NOVEMBER 28-DECEMBER 4, 2013 Your Local News
Q&A with Charles Dickens’ great-great grandson, Page 4
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Happy Thanksgiving
KINDERGARTEN children at Sacred Heart School in Bath had a Thanksgiving Feast on Friday, Nov. 22. It consisted of turkey, fruit salad, corn muffin and pumpkin pie. At each plate was an apple made into a turkey. The children were dressed as Pilgrims and Indians, representing that first Thanksgiving in 1621. – Home News photo
Townships applaud Governor, Legislature for transportation funding Submitted by Ginni Linn The following statement was issued by David M. Sanko, executive director of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, which represents the 1,454 townships of the second class across Pennsylvania. Townships, in turn, represent more residents — 5.5 million Pennsylvanians — than any other type of political subdivision in the commonwealth and cover 95 percent of the commonwealth’s land mass.
----------------------Two Local Legislators Explain Opposition -----------------------
“On behalf of the PSATS Executive Board and our member townships, we applaud Gov. Tom Corbett and those in the state legislature who voted yes for the passage of a critically needed transportation funding bill that will en-
able the commonwealth and its municipal partners to restore the structural integrity of the state’s road and bridge network. We thank all those who voted yes and the governor for his leadership in this hard-fought and necessary battle to make sure our roads and bridges are safe and the state’s infrastructure continues to be well-maintained into the future. Public safety and economic development are the winners, along with the people of Pennsylvania. “After nearly two decades of stagnant funding, the legislature has taken the steps to provide the necessary resources to create a safe and reliable transportation system for our communities, our businesses, and our children. “This legislation will now enable our member townships to do their part in making sure Pennsylvanians reContinued on page 13
State Police urge safe driving During Thanksgiving holiday Submitted by Pa. State Police The official Thanksgiving Holiday Enforcement Period for Pennsylvania State Police Troop M, Bethlehem, heightened traffic enforcement began at midnight Wednesday, Nov. 27 and ends at midnight on Sunday, Dec. 1. This safety initiative is called P.A.D.E.E.P. (Pa. Aggressive Driving Enforcement Education Program). These extra patrols will be roving throughout the entire Troop M area to identify and apprehend drivers who drive aggressively. In addition, S.T.E.A.D.D. (Selective Traffic Enforcement Against Drunk Driving) and D.R.E. (Drug Recognition Expert) troopers will be apprehending motorists who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Enforcement will also concentrate on moving violations such as speeding and reckless driving, as well as
seat belt and child safety seat violators. Troopers in Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton Counties investigated 56 traffic crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period of 2012. Those 56 crashes resulted in two fatal crashes with three deaths and 37 injured requiring medical treatment. Of those crashes, seven were alcohol related. Troopers aggressively enforced the motor vehicle laws in Troop M, resulting in the issuing of 1,244 traffic citations, over half for speeding on area highways, 23 child seat citations, 67 seat belt citations, and 46 seat belt warnings, and arrests of 55 motorists on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. Pennsylvania State Police Troop M urges travelers to “think before you drink” and be mindful of their continu-
ing efforts to enforce the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s legal blood alcohol limit of 0.08% while operating a passenger vehicle. Motorists need to be aware of the State Police Checkpoint Strike Force initiative, which calls for weekly D.U.I. checkpoints in the Troop M patrol area. Also, anyone under the age of 21 who chooses to drink must be reminded that Pennsylvania’s Zero Tolerance Law establishes serious consequences for those who choose to drink and drive with any measurable amount of alcohol in their blood. Motorists are reminded there will be increased patrols as part of the PSP’s continuing effort toward traffic safety, and are also asked to take special care while driving during this busy weekend. When you see the Flashing Lights, Slow Down and Steer Clear. It is the Law.
Supreme Court rules that Ballard must die for slayings The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled this past Thursday that Michael Eric Ballard’s death sentence should be upheld for massacring four people in a Northampton home on June 26, 2010. Chief Justice Ronald Castille said the evidence was overwhelming and there was no basis for overturning the death sentences against him for the killings. Ballard stabbed to death his former girlfriend, Denise Merhi, 39; her father, Dennis Marsh, 62; her grandfather,
Plus, Carol Ritter on saying Thanks, Page 5
Alvin Marsh, Jr., 87; and Steven Zernhelt, 53, a next door neighbor of the home at 1917 Lincoln Ave., after he heard screams for help. He originally was sentenced to death in Northampton County Court, and District Attorney John Morganelli called the killings a “massacre.” Ballard’s public defender, Atty. Michael Corriere, argued that the defendant had a rough childhood, suffered brain damage, and had overwhelming jealousy. The jury ruled that he should
be executed. In the Supreme Court appeal, the verdict was challenged on the grounds that the judge improperly allowed autopsy and crime scene photos to be shown to the jury, and questioned whether Morganelli improperly cross-examined defense experts who concluded that Ballard was brain damaged. Morganelli expects that Ballard will file additional appeals for many years. He continues to be on death row at Green State Prison
72nd Year, Issue No. 48
USPS 248-700