Mark Smolow, 58, donned a wig, fake mustache and a baseball cap before binding George Hyndshaw with duct tape and robbing his home of nearly $50,000, police said.

Mark Smolow Alyssa Passeggio | The Express-Times

The 44-year-old failed to report to prison for a drunken driving sentence, according to the Northampton County Sheriff's Department.

Michael Wayne Campbell

Michael Wayne Campbell, 44, failed to report to prison for a drunken driving sentence, according to the Northampton County Sheriff’s Department.

Campbell, who is believed to live in Easton, stands 6 feet 3 inches tall, weighs 200 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes.

The sheriff’s office asks anyone with information about Campbell to call Sgt. Michael Orchulli at 610-559-3770.

The promise of peanut butter, education and opportunity lured 32 people from six continents to become citizens of the United States.

People from around the globe raised their right hands this afternoon in the Northampton County Courthouse and swore their allegiance to the United States, becoming some of the nation's newest citizens.

Judge Edward Smith greeted 32 new citizens from more than 20 countries after leading them in the loyalty oath. A common theme has united them and the generations of immigrants that came before them: the dream of making a better life for themselves.

The most successful immigrants are those who work hard and embrace American customs while bringing parts of their own cultures to their new home, Smith said. He asked the new citizens to take advantage of the freedoms the country offers.

"We are counting on you to make your mark on America," Smith told the new citizens.

After being arrested for assault, the woman knocked a police officer to the ground so hard his leg is still injured, according to police reports.

After being arrested in connection with an alleged assault, Eleanore Musso, 37, of the 1000 block of Second Street in North Catasauqua, allegedly attacked a police officer while she was in a holding cell and damaged the door of that cell, according to court documents.

Musso was arrested before 2 a.m. Oct. 19 and taken to the borough police station, according to court documents. There, she banged her shoes and rubbed her handcuffs against the cell door, scuffing it and causing $200 worth of damages, according to court documents. To take away her shoes and adjust her handcuffs, officer Timothy Varga came into the cell, when, according to court documents, she attacked him. In the ensuing fight, Varga fell on his right knee and hurt his leg so badly he could not attend work for at least a week, according to court documents.

Musso was committed to Northampton County Prison on Thursday, charged with institutional vandalism and aggravated assault. Her bail was set at $5,000. She was unable to post, according to court documents.

The court documents did not contain information about the original alleged assault.

An ordinance amendment that would have given the next executive a $10,000 raise and the 2014 council president a $300 raise failed 2-7.

Northampton County Council voted not to grant the county executive and council president a pay raise in 2014 after a heated debate with political overtones tonight.

An ordinance amendment that would have given the next executive a $10,000 raise and the 2014 council president a $300 raise failed 2-7. Only Councilman Ken Kraft, the amendment’s chief sponsor, and current Council President John Cusick supported the motion.

The issue came up as part of a four-year review of wages, Kraft said. Some officials at the municipal level are making six-figure salaries, and 37 county employees are making more than the executive’s $85,000 salary, he said. His goal was to keep the county’s top elected official’s pay somewhat competitive with these positions, he said.

“We have several township managers who make substantially more,” he said.

Former Councilman Ron Angle lambasted the suggestion and criticized county council for even wasting time on the proposal. The council had already given the county executive a $20,000 increase in 2008, the first for the position in nearly 17 years.

“What the hell are you even looking at this for? Are you even living in the real world right now?” Angle huffed from the podium. He suggested it was political back-scratching for former Executive Glenn Reibman and Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan. The two Democrats have been rumored to be possible candidates for the position as has the Republican Cusick.

Several members of council joined Angle with their own disapproval for the amendment. Council members Tom Dietrich, Peg Ferraro and Barbara Thierry all voiced their opposition, saying it was inappropriate to support it. Ferraro referenced give backs union workers at Gracedale accepted during recent negotiations, and the arguments about township workers left her less than impressed.

“I don’t think we should look to townships. I think they should look to us,” she said. “Perhaps they should look at their salaries and they should roll them back.”

In other news, the county council introduced legislation that would grant its approval for Bethlehem’s LERTA district, a tool aimed at encouraging business development. The proposal, which has already been approved by Bethlehem, would allow property owners in specified areas to develop land without immediately taking on the additional taxes for the land. The new taxes would instead be phased in over a period of a few years.

The 21-year-old, who has been diagnosed as a pyromaniac, told the judge he didn't really know why he set the fires, but wanted to change.

Cory A. Praschyk doesn't remember setting some of the fires that landed him in Northampton County Prison for nearly a year, but he said today in court that when he did it, he wasn't acting like himself.

The 21-year-old former volunteer firefighter spoke to Northampton County Judge Paula Roscioli during his sentencing for lighting a fire in July 2010 in Lehigh Township. He is already serving time in Lehigh County after pleading guilty in October to conspiracy to commit arson.

He appeared in court in Easton shackled and wearing a dark green prison jumpsuit.

"Why do you do it?" Roscioli asked him.

"Basically, I have no clue," Praschyk said.

The Hanover Township, Northampton County, man suffers from anxiety and depression and has been diagnosed as a pyromaniac, according to a psychological evaluation completed prior to sentencing.

Roscoili sentenced him today to one to 12 months in county prison to run concurrently with his Lehigh County sentence, which Praschyk indicated wraps up in about three months. He'll face four years of probation in Northampton County and eight years of the same in Lehigh County.

"I really don't remember all that happened," Praschyk said of the 2010 fire. "I know I was not myself. And now I know what to do to stay on the right path."

Praschyk's sentencing in Lehigh County stemmed from a fire set in April where he and co-defendant Nicole H. Balliet, 20, of Allentown, were picked up in South Whitehall Township.

Praschyk's attorney, Matthew Goodrich, said Praschyk has an alcohol problem compounding his mental issues. The 21-year-old was drinking about a fifth of whiskey a day for a period, Goodrich said.

"He knows this is a problem," Goodrich said.

Roscioli ordered Praschyk to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and to pay $444 in restitution to the Lehigh Township fire marshal. She also barred him from ever working as a volunteer firefighter for the rest of his life.

"People are putting their lives at risk (doing such work). You were participating in it for your own enjoyment, I think," she said.

The 21-year-old said he plans to attend school after his incarceration and will seek counseling for his issues, which include a history of abuse.

"I'm going to get my life back on track," he vowed.

"That or you're going to spend the rest of your life in prison," Roscioli replied.

Mark Smolow, 58, was sentenced to 21 months to 5 years in state prison for burglary and robbery in the April 2 home invasion in East Allen Township.

Mark Smolow 

Corey Maeweather argued the Supreme Court's ban on automatic life-without-parole sentences should grant him a new prison term even though a jury convicted him of kidnapping and killing a girl when he was 19.

A judge dismissed the request Corey Maeweather, seen here in a 1997 photo, filed for reconsideration of his life-without-parole sentence. Express-Times file photo

President Judge F.P. Kimberly McFadden urged the two sides of the family to reach a settlement.

Peter Karoly and his wife, Lauren Angstadt, were killed in a plane crash in February 2007. Express-Times File Photo

After a lengthy trial that saw testimony from handwriting experts, members of the Karoly family and Peter Karoly's former partners, Senior Judge Isaac Garb upheld the 2006 will. While he acknowledged the suspicious circumstances surrounding it, Karoly's sisters did not present clear and convincing evidence it was fake, he found.

The sisters appealed the ruling, however, saying Garb ignored crucial scientific evidence that proved the will wasn't written in 2006 and ignored inconsistent testimony presented by Joshua and J.P. Karoly's attorneys. The will didn't follow the standards Peter Karoly observed professionally, instead closely resembling wills created by J.P. Karoly, said Evan Krick, their attorney.

"The fact is Peter didn't write that document, and all signs indicate the proponents did," Krick said at today's hearing.

The ticket has the correct numbers for the Nov. 20 drawing.

A customer of Smokin' Joes in Upper Mount Bethel Township is $325,000 richer.

The winning Cash 5 lottery ticket from the Nov. 20 drawing was purchased at the North Delaware Drive store, lottery officials said today.

The ticket has the five winning numbers: 5, 7, 9, 20 and 35.

Lottery officials say the store will receive $500 as a bonus for selling the ticket.

The lucky ticket-holder has one year to claim the prize. Officials urge the winner to sign the back of the ticket and file the claim by calling 717-702-8146 or at a lottery location during business hours on a weekday.

Police also reported an incident where a man allegedly screamed at and spit on two women involved in a parking space dispute at Wal-Mart store in Lower Nazareth Township.

Two temporary employees at health care manufacturing business face charges and were fired for fighting outside of the business Nov. 13 during an argument, according to authorities

Nathaniel Medina, 25, and Ethan Martin, 37, both of Allentown, were employed temporarily at Piramal Health Care manufacturing plant, 3950 Schelden Circle in Hanover Township, Northampton County.

Police say the men got into a verbal argument at 2:57 p.m. Nov. 13. Medina punched Martin in the head during the fight and Martin retaliated by taking Medina to the ground and hitting him several times in the face and mouth, according to police. Both were charged with harassment and fired from Piramal Health Care, according to Colonial Regional police.

Police also reported the following incidents and crimes throughout the county:

• Police identified the name of the truck driver involved in a rollover accident in Bethlehem Township, Pa., on Nov. 14

Clodoaldo Almeida Jr., 55, of Newark, N.J., was driving a tractor-trailer southbound on Route 22 when he lost control of the truck on the Route 191 off-ramp. Police say Almeida was traveling too fast to control the turn on the ramp and struck the guide rail.

Almeida’s truck tipped over the guide rail and tumbled down an embankment, hitting a utility pole. Though the truck was badly damaged, Almeida escaped without injury, police report.

Almeida was cited for driving at an unsafe speed, police report.

• Eric Flores, 24, of Easton, and Ashley Diane Sanchez, 22, of Bethlehem, were charged by Pennsylvania state police with fighting Nov. 9 at the Trader Joe’s distribution warehouse at 6835 Silvercrest Road in East Allen Township. Police say Flores and Sanchez were cited for disorderly conduct.

• State police are looking for more information about an incident on Route 22 when someone in a vehicle disposed of a drink container which damaged the vehicle behind it Nov. 11.

Police say an Allentown driver’s driver-side mirror was damaged when it was struck by the container, which was thrown from a vehicle in front of him between Route 22 eastbound exits at Schoenersville Road and Route 512 about 9:30 p.m.

Police ask anyone with information to call state police at 610-861-2026.

• Matthew Daniel Capone, 37, of Wind Gap, was charged after he allegedly threw a tape measure out of his vehicle in a road-rage-type incident.

Police say Capone tossed the tool out of his window at 9 a.m. Nov. 18 and it hit a vehicle driven by Michael Andrew Patrone, of Nazareth. Authorities did not say what it was that may have motivated Capone to throw the tape measure. The 37-year-old was charged, police say, with propulsion of missiles.

• Michael D. Randolph, 31, of Nazareth, was charged with following too closely Nov. 16 after he rear-ended a vehicle and injured driver Patricia F. Price, 39, of Bethlehem, according to police.

Authorities say Randolph failed to slow down while following Price on the on-ramp to Schoenersville Road from Route 22 eastbound in Hanover Township, Northampton County.

When Randolph’s truck hit Price’s vehicle, her Ford Explorer was pushed into the right line of Route 22 eastbound and hit the rear corner of a third vehicle driven by Kanwaljit K. Singh, 64, of Bethlehem, authorities report.

Singh and Randolph were not hurt during the wreck, but police say Price suffered moderate injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

• Andrew Kuzma, 27, of the 2400 block of Forest Street in Wilson Borough, faces criminal charges after yelling in the face of two females and spitting at them during an argument about parking Sunday afternoon at Wal-Mart in Lower Nazareth Township.

Police say the fight occurred in the store’s parking lot about 4 o’clock Sunday following a dispute about parking. Kuzma was charged with harassment and disorderly conduct.

• Christopher Alan Laflamme, 28, of the 1000 block of East Susquehanna Street in Allentown, faces drunken driving charges stemming from an incident Nov. 8 in Hellertown.

Police were called to Top Star gas station for a man changing a flat tire in the lot, authorities report. Laflamme’s vehicle had fresh front-end damage and the driver, through further investigation, appeared intoxicated, police say.

Laflamme’s blood-alcohol content was 0.21, police report. The legal limit for most drivers is 0.08.

• John Hufford II, no age provided, of the 1600 block of Riegel Street in Hellertown, was charged with careless driving after police say he fell asleep behind the wheel Sunday in the borough and hit a parked vehicle.

Police say Hufford dozed off in the 1300 block of Main Street at 1:37 in the morning. He was not injured in the crash, police report.

Police say the 32-year-old was making threatening remarks about the victim's stepfather, sparking an argument.

AP File Photo

Soldridge agreed to give up his appeal rights to avoid the death sentence in a plea deal agreement, the judge points out.

Barry Soldridge Jr. Photo Courtesy WFMZ

"I'm not going to play with these people," Soldridge said at the time, referring to the victims' families.

Under the state constitution, the 69-year-old Zito would have to leave the bench Jan. 1, 2014, because he will have reached the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Northampton County Judge Leonard Zito and five other Pennsylvania judges have filed a lawsuit, claiming the Pennsylvania Constitution discriminates against older judges. Express-Times File Photo

"Judging is a 'learning by doing' activity whose efficiency increases as judicial experience increases," according to the lawsuit. "To be a good judge requires good judgment, and judgment is a function of... age and experience."

"We think having a mandatory retirement age at age 70 just perpetuates a stereotype," Heim said. "What we're saying is this mandatory retirement is way over broad. You're getting rid of a lot of really, really good judges."

The 51-year-old defendant faces a single felony charge of robbery and a single charge of receiving stolen property for her alleged part in a Sept. 25 hold up at the Dollar General store in Walnutport.

The robbery case against a Palmerton woman accused of using her finger to mimic a gun in a Walnutport holdup will head to Northampton County court after the 51-year-old defendant waived her right to a preliminary hearing this afternoon.

Laura Lynn Pastor allegedly robbed a Dollar General store 2 p.m. Sept. 25, threatening to harm those inside if they didn't hand over cash.

Pastor, court records say, came to the counter of the store at 440 Main St. with a bottle of Motrin and then placed her finger in her jacket pocket, pointing it at the cashier as if it was a weapon.

"This is a stickup. Give me all the money," Pastor allegedly said.

When the cashier struggled to open the cash register drawer, the 51-year-old added, "I'm not kidding. Give me all the money or you're going to get hurt."

Police said Pastor fled with $148. She was apprehended in the parking lot of a Rite Aid store later that day after police put out a description of Pastor and her vehicle, court records say. Authorities found clothing in her home that matched that seen on surveillance footage of the robbery, court documents say.

A call to Pastor's attorney Matthew Goodrich was not immediately returned this afternoon.

Court papers show Pastor waived her hearing on charges of robbery and receiving stolen property in an appearance before District Judge Robert Hawke. She remains in custody at the Northampton County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.

The decision won't dramatically alter the county's proposed $337.7 million budget for next year.

Northampton County Prison Express-Times File Photo

"We don’t have to do this, and we can wait. To move ahead with this this year would be premature," Cusick said.

Instead, Vice President Peg Ferraro and the other two members called for finding a new purpose at the college for the money. Many community activities are hosted at the campus, and it provides a positive educational experience for the county, Ferraro said. She proposed using the money as a good will token for the college, which two of her children attended.

"I’ve seen so many people’s lives change. I still think this is something we have to do just so we can say thank you guys for all the work you’re doing," Ferraro said.

Heroin use cited in two of the thefts, including one by an 18-year-old father, according to court records.

A 31-year-old Bethlehem woman spent counterfeit money in a deal she made to get drugs, according to court records.

Denny Kesack, of the 600 block of Ontario Street, spent counterfeit $100 bills Jan. 24 at three stores in the Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township, according to police. At each store, according to police, she bought a single item worth less than $15.

She told police she had a deal to break the bills and trade the change for drugs, according to court records. The records also say she told police she was high on heroin when she spent the counterfeit money.

Before she faced the new allegations, she was in police custody for using the same scheme at the Promenade Shops in Upper Saucon Township, according to court records.

Kesack was arraigned today before District Judge Joseph Barner in Lower Nazareth Township on charges of forgery, retail theft, theft by deception and possession of an instrument of crime. She was committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $1,000 bail.

***

An 18-year-old Easton father stole $600 from an acquaintance's bedroom, according to police.

Clark Colton, of the 800 block of Spring Garden Street, was a guest Nov. 14 at a Palmer Township home, excused himself to use the phone, and walked into the victim's bedroom, where he took $600 from a dresser drawer, according to police.

Court records say he told police he was struggling to support his new baby and that he has a heroin addiction.

He was at Northampton County Prison for an unrelated matter when police tied him to the theft, according to court records.

Colton was arraigned today before District Judge Joseph Barner in Lower Nazareth Township and charged with theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. He was recommitted to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $1,000 bail.

***

A 32-year-old Monroe County woman tried to leave a Wal-Mart without paying for $217 in merchandise, according to police

Laura D. Newhart, of Tannersville, Pa., was stopped by an employee Jan. 2 as she tried to leave the store in Lower Nazareth Township with merchandise in a shopping cart, police said.

Police said a store employee held Newhart's license and the items until Newhart could get a receipt she said she had in her car, but she never returned.

Newhart was arraigned today before District Judge Joseph Barner in Lower Nazareth Township and charged with retail theft. She was released on $2,500 unsecured bail.

In other news, council unanimously rejected accepting $700 from the county executive for money spent on Ron Angle's legal battle to prevent the Gracedale referendum.

Northampton County Council introduced an ordinance tonight that would approve designating sites in Easton and Wilson Borough as tax abatement sites designed to encourage development.

County Economic Development Administrator Alicia Karner, however, warned council members that a highly competitive application process for Keystone Opportunity Zones is expected this year. As a result, the state may select larger projects with a potentially higher impact instead of the five relatively small sites in Northampton County, she said.

As of now, the county only has designated zones in Northampton, Bangor and Portland, she said, leaving the county somewhat underrepresented in the statewide program. Bethlehem, for example, has never expressed an interest in the program, Karner said.

"We’re kind of at the point if we don’t consider KOZs, we’re really putting ourselves behind the eight ball," she said.

The document Karner provided council included a sixth site, Easton's Cottingham Building, which she did not include in her presentation. The Easton Area School District sold the building to developer Abe Atiyeh earlier this year without tax abatement status.

The 51-year-old Republican joins Democrats John Callahan, mayor of Bethlehem, and former county executive Glenn Reibman in the race.

View full size Bangor Mayor John Brown Photo Courtesy John Brown  

The 51-year-old Republican today joined Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan and former county executive Glenn Reibman in the race. Callahan and Reibman are Democrats.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of the Slate Belt region and I look forward to the challenge of continuing that service for the people of Northampton County," Brown said in a prepared statement.

As Bangor mayor, Brown said he's championed fiscal restraint and government responsibility during this tough economy.

He's never increased taxes, and he cut them for the 2013 budget. He's also turned the borough's negative fund balance to a $900,000 savings account.

“The toughest challenges have been bringing people together in pursuit of a common goal, maximizing limited resources and making tough choices,” said Brown.

Northampton County is facing some of the toughest times in recent memory and the status quo cannot continue, he said.

He said he plans to run on his business background -- he's currently an independent consultant -- and record of fiscal discipline. He said he emphasizes accountability, regional economic revitalization and common sense solutions to problems.

“As a new voice for the residents of Northampton County, I’ll bring a fresh perspective and a new approach to county government to face the challenges that lie ahead,” he said.

Eugene and Otilia Duggan filed a private complaint against Anthony J. Martino alleging he had failed to return a $3,600 check that he was supposed to hold in escrow.

The disbarred Slate Belt lawyer accused of stealing $212,500 from his clients at his former law firm is facing new charges.

Anthony J. Martino, 51, of Roseto, was arraigned today before District Judge Todd Strohe in Bangor on theft and other charges.

The charges stem from a private complaint filed Jan. 31 by former clients Eugene and Otilia Duggan. They allege he failed to return a $3,600 check he was supposed to hold in escrow.

Strohe on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant for Martino, whom the judge released on $10,000 unsecured bail.

Martino could not immediately be reached for comment.

Martino was the Duggans' attorney when they gave him the money Sept. 10, 2012, court documents state. Authorities charged Martino on Oct. 22 with stealing the $212,500 from some of his other clients. The Duggans' new attorney, Matthew J. Goodrich, sent a letter by certified mail demanding Martino return the escrow within two days, which he did not do, records state.

Martino called Goodrich on Jan. 14 claiming he'd return the money soon but he still had not done so as of Jan. 31, documents say.

Authorities allege in the other case that Martino manipulated escrow accounts and misled clients to move money around. Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli compared the complicated movement of cash to a Ponzi scheme.

Martino was a partner at Karasek and Martino in Bangor from 1990 until he resigned in July. He stepped down in August from his job in the Northampton County Public Defender's Office.

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