Woman dies after fall at SteelStacks ice rink
A woman died early Monday after a fall the day before at the SteelStacks ice rink, according to authorities. Maria Luisa Jimenez, 63, of Costa Rica was pronounced dead about 1:30 a.m. at St. Luke’s University Hospital in Fountain Hill, Lehigh County Coroner Daniel A. Buglio said. Jimenez fell backward while ice skating and hit her head on the ice, according to Buglio.
Body found in underground quarry
A body was found Monday night in an underground quarry in Lehigh County, according to authorities. Coroner Daniel A. Buglio said in a news release that a 41-year-old man was pronounced dead about 11:30 p.m. in the water of an underground quarry in the 300 block of East Church Street in Slatington. The man was identified Thursday as Jesse J. Rutt of Walnutport; cause of death remains pending.
4 Lehigh Valley school districts lead Pa. in child poverty growth rates
Childhood poverty rates grew faster last year in four Lehigh Valley school districts than any other of the 499 districts in the state, according to new census data. Three of the four districts — Bangor Area, Pen Argyl Area and Saucon Valley — remained lower than the statewide 2023 average for childhood poverty rates, while Wilson Area was higher.
Why pork and sauerkraut meal is a New Year’s Day tradition
Like many other cultures, the Pennsylvania Dutch believe eating pork on New Year’s Day brings good luck because pigs root around with their snouts in a forward motion. After all, we want to move forward, not backward, in the new year. Sauerkraut is made from cabbage — a symbol of money because it’s leafy and green.
National sports thrift chain to open Lehigh Valley location
A chain for selling and buying used sports and fitness gear for all ages will open a Lehigh Valley location this winter. The chain, Play It Again Sports, will tentatively open 6,000-square-foot space at 1858 Catasauqua Road in Hanover Township in February, the store announced on Facebook.
Lehigh Valley family celebrates fourth wedding at Hotel Bethlehem
Jason Powell and Diane Myer of Huntsville, Alabama, got married Monday in Hotel Bethlehem in Bethlehem. It was fourth such ceremony at the hotel involving a member of Powell’s family.
