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Lehighton, PA

PA State Trooper Peter Conforti Dies: 'Beautiful Human' PA State Trooper Peter Conforti Dies: 'Beautiful Human'
PA State Trooper Peter Conforti Dies: 'Beautiful Human' The Pennsylvania State Police Department has announced the death of Trooper Peter K. Conforti. On Thursday, Aug. 1, the department said Conforti, who had been assigned to Troop L in Hamburg, died while off-duty. Conforti enlisted in the PSP in April 2016. Records show he was 30 years old and lived in Tamaqua. Condolences from loved ones shared to Facebook say he leaves behind his wife, Alexandra, and at least one child. Many years ago, I started teaching at West Penn Elementary with some very special students. One, however, stood out to... Posted by Michele Bittner on Thursd…
Driver Killed After 10-Mile Pursuit With PSP Identified By Coroner Driver Killed After 10-Mile Pursuit With PSP Identified By Coroner
Driver Killed After 10-Mile Pursuit With PSP Identified By Coroner Officials have released the 19-year-old man killed in a pursuit that ended in a crash with Pennsylvania State Troopers Thursday, June 6. Troopers were attempting to stop Matthew Stepp, of Lehighton, in a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 for code violations around 6:24 p.m. Thursday, Trooper Anthony Petroski III said. Stepp failed to stop, though, initiating a 10-mile pursuit, during which Stepp "committed numerous vehicle code violations," Petroski said. He ultimately lost control, left the roadway and struck a tree near Hazelwood Road and Laural Lane, Towamensing Township, according to Petr…
Police Chase In Carbon County Ends In Crash: State Police Police Chase In Carbon County Ends In Crash: State Police
Police Chase In Carbon County Ends In Crash: State Police A police pursuit through Carbon County ended with a wreck that sent a 20-year-old driver to the hospital on Thursday, June 6, according to troopers.  State police said they tried to stop the driver on Route 248 in Franklin Township around 6:30 p.m. He fled for 10 miles before losing control of his car and striking a tree in Towamensing Township, authorities said.  The driver, a Lehighton resident, was air-lifted to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest with serious injuries. State police said the investigation is ongoing. 
Man Charged At Police With Hatchet During Standoff On PA Trail, Authorities Say Man Charged At Police With Hatchet During Standoff On PA Trail, Authorities Say
Man Charged At Police With Hatchet During Standoff On PA Trail, Authorities Say A man is in police custody after a standoff on the D and L trail in Lehighton on Monday, May 27, according to borough officials.  Lehighton police said it began around 8 a.m. when callers reported burning in the woods near the 400 block of North First Street.  On the scene, they heard shouting and small explosions coming from the Lehigh River, authorities said. In the woods, they found a man setting fires near propane tanks "in what appeared to be an attempt to cause explosions." Officials said the man verbally threatened police, charged at them with a hatchet, and "threatened to…
Resident Leapt From Roof To Escape Carbon Co. Fire That Killed 2 Pets, Loved Ones Say Resident Leapt From Roof To Escape Carbon Co. Fire That Killed 2 Pets, Loved Ones Say
Resident Leapt From Roof To Escape Carbon Co. Fire That Killed 2 Pets, Loved Ones Say Loved ones are collecting donations after a Nesquehoning fire killed two pets and injured at least one resident early Sunday, April 7.  The Nesquehoning Hose Company responded to a blaze on the 200 block of East Railroad Street around 7:30 a.m., officials said on Facebook. The fire escalated to two alarms before crews were able to bring the flames under control.  Just before 7:30 this morning Nesquehoning Borough and mutual aid units were dispatched for a reported house fire with... Posted by Nesquehoning Hose Company #1 on Sunday, April 7, 2024 On GoFundMe, loved on…
80-Year-Old Driver Dies Weeks After Northeastern PA Crash, Coroner Says 80-Year-Old Driver Dies Weeks After Northeastern PA Crash, Coroner Says
80-Year-Old Driver Dies Weeks After Northeastern PA Crash, Coroner Says An 80-year-old driver who was in a northeastern Pennsylvania crash in August has died from her injuries, authorities said. Patricia A. Rodenbach died Friday, Sept. 30 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg after colliding with another vehicle around 7:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 17 at the intersection of Blakeslee Boulevard Drive East and Fredericks Grove Road in Mahoning Township (Carbon County), according to the Lehigh County Coroner's Office. The Lehighton woman died of complications from multiple traumatic injuries, the coroner said. Her manner of death was ruled an accident. The …
ARSON: PA Freight Company Employee Starts 3 Fires Causing Shutdown, Report Says ARSON: PA Freight Company Employee Starts 3 Fires Causing Shutdown, Report Says
Arson: PA Freight Company Employee Starts 3 Fires Causing Shutdown, Report Says An employee at a Pennsylvania freight company allegedly started three separate fires at his workplace, causing serious damage and a temporary closure of the business, WFMZ reports. Workers at Estes Express Lines in Mahoning Township told police they saw Anthony Dick, 39, dousing a fire after leaving the bathroom on Wednesday, Aug. 24, the outlet reports. Other workers reportedly saw Dick, of Lehighton, extinguishing a blaze in two other areas of the building, totaling three fires in the same day. Five trailers and other parts of the building were damaged in the fire. Dick was charged with …
Ex-Pennsylvania Police Chief Learns His Fate For Repeatedly Raping Child Ex-Pennsylvania Police Chief Learns His Fate For Repeatedly Raping Child
Ex-Pennsylvania Police Chief Learns His Fate For Repeatedly Raping Child A former police chief in eastern Pennsylvania was sentenced Friday, July 15 to 16 to 32 years in prison followed by three years of probation for repeatedly raping a child, WFMZ reports. Former Weissport Police Chief Brent Getz, of Lehighton, was convicted in March 2019 on charges of child rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, aggravated indecent assault of a child, and other related offenses, according to Attorney General Josh Shapiro. Getz’s co-defendant, Gregory Wagner, pleaded guilty to child rape and sexual exploitation of children in Nov. 2020 and agreed to testif…
Beloved Lehigh Valley Dad Of 2 Dies Suddenly On 36th Birthday Beloved Lehigh Valley Dad Of 2 Dies Suddenly On 36th Birthday
Beloved Lehigh Valley Dad Of 2 Dies Suddenly On 36th Birthday Beloved Lehigh Valley father of two Michael E. Taschler, Jr. died unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 20, what would’ve marked his 36th birthday. Born in Lehighton, Michael worked at Blue Ridge Pressure Casting Co., his obituary says. Michael was known for his love of sports, especially basketball, wrestling, and football, his memorial says. Above all, Michael is remembered for embracing his role as a loving father to his son and daughter, Jaida Rose and Jordan Taschler. Meanwhile, more than $500 had been raised as of Wednesday on a GoFundMe for the family’s final expenses. “I ask that in …
Couple Fired Shots At Bethlehem Sports Bar, Threatened Customers  With Gun: Police Couple Fired Shots At Bethlehem Sports Bar, Threatened Customers  With Gun: Police
Couple Fired Shots At Bethlehem Sports Bar, Threatened Customers With Gun: Police Two people who fired shots inside and out of a Bethlehem bar were in police custody as of Saturday, April 9, authorities announced. Brian, 36, and Judith Saffarally, 35, both of N. 2nd Street in Lehighton, discharged the weapon around 11 p.m. at Big Woodys during a fight on Easton Avenue, Bethlehem police said. Brian fired a shot, hitting the front window of the restaurant, and threatened customers inside, while Judith fired a shot inside, and threatened customers, police said. The Saffarallys were found in the parking lot when officers arrived. The gun was recovered at the scene by p…
Central PA Native Brandon Kuklentz Dies Suddenly In Philadelphia Central PA Native Brandon Kuklentz Dies Suddenly In Philadelphia
Central PA Native Brandon Kuklentz Dies Suddenly In Philadelphia Pennsylvania native Brandon M. Kuklentz died suddenly on Tuesday, March 29 after battling addiction, according to loved ones mourning his loss. He was 29 years old. Formerly of Lehighton and Lancaster, Kuklentz died in Philadelphia, his obituary states. Kuklentz was born in Bethlehem but was a 2012 graduate of Lehighton High School. He enjoyed wrestling while attending school, and recently worked as a machinist for the All American Threaded Products Co., Lancaster, his obituary says.  He was also a member of Zion United Church of Christ, in Lehighton. Kuklentz had struggled with addictio…
Ex-Police Chief Found Guilty Of Raping Girl, 6, With Buddy Hundreds Of Times For Years: AG Ex-Police Chief Found Guilty Of Raping Girl, 6, With Buddy Hundreds Of Times For Years: AG
Ex-Police Chief Found Guilty Of Raping Girl, 6, With Buddy Hundreds Of Times For Years: AG A former small-town Pennsylvania police chief has been found guilty of raping a young girl with his friend several times a month for years, authorities announced. A jury rendered the guilty verdict against former Weissport Police Chief Brent Getz, who was charged in March 2019, PA Attorney General Shapiro announced Friday, March 11. ** WARNING: The following news report contains graphic and disturbing scenarios ** His co-defendant, Gregory Wagner, of Lehighton, previously pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Getz. Both Getz and Wagner will be sentenced at a later date. C…
Employee Charged After Threats Of Bombing Prompt Evacuation Of Lehigh Valley Workplace Employee Charged After Threats Of Bombing Prompt Evacuation Of Lehigh Valley Workplace
Employee Charged After Threats Of Bombing Prompt Evacuation Of Lehigh Valley Workplace A 29-year-old Carbon County man was charged after making a bogus bomb threat that caused his Lehigh Valley workplace to be evacuated, authorities said. Zachary Keys, of Lehighton, admitted to writing a message on the business's bathroom wall, prompting the evacuation of approximately 100 employees from Westport Axle on Congdon Hill Drive in Lower Macungie Township Tuesday, Feb. 22, according to Pennsylvania State Police. The message was written in black ink and said, "Bomb 12.00 to Blow." TNOnline.com reports citing an affidavit of probable cause. Troopers responded to the facili…