Felony charges against a second Quakertown Area High School student have now been dropped. Attorney Ed Angelo says the most serious charges against a 15-year-old girl stemming from an anti-ICE protest on Feburary 20th have been dropped. Students at Quakertown High School planned the walkout, but the school told students to call off the walkout due to safety concerns. About three dozen students walked out anyway and Quakertown police say some vandalized property, damaged a police cruiser and assaulted officers. Angelo says his client still faces misdemeanor charges. A total of five students were arrested and initially put on house arrest, however last month that was lifted for all five. Also last month another student also had felony charges dismissed.
Saying she is self-employed and that there was no misrepresentation on her petition submitted to get on the May primary ballot, Taiba Sultana is appealing to the state Supreme Court a ruling that booted her from next month's ballot. Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled Sultana's petition listing her occupation as "self-employed" constituted a "material defect" that was misleading and removed her name from the ballot. Sultana says the Commonwealth Court ruling turned a truthful statement into grounds for disqualification. She seeks to challenge 18th District St. Sen. Lisa Boscola in next month's primary.
Pennsylvania's gas prices are now averaging above the $4 mark. According to AAA East Central, the average price for a gallon of gas stood at $4.15 yesterday, up 21 cents from the week before and 75 cents higher than one year ago. In the Lehigh Valley, the average price is now $4.11, up 19 cents from the prior week and 82 cents more expensive that last year.
Authorities continue to investigate a multi-vehicle crash that caused major traffic issues on I-78 in Allentown yesterday. State Police said six vehicles were involved in a collision in the eastbound lanes near Lehigh Street. There was heavy congestion on the interstate throughout the afternoon while first responders and work crews were at the scene. One person was taken to the hospital in unknown condition.
One person is injured after a crash involving a motorcycle and an 18-wheeler on I-78. State Police said the collision happened in the eastbound lanes in Upper Macungie Township yesterday afternoon. The motorcyclist was taken to the hospital, where their condition is still unknown. The crash is being investigated.
Berks County DA John Adams says a New York man is being charged with DUI homicide for the crash that killed a Berks County fire chief and assistant fire chief last weekend. "I believe that this may have been a situation where he was under the influence of a combination of different drugs and alcohol, but we are awaiting the final toxicology reports," Adams says. A vehicle allegedly driven by 26-year-old Alexander Sepulveda-Rivera swerved on Route 222 and hit a UTV, killing Walnuttown Fire and Rescue Chief Jeff Buck and Assistant Chief Robert Shick. According to investigators, Sepulveda-Rivera admitted to smoking marijuana the morning of the crash and had a crack pipe in his possession. He also reportedly didn't have a driver's license.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is set to take part in an event that's become known as a platform for potential presidential candidates. Shapiro has been announced as a speaker at the Reverend Al Sharpton's National Action Network Convention in New York City. The civil rights conference is seen as a chance for those considering a run for president to speak with Black voters. This year's guest list also includes Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, California Congressman Ro Khanna, and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.