The Lehigh County Coroner has identified the man found dead in the water of a cave in Slatington. The man is identified as 41-year-old Jesse Rutt, of Walnutport. According to the coroner, Rutt was pronounced dead on Monday at around 11:30 p.m., at the scene in the water of an underground quarry located in the 300 block of East Church Street. An autopsy was completed Thursday by the Lehigh County Coroner's Office. They state the cause and manner of death are pending further investigation and the completion of additional forensic testing.
State officials believe the deaths of about 200 snow geese in the Lehigh Valley earlier this week were caused by bird flu. The deaths were reported Monday at sites in Lower Nazareth and Upper Macungie Townships. The Pennsylvania Game Commission noted there were sick wild birds at both locations. Anyone encountering sick or dead wild birds is asked to contact the game commission.
A police officer is being called a hero for his response to a fireworks accident in Berks County shortly after midnight on New Year's Day. Bern Township police said a man suffered significant damage to his hand after the accident and was significantly bleeding and going in-and-out of consciousness. The officer wrapped a tourniquet around the affected area, which the department says saved the man's life. His condition is not known at this time.
Folks traveling throughout the Keystone State should expect to pay more to take the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission approved a 5 percent toll increase back in July of 2024, which will go into effect on Sunday, January 5.
It's almost time for the PA Farm Show. The 109th Farm Show is set to kick off tomorrow in Harrisburg. This year's theme is "Powering Pennsylvania," showcasing how the commonwealth is a "national leader" in agriculture. The fair runs through next Saturday.
The highly anticipated butter sculpture at this year's Pennsylvania Farm Show was unveiled Thursday. The American Dairy Association North East and the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, in collaboration with the state Department of Agriculture, title this year's sculpture as: "From Moo to Marvel: Dairy Cows Power Pennsylvania". They stated that this year's creation celebrates the dairy industry's rich traditions and groundbreaking environmental innovations.
Hundreds of Pennsylvania National Guard members will be sent to the Trump inauguration ceremony later this month. State officials say more than 750 soldiers and airmen will be provided to support the D.C National Guard in ensuring the safety of the inauguration. Pennsylvania National Guard members were also sent to the inauguration of Joe Biden in 2021. A large crowd is expected in the nation's capital on Inauguration Day, which this year is also Martin Luther King Junior Day.
Penn State will face an old rival with a trip to the national championship on the line. The Nittany Lions will take on Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl after the Fighting Irish took down Georgia in yesterday's Sugar Bowl. Their last matchup was in 2007. The Orange Bowl is set for January Ninth in Miami.
