023 a vehicle tire was damaged in the 300 block of North 5th Street.
Theft: Reported on 10/17/2023 a package with miscellaneous items valued at $98.00 was stolen from a building in the 300 block of Powder Mill Lane.
Theft: Reported on 10/18/2023 tires were stolen from a business in the 500 block of State Avenue.
Harassment: Charges were filed on 10/19/2023 against Anthony Delgrosso 35 of Tyrone for Harassment. Charges were filed with Lehigh County Courts.
Driving Under the Influence: Charges were filed against Sally Garcia-Colon 36 of Emmaus on 10/20/2023 following an event in the unit block of Main Street on 9/23/2023. Charges for Driving Under the Influence, Careless Driving, and Driving on Roadways Lined for Traffic were filed with Lehigh County Courts.
Firearms Not to be Carried Without a License: Marcello Barry 20 of Northampton was arrested on 10/20/2023 following an incident beginning in the 100 block of North 2nd Street. Charges were filed with the Lehigh County Courts for Firearms Not to be Carried Without a License, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer, and other related charges. He was transported to Lehigh County Booking Center and processed.

Eagles Can Savor the Win Over Chiefs, But Not For Too Long

After a victorious postgame interview, Jalen Hurts jogged toward the stands behind the Eagles’ bench and slapped the hands of traveling fans draped over the barricades.

A few moments earlier, Nick Sirianni basked in his team’s improbable comeback with those same Arrowhead Stadium aliens, while delivering a parting salvo to a few remaining Chiefs fans. “See ya!” the Eagles coach said.

While Hurts’ gesture was uncharacteristic and Sirianni’s boast wasn’t, both suggested that Monday night’s 21-17 squeaker over Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and defending champion Kansas City in a rematch of Super Bowl LVII wasn’t just another regular-season win.

Earlier, as reporters awaited entry into the visitors’ locker room, Sirianni called out and roasted a Philadelphia-area reporter who had picked the Chiefs and in doing so cited their advantage at head coach and quarterback.

Reid and Mahomes are future Hall of Famers and two-time Super Bowl champs. Sirianni and Hurts may end up matching their credentials someday, but for now, they have just a November victory in head-to-head meetings on their resumé. And it wasn’t close to convincing.

Excerpted from The Morning Call November 21, 2023

Emmaus Spotlight Polls

Really?

Strange But True
A duel between three people is actually called a truel.
The stage before frostbite is called “frostnip.”
The two tiny holes in every BIC pen ensure that the air pressure is the same both inside and outside the pen, which helps the ink flow to the tip.
Sonic the Hedgehog’s full name is actually Ogilvie Maurice Hedgehog.
Even though Froot Loops are different colors, they all have exactly the same flavor.
The first roller coaster was used to transport coal down a hill. After people found that it could reach speeds up to 50 miles per hour, tourists asked to ride on it for a few cents.
Most toilet paper sold for home use in France is pink.

Humor

Redundant are we?

Basic fundamentals
Surrounded on all sides
Two equal halves
Complete stop
Live studio audience
Adequate enough
Eliminate altogether
Very unique
Over exaggerate
Unintended mistake
Final outcome

 November 21