Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Cautions About Possible Risks Associated with Warming Up Vehicles

Many individuals are adopting the practice of warming up their cars before commuting to work or other destinations. However, this behavior can make them susceptible to theft.

Law enforcement agencies caution that warming up your car might attract thieves who actively seek out such opportunities. Police advise those considering this practice during cold weather to ensure their car doors are locked while warming up the vehicle and to have a spare set of keys readily available. Furthermore, authorities highlight the potential illegality of this act depending on the parking situation. According to The Pennsylvania Code, leaving a running and unattended vehicle on the street is prohibited.

8-10 Vehicles Reportedly in Crash That Closed Route 22 East in Northampton County

A multi-vehicle crash closed all lanes of Route 22 East in Northampton County on Wednesday afternoon. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reported the incident, which occurred between the Route 512/Center Street and Route 191/Nazareth Pike interchanges in Bethlehem Township at approximately 4:00 PM.

Emergency radio broadcasts indicated that eight to ten vehicles were involved in the accident. While responders reported only minor injuries, the crash caused significant delays and road closures.

Lehigh Valley Passenger Rail Still on Track, Though Trailing Scranton and Reading

While proposed passenger rail lines from Scranton and Reading received a major boost with $500,000 grants from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the Lehigh Valley's efforts to connect Allentown to New York are still progressing, albeit at a slower pace.

According to the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study (LVTS), the Valley needs to complete a $300,000 project study, currently being funded and managed by PennDOT, to be eligible for similar funding. This study is expected to be finished in a year, although some concerns were raised regarding the pace of progress and the possibility of the Valley falling behind.

The study involves analyzing three potential corridors:

• Allentown to New York: The primary focus, aiming to restore passenger rail connection between these two major cities.

• Allentown to Philadelphia: Exploring alternative routes within Pennsylvania.

• Allentown to Reading: Examining potential connections within the Lehigh Valley region.

While the Valley may be behind Scranton and Reading in terms of funding, the LVTS assures that the project remains on track. Once the initial study is completed, additional steps will be required before the first trains roll out.

City Shuts Down Allentown Office Building Due to Safety Concerns

The Hamilton Business Center in downtown Allentown was abruptly shut down on Friday, December 8th, after a search uncovered several critical safety violations and code infractions. Among the disturbing findings were:

An improper fire suppression system: This posed an immediate threat to life and was the primary reason for the immediate closure, according to city officials.

People living in office spaces: The building was not zoned for residential use, yet tenants were discovered residing in converted office units.

Unlicensed food service establishments: Several businesses were operating food service without proper permits or inspections.

Evidence of an unlicensed chemical laboratory: This raised concerns about the presence of hazardous materials and potentially unsafe practices.

Illegal structural changes: The building had been subdivided multiple times without proper permits, resulting in the installation of walls and doors that obstructed fire exits.

The closure has left approximately 90 businesses displaced and scrambling to find new locations. Many of these businesses are minority-owned and will face significant challenges in relocating and resuming operations. The building's owner and several tenants were given seven days to vacate the premises.

Trans-Bridge Lines Intiates Reservation Only System Starting December 18.

The Bethlehem company announced that passengers must have confirmed travel dates and times for all trips. Their reservation system ensures passengers secure a seat without the need to arrive early and queue for boarding. Once a bus reaches its capacity, sales for that route will cease. Trans-Bridge encourages passengers to create online accounts for managing their travel, including purchasing, rescheduling tickets, utilizing credits, and storing payment methods.

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Soul Sisters’ Studio 
Charcuterie Christmas Theme Workshop December 12 - 6:30 to 8:30 pm
https://www.soulsistersemmaus.com/events/

Entertainment at the Emmaus Theater

ArtsQuest is offering a $5 discount to skaters at the Steelstacks ice rink for the rest of the season. 

Really?

Falcons are more closely related to parrots than to hawks or eagles.

Starfish do not have a brain.

Slugs have 4 noses.

Only female mosquitoes bite.

Polar bear skin is black!

The only mammal capable of flight is the bat.

A newborn kangaroo is the size of a lima bean.

Humorous Quotes

“The hardest part about going to Hypochondriacs Anonymous is admitting that you don’t have a problem.” —Gene Hunt

“I stop my microwave at 0:01 to feel like I’m a bomb defuser.” —Jerry Seinfeld

“You offer a sincere compliment on a great mustache and suddenly she’s not your friend.” —Marty Feldman

“I bet a cannibal’s fridge would look a lot like an office fridge: full of containers labeled with people’s names.” —Julius Sharpe

“If you were to send a werewolf to the moon, would he be a werewolf permanently?” —Kristen Schaal

Charlie Chaplin has been quoted many times and these are some of his best:

1. “Nothing in this life is permanent, not even our problems.”
2. “I love walking in the rain so that no one can see my tears.”
3. “The day you waste the most in your life is the day you don't laugh”.

 December 10

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