Bushkill Man Charged with Possessing Child Porn

The Express-Times reports (read the article here) that a Bushkill man was charged with possessing child pornography.

A complaint in late January that the individual had taken improper pictures of a nine year old led to a search warrant, which resulted in finding video of two under-age girls, half naked splashing in a pond. Police seized computers, video equipment, and DVD's.

The 44 year old, Harold Moser, had previously been charged with receiving a stolen handgun, endangering the welfare of children, and corruption of children.

Naked Man Tasered at 7-Eleven

Yes it did happen, as one reader asked in the comments of a post earlier this week, a naken man in a frenzy outside 7-Eleven, yelled "let's go coppers" jumped on the hood of their car, kicked the windshield and then went after an officer, at which point he was tasered according to a report in the Express-Times (read it here).

Upper Nazareth resident, 32 year-old John Dilli was sent to the hospital and will face multiple charges. Amazingly, idecent exposure was not one of them.

Interim Chief Plan Discussed

The Morning Call reports (read it here) that Nazareth Council has begun discussions on appointing an interim chief following Chief Sinclair's resignation.

The Express-Times reports (read it here) that Sinclair has taken a position in West Conshohocken.

Teens Gone Wild

The Express-Times has two reports on Nazareth teenagers, one who destroyed his mother's home, and another who led police on a chase.

A 17 year old destroyed his mother's home on Monday (read the article here) by punching holes in walls, pulling parts of the ceiling down, and destroying other items.

A 19 year old faces 16 charges after police clocked him doing 44 mph in a 25 mph zone. When the police put their lights on he tried to out drive them, nearly hitting Pizza Joe's restaurant and eventually going through a corn field (read the article here).

Annual Resignation of the Police Chief

Last year it was reported that Nazareth Police Chief had accepted a position with Drexel University only to have it indicated as a prematurely released press release. Now, the Express-Times reports that Chief Sinclair has resigned (read the article here).

The reason cited for the departure is a desire to work closer to home. Sinclair lives in Philadelphia. Nazareth waived its requirement that the Chief live within the Nazraeth School District for one year. Then the Chief took another job, said it was a mistake, had his contract renewed, and had the waiver extended another year.

We did not move the borough, following the hiring, nor did we misconstrue our proximity to Philadelphia. Citing this as a reason only supports the fact that we should have required him to move here in the first place, then it wouldn't be an issue now.

Many have questioned if Sinclair was reimbursed for travel (ie commuting), used a borough vehicle to do so (was gas paid for, extra milage added to a borough vehicle, etc), and there is the real issue of the Chief being immediately available in the instance when there was an emergency.

Moving forward, I hope the Borough strictly enforces its residency requirement and does not allow for waivers. There may have been gains in the department, but it also appears the residents absorbed costs we really didn't need to (he is using vacation and sick day until his contract expires so he is no longer working, but is getting paid according to the article).

Washington Park Equipment Vandalized

Thanks to the reader who had visited Washington Park with her children and reported to the Borough and myself the damage she found to the play equipment.

It appears that vandals burned a hole through the tube that younger children crawl through.

If you have any information, please call the police.

See more photos here.

Hit and Run - Your Help Needed

The Morning Call (read it here) and Express-Times (read it here) both report that a boy was hit on his bike while using the cross-walk infront of Lower Nazareth Elementary School.

If getting hit by a pick-up truck wasn't enough to shake him up, the driver felt compelled to curse at the boy prior to speeding away.

As a reminder, drivers are to yield to pedestrians in cross walks. If there is an intersection of roads, but no cross walk is painted - it is still a cross walk and the driver should yield. The cone/signs that have been installed are helpful, but it doesn't mean drivers don't have to yield when one isn't present.

Any information please contact the Colonial Regional Police (from the articles):

• Incident happened on Saturday around 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
• Infront of the Lower Nazareth Elementary School in the crosswalk at Newburg and Fieldstone Drive
• Vehichle was a blue Dodge extended cab, possibly a Dakota
• The pickup truck driver yelled obscenities at the child after hitting him and then sped away
• The bicycle was damaged and the boy was ''shaken up,'' said police, who did not identify the child.
• Anyone with information is asked to call officer Michael Kovach at 610-861-4820 or 610-330-2200.

Probation Given to Nazareth Woman for Selling Stolen Jewelry

The Express-Times reports that a Nazareth woman was given 22 months probation for selling stolen jewelry (read the article here). The jewelry was from a burglary in the 100 block of Tatamy Road and the other individual claimed the woman stole the jewelry and he stole other items.

Judge Zito ordered the woman to pay restitution, earn her GED, and get a job.

Lower Nazareth Man Charged Sexual Assault

The Morning Call reports that a 55 year old Lower Nazareth man was charged with sexual assault of an 11 year old girl (read the story here).

Police Identify O'Brien's Killer

The Express-Times reports (read the article here) that police have charged Mark Williams, also of Nazareth, of criminal homicide. It was noted that beating and strangulation were the cause of death.

Williams was arriagned before District Magistrate Strohe today and sent to Northampton County Prison without bail.

BB or Plastic Pellet - Type of Gun Makes a Difference

The Public Comment portion of the Council meeting apparently got heated last night. I received a few emails and the Express-Times reports on the reason why (read the article here).

An 11 year old boy allegedly shot out a window on South Pine Street (the alley between Whitfield and New). Two tenants saw the boy shoot out the window, called their landlord, who in turn called police.

Despite the witnesses, Chief Sinclair stated it was an 'accident'. He further noted it was not, "a BB gun; it was a toy that shoots plastic pellets."

One reader by email informed me that BB guns are illegal in the borough, which might explain why the clarification was provided. If it was a BB gun and an accident, the shooter still should have been cited for the illegal gun.

The landlord claims he is responsible to replace the window at his own expense due to the 'accidental nature' of its being damaged.

12 hour vs 8 hour shift

Wasn't aware of this issue, but apprently the police department's officers and borough management have been arguing over shift hours according to the Express-Times (read the article here).

Officers wanted 12 hour shifts, presumably to receive overtime during a work-week, and the borough only wanted to provide 8 hour shifts. The case went to the PA Labor Relations Board and the officers won.

Nazareth Car Wash

I had often wondered why the renovation of the Nazareth Car Wash on the south end of town had taken so long to complete. The Morning Call has an article today (read it here) noting that a Morristown, NJ man was sentenced to 1 to 7 years for bilking the Car Wash out of $92,500. The money was intented to purchase equipment to renovate the facility and was never purchased.

Unfortunately, it appears to have been a criminal case and it doesn't appear the Car Wash will recuperate the funds, at least not as of this trial.

Marino's License Reinstated

State licensing officials have reinstated Nazareth School Board Member John Marino's license following his hearing in Harrisburg according to the Express-Times (read the article here).

The licensing hearing is separate from the criminal hearing.

Bushkill Break-Ins

The Express-Times reports a series of vehicle break-ins were reported to Bushkill Twp. police on Thursday of last week (read the article here).

The article notes:

The thefts were in the 100 block of Firehouse Lane, the 200 block of Lucas Lane, the 1000 block of Bushkill Center Road, the 100 block of Constitution Avenue, the 100 block of Belfast Road and the 100 block of Blackstone Drive, police said.

Unfortunately, I'm quite sure this is not the last report of this kind we'll get this summer - keep your vehicles locked.

Marino License Hearing

The Express-Times reports that the licensure board is reviewing the suspension of Nazareth School Board Member John Marino (read it here).

In the article, Marino's defense attorney alleged that the accusations were orchestrated in retaliation to a lawsuit Marino filed against Twin River Podiatry earlier this year.

Marino's License Suspended

The Morning Call (read the article here) and Express-Times (read the article here) report that Nazareth School Board Member John Marino's professional chiropracter liscence has been suspended temporarily following indecent assault charges .

The suspension was because he is, "a clear and immediate danger to the public health and safety."

Police Seeking Killer in Murder Case

There isn't much new to the story, but the Morning Call has an article today (read it here) that indicates police are seeking the killer in the murder of 33 year old Patrick O'Brien, who was found on the porch of his family's home on North Main Street.

Car Crashes into House E. Center St.

The Express-Times reports a car crashed into a house in the first block of E. Center Street (between Main and Broad) yesterday at about 6:15 p.m. (read the article here)

Neighbors, Friends Describe O'Brien

The Morning Call (read it here) and Express-Times (read it here) continue to report on the investigation into the murder of Patrick O'Brien, 33, who was found in front of his parents home in the 100 Block of N. Main Street on Sunday morning.

The Call notes it is the first murder since 1978, and that case remains unresolved.

State Police are leading the investigation.