The long road to recovery is underway for former Nazareth High School star wrestler Sammy Sasso. His high school wrestling coach, Dave Crowell, says Sasso is making progress after being shot during a carjacking near Ohio State University, where he now attends. "The latest I just saw is a video of him walking with some assistance. But, he was walking. He and his mom both said it was the best day, so far," Crowell says. A GoFundMe account has been established to help in Sasso's recovery. So far, more than $94,000 has been raised.
New development has been approved for expanding a hospital campus in Bethlehem Township. Monday night, the township's planning commission gave the go-ahead to expansion plans at St. Luke's University Health's Anderson Campus. The expansion would include a third wing, made up of a five-story, 307,000-square-foot building that would add nearly 150 beds. Planners also voted unanimously to approve conditional use for the campus' temporary helipad while a permanent one will be included with the new building once it's complete.
Officials have now released the name of the man killed in a motorcycle accident around 5:30 Friday afternoon in the 1700 block of Farmersville Road in Bethlehem Township. The Northampton County Coroner's Office identified the man as 42-year-old Javier Feliciano of Freemansburg. Police say Feliciano lost control of his motorcycle and crashed off the side of the road. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The rules have changed to become a Pennsylvania State Police trooper. Gov. Josh Shapiro has ordered the college credit requirement tossed aside. The governor says he wants to open the hiring process to a broader range of people. "The opportunity to serve should be open to any qualified Pennsylvanian, regardless of whether they have a four-year degree or whether they have of hours of college credits," Shapiro says. State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris agrees. "We want this change to open the doors to those of whom were previously not eligible. Who have the drive and passion and determination to become Pennsylvania state troopers," Paris says. Shapiro says in 1990 there were 10,000 applicants per cadet class. Four years ago, that number was 8000. This year it was just 1800, something Shapiro hopes to turn around with this directive.
The Giant Company says flu shots are now available at all Giant Pharmacies. The company says it offers several types of flu shots for children, adults, and seniors. Most flu shots are covered by insurance plans and have $0 copays. No appointment is needed and the shots are administered by Giant in-store pharmacists.
A Republican House lawmaker from the Pittsburgh area wants to introduce legislation to crack down on school nepotism. Valerie Gaydos' proposed bill would ban school board members from serving in districts in which immediate family members are employed. She says too many conflicts of interest can arise from such situations because school directors are responsible for decisions that potentially could benefit their family members.
State Department of Human Services officials say their Safe Haven sites are effective. Their new data shows five babies were rescued at Safe Haven sites last year. The state's Safe Haven Law allows new moms to relinquish babies at places like hospitals and police stations to try to protect children from unsafe environments. The recently-released information was included in the state's annual report on Child Protective Services. Since the Safe Haven law was enacted over 20 years ago, 55 newborns have been received as part of the program.