July 25, 2018
There’s a new sheriff in town
At its July
19 meeting, Northampton County Council voted 8-0 to confirm Richard H. Johnston
as Sheriff. He is also the joint top
choice of both Executive Lamont McClure and President Judge Michael Koury Jr. Johnston’s
salary will be $89,235. Peg Ferraro, who was absent for Johnston’s confirmation
hearing the previous day, abstained. Johnston is the 72nd person to serve as
Northampton County Sheriff since the county was first formed in 1752. The
county’s first sheriff, William Craig, was a captain in Pennsylvania provincial
militia under Major William Parsons during the French and Indian War.
Johnston’s immediate predecessor, David Dalrymple, was a major in the New
Jersey State Police. Photo: Sheriff Richard Johnston, flanked by wife Barbara
on the left and daughter Maya on the right.
By Bernie O’Hare
Atkins to stay behind bars
A hit-and-run driver whose car
struck and killed a 9-year-old boy in 2015 as he crossed Schonersville Road
will stay behind bars for four years. A
three-judge panel of the Pennsylvania Superior Court on Friday affirmed a
four-to- 10-year sentence imposed by President Judge Michael Koury Jr., against
Royce Atkins, now 25, for failing to stop after his blue 2007 Mazda Speed
struck Darious Condash, a fourth-grade student at Shecker ES. Atkins had
testified that he was aware he had struck something, but thought it was a
pothole or the center median. He told friends at a party that night that he had
struck a deer on Steuben Road.
By Bernie O’Hare
Sen. Casey visits Gracedale
Gracedale, often referred to as the jewel of Northampton County, is home
to about 670 senior citizens. They had a special visitor Friday, when U.S.
Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) stopped by to meet with them and speak with workers.
One of them gave him a box filled with tiny Moravian stars, and another
provided a Nazareth baseball cap. Casey made sure he greeted every resident he
could, and then spoke to the staff from a pavilion on the campus. He described
a strong America in which people help each other. Photo: Senator Bob Casey made sure he
spoke to as many Gracedale residents as he could.
By Bernie O’Hare
Liberty HS choir backs Manilow
When Liberty
HS director of choral music Julie Wydrzynski was approached by a member of
Barry Manilow’s management in March to provide backup vocals for the singer’s
performance at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center in early July, she gladly
accepted the invitation and began preparing. Unfortunately, Wydrzynski couldn’t
be there to lead the choir as she was literally having a baby during the
performance. Assistant band director Allen Frank filled in and along with
several parents made sure Wydrzynski was kept up to speed minute by minute. The
26 students comprising the choir rehearsed during a preshow sound check and
then performed during three Manilow standards toward the end of the concert:
“Miracle,” “I Write the Songs,” and “Copacabana.” “It was extremely exciting to
see these kids shine and get the recognition they deserve,” Wydrzynski said.
“The students acted professionally and took their job very seriously.” Above:
The 26-member Liberty HS choir backs Barry Manilow during his concert at the
Sands Bethlehem Event Center July 5.
By Dana Grubb
SHE has everything
The music was loud. The elementary school girls were having an afternoon
out at Bethlehem Skateaway in Bethlehem Township – some were roller skating,
some were playing a table game with Haneef Muttaqi, an adult volunteer, and
others were walking or lounging around in their socks just talking with
friends. The June 27 skate party was part of bigger plan. They were all part of
a pilot program designed to improve the self-esteem, health and education (SHE)
for girls aged 9 to 10 years. The program is based out of Fountain Hill
Elementary School and sponsored by the Community Action Committee of Lehigh
Valley (CACLV). Photo: Some of the
SHE girls take a break from roller skating to pose with their leaders. Top row: Maya Hernandez, Shyla Colon, Sherley
Perdomo, Niani Vaughn, Delores Singletary and Ginny Sandoval. Sitting in the
middle: Aniya Holmes. Sitting in first row: Janiyah Kinder-Love, Valeria Robles
and Kritize Diaz-Rivera.
By Douglas Graves
Mittl always going to give her best
By Katie McDonald
Vazquez became all-round athlete
By Peter Car
Penn’s Peak a CMA venue nominee
When Pencor Services, Inc., took a chance on a concert hall in the
mountains of Penn Forest Township, general manager Craig Stelling never dreamed
the site would one day be in the company of legendary country music venues like
Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and Austin City Limits Live. But as Penn’s Peak
embarked on its 15th anniversary this year, Stelling learned that the Carbon
County concert hall is one of five nominees for the Venue of the Year - Small
Capacity in the Industry Award and Studio Recording division for the 53rd
Academy Of Country Music Awards (CMA).
By Kathy Lauer-Williams
Bethlehem: Residents, council praise conversion ordinance
Bethlehem: Morning Star Rotary grant supports BAPL
Bethlehem HCC: CADCB façade changes approved
Bethlehem: Farmers’ Market offers fresh produce and more
Bethlehem Township: Freemansburg Ave. work imminent
Fountain Hill: Borough officer among traffic safety honorees
Northampton County: Record cash seizures from drug arrests
Northampton County: County solicitor faces DUI charges
Lehigh County: Valley non-profits in pipeline to receive grants
Lehigh Valley: Synergy Fund helps volunteers, non-profits
State: Budget bolsters economy, workforce through education and
skills
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