Pen Argyl Resident Arrested For Eight Burglaries Late Last Year

I was unable to attend a news conference conducted yesterday by NorCo DA Steve Baratta because I'm getting a series of goofy tests done in advance of an eye operation I'll be getting next week. His office was kind enough to forward a news release announcing the arrest of Pen Argyl resident Shane Lake, who's been accused in a string of eight burglaries last year. I thought I'd share it with you. 

NorCo DA: Pen Argyl Resident Accused in String of Eight Burglaries by bernieohareiii on Scribd

Convicted Embezzler on Pen Argyl Alumni Board

When he's done with work, he goes out to dinner every night of the week. But after that, it's Chez Northampton, sometimes called NCP and known to most of us as the hoosegow. Richard G. Dietrich, former GM of the now defunct Dietrich Chevrolet, spends his evenings at Northampton County's jail. That's courtesy of a five-month minimum sentence imposed by Judge Kimberly McFadden in January for Dietrich's felony theft of nearly $50,000 from a non-profit hunting camp. Not only did he steal this money, but he then fabricated records to try to hide his crime.

Everyone makes mistakes, including me. Dietrich, who had fallen on hard times, obviously made some poor choices. Although he's a criminal doing time, he might rehabilitate himself. But for now, it's incredibly foolish to keep him on the Board of Directors of the Pen Argyl Area Alumni Association. The sole purpose of that nonprofit is to raise private funds for the Pen Argyle School District through various fundraisers.

After stealing from one nonprofit, the last place Dietrich belongs is on the board of another.

Pen Argyl Police Officer Honored With Nathan Ogden Award

Pen Argyl Officer Stephen Horvath, 2013 recipient of Nathan Ogden award, with wife Marsha 

In 1771, Northampton County Deputy Sheriff Nathan Ogden was killed while attempting to execute an arrest warrant. He is the first known law enforcement officer to make the ultimate sacrifice for his community in America. Unfortunately, 120 police officers were killed while in the line of duty last year, including 5 from Pennsylvania.

In memory of these fallen peace officers, the Northampton County Chiefs of Police Association annually honors a police officer who distinguishes himself and his profession. This year's award recipient is Pen Argyl police officer Stephen Horvath. This 24-year veteran, after Hurricane Sandy, was invaluable in arranging shelter for residents without power in that tiny Slate Belt Borough. On his own initiative, he began personally checking in with the sick and elderly, where he discovered a man who had fallen the previous night, and who was lying on the floor, disoriented.

Sheriff Randy Miller, Chairman of the Chiefs of Police Association, credited Officer Horvath for "probably saving this man's life."

The presentation has been made annually for the last 12 years. William Hillanbrand, a Northampton County Emergency Management Planner and former Deputy Sheriff, pays for the trophy every year out of his own pocket. His father and grandfather were cops.

Officer Horvath with his proud Chief, David Strawn

Barron Von Footinmouth Needs A New Tailor

Since it rained like Hell, you might think that Pen Argyl's annual Labor Day parade was postponed. Think again. It's the largest annual parade in Northampton County, if not the Lehigh Valley, and the show must go on. Politicians are there in force, even if they know they're going to get drenched. They use it as an informal gauge of their popularity. It's in Ron Angle's district, by the way, and he certainly has taken a few hits over the last year. But judging from the way the crowd reacted, he's on his way to re-election.

Prior to the parade, Gracedale Goons were hoping for the worst. "[L]ets [sic] see if KING ANGLE gets the unkind reception this year that he got last year at the Labor Day parade in Pen Argyl." Only one of them, Mary Ann Schmoyer, was even there. Considering all their complaints and promises and discussions about billboards and ridding the County of the "tyrant," it was a pretty poor showing.

Angle did get the usual boos. This year, they mostly came from people swilling from beer can insulators supplied by Angle's opponent, Scott Parsons. But Ron tells me this year's reception was actually above average.

Riding in the float in front of Angle was none other than Northampton County's very own Controller, Barron von Footinmouth. He's up for re-election this year, too, and was tossing tootsie rolls to the kids. Maybe he should have worn his kilt. His shirt was too small and his pants were too big. As a result, every time he dipped into the candy bag, another inch of ass crack popped out. I tried to get a shot, but my batteries were dead. Besides, I don't have a wide angle lens.

Now imagine you're some kid, waiting for the candy toss with an umbrella turned upside down so you can get even more. Then imagine that you see Barron von Footinmouth's gigantic ass crack, followed immediately by what look like tootsie rolls. Are you really sure they're tootsie rolls? Neither were the kids, and they just remained on the street until they were hosed into the drains at the end of the parade.

Imagine poor Angle, too. For the entire race, Barron's ass was right in Ron's face. Angle has survived worse, but his son's girlfriend had to be rushed to the hospital and is in critical condition.