BREAKING NEWS-FRIDAY AFTERNOON

From WPPA and T102 News:

After months of study and consideration, the Diocese of Allentown has announced its decision regarding Cardinal Brennan High School. It will close at the end of the year. Bishop Edward Cullen, the Diocese’s highest official, made the announcement in a letter sent to parents, citing studies by consultants and officials that the school faces significant financial and enrollment challenges. According to WNEP, Cullen said that the students would receive a warm welcome at Marian Catholic in Hometown or at Nativity BVM in Pottsville. Seventh and eighth grade students will have the opportunity for schooling at Trinity Academy in Shenandoah.

A police standoff is over in Lansford, Carbon County today after a man with a gun barricaded himself in a Kline Alley home. Shots were fired inside and outside of the home by 37-year-old Lee Walck at his home around 3:30am, bringing police to the scene. Police were forced to cordon off a two block radius surrounding the home. A tense standoff ensued with state and local police, until Walck finally surrendered peacefully around 9am. No one else was home at the time. Because the home was very close to the Panther Valley Middle School, the school was closed, along with Our Lady of Angels School. Walck was arraigned this afternoon for a variety of offenses. It is not yet known why Walck began shooting.