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Sunday, feb 16
Tag:
Hazleton, PA
Politics
DOJ: Hazleton Discriminates Against Hispanic Voters With 'At-Large System', Suit Claims
The federal government is suing Hazleton, accusing the city of discriminating against Hispanic voters with its at-large system for electing city council members, authorities said. The Department of Justice announced the lawsuit against the City of Hazleton in a news release on Tuesday, Jan. 7. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The USDOJ claims Hazleton’s at-large voting system undermines the political influence of the city's growing Hispanic population, which comprises more than 40 percent of Hazleton voters. Despite this s…
Police & Fire
Police Find Stabbing Victims During Hazleton Traffic Stop After Bar Fight
A routine traffic stop in Hazleton led officers to discover two stabbing victims and a violent bar altercation, police announced on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. Jose Santomas Baez, 24, is charged with two counts of Felony Aggravated Assault, two counts of Misdemeanor Simple Assault, and one count of Terroristic Threats in connection with the incident, according to a press release from Hazleton City Police. The unusual series of events began at 4:02 a.m. when officers pulled over a silver Honda Civic that ran a red light near Broad and Church Streets. Inside, they found a man bleeding heavily …
Police & Fire
Hazleton Woman Killed In Fire: Lehigh County Coroner Says
A Hazleton woman's death was the result of a house fire, according to the Lehigh County Coroner's Office announced on Monday, Sept. 30. Lisa R. Thompson, 59, was pronounced dead at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest on Sunday, Sept. 29, according to the coroner. The cause of death is listed as Inhalation of Products of Combustion due to House Fire. The coroner ruled the death accidental. Structure fire with entrapment, one civilian successfully rescued from building: Just before 0630 this morning city... Posted by Hazleton Fire Department on Sunday, September 15, 2024 The ho…
Police & Fire
Hazleton Shooting Victim Taken To Lehigh Valley Hospital: Police
A man was wounded from a gunshot to his right index finger as he was in the area of Alter Street and 17th Street on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, according to the Hazleton City Police Department. The man was treated at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton for the non-life-threatening wound and later released, police said. Police responded to a notification from the Raven Gunshot Detection System that shots were fired in the area of Alter and 17th streets. When they arrived on the scene, they found numerous shell casings along 17th Street. A vehicle that was parked nearby was found to have bullet …
Police & Fire
Alcohol, Speed Possible Factors In ATV Crash Sending Rider To Lehigh Valley Hospital: Police
Alcohol and speeding are possible factors in the crash of an ATV in Hazleton, authorities said. Omar A. Veloz, 37, lost control of his ATV, crashing into a telephone pole, according to Hazleton police. On Sunday, Sept. 1 shortly before midnight, police were dispatched to Diamond Avenue and Cedar Street for a report of a crash. Upon arrival, officers located a Can-Am Maverick with significant damage, they said. Police learned that the ATV operator had been trying to pass a vehicle while traveling north on Cedar Street at a high rate of speed. The driver and passenger were transporte…
Police & Fire
PA Mom Locks Children Out Of House While Passed Out High: Police
A 35-year-old woman from Hazleton has been charged with child endangerment after locking her child out of the house while high, authorities said. On Saturday, Aug 25, at approximately 3 a.m., officers with the Hazleton City Police Department were dispatched to West Elm Street and Poplar Street for a report of a child locked out of their home. Upon arrival, police located the caller and the child. The child reported sleeping in the mother's car and was ready to enter the house. Officers said they observed a pillow and blanket inside the vehicle. After an officer knoc…
News
Person Found Murdered Near PA High School, State Police Say
The person found dead near Hazleton Area High School last Wednesday, July 24 was the victim of a homicide, according to troopers. The victim was found in a search of the wooded area behind the school, state police said in a release on Tuesday, July 30. Their name and gender were not reported but authorities said they were "likely homeless residing in the area they were discovered." The victim died from blunt force trauma, officials added. Anyone with information is asked to contact Pennsylvania State Police Hazleton at 570-459-3890.
Business
Major Mall-Based Chain To Close 543 Stores After Filing For Bankruptcy
A major retailer primarily located in malls and headquartered in Pennsylvania is set to close all 543 of its stores following its third Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. Closures for all rue21 locations are expected to be completed within the next two months with going-out-of-business sales coming soon. The company, headquartered in Pennsylvania outside Pittsburgh, had first filed for bankruptcy in 2003, and then for a second time in 2017, when it closed around 400 stores. Founded in 1970, rue21 specializes in women's & men's casual apparel and accessories. rue21 has locations in …
Business
Nationwide Recall Issued For Ground Beef Products Due To Possible Contamination: View Labels
A nationwide recall has been issued for ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli. Cargill Meat Solutions, headquartered in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, is recalling approximately 16,240 pounds of the raw ground beef products, the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on Wednesday, May 1. The raw ground beef items were produced on Friday, April 26 and Saturday, 27. The following products are subject to recall: 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "93% LEAN 7% FAT ALL NATURAL LEAN GROUND BEEF" with lot code 117 and estab…
News
Pedestrian Dies After Luzerne County Wreck: Coroner
A Hazleton man died from his injuries after being struck by a car on Saturday, March 16, according to the Lehigh County Coroner's Office. Sixty-eight-year-old Michael A. Mumaw was hit by a car near the intersection of North Church Street and 8th Street around 8 p.m. on March 16, Coroner Daniel Buglio wrote in a release. He was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest where he died from multiple traumatic injuries on Sunday, March 31, officials said. His manner of death was accidental. In addition to the Coroner's Office, Hazleton City Police Department is investigating…
Police & Fire
MD/PA Bank Robber Indicted In 2nd Robbery Spree Months After Release:
Usdoj
A man who recently completed his sentence following a plea deal with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for six armed robberies — was indicted on March 20 following a second robbery spree of five more businesses, Palmyra police announced on Monday, March 25, 2024. Mark Shane Herrick, now 47, of Hanover, was first arrested by the FBI in 2009 for robbing the following businesses while armed with a tire iron or crowbar: June 6, 2008 - Fulton Bank, Harrisburg, PA. June 7, 2008 - M&T Bank, Harrisburg, PA. June 13, 2008 - PNC Bank, Lower Macungie, PA. June 16, 2008 - PNC Bank, H…
Business
PA Worker Dies After 25-Foot Fall Onto Concrete Floor: Coroner
A Hazleton man is dead following an accidental workplace fall last Friday afternoon, Dec. 1, according to Coroner Daniel Buglio. Joseph Forty was working at the NORPEL pet food processing facility in Hazle Township when he lost his footing and fell 25 feet, officials said. He landed on a concrete floor and was rushed to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest where he died from his injuries on Monday morning, Dec. 4, the Coroner's Office said. Forty's cause of death was recorded as blunt force trauma to the head and torso from a warehouse accident, Buglio wrote. His manner of …
Police & Fire
Man With Ties To Allentown Escapees Police Custody
A man with Allentown ties who escaped police custody may be on his way back to the area, authorities warn. Hector Ruben Medina-Pagan, 46, broke out from a transport van in Hazleton on March 24, said the Carbon County Sheriff's Office. He is wanted on two parole warrants and now has a pending felony escape charge, they added. Investigators believe he's headed back to Allentown or possibly Puerto Rico. Medina-Pagan is described as 6-foot, 175 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office at 570…
Police & Fire
Ex-Con Kidnapper Gets 43 Years, No Parole, For Rape, Arson, Assault Rampage Through NJ, NY, PA
UPDATE: An ex-con who kidnapped and raped his ex-girlfriend in Pennsylvania, then torched a used car dealership in Paterson and rammed a stolen SUV into police cars at both ends of the George Washington Bridge was sentenced to 43 years in federal prison. Luis Figueroa, 42, first took a plea deal from the government that called for him to serve 26 years in a federal penitentiary. Then he abruptly withdrew his plea, took his chances with a trial – and lost. Federal jurors in Newark convicted Figueroa in May 2022 of kidnapping, criminal sexual abuse, illegal gun possession and assaulting…
Police & Fire
Teen Killed At PA Movie Theater Was 'Specifically Targeted,' Police Say
A Pennsylvania teenager who was the victim of a targeted shooting in the lobby of a Luzerne County movie theater has died from his injuries, according to state police. Luis Manuel Luna, 19, of Hazleton, died from injuries sustained in a shooting at approximately 8;15 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Regal Cinema on Laurel Mall Drive in the Hazle Township. According to police, Manuel Luna suffered multiple gunshot wounds while he was in the arcade and lobby area of the theater before the gunman fled the area. Manuel Luna was transported to Lehigh Valley Hazleton for treatment and evaluati…
Police & Fire
Third Person Dies In Pocono Township Crash
A third victim has died in a Pocono Township crash over the weekend, officials said. A 33-year-old Hazleton man operating a Subaru WRX and 28-year-old Brooklyn woman driving a 2018 Nissan Rogue were pronounced dead at the scene the 6:30 p.m. incident at Routes 611 and 715 on Sunday, Dec. 4, township police said. A passenger in the Nissan, Ruthie Gedeon, 26, of Brooklyn, was pronounced dead at Lehigh Valley Hospital. The cause of death was multiple traumatic injuries, the Lehigh Valley Coroner's Office said. Two other female passengers in the Nissan were also seriously injured. The roadway …
Police & Fire
Man, 22, Killed In Hazleton Shooting: Authorities
A 22-year-old man was shot and killed in Hazleton, authorities said. Felix Dini was pronounced dead at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest at 4:10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 10, after the shooting on Friday, Oct. 7, according to the Lehigh County Coroner's Office. The Freeland resident was shot at the intersection of South Fulton Court and East Noble Street around 5:50 p.m., authorities said. His cause of death was determined to be gunshot wounds and his manner of death was ruled a homicide, the coroner said. An autopsy will be completed on Tuesday, Oct. 11. Further det…
Business
Regal Cinemas Quietly Closes Bucks County Theater
Regal Cinemas has closed a Bucks County location. The Regal Richland Crossing movie theater off Route 309 in Quakertown shuttered on Thursday, Sept. 15, the company announced on its website. Regal's parent company Cineworld Group LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this month. "The pandemic was an incredibly difficult time for our business, with the enforced closure of cinemas and huge disruption to film schedules that has led us to this point,” Cineworld CEO Mooky Greidinger said. The following 18 Regal locations remain open in Pennsylvania: Conshohocken, Regal Plymouth M…
News
Two PA Lottery Players Split Match 6 Jackpot Worth $620K
Two lucky Pennsylvania lottery tickets matched all six numbers drawn, splitting the Match 6 jackpot from the Tuesday, Sept. 6 drawing. The jackpot was worth $620,000. Each winning ticket is worth $310,000. The winning numbers were: 4-6-7-21-34-40. The lucky tickets were sold at the following locations: Berks County: Redner’s Warehouse Markets, 3205 North 5th St. Highway, Reading Luzerne County: Can Do Convenience, 419 South Poplar St., Hazleton The retailers will receive a bonus check for $500 for each winning ticket sold. Winners should call 1-800-692-7481. Players…
Police & Fire
PA Cheerleader Believed Shot Dead By Teen BF
A community is coming together to remember a young Pennsylvania cheerleader who was killed in a shooting just 10 days before beginning her senior year of high school. Kassadey Matulevich, 17, died at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Hazleton after she was shot in the head by 17-year-old Alan J. Meyers, her boyfriend, inside her Sand Hollow Drive home in Butler Township home just after 5 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, Pennsylvania State Police said. Meyers, of Black Creek Township, remained held in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility without bail and was charged as an adult with criminal homicide, po…
News
Guilty
: Kidnapping Rapist Who Cancelled Plea Deal Convicted In Rampage Through PA, NJ, NY
An ex-con who kidnapped and raped his ex-girlfriend in Pennsylvania, torched a used car dealership in Paterson and crashed a stolen SUV into police cars on either side of the George Washington Bridge rolled the dice and lost. After originally pleading guilty to several charges, Luis Figueroa, 41, withdrew his plea and took his chances with federal jurors in Newark. They ended up convicting him following a two-week trial. So now, instead of the 26-year deal that he originally accepted from the government, Figueroa could be sentenced to nearly 50 years in federal prison. The rampage had an “…
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