Community Corner

5 Things to Know Today

On this day, the vice president shot another to death.

Good morning, Bethlehem. Welcome to the working week. Today is July 11, 2011, 25 days until Musikfest.

  1. If you think politics in this country are too rough and personal now, consider that on this day in 1804, Vice President Aaron Burr mortally wounded former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton in a gun duel at Weehawken, N.J. Burr had taken offense at some of the things Hamilton said about him as he ran for governor of New York state in 1804, after it became clear that Thomas Jefferson was not going to keep him on as vice president for his second term in the White House. Political rivals for years, Burr and Hamilton, crossed the Hudson River to avoid New York’s death penalty for dueling. Burr was prosecuted for murder in New York and New Jersey, but managed to beat the rap and soon faded into politically obscure infamy. Hamilton, who had been the chief architect of the American financial and banking systems, remains the face of the $10-bill.
  2. The Gulf at 2900 Easton Ave. and the at Broad and Center streets have the cheapest prices for gas in Bethlehem at $3.47 a gallon. No reason to pay more than $3.53 anywhere else.
  3. There could be some lane restrictions and delays along Route 22 through the city and environs today. PennDOT is planning to inspect the Airport Road bridge that goes over the highway, which will force lane closures in both directions. Department maintenance crews are also planning to do brush cutting along the length of the highway through Northampton County from Schoenersville Road all the way to Fourth Street in Easton. That will also cause lane restrictions and delays. Maintenance work in the form of milling and paving is also planned along Route 378 from Broadway to Seidersville Road. Again, expect lane restrictions and delays. The construction at the southern end of the Hill-to-Hill Bridge will continue to create traffic delays through the neighborhood in South Bethlehem.
  4. Today begins criminal court week in Easton for people facing charges in Northampton County. Among those on the docket is fired Bethlehem Police Officer , who is accused of tampering with evidence in a police internal investigation. Another is , a former Bethlehem clergyman accused of raping two girls. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest last month after he was a no-show in court.
  5. The Bethlehem Area School Board holds a special meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at the . The main orders of business are bid awards for a new hot water heater for Fountain Hill Elementary School and a new air handler for Freemansburg Elementary School. The board’s Curriculum Committee meets after the special meeting.


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