Wilson Police Seek Robbery Suspects Who Assaulted Resident

Wilson Police report a borough resident was assaulted and robbed in broad daylight early Monday afternoon while walking in the 1900 block of Washington Boulevard, and the department is actively seeking suspects.

The victim, an 18-year-old man, was assaulted by four out of five men who approached him and was robbed of a carton of cigarettes he was carrying, police say. They added the victim suffered facial injuries but denied medical treatment.

The attack happened at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Monday, June 17. The suspects are described as being five black males, who fled in an unknown direction after the crime.

Wilson Borough Police request that anyone that may have witnessed the incident or has information about the strong-arm robbery please call Detective Christopher Meehan at 610-258-8542.

Easton Police Seek Suspect in West Ward Burglaries

A series of robberies that have taken place in Easton's West Ward neighborhood over the last two months have police asking the public to help catch the culprit.

 

At least eleven houses have been burglarized since April, with the items stolen including cash, computers, televisions, and jewelry, among other portable things of value.

 

Detective Matthew Reagan said that evidence has been collected in many of the cases, but it was only recently that police realized the string of home thefts were connected. He added that police believe the culprit or possibly culprits, are operating on foot, as unlike other area burglaries, no vehicles have been associated with these.

 

Additionally, police just got a description of a possible suspect from an alert citizen yesterday, when the latest of the thefts took place.

 

The suspect is described as being a white male in his 30s, with a slender build, brown hair and a mustache. He was wearing jeans and a t-shirt when last seen.

 

Authorities added that the culprit(s) have gotten into homes a variety of ways, including front, back, and basement doors, as well as first floor windows. In at least one instance, entrance into a victim's home was apparently made by pushing in a window air conditioning unit.

 

And, in at least some of the incidents, homes that were targeted had doors or windows that were left unlocked, police said.

 

"I have no problem saying that criminals are lazy," Reagan said, adding they typically will go after easy targets that are unsecured.

 

The thief or theives have struck in the following areas, police said:

• 1000 block of Spruce Street
• 200 block of South 12th Street
• 100 block of South 11th Street
• 1400 block of Lehigh Street
• 1100 block of Lehigh Street
• 600 block of Ferry Street
• 100 block of North 10th Street
• 800 block of Bushkill Street
• 900 block of Bushkill Street
• 200 block of North 11th Street (twice)

"If something suspicious is observed it is important that police are notified immediately," the EPD says.

Someone walking around with a television, or similar circumstances, were used as an example.

 

Those who might witness a crime in progress should call 911 immediately, police said.

 

Members of the public who have information on any of the burglaries or may have witnessed suspicious circumstances in the last couple of months that may be related to the crimes should call Detective Matthew Rush at 610-250-6639 or call the EPD tip line at 610-250-6635. Callers may remain anonymous.

 

"We'll take any information we can," Reagan said.

Southside Church to Hold Vacation Bible School

Christ United Methodist Church, at 400 Berwick St. in Southside Easton, has announced it will
hold a vacation bible school for children ages 3 to 14 from Monday, July 15 through Friday,
July 19.

The week will be themed, "God’s Backyard Bible Camp" and will feature Bible stories, crafts,
games and snacks.

The week-long day camp experience is free.

A closing program will be held during the 10 a.m. worship service the following Sunday, July
21.

For more information or to make reservations, call 610-258-4762.

Updated at 6:36 p.m.

Retrospective Screening to Kick Off Indiegogo Film Fundraising Campaign

By Christina Georgiou

MaGiK Studio, 34 Sebring St. in Downtown Easton, will hold a retrospective film screening of "Close to You" this Saturday evening, June 22, beginning at 7 p.m., which will also introduce attendees to the animator Maciek Albrecht's latest project, a three-minute animated video for Allentown beatbox jazz performer Yancarlos Sanchez's tune, "Ma Pacu Meaw".

The pair, who recently met at one of Sanchez's shows, hopes to raise $5,999 on Indiegogo to support the project. While at first the amount may sound steep, the budget includes set building, animation, and pretty much the entire production, Albrecht said, noting that even a short stop-motion animation clip takes weeks to produce and edit.



A test shot of the animated short shows Yancarlos Sanchez
exploring the depths of an ancient forest.
Photo contributed by MaGiK Studio.

 The short film, when successfully funded, will chronicle an ornithologist/explorer, played by  Sanchez, venturing into the depths of an ancient forest in search of the legendary bird Ma Pacu Meaw. Using his bird calling skills, he stumbles upon the "Temple of Lost Species" and encounters many magnificent and forgotten birds concealed from known civilization. He then  undergoes an initiation ritual and decides to live among them, Albrecht said.

The subject not only will highlight Sanchez's unique beatbox style, but also hopefully raise awareness of the danger many tropical birds face due to global warming and other manmade environemental hazards, Albrecht added.

Sanchez originally hails from the Dominican Republic.

The event at MaGiK's Easton studio will feature a 40-minute film from the studio's past works, a love story about two people in 1990s New York City destined for each other, but who are unable to meet.


Maciek Albrecht talks about the upcoming retrospective film
screening and his new project collaboration with beatbox
artist Yancarlos Sanchez at his studio in Downtown Easton.

 While the main characters may have difficulties, the award-winning film's production is where Albrecht and his wife Elli got to know each other and fall in love, eventually marrying and moving to Downtown Easton.

In addition to the screening and a personal explanation of the new project, there will be an art sale, and Yancarlos Sanchez will perform beginning around 9:30 p.m. Refreshments will be on hand as well.

Fundraising on Indiegogo will continue through Saturday, July 20, and, like many crowdfunding efforts, Albrecht and Sanchez are offering a variety of incentives to backers, depending on the level of support, including free signed CDs, beatbox lessons and how-to animation workshops.

For more information about MaGiK Studio, including short clips, click here.

For more about the showing of "Close to You", visit the event's Facebook page. RSVPs, either via Facebook or by phone at 610-983-8125, are appreciated.

For more about the new collaborative short film project or to donate, click here.

For more about Yancarlos Sanchez, click here.

Yancarlos Sanchez will also be performing at Porters' Pub this week, where he is a familiar face in Easton on many Thursday nights. For more information, click here.

Elementary Students in Need to Receive Summer Food Backpacks

The Peanut Butter Project, in partnership with the St. Paul's Food Pantry in South Side Easton and local school leaders, are working to provide summer backpacks filled with non-perishable food to 30 Easton area elementary school students in need.

Specific items are needed to supply the 30 backpacks, which will be filled by volunteers at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Southside Food Pantry on three evenings this summer and distributed by the school over nine weeks.

The Peanut Butter Project was formed by Forks resident Nancy Walters in response to a specific request for peanut butter donations for Easton's Downtown Interfaith Food Pantry run by ProJeCt.

“Our local food banks continue to struggle to provide food to more and more families,” said Walters.  “Our first effort was to provide peanut butter, which is a great source of protein, can be used at any meal, and requires no refrigeration.  Now we have expanded the program to include the priority staples that are always needed at all food pantries...and  partnered to create the backpack program."

Items that the groups are requesting include:

• Individual non-refrigerated milk packs (parmalat type) of any kind of milk, including regular, rice, soy, almond, and chocolate
• Individual fruit juices, non-refrigerated packs or pouches, preferably all-juice or juice/veggie blend, with no added sugar
• Cereal - individual cereal bowls or regular size boxes,  healthy choices such as cheerios, raisin bran, chex, etc., as opposed to high-sugar cereals
• Protein or granola bars - look for high protein - five grams is good
• Individual fruit cups, preferably with no added sugar or packed in fruit's own juice
• Individual boxes of raisins
• Jars of peanut butter--any size is fine
• Plastic bottles of jelly or jam, preferably squeeze bottles
• Paper grocery bags, for packing and distributing goods 

The groups are also accepting grocery store gift cards--any denomination is appreciated.

Monetary donations are welcome too, which will be put towards purchasing items that are not donated.

Checks, designated for “Summer Backpacks", can be sent to Arndt’s Lutheran Church, 1851 Arndt Rd, Easton, PA 18040 or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 610 W. Berwick St., Easton, PA 18042.   

For more information on backpack donations or the Peanut Butter Project, contact Nancy Walters at 610-253-0726 or nancywalters@rcn.com

This Week in Easton, June 17 to 20

Hey, it's going to be a beautiful week! So go enjoy some sunshine...you know you want to.

Monday, June 17

Easton Zoning Hearing Board meeting: 6:30 p.m. City Hall, city council chambers, 6th floor, 1 South Third St.

Forks Township Recreation Board meeting: 6:30 p.m. Forks Township Municipal Complex, 1606 Sullivan Trail, Forks Township.

Williams Township Land Preservation Board meeting: 7 p.m. Williams Township Municipal Complex, 655 Cider Press Road, Easton (Williams Township)

Tuesday, June 18

Butterfly Walk: 9 a.m. to noon. Learn some of the local butterflies on these walks in the meadows. Species will differ slightly on each walk. Bring binoculars!  Wear sturdy walking shoes, and bring a water bottle. No preregistration is necessary. Free. Walks will meet in the parking lot. Walk will proceed in misty conditions but cancel in case of downpour or lightning. Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary, Sunnyside Road (from Rte.611, take Spring Hill Road, make a right onto Sunnyside, follow it to the end), Williams Township. Click here for more information or email timburris@natlands.org
http://www.natlands.org/event/bird-walks-at-mariton-wildlife-sanctuary/2013-04-30/

Duplicate Bridge: 11:30 a.m. Temple Covenant of Peace, 1451 Northampton St.

Easton Business Association mixer: 5:30 p.m. An informal gathering where people get to know each other a little better. Held on the third Wednesday of each month, open to all EBA members. (Anyone can be a member by filling out a membership form, free.) Weyerbacher Brewing Company, 905 Line St.  www.eastonpa-eba.org

Bingo: Doors open at 5:30 p.m., bingo starts at 7 p.m. Refreshments available. Williams Township Fire Company, 2500 Morgan Hill Road, Williams Township. www.wtfireco.com

Williams Township Garden Club meeting: 6 p.m. An enjoyable evening of garden events. Everyone is welcome! St. John's Church, 2720 Morgan Hill Road, Williams Township. For information, call Carol McIntosh at 610-253-3155.

Easton Area School Board meeting: 7 p.m. Education Center, board room, 1801 Bushkill Drive, Forks Township.

Easton Recreation Board meeting: 7 p.m. City Hall, city council chambers, third floor, 1 South Third St.

Line Dancing: 7 to 9:30 p.m. Beginner lessons 7:15 p.m. Open dancing follows. $5 per person. Tatamy Fire Company, 164 Bushkill St., Tatamy. 610-759-2786 or www.purecountrydancers.com

Palmer Township Recreation Board meeting: 7:30 p.m. In the Palmer Library meeting room, at the Municipal Complex, 1 Weller Place (off of Newburg Road), Palmer Township.

Wednesday, June 19

Weyerbacher Wednesday: 4 to 9 p.m. Join the Easton Farmers' Market at their new weekday evening market. Twenty producer-only vendors offer fresh locally grown produce, herb, flowers, raw milk, cheese and yogurt, pasture-raised meat and eggs, artisan breads and baked goods, prepared foods, and vegan specialties. This week also features an evening of roller derby action with a demo by the The Two Rivers Roller Derby. Afterward, the circle will be open for skating Centre Square. www.eastonfarmersmarket.org or click here for more information.

Easton Redevelopment Authority meeting: 5:30 p.m. City Hall, city council chambers, 6th floor, 1 South Third St.

Reel Paddling Film Festival: 6:30 to 10 p.m.  The best paddling films of the year. Donations will be accecpted and benefit PA Water Rescue. The Nurture Nature Center, 518 Northampton St. 610-253-4432

Williams Township Planning Commission meeting: 7 p.m. Williams Township Municipal Complex, 655 Cider Press Road, Easton (Williams Township)

Texas Hold'em: 7 & 9 p.m. Free. La Pazza, 1251 Ferry St. 610-515-0888 or www.lapazza.com

Jam Session: 8 p.m. Hosted by Lou Franco. Rivals, 5 Lehn's Court. 610-392-2932 or www.rivalseaston.com

Uncle Smiley: 7 p.m. The Widow's Tavern, 200 Main St., Stockertown. 610-365-8890 or www.widowstavern.com

Open Mic with Scott Harrington: 9:30 p.m. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Thursday, June 20

Easton Parking Authority meeting: 6 p.m. City Hall, city council chambers, 6th floor, 1 South Third St.

Forks Township Board of Supervisors meeting: 7 p.m. Forks Township Municipal Complex, 1606 Sullivan Trail, Forks Township.

Wilson Borough Recreation Board meeting: 7 p.m. 2040 Hay Terrace, Wilson Borough.

Yancarlos Sanchez: 8 p.m. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Bring (or wear) Your Own Vinyl night: 8 p.m. to midnight. With the Easton Record Exchange. Black & Blue, 683 Walnut St. 610-438-3604 or blackandblueeaston.com

Karaoke with Off the Grid Entertainment: 8 p.m. Rivals, 5 Lehn's Court. 610-392-2932 or www.rivalseaston.com

Karaoke: 8 p.m. Riegelsville Tavern, 1274 Easton Road, Riegelsville. 610-510-3030 or www.riegelsvilletavern.com

TBA: 9 p.m. Two Rivers Brewing Company, 542 Northampton St. 610-829-1131 or www.tworiversbrewing.com

Chuck Schubert: 9:30 p.m. Pearly Bakers, 11 Centre Square. 610-253-9949 or www.pearlybakers.net

"This Week in Easton" lists what's happening during the weekdays, from special events to who's playing to government meetings, all in one handy place. Not just in the City of Easton, but for the entire greater Easton area...Published every Monday morning!

Is there a community or entertainment event you'd like to see here? Are you organizing something you'd like to have posted? Did we miss something? Email us!

Local State Rep's Bill Aims to Make Health Insurance More Affordable

State Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Northampton, has introduced legislation that would make health insurance more affordable for Pennsylvanians by permitting the State Workers' Insurance Fund to sell health insurance, his office recently announced.

According to a media release, the State Workers' Insurance Fund (SWIF) within the Department of Labor and Industry was established by law many years ago to provide a workers' compensation program for Pennsylvania businesses that could not access workers' comp insurance in the private sector. It is only permitted to sell workers' compensation insurance, but Freeman's bill would expand its offerings to include health insurance.

"By allowing SWIF to offer health insurance, it would make a quality insurance product available to Pennsylvanians at a lower cost than current rates because of its lower administrative overhead, and it would create more competition within the health insurance market," Freeman said. "In addition, by making this available in the market, it would serve as a yardstick by which to measure the fairness of rates charged by private health insurance companies.

"Health insurance rates are increasing at twice the rate of inflation. I believe that this proposal will effectively bring health care policies back to an affordable range for the average Pennsylvanian. It would offer a less costly alternative to the current private health plans offered today," he said.

Freeman said this new ability would not be an extra cost to taxpayers; the offering would be paid for with premiums to health care subscribers and a loan from the SWIF, which would be paid back.

The bill, H.B. 1526, is expected to be referred to the Pennsylvania House Labor and Industry Committee.