In this issue of Bethlehem Local Buzz…

• 🚨 K-9 Heroism: Bethlehem Police's Furry Partner Aids in Arrest After Intense Standoff

• 🚛 Lehigh Valley Mack Workers Await Comprehensive Labor Agreement

• 🏆 Lehigh Wrestlers Set the Mat Ablaze in Brown and White Intrasquad

• 🤩 Free Business Spotlights with Bethlehem Local Buzz this Month

• And more…

K-9 Heroism: Bethlehem Police's Furry Partner Aids in Arrest After Intense Standoff

In a tense episode lasting nearly nine hours, the Bethlehem Police Department successfully apprehended a wanted man in West Bethlehem on Wednesday. Brian George Lichtenwalner, 31, of Bethlehem, was taken into custody just before 7 p.m. after an exhaustive search by law enforcement.

The key player in this operation was K-9 Rico, an 8-year-old Dutch Shepard, and his partner, Officer Matthew Steidel. Deployed alongside the department’s Emergency Response Team, K-9 Rico’s exceptional olfactory skills proved invaluable in locating Lichtenwalner. Despite the fugitive's attempt to evade capture by hiding in an upstairs closet, Rico's sharp nose led the officers directly to him.

Lichtenwalner, who had multiple warrants against him, put up resistance during the arrest. The arrest was made possible through the combined efforts of the police force, with K-9 Rico's expertise playing a pivotal role in this successful operation.

Mack Trucks Strike Continues Amidst Unresolved Economic Demands

In the ongoing labor dispute involving the Lehigh Valley Mack Trucks facility, a resolution remains elusive. Despite reaching tentative local agreements with the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, Mack Trucks stated that the union's economic demands at the master contract level remain unmet. This development comes as the UAW secured a tentative agreement with Ford, hinting at a potential resolution to the nearly six-week-long strikes affecting various Detroit automakers, including Mack.

Mack Trucks has reiterated its commitment to the economic terms outlined in its October 1st preliminary agreement with the UAW. This agreement, which the UAW leadership previously lauded as a landmark contract for the heavy truck industry, was subsequently rejected by a significant majority of its membership. The primary concerns of the workers, as voiced by Local 677 Vice President Mike Shupp, revolve around adjustments to wages based on the cost of living and assurances related to job security and work-life balance.

As of the latest update, no further discussions between Mack and the UAW have been scheduled. The preliminary agreement had proposed a series of benefits for the workers, including a significant wage increase, no rise in health insurance premiums, and other work-related provisions. Notably, Mack emphasized that despite the company's healthcare costs surging over the past decade, premiums for its healthcare coverage would remain static for the next five years.

The strike, which began on October 9th, impacts approximately 3,900 workers, with a significant portion based at Mack's Lehigh Valley Operations plant. This is not the first time Mack workers have taken such action; a similar strike occurred in October 2019, which concluded with a four-year labor agreement.

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This Week’s Events in Bethlehem PA…

Sat Oct 27th

• Bat Blitz (Oct 27-28)

  • Kids Quest Wind Creek Bethlehem

Sat Oct 28th

• Bat Blitz (Oct 27-28)

  • Kids Quest Wind Creek Bethlehem

Sun Oct 29th

• Fall Winefest and Market

  • 12:00pm

  • The Banana Factory

• Mystery and History Walking Tour

  • 5:00pm

  • Historic Bethlehem Visitor Center

Mon Oct 30th

• Luag Director’s Tour: Pumkin Spice Sculpture Walk with William Crow

  • 5:00pm - 6:00pm

  • Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University

• Improv 101 with Kelcie Kosberg

  • 7:00pm

  • The Banana Factory

Tues Oct 31st

• Christmas City Farm Stand

  • 4:00pm - 6:00pm

  • Payrow Plaza

• Halloween at South Side

  • 5:00pm - 6:15pm

  • Bethlehem Area Public Library (Southside)

Wed Nov 1st

• Pennsylvania Arts & Humanities: A Statewide Convening

  • 8:45am - 3:00pm

  • Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University

• Veterans Day 2023

  • 6:00pm - 9:00pm

  • Moravian University’s Prosser Auditorium - Haupert Union Building

Have an Event you want us to list?

Brown Team Triumphs in Lehigh’s Annual Wrestling Face-Off

In a spirited display of athletic prowess, the Lehigh wrestling team inaugurated the 2023-24 season with their traditional Brown and White Intrasquad match. Held at the Leeman-Turner Arena within Grace Hall, spectators were treated to a series of 11 bouts, marking the Mountain Hawks' first public competition this season. The Brown team emerged triumphant with a score of 28-14.

The evening was notable for five bouts that resulted in bonus point victories. Additionally, seven of Lehigh's fresh faces made their debut in the Brown and White at Grace Hall.

The contest commenced with a face-off between junior Malyke Hines and sophomore Carter Bailey at 141. Hines secured a victory with a combination of a first-period takedown, a third-period escape, and riding time, culminating in a 5-2 decision.

At 149, both matches were clinched by the White team members, each with a score of 4-1. Matt Repos, a true first-year, bested deferred first-year Kelvin Griffin, while junior Drew Munch narrowly defeated first-year Richie Grungo.

Junior Max Brignola, competing at 157, achieved the evening's first bonus points, claiming a 14-4 major decision over Griffin Gonzalez. The 165 category saw sophomore transfer Hunter Mays and junior Tyler Sung emerge victorious, with Sung achieving the only pin of the night.

Sophomore Thayne Lawrence dominated with a 12-0 major decision over Justin Onello at 174, followed by first-year Jared Schoppe's win against Remy Brancato.

The most closely contested bout was at 184, where first-year Caden Rodgers narrowly defeated sophomore JT Davis in tiebreakers.

Concluding the evening, both bouts witnessed technical fall victories by returning NCAA qualifiers, with junior Michael Beard and sophomore heavyweight Nathan Taylor each securing a 19-4 score.

Complete Local Sports Schedules:

Lehigh University

Moravian University

Bethlehem Catholic High School

Liberty High School

Freedom High School