CR 6794, Palmerton, PA

Conrail local WPAL91 at Palmerton in 1994.

10-15-1994

A pepperoni calzone from Joey B's in Palmerton, Pennsylvania including post-reheating action shots.

Slight recommendation. It looks better than it tasted, but it was fine. There was almost no pepperoni, and the cheese wasn't anything special. Joey B's is a neat place in an unexpected area, though.

How Rochester Institute of Technology student Matthew Grant disappeared, reappeared

Matthew Joseph Grant, 22, is majoring in mechanical engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, United States. He is a captain on the school’s wrestling team. Grant is originally from Onaway, Presque Isle County, Michigan, USA. While attending RIT, he shares an off-house campus in Henrietta, Monroe County with roommates. Born in Detroit, Wayne County,…

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Spartan Palmerton Poconos Map Review (2023)

Brian Kibler - "Justyn Thyme" (live)

Center Valley, PA - Palmerton High School’s Brayden Hosier (23) goes in for a layup as Southern Lehigh High School’s Robbie Allen (13) reaches for the ball. In a chippy Colonial League matchup, Palmerton came out on top of this one 54-50. Palmerton’s Matt Machalik led all scorers with 20 points followed by Hosier’s 19 points.

Quaking Aspen - Populus tremuloides

Today I want to bring up a charismatic favorite: the Quaking Aspen. Like all populus species, it's a fast growing, clonal colony forming, northern extreme and mountain loving tree (just like its Eurasian sister species: A. tremula) with an incredibly wide range of distribution. In addition to all those interesting qualities, the oldest known organism is presumed to be a Quaking Aspen colony (Pando, in Utah)

General identification before I can talk about the more interesting bits, Aspens are best known for their yellow autumn leaves and smooth white bark with dark knots, they can grow as large as 60' but depending on their environment can be stunted to around 5-20' (think of krummholz). Leaves of this species appear slightly heart shaped and retain the same sheen on both sides (image 1). Plants are unisexual meaning individuals either have male or female flowers, interestingly enough this is a good method to distinguish where one colony begins and ends by looking at the color of the branches in spring (see image from Colorado below, note trees with light green and those without). Emerging catkins are white at first which become green and longer as the season changes, male catkins having slightly longer stamen but female fruiting catkins ultimately growing longest at 10 cm. Seeds are small capsules with silky hairs to assist in wind dispersion, these trees are ruderal so they produce around 1.6 Million a season with many unable to germinate. Seedlings often need consistent moisture and full sun to even germinate, most of the seeds growth goes to root structure the first year.

The name Quaking Aspen (or trembling per the Latin) refers to the extremely mobile habit of the leaf. Leaves are connected to flexible petioles (stems) which flip around in the slightest breeze. Environmentally speaking, I was once told that leaves have chlorophyll on both sides however this stem could also be a biological strategy to cope with harsh wind conditions in mountainous environments, I didn't encounter any recent research verifying this though. Interestingly enough, given the harsh nature of which this tree thrives, apparently, there is chlorophyll in its trunk, allowing extra energy to enter the tree when it's leaves are gone.

Quaking Aspen is an early succession species, able to reestablish/colonize a site after a fire or other major disturbance. Many of Upstate New York's famous Aspen forests are actually a result of logging and fires in the early 1900s rather than a typical forest compostion. Establishment is different depending on opportunity, in the west its often long lived clonal roots systems, in the high arctic its often through wind blown seed, in the east its generally short lived clones out-competed by hardwood/conifer forest after a century, and in its furthest southeastern range I typically only encounter individuals on rocky outcrops or former fields.

Above ground trees usually live less than a century, in the east maybe 50-80 years given our moisture, out west individual trunks can live two centuries. It's common to find dense forests with even-age trees since clonal root structures re-emerge together (Image above from Bluebell Knoll Mountain in Utah). Its also thought that the root system can live for two millenia or longer, Pando being an example of extreme longevity (I mean 40,000 years would survive an ice age, even in Utah there would be mountain glaciation, thats quite spectacular if true). Ironically, one of the best survival tools in the Aspen's playback is fire recovery, otherwise it will get out-competed/shaded pretty fast (see the context in image 2, that NJ forest used to have lots of aspen).

All this in mind its good to point out that Aspen's early successional habit makes it great for ecological restoration. It's common to find them as the first pioneers on former mines or superfund sites (aspen grove below from Palmerton gap, Pennsylvania). Unfortunately one of the negative side affects is that populus species often bring up a lot of heavy metals in their leaves and wood meaning they can re-contaminate through their own biological accumulation. Which is good for extracting small scale contaiminants...very bad for large sites where you need to trap metal under soil to prevent toxins from eroding offsite

All this being said Quaking Aspen's large geographic range mirrors that of the last glacial maximum, implying a rapid spread onto retreating glaciers. This also suggests a growth habit requiring wet or moist soil conditions. This range is North West to Alaska nearly touching the Arctic Ocean at its Northern-most range in the Yukon, then east to Newfoundland; south west to Mexico (usually restricted to high mountains) and east from Iowa to New Jersey (with scattered populations in West Virginia).

Since Aspen often colonizes sites of former glaciation, with climate change it's predicted there will be a northward and uphill progression of populations. Aspen isn't really in intense danger of dissappearing but studies have shown major stressors (draught, extreme heat, over-grazing) cause higher mass-mortality events from minor stressors (typically disease and insect herbivorey). Given the fact that many forests are clonal there was a question of low genetic diversity amoung populations, yet interestingly, individuals undergo somatic mutations (DNA alterations after conception) and are extremely variable, so different individuals often place different energies into different defense tactics.

In addition to all of this information Aspens are primarily used today to make paper pulp. Historically settlers used aspen to derive quinine (think gin and tonic), and indigenous tribes have a history of using big trunks to create dug out canoes.

So please go out to your nearest mountain/boreal forest to enjoy the Quaking Aspen's lovely smooth bark and haunting shaking in the wind!

Cases with Major Updates in 2023, Part One.

Many cases featured on this page had major updates during 2023. While these cases still aren't resolved, these updates created movement in their investigations and more awareness to the case overall. Here's part one of the list of cases with major updates this year. Lots of you are already familiar with them so I provided a brief TL;DR description with each, but links to the full case write-up are there as well! Part two will be posted at a later date.

The Disappearance & Death of Cheyann Klus. TL;DR update: The remains of Cheyann Klus were identified in January 2023. Cheyann had been missing since December 2017; she vanished at the age of 22 from Chicago, Illinois. Her remains were reportedly found in 2020 but remained unidentified until January 2023.

The Disappearance & Murder of Katelyn Markham. TL;DR update: In March 2023, John Carter was charged with Katelyn's murder. Weeks earlier, Jonathan Palmerton was charged with perjury in relation to Katelyn's murder. Katelyn originally vanished in Fairfield, Ohio at the age of 21 during 2011. Her remains were found in 2013. Carter was Katelyn's fiancé and he had been a person of interest in the case since her disappearance. The cases against both men are currently pending.

The Murder of Courtney Phillips. TL;DR update: Isaac Estrada was finally charged with Courtney Phillips' murder after being captured by authorities in Eagle Pass, Texas. Courtney was found stabbed to death at a residence in San Antonio, Texas in April 2015. Estrada was a suspect early into the investigation, but police were unable to locate him. After 8 years on the run, Estrada was finally captured in March 2023. He is currently facing charges for evading arrest, first-degree aggravated robbery and first-degree murder. 

The Disappearance of Irene Gakwa. TL;DR update: During March 2023, Nathan Hightman was sentenced to six years in prison for using Irene Gakwa's credit cards, bank accounts, and Facebook/email accounts after she went missing in February 2022. Irene is still missing, and Hightman still denies knowledge of her whereabouts.

The Disappearance & Death of Madison Scott. TL;DR update: The remains of Madison Scott were found on a rural property east of Vanderhoof during May 2023. Madison vanished at the age of 20 nearly 12 years earlier during a party at Hogsback Lake. Since the discovery of her remains, detectives have remained quiet about the state of the investigation.

MURDERED: Katelyn Markham

In the quiet suburban landscape of Fairfield, Ohio, a chilling mystery began to unfold in August 2011, one that would perplex and haunt the community for years. This is the story of Katelyn Markham, a 22-year-old art student at the Art Institute of Cincinnati, whose life was full of promise and dreams, abruptly cut short by an unknown tragedy.

Katelyn was last seen on the night of August 13, 2011, at her Fairfield home. She was at a turning point in her life, having recently graduated and planning a move to Colorado with her fiancé, John Carter. But those plans never materialized. Katelyn vanished, leaving behind her purse, keys, and her dog, but her cellphone, with its GPS data mysteriously turned off, was missing.

John Carter, the last known person to see her alive, reported her missing the next day. His 911 call, filled with concern, marked the beginning of a perplexing case. "My fiancée is missing. I can't find her anywhere," he told the dispatcher in a voice fraught with worry.

The search for Katelyn was extensive. John was at the forefront, appearing on local news channels, expressing his anguish and hope for her return. "I keep wanting to believe that she's strong enough to make her way out," he said during one such interview. However, the hope turned to despair in April 2013 when Katelyn's remains were found in a remote wooded area in Cedar Grove, Indiana, about 30 miles from her home. Her death was ruled a homicide, but the exact cause remained undetermined.

The case grew cold until February 2023 when a significant development occurred. Jonathan Palmerton, a close friend of Carter's, was indicted on a felony perjury charge, accused of giving a false statement to investigators. This development renewed interest in the case and led to the arrest of John Carter on March 22, 2023, on two counts of felony murder.

The indictment and subsequent legal proceedings revealed a complex web of circumstantial evidence. The prosecution's case was built on computer data, cell phone records, and witness statements, painting a grim picture of what might have transpired on that fateful August night.

Complicating the narrative was the mention of Michael Strouse, convicted in 2019 for the murder of Ellen Weik. Strouse, who had connections to Jonathan Palmerton, had also allegedly confessed to killing another woman. Investigators were exploring any potential links to Katelyn's case, further deepening the mystery.

As of April 2023, John Carter, released on a $1 million bond and monitored by GPS, awaited his trial, scheduled for June 2024. The story of Katelyn Markham's disappearance and death remains a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring quest for justice in the face of uncertainty and tragedy. The saga, with its intertwining lives and unanswered questions, continues to grip those who seek answers in the labyrinth of unsolved crimes.

J. Reed Suplee and Jeanette Suplee, original founders of Sunny Rest Lodge in Palmerton, PA, c. 1950

Don F. Palmerton (American, 1899-1937)

The Taj Mahal

signed, monogramed and dated 'DON F. PALMERTON/1937' (lower right)

oil on canvas

Bonhams

Perfect - s/t LP

Avant-prog, jazz-rock from Northeast Ohio

Sam Holik - Guitar, Bass Jake Ross - Drums, Percussion Sam Colgrove - Bass, Guitar Ian Palmerton - Vocals Michael Weber - Keyboards, Percussion Eric Perez - Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Guitar, Vocals Produced by Michael Weber Art by Sam Colgrove Recorded at Akron Recording Company in Akron, Ohio and Lighthouse Studios in Hudson, Ohio Live bonus track recorded at Zephyr Pub in Kent by Auggie of Hobo Phantasm, thanks eternal!

Millions Worth Forfeiture Order Granted

Media Statement Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation

The Priority Crime Specialised Investigation of the Hawks was successfully granted assert forfeiture order for assets to the value of more than R19 million on 25 October 2022.

During 2015 to 2016, a total amount of more than R29 million was paid in four tranches from the Department of Social Development in King William’s Town into two business accounts controlled by Mr Chetty located in Durban. The purpose of these payments was due to two service level agreements entered into between the Department of Social Development and the Umnotho Business consulting also known as Umnotho Training and Development of which Mr Chetty is the sole director.

This entity had to deliver on various matters including the training of cooperatives towards poultry, piggery and the upliftment of the communities through training at the Palmerton facility in Lusikisiki amongst others.

During the financial and asset forfeiture investigation it was however established that the bulk of the received funds were not utilised towards the deliverables, but rather to the personal benefit of Mr Chetty. The total amount of the undue benefit was calculated to be more than R19 million. Only R10 million was legally and appropriately utilised.

Mr Chetty and other two individuals were arrested during 2018 on various charges of fraud, theft, money laundering and contravention of the Non-profit Organisation Act 71 of 1997.

During the same investigations various preservation orders, a forfeiture order and a provisional restraint order were granted by the Grahamstown High court. Post arrest, but prior to the commencement of the trial accused number 1 being a senior official of the Department of Social Department passed away.

On 25 October 2022 in Grahamstown High Court, the company represented by Mr Chetty pleaded guilty to the contravention of section 6 of Prevention Of Organised Crime Act (POCA), possession of, acquiring of and usage of proceeds of crime.

The company was convicted and sentenced to a R 5 million fine, of which R 2 million was to be paid within 7 days. The remaining R3 million balance is to be in R250 000-00 tranches with effect from 1 December 2022 and the 1st of each successive month thereafter until the amount is paid up. The same court granted a confiscation order for the amount of more than R19 million which is to be paid into the account of National Treasury within 30 days. The assets of Mr Chetty remain restrained until the amount is fully paid and such proof is provided.

6/5/22 I think day 21 of the hike. The last two days have been 14 miers and tonight I'm in palmerton, Pennsylvania. I am staying at aunty squeaks home for wayward. Hikers and the 9th picture is a selfie of she myself and another through hiker , bandit. The eighth picture is a picture of her backyard with my tent setup in it. She takes donations for for an organization about hiking with the mentally ill but this is not a hostil and there is no charge. She has an open bathroom. We camp in her backyard and she's done my laundry already. She is a dean at a local college and moved here specifically to be on the trail and serve hikers. What an amazing individual. Had some great trail magic happen today. at about mile Seven I came out on a small country road and there were three guys dispensing trail magic. They were grilling for through hikers and were making cheeseburgers, hot dogs and had chips, fruit and coolers full of cold drinks including beer, yingling. I ate well and had one beer, Still 7 mi to go, I'm nobody's fool. The first five pictures were from yesterday's hike, including our camp near the shelter and a early morning view through the trees by a quiet stream. I didn't really know how amazing this hike could be but it has been quite an experience so far and have lots more to go. Get to see Gretchen in Delaware water gap Pennsylvania in 3 days , looking forward to our time together. Then I cross the Delaware River into New Jersey. That will be two states down. Happy trails!

A Lesson in Bio-Remediation

The Lehigh Gap aka the Palmerton Zinc Pile superfund site is a lesson in the importance of continuous management in remediation of toxic lands. The Lehigh Gap was once referred to as a desolate moonscape due to its downwind position from a local Zinc Smelter. From 1889 - 1980 this smelter pumped heavy metals into the air which, due to prevailing winds, landed primarily on this particular mountainside in the Kittatinny Range. Zinc, Cadmium, Lead, sulfuric acid rain turned this area into a hellscape so barren that all the vegetation died. Additionally all 3 feet of top soils washed away; fungi couldn't even survive to decompose dead tree snags whose bark was filled with heavy metals. Due to using an outdated technique, the factory shut down and afterwards the EPA declared the entire region a superfund site in 1983. For the mountainside itself the EPA wanted to incorporate 3 strategies of remediation: Prevent Erosion, Plant only native species to provide habitat for local fauna, and keep the metals under new soils. Originally an ambitious firm followed this strategy by terracing the hillside with roads, they dumped sewage and seeds then left it to grow without management. Quickly the site was flooded with invasive species which no animals could use as habitat and quickly died back down again from acidity.

Gap Circa 2002. The Lehigh Gap Nature Conservancy was formed. The nonprofit bought 700 acres with the intent to remediate the region. A local biology professor involved suggested incorporating lime to neutralize the heavy acidity from the acid rain (the grounds had a Ph 4.2). The area was divided into sections, each location were tested with a slightly different strategies for successful re-establishment of plant communities. [Image below: sign of plant species and mixtures used in specific plots]

The primary methodology was to reestablish plant life and contain the heavy metals using warm season perennial grasses, which would not draw heavy metals up to the top soil and create a layer of humus around the surface toxic metals. They wanted to mirror the plantings of a similar rocky ecosystems: The Serpentine Barrens in Pennsylvania. To keep the metals contained below the new loam the site must be kept in a prairie stage of habitat succession, secondary stages like early birch-aspen forests would draw heavy metals up through its leaves and recontaiminate the topsoil. An indigenous Lenape strategy was utilized keep the prairie at a constant state the same strategy once used to maintain blueberry-huckleberry shrub food forests a couple hundred feet above in the Kittatinny Range.

The result of constant management, occasional burns, public access, native only plantings, and removal of invasives? Success and reduced harm status.

Here we see grasses and flowers provide habitat for hundreds of species, including endanged birds, as well as rare plants such as wild bleeding heart and sandwort

How do we know this was successful and not just natural succession? Unfortunately certain private property owners had their lands containminated as well, some have elected to not allow EPA revitalization due to scape-goating and reactionary politics.

In choosing to leave soils containminated (red barren slopes) the owner of this hill allows heavy metals to flow into the neighborhoods and water ways of the local town as well as eventually the Delaware River. Truly this is despicable behavior as this impacts the health of the entire community.

On a positive note this project shows that even some of the worst sites have potential for remediation. Please consider visiting, donating, learning about, or enjoying the Lehigh Gap area as the national park commission is in the process of expanding a trail along the Lehigh River all the way to the Delaware River. Management of this site will continue hopefully until enough soil is established to support secondary stage succession trees (oak and hickory) and a habitat restored!

Carbon Transit Service Updates for Wednesday, Feb. 14th

Allentown, PA (Special) — Carbon Transit announced the following update for Wednesday, February 14th: CT Bus 701 will begin southbound service from the Carbon Depot at 9:50 a.m. CT Bus 702 will begin northbound from Palmerton at 10:15 a.m. Also, CT Shared Ride and CT Flex will delay service until 10 a.m. Both services will not perform trips with a scheduled drop off time prior to 10 a.m.…

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