Although opposed by Lebanon County’s three members, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed a bill that could change the state’s legal definition of “marriage,” in effect recognizing same sex marriages.
Chris Coyle
Chris Coyle writes primarily on government, the courts, and business. He retired as an attorney at the end of 2018, after concentrating for nearly four decades on civil and criminal litigation and trials. A career highlight was successfully defending a retired Pennsylvania state trooper who was accused, 40 years after the fact, of falsifying evidence in a 1970s murder case.
LebTown is his first foray into reporting, motivated by the decline of the once-great, locally-owned print newspaper he grew up with and read daily. Chris lives in the city of Lebanon. He holds degrees from Penn State and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (and misses Pittsburgh every day). He and his wife have two grown sons and a few grandkids. He enjoys all kinds of music, tinkering with electronic stuff, and lifting weights to avoid becoming a shriveled old guy.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Child pornography trial for retired city businessman postponed to September
The trial of retired city businessman Ricky Lynn “Rick” Troutman, charged with creating and distributing child pornography, has been postponed from July to September.
Posted inNews
Supreme Court limits Jan. 6 obstruction charge against fired North Cornwall cop
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled that former North Cornwall Township police officer Joseph Fischer, who joined the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, may not have to stand trial on a criminal charge of obstructing an official proceeding, which carries a potential 20 year jail sentence.
Posted inBusiness & Nonprofits
New Allen Theater owner brings along bookstore, and optimism on film & books
After two years at 701 Cumberland St. in downtown Lebanon, Michael Cantor has moved Salamander Books and Music to Annville, but that’s not all.
Posted inNews
City Council OKs sale of alcohol at Lebanon Community Theater productions
Lebanon City Council gave its blessing to the Lebanon Community Theater’s plans to sell alcoholic beverages on a one-year trial basis at performances in its city-owned theater at Stoever’s Dam Park.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Suspect in Wednesday night assault at Downtown Lounge flees from police
Lebanon City Police are seeking the public’s help in locating a 27-year-old Lebanon man, Ricardo Berrios-Hernandez, over his role in an assault at the Downtown Lounge on Wednesday evening, June 12.
Posted inNews
The city isn’t paying to house “junkies and homeless” at former Days Inn
Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello refutes claims that the city pays for residents to stay at the Inn at Lebanon, clarifying that the Community Action Partnership occasionally uses the hotel as an emergency shelter.
Posted inNews
Lebanon City Council briefed on upcoming recreational projects
Several recreational areas in the City of Lebanon are slated for expansions and sprucing up in 2024 and 2025, and two new projects are about to get underway, a city administrator told City Council on May 23.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Details emerging about fatal Thursday collision at Route 419 and State Drive
Details are emerging about a fatal Thursday afternoon collision at the intersection of State Drive and Schaeffer Road (Route 419) in South Lebanon Township.
Posted inNews
Lebanon wants to open time capsule on America’s 250th – if it can figure out how
The Lebanon City Council has endorsed the statewide America250PA celebration, but the planned opening of a 1976 time capsule is complicated by the loss of its combination.
Posted inNews
June trial scheduled for West Cornwall couple charged with child sexual assault
The combined trial of two West Cornwall Township residents accused of sexually assaulting a 7-year-old girl who was in their care has been set for the week of June 20 in Lebanon County court.
Posted inNews
Palmyra man sentenced to 45 months in jail for role in Jan. 6 Capitol attack
A District of Columbia federal judge on Friday, May 17, sentenced Palmyra resident Leo Brent “Zeeker” Bozell IV to three years and nine months in prison for his role in the violent Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Posted inNews
Dog park, splash pad in the works at city’s Coleman and Southwest parks
LebTown recently sat down with Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello and Community and Economic Development administrator Janelle Mendoff to discuss plans for the futures of Coleman Memorial Park and Southwest Park, the city’s two largest recreational sites.
Posted inNews
U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs visits Lebanon V.A. Medical Center on Tuesday
During his visit to the Lebanon VA Medical Center, Secretary Denis McDonough acknowledged the center’s exceptional patient care, honored four employees, and highlighted the VA’s initiatives to tackle veteran mental health issues.
Posted inNews
Lebanon County welcomes 20 new U.S. Citizens at naturalization ceremony
Twenty new Americans from ten countries publicly declared their allegiance to the United States Constitution before friends, relatives, and public officials at a naturalization ceremony Friday afternoon, May 3, in Lebanon County’s packed Courtroom No. 1.
