Hearing for Ex-Coopersburg Manager Postponed

Dawn Kresge, ex-borough manager of Coopersburg, was expected to plead guilty to theft charges Tuesday but the hearing was continued.

Dawn Kresge, who is accused of using Coopersburg Borough credit cards to pay for about $15,000 in personal expenses, was in Lehigh County Court briefly Tuesday but her hearing was continued until Jan. 14. Kresge resigned abruptly as borough manager in February, citing a new job opportunity. The resignation sparked an internal audit. In April, Tim Paashaus, the new borough manager and former mayor, allegedly uncovered evidence that Kresge had improperly used the borough credit cards. The audit reportedly found improper charges totaling almost $15,000 during the period of November 2010 to February 2012.   Kresge was charged with access device fraud, theft and receiving stolen property. She was interviewed at the district attorney's office, …

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A very concerned citizen

1:02 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012

This Benner proposal sounds like a real conflict of interest. When is the proposal going to be presented to the Board of Supervisors? A very concerned Citizen.   more ›

Mom Who Abused Baby Gets Stiffer Sentence

Lehigh County Judge James Anthony toughens the sentence for Chelsie Grant of Lower Milford to 3-6 years in prison.

When 19-year-old Chelsie Grant of Lower Milford was sentenced in October for abusing her 6-month-old son by choking him and twisting his arms and legs, her punishment of 1-2 years in prison and 18 years' probation sparked outrage on Patch.com and elsewhere.  Several commentators called for Grant to be sterilized. At the November hearing, Deputy District Attorney Anna-Kristie Morffi Marks revealed that since her arrest, Grant has given birth to another baby boy in prison.  In November, Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony revised Grant's sentence upwards to 3-6 years in prison and 14 years' probation after the prosecuting attorney made a case that he should reconsider. "It is one of the most serious cases of child abuse Lehigh County has …

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Sentencing Postponed for Olympus Thief

The sentencing hearing for Benjamin Wilson, who pleaded guilty in a $374,000 scam against his former employer Olympus, had been scheduled for today but was postponed.

Court Workers, Cedarbrook Aides May Get Raises

Proposed Lehigh County contracts would grant 2-3 percent increases and require employees to pitch in more for health care.

Cedarbrook nurses aides and maintenance workers are on tap to get a 2 percent wage hike and court workers might also get 2-3 percent increases this year if Lehigh County commissioners approve contracts negotiated by the administration. In 2012 and 2013, the 3-year contract would give the county nursing home staff (excluding nurses, who negotiate separately) a general wage increase of 2 percent or a step increase of 3 percent, but not both, according to Tom Muller, county director of administration, who negotiated the contracts. The workers eligible for longevity pay, which are bonuses ranging from $200 to $1,600 after five years of employment, would get half their amount in 2011 and the full amount in 2012 and 2013. The pact affects 416 …

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