Good morning Bethlehem. Today is Monday, October 31, 2011. Looks like “Sandy Claws” made a visit to Jack Skellington and Halloween Town on Saturday night. Mr. Claws might have been a little too giving. Merry Halloween. Welcome to the working week.

1. It’s amazing how much havoc can be wrought by a little October snow. As of late Sunday night, nearly 15,000 of PPL Electric Utilities’ customers were still without power. And that’s just in Bethlehem and Bethlehem Township. The number in the Lehigh Valley is closer to 100,000 and 155,000 across the Commonwealth. PPL’s website said it expects this to be a “multiday restoration effort. Customers with special needs or considerations -- such as infants or elderly parents -- are urged to make alternate arrangements as appropriate.” If you do not think your outage has been reported, call 1-800-DIAL-PPL (1-800-342-5775), or use the website to report.
2. If you lack electricity and heat or know someone who does, Calypso Elementary School has been opened as a warming station. City EMS, police and firefighters were at the scene. Please check on older neighbors and relatives to make sure they are keeping warm.
3. Bethlehem Area public schools are closed today as a result of the storm.
4. The city Zoning Hearing Board is scheduled to reconvene at 6 p.m. in Town Hall to continue discussion of a plan by developer Abraham Atiyeh to convert the former Calvary Baptist Church on Dewberry Avenue to a residential drug and alcohol treatment center.
5. Today is the last day to submit a picture to the Patch Little Pumpkin costume contest. The 10 most unique and original costumes – as judged by a panel of judges led by celebrity supermodel Heidi Klum – will win $1,031 for the charity of their choice. One winner will get a trip to New York or Los Angeles to meet Heidi. Click here for more details and to enter.