A 32-year-old Lehigh County woman allegedly stole packages twice this week after they had been delivered to properties in Allentown.

Charlesetta J. Fritz, of the 1000 block of East Susquehanna Street in Salisbury Township, was arrested Thursday in the theft of a package from a porch in Allentown's 2300 block of East Woodlawn Street, city police Chief Glenn Granitz Jr. said in a news release Friday.

"Unfortunately a number of packages have been reported in Allentown over the past several months," Granitz wrote in the release.

Fritz was charged in the theft, which occurred Monday, following an investigation by Allentown police with cooperation from members of the Allentown community and Salisbury Township police, Granitz said.

Fritz is also accused in the theft of a package Wednesday in the 2300 block of East Fairmont Street in the city.

She was arraigned in the Monday incident on two counts each of theft and receiving stolen property, and in Wednesday's incident on charges of theft, conspiracy and receiving stolen property.

Fritz was released on combined, unsecured bail of $15,000 and will face a preliminary hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence to send the cases toward trial in Lehigh County Court.

Fritz could not be reached for comment; a call to a possible phone number listed for her went unanswered. Court records do not list an attorney.

Allentown police asked residents who have experienced similar thefts or who may have information that may be of use to call Detective Josh Baker at 610-437-7721.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

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Porch package thief nabbed, thanks to community and police cooperation, chief says - lehighvalleylive.com

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As authorities try to determine what caused Kobe Bryants helicopter to crash, killing him and eight other people Sunday, a new front-porch video seems to provide audio of the fateful flights final moments.

The chopper was taking Bryant and his group from Orange County to his basketball tournament in Thousand Oaks. The retired NBA player was scheduled to coach his daughter Giannas team in a game.

Authorities said it could take months to determine the cause of the crash and have urged witnesses to come forward.

One video seems to capture audio of the crash from a Calabasas residents front-door camera. The recording captures the sound of a helicopter flying nearby and then sounds like a crash.

We heard a sputter coming through and then a boom, the resident told KABC-TV, adding that she gave the tape to investigators.

The audio confirms what witnesses to the crash have said. A Times reporter on the scene when the crash occurred reported hearing a massive boom followed by a few seconds of silence. Then a fireball erupted on a hillside off Las Virgenes Road.

Jerry Kocharian, 62, was standing outside the Church in the Canyon drinking coffee when he heard a helicopter flying unusually low and seeming to struggle.

It wasnt sounding right, and it was real low, Kocharian told The Times on Sunday. I saw it falling and spluttering. But it was hard to make out as it was so foggy.

The helicopter vanished into the sheet of fog, then there was a boom and a big fireball, he said.

Scott Daehlin, 61, was taking a break from setting up sound for a service at Church of the Canyon, which is below the crash site, when he heard the helicopter overheard.

Because of its proximity to the ground, I knew something was wrong. It was hovering real low, like they were searching to land. It was making a slow left turn. It was about 9:44 a.m., and then the impact happened. I heard a crunch.

NTSB investigator Jennifer Homendy said at Tuesdays news conference that the helicopter was at 2,300 feet when it lost communication with air traffic controllers. The helicopter was descending at more than 2,000 feet per minute at the time of impact.

So we know that this was a high-energy impact crash, and the helicopter was in a descending left bank, Homendy said.

The chopper hit the hillside at an elevation of 1,085 feet, about 20 to 30 feet above an outcropping of the hill. But even if the pilot had been able to fly above that outcropping, he would have faced new hazards ahead.

There are actually other higher hills surrounding it, said Bill English, a lead investigator.

On Tuesday, the NTSB released the first images of the crash site in the form of a short video.

The video shows the charred wreckage of the helicopter, which broke apart on impact. Much of what remained of the chopper was burned beyond recognition. But a wheel and parts of the fuselage appear not to have been burned.

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Audio of crash that killed Kobe Bryant may be on porch camera - Los Angeles Times

Katie Hodges Design

When it comes to setting the mood in any space, lighting is of utmost importance. Sunshine and moonlight might be the best sources for light in outdoor areas, but it definitely helps to have some backup. With this in mind, we're spotlighting 16 lighting ideas and tips so you can see clearly in your outdoor oasis no what time of day or year it is. Keep reading to learn about the best ways to create comfortable, stylish, safe, and well-lit backyards, porches, balconies, and beyond.

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1Recessed Lights

If you want barely-there overhead lighting on a porch or in the backyard, opt for recessed can lights built right into the ceiling. In this space designed by Emily Henderson, the white recessed lightning blends right in so you notice the light they shine...without actually seeing them.

2Downlights

Outdoor lighting provides safety value, too, especially on stairs. Choose built-in downlights that will brighten up the path but also complement the style of the facade. Corinne Mathern opted for brass to accent this adobe home in Santa Barbara and placed them every few steps so it doesn't make the partition wall cluttered. Alternatively, you could place them on the face of the stairs so you only see them while walking up.

3Pendant Lights

This balcony in a home designed by Commune Design feels like an organic extension of the interiors. A bold, metallic pendant light is a great way to jazz up your exteriors. But this isn't your living room. So to put it in the right context, use nature-inspired materials burled wood or rattan and add a botanical-print throw.

4Hurricane Candles

Alfresco dining is great, but cooking outside is even better. In a Key West house, the outdoor kitchen cabinets are made from old cypress shutters and the tropical florals bring a bright pop of playful colors. And the hurricane candles scattered around the area provide plenty of soft lighting.

5Floodlights

Because the slat roof means you can't install recessed lighting, Heather Hilliard opted for minimalist floodlights that secure to the frame of the structure and fill the entire dining area with light. Though a little more noticeable, the black minimalist design blends in well with the space. These are also a great option safety-wise for front doors and driveways, especially if you set them up with sensors to automatically light up when motion is detected.

6Tree Pendants

Show your trees some love and dress up the backyard by hanging lanterns in the branches, as Alexander Design did here. This will set the mood for a truly magical outdoor living space. It's mostly aesthetic and shouldn't be your only light source, but it definitely adds some style.

7String Lights

Designer Jill Sharp Weeks used string lights to make her garden feel like an extension of her home. The space even includes an outdoor privy, the only bathroom on the ground floor.

8Floor Lamps

To make a backyard sitting area feel like an outdoor living room, opt for traditional indoor lighting, like a floor lamp but in a more resilient and nature-inspired materialjust make sure your outdoor area is electrically equipped for one. Contractor Tim Givens built the swinging daybed on the back porch of Liza Pulitzer Calhoun's Palm Beach house, and she simply covered its seat with a favorite tablecloth.

9Pool Lights

This minimalist and modern backyard is area is full of lighting ideas. Pool lights are a game-changer for night swims, and if you look in the far left, you'll notice the garage skylight that gives you peek at the cars below and allows for shared light.

10Chandeliers

Now this is how you make an entrance. In this Spanish-style Beverly Hills home designed by Commune Design, the front porch is inviting, comfortable, elaborate, and ornate all at once. The warm terracotta tiles, exposed beams, and wood stool ground the intricate wrought iron lighting and fuchsia pops of color.

11Underglow

It doesn't get any chicer than this backyard designed by Night Palm Studio. The mood is undeniably sultry, from the curved shape and soft swirls of the marble and white to the wave-like daybed while edgy concrete foundations, and underglow LED lighting built into the bench.

12Garden Lights

See that little spotlight nestled into the rock landscaping behind the bench? Shaped like spotlights or little torches, garden lights ares perfect for anyone who wants to shine a light on their gardening skills even after the sun goes down.

13Sconces

If your backyard sitting area doesn't have a ceiling or overhead structure, make sure there's a bright sconce attached to your home. Interior designer Jenn Feldman opted for a large, lantern-style sconce here.

14Ceiling Fam Lights

This front porch designed by Amanda Lindroth is a tropical dream. It inspires us to pick our favorite color when and run with it. Also, installing a ceiling fan (or several, depending on size) will keep the air circulating on those balmy nightschoose one that doubles as a light for bonus points.

15Candle Lanterns

Thin trees shade a 1960s home's walled retreat. Elizabeth Kennedy and Ray Booth brought the interior's sleek style outdoors by adding all-weather chairs and row of lanterns.

16Garden Lights

This back porch by Regan Baker Design is the perfect private spot to unwind in. To make it conducive to entertaining, bring in addition floor seating with large outdoor floor cushions and keep it bright with bollard lights, which are shapes like posts crowned with a light so it shines the surrounding area in every direction.

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MADISON, Ala. - Two Greek eateries need to put the gloves on, and a sushi restaurant needs to call a plumber.

Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe off Highway 72 in Madison was inspected on January 13. The inspector said the restaurant didn't have chlorine test strips. There was also no certified person on site. There was shredded cheese in the cooler at 49 degrees and an employee cutting cucumbers with bare hands. In a follow-up inspection, the problems were corrected. Taziki's scored a 79.

I Love Sushi on Highway 72 was inspected on January 14. The inspector found chicken in a container on the prep table at 59 degrees, cabbage at 70 degrees, and beef in the reach-in cooler at 48 degrees. The inspector also said the maximum hot water in the men's bathroom sink was only 65 degrees. I Love Sushi scored an 86.

Vinny's Greek and Indian Grill on Southside Square was inspected on January 9. The inspector said cooked steak tips and hummus made two days prior weren't properly dated. They also said a worker wasn't wearing gloves when dishing up a customer's food. Vinny's scored an 86.

If you're coming to Scottsboro and you're hungry for some good BBQ, you may want to check out Holy Smokes BBQ. It's a cozy smokehouse near the tracks on Tupelo Pike.

"I bought a smoker before we got married. And I started cooking after church," owner Barry Shelton said. "They kept saying, 'hey, you can sell this.'"

Around eight years ago, Shelton quit his job as a truck driver and started focusing on good BBQ full time. He started serving out of a trailer, then moved into the old Gardner's Grocery Store, smoking ribs, brisket, pork, and chicken.

"It's the people. I love talking to people. No matter where I go, I find someone to talk to," Shelton said.

Shelton even cooks up three of his own sauces. In their last inspection, Holy Smokes scored a 94. Holy Smokes is open every day but Sunday.

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Workers caught without gloves, Sushi eatery needs some plumbing help in this weeks Restaurant Ratings - WHNT News 19

Leading area plumbing experts draw attention to mindful water use in 2020

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 31, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Radiant Plumbing and Air Conditioning, Austin's leading plumbing and HVAC specialist, urges homeowners to consider including water conservation on their list of New Year's resolutions for 2020.

Radiant Plumbing and Air Conditioning owners, Sarah and Brad Casebier, are encouraging Austin residents to consider putting a focus on water conservation in 2020.

This expert recommendation follows the October 2018 water crisis, when severe flooding limited the production of clean water and forced city officials to ask residents to reduce water usage.

"Residents of Austin got a first-hand lesson in conservation in 2018," said Brad Casebier, president and founder of Radiant Plumbing and Air Conditioning. "Continuing to practice core daily habits could help prevent future shortages."

Casebier says remembering these simple daily habits in 2020 will help homeowners keep their conservation resolution:

Casebier points to both environmental and financial reasons for making water conservation a priority.

"Homeowners pay around $70 per month for normal water consumption, which is between 80 and 100 gallons per day," Casebier said. "Using just 30 gallons less each day can save a household almost $40 a month. Even when we are not experiencing shortages, our water usage impacts our lives."

Radiant's website offers resources for homeowners to educate themselves on some of the structural reasons behind water waste, such as undetected plumbing leaks.

For more information about Radiant, please visit https://radiantplumbing.com/.

About Radiant Plumbing andAir ConditioningRadiant Plumbing andAir Conditioning is an award-winning plumbing and HVAC specialist,offering premier home service to the greater Austin area. Radiant strives to be a model for local businesses by providingoutstanding customer experiences and some of the best jobs in Austin. Radiant also believes in giving back to the community through contributions tocharitable organizations involved in water safety and distribution. For more information visit https://radiantplumbing.comor call 512-263-9988.

MEDIA CONTACT: Heather RipleyRipley PR865-977-1973hripley@ripleypr.com

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Radiant Plumbing and Air Conditioning suggests Austin residents add water conservation to list of New Year's resolutions - Yahoo Finance

The owners of Chuck Laverty & Son Inc., a family-owned plumbing company in Millbury, were found guilty of drug and money laundering charges by a federal jury.

The charges were filed against the family after authorities discovered $6 million in marijuana inside a Clinton warehouse in 2017.

Thomas Laverty, 39, of Clinton and Charles Laverty, 63, of Millbury, were each convicted following a five-day trial of conspiring to cultivate more than 100 marijuana plants, conspiracy to launder money and cultivating marijuana and possessing marijuana with intent to distribute.

Both will be sentenced on May 19, 2020.

Charles Lavertys wife, Andrea Laverty, 63, of Millbury, pleaded guilty earlier this month to conspiring to cultivate marijuana and conspiring to launder money. She is scheduled to be sentenced on April 9, 2020.

Authorities said the family used the business as a front for a large-scale marijuana operation.

Every week, numerous Laverty & Son workers harvested 20 marijuana plants from the commercial warehouse, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Workers then brought the harvested crop to the residence of Charles and Andrea Laverty to be dried, with a goal of producing 8 to 10 pounds of dried marijuana per week. The dried marijuana was sold by Charles Laverty in large quantities for approximately $2,400 per pound.

Authorities executed a search warrant at a warehouse in Clinton on Oct. 17, 2017, which was attached to Thomas Lavertys residence, and the Millbury home of Charles and Andrea Laverty.

Agents discovered the grow-house in Clinton, a grow-operation in Millbury and marijuana plants. The amount of marijuana discovered in the Clinton warehouse was worth about $6 million, authorities said.

Authorities said there was a sophisticated grow operation in the Clinton warehouse with air-circulating machines, irrigation systems, plant food, indoor plant lighting and roughly 1,029 marijuana plants.

Thomas Laverty also faces a charge of theft of government funds in connection to allegations he received SNAP benefits while concealing the money he earned from the marijuana business.

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Owners of Chuck Laverty & Son plumbing in Millbury laundered drug money while growing $6 million in marijuana - MassLive.com

Court documents revealed new details in the barricade situation in Mill Run Saturday which began with a call to a plumber for a flooded basement.

Frank Hunter Bowers, 56, of Mill Run is being held without bail in Fayette County Prison on charges of theft, reckless burning, simple assault and terroristic threats. He was also charged Monday with a misdemeanor count of harassment for an alleged incident reported Friday in which he allegedly called a woman multiple times, leaving eight voicemails in four days including sexually inappropriate comments.

According to the affidavit of probably cause, Bowers called Gillece Plumbing Saturday. Plumber Robb E. Clark arrived and became uneasy with the way Bowers was acting, so Clark told Bowers he needed to take a call in his truck, police said.

Bowers allegedly grabbed Clark and shoved him toward his 1728 Route 381 home, but Clark broke away and ran toward his truck. As Clark tried to flee, police said, his truck got stuck in the mud.

According to court paperwork, Bowers pounded on Clarks truck while threatening to kill him. Police said Clark managed to escape through the passenger side door and ran on foot, fearing Bowers would hurt him. From about 300 yards away, Clark reportedly observed Bowers taking items from his truck. He determined $15,000 in tools was stolen. State police responded to the scene and called a tow truck. They discovered Bowers allegedly tried to light Clarks truck on fire, noticing damage in the front seat.

The state police Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) was called at about 2 p.m. after Bowers allegedly refused to come outside, because of a history of violence with police and other first responders. His criminal history includes attempting to disarm a trooper and a previous barricade situation.

Within the last week, Bowers has had contact with members of (the Pennsylvania State Police) and related to them that he is in possession of firearms, specifically rifles with telescopic sights, that he has used to scope troopers who have responded to his residence without their knowledge, Trooper Jessica Zangla wrote in the affidavit.

During the six-hour standoff, police called Bowers multiple times on the phone. Twice, he answered and said he was putting his shoes on and would be coming out, but never left the house. At another time, he went outside but failed to obey orders and went back in. The standoff ended without further incident at about 8:30 p.m.

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Details released in Mill Run standoff and assault on plumber - Uniontown Herald Standard

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) Four Temple University students are stuck in the stink as theyre locked in a messy situation with their landlord. Its a plumbing fiasco that has plunged these Temple roommates into a disgusting nightmare.

When I came home, it was very high in the toilet and the bathroom, Sydney Rebhun said.

That was on Wednesday afternoon when sewage in their off-campus rental near 16th and Susquehanna Streets starting filling their tub and toilet.

And then it started to overflow, Rebhun said.

Rebhun and Dianne Rask are two of the four roommates who live in the unit.

Rask, whose basement bedroom also filled with sewage, sent an email to the property owner shortly before 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

All of my clothing and my books and everything in my bedroom were wet, Rask said. I had to throw them all away yesterday.

(Credit: CBS3)

He didnt respond until nearly five hours later and the tenants say a plumber didnt arrive until the next morning.

And it got worse. I feel like after the plumber came yesterday morning because it was literally splattered on the walls, Rebhun said.

A spokesperson with Licenses and Inspections confirmed an inspector arrived at the home on Thursday afternoon and issued a violation to the owner for unclean conditions.

The tenants say they need the apartment deep-cleaned and they reached out to CBS3 since they say the landlord would not confirm whether that would happen.

After being hung up on the owners, Peter Lien and Abhi Patel finally agreed to speak to CBS3 on camera.

Throughout the night, they sent me messages like this is my fault,Lien said. Like I should be doing this right now. But its after-hours. I cant get plumbers to come out 24/7.

When told there were 24-hour plumbers, Lien said, Well, I dont know of any.

Theyve promised to have the unit professionally deep-cleaned by this weekend.

They say they have quotes from restoration companies and that theyre paying for the cleaning.

A base cleaning has been completed at the apartment, but the owners say theyll hire a professional restoration company to do a deep-cleaning of the lower level by the weekend.

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Plumbing Fiasco At Off-Campus Apartment Plunges Temple University Students Into Disgusting Nightmare - CBS Philly

This is the first column in a series in which Id like to share with you how technology has helped improve building products. Ive worked in the residential construction industry for decades. In that time, Ive gotten a firsthand perspective on new products.

Not all of them have worked out so well, and sometimes it takes several permutations until a manufacturer gets it right. The same thing goes for techniques. Early in my career, I spent years taking apart 100-year-old houses and was able to see how the old-school craftsmen built.

Some of their methods are far better than the way things are done today. Ill share much of that with you in this series that will unfold as the year progresses.

Today Id like to dive into plumbing. Its a system that causes consternation with many consumers because repairs can be costly. You might imagine that not much has changed in plumbing, given that pipes and fixtures are pretty simple, but youd be wrong.

Lets start with simple advancements in drainage and water supply piping. Go back in time, and plumbers used cast iron, galvanized iron and copper for drain lines.

In rare instances, theyd have to use a lead pipe to make certain drains work. The old cast iron was susceptible to leaks and cracks because of how it was made. Galvanized iron pipes would corrode and start to choke off with deposits causing clogs.

Todays cast iron is spun cast and has a uniform wall thickness. You create leakproof joints in seconds with rubber gaskets and stainless-steel band clamps. Its the perfect material to use for vertical stacks in your home to prevent noise caused by water cascading down large-diameter vertical pipes.

The plastics industry exploded in the 1960s, and codes permitted plastic drainpipes. Plastic drain lines perform well; Ive installed miles of it. Not long ago, it experienced another technology jump when it was made lighter than the first-generation plastic. You can buy foam-core plastic drain pipe now.

Water supply lines many years ago were made using galvanized iron. These would suffer from corrosion and choke off, too. Copper became the standard, but here, too, plastic muscled its way into the marketplace. Imagine installing plastic water lines in a new home that have no joints or fittings.

Its installed much like an electric cable. Thats what I did at my daughters new home. The only joints are in the mechanical room at a distribution manifold and the shut-off valve under a sink or where the pipe connects to a shower or tub valve.

I installed all the water supply lines to four bathrooms, a kitchen and five outdoor hose bibs in less than four hours. Using traditional copper with hundreds of fittings, I might have gotten part of one bathroom done in that same amount of time.

Copper water lines also have seen tremendous technological advancements. In a recent column, I shared with you the new fittings that require no solder. You can create a leak-proof joint in less than five seconds using fittings that contain a rubber O-ring. You cant imagine how much time these save. The best part is you never have to wonder if a soldered joint will leak.

Accessory plumbing products also have seen changes. For years, the plumbing vent pipe flashing up on your roof has been made with a standard rubber that gets destroyed by the sun in just a few years and then starts to leak. You can now buy a vent-pipe flashing that has a superior siliconized rubber boot that might not be destroyed by the sun for five or more decades.

Water supply lines that connect sink faucets, toilet tanks and washing machines to the water supply have seen changes. Not very long ago, plumbers had to bend soft copper tubes to make connections. Washing machines used old rubber hoses. Now you as a DIYer can use flexible hoses protected by braided stainless steel wire to make leakproof connections in seconds.

Faucet manufacturers continue to make improvements with the cartridges that control the water flow when you turn a handle. I remember years ago having to change rubber washers inside faucets to stop drips.

It used to take skill to change a washer to stop a faucet leak. Now you can stop faucet drips without calling a plumber. With the plethora of how-to videos on the internet, you can switch out a faucet cartridge faster than you might read this column.

My advice to you, if using a brand-new product, is to read the installation instructions and be sure everything is being done correctly. Also, keep in mind that the first generation of new products might not have all the bugs worked out.

If youre installing a product thats going to be hidden behind walls or under slabs, think about using one that has been around for several years so you dont become a statistic. Go with proven technology in these situations.

Subscribe to Tim Carters free newsletter and listen to his podcast at askthebuilder.com.

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Ask the Builder: Plumbing technology has come a long way - The Spokesman-Review