Morning Call - Lehigh Valley & Allentown PA News, Sports, Weather, Business & Things to Do

Allentown man not guilty on all charges in killings of 1-year-old boy, grandmother

March 20, 2026 at 7:17 pm

Allentown man not guilty on all charges in killings of 1-year-old boy, grandmother

Gabriel Cartagena, 43, was acquitted on all charges in the fatal shootings of a 1-year-old boy and his grandmother more than two years ago in the city.

Allentown police respond to the fatal shootings of Ada Ortiz, 44, and Sebastian Serrano, 1, Friday night, Dec. 29, 2023, at Chestnut and Ridge streets. (Rich Rolen/Special to The Morning Call)

The former Crane Iron Works property is seen Friday, March 20, 2026, in Catasauqua. The large site has been at the center of the borough’s hopes for the redevelopment of Front Street. As part of a recently passed federal appropriations package, U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-7th District, has secured $3.7 million to support those redevelopment efforts. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Redevelopment of a Lehigh Valley brownfield gets a big boost. How project could be a ‘game changer’ for one town

Samuel Rolando Colon, 24, of Allentown, is charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault and several counts of reckless endangerment in the November 2025 fatal shooting of Ti’Shuan Singleton on Edward Lane in Catasauqua. (Courtesy of Lehigh County DA’s office)

Lehigh County man wanted in killing during game of ‘quick draw,’ police ask for public’s help

Josh Early Candies’ 17-ounce gold gift box of assorted chocolates Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at the store in South Whitehall Township. The fifth-generation family business continues to use the same batch recipes developed in the early 1900s. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Cocoa prices have fallen from recent highs, but your Easter candy may still cost more. Why Lehigh Valley chocolatiers say that is

Syriana Mediterranean Grill at 1916 Hanover Ave. in east Allentown opened in 2020. (Ryan Kneller/The Morning Call)

5 people taken to hospital after Allentown house fire; several rescued by firefighters

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Spring officially arrives in Lehigh Valley, and it sure will feel like it this weekend

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Men found not guilty after claiming self defense in shooting that left one dead outside Allentown supermarket

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Lehigh County mom charged in 2-month-old’s death; DA says she took drugs, rolled over on baby while co-sleeping
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Man, 80, who died after being hit by vehicle in Bethlehem is identified [Updated]
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Allentown man convicted in shootout that injured 6 near Dominican Festival gets up to 80 years in prison
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The Lehigh Valley is now one of most expensive places in Pa. to get gas, as average price tops $3.80 a gallon
TSA wait times: How is Lehigh Valley airport holding up amid nationwide checkpoint delays?
TSA wait times: How is Lehigh Valley airport holding up amid nationwide checkpoint delays?
Lehigh County man wanted in killing during game of ‘quick draw,’ police ask for public’s help
Lehigh County man wanted in killing during game of ‘quick draw,’ police ask for public’s help
Men found not guilty after claiming self defense in shooting that left one dead outside Allentown supermarket
Men found not guilty after claiming self defense in shooting that left one dead outside Allentown supermarket
5 people taken to hospital after Allentown house fire; several rescued by firefighters
5 people taken to hospital after Allentown house fire; several rescued by firefighters
Longtime Lehigh Valley boys basketball coach ends career on the sidelines
Longtime Lehigh Valley boys basketball coach ends career on the sidelines

Local News

Bill Atkinson of Hallows Eve Tattoo in Palmyra shaves the head of repeat customer Chandra Yoder of Harrisburg before beginning her tattoo Friday, March 20, 2026, during the Lehigh Valley Tattoo Convention at Delta Hotels Marriott in Breinigsville. The show continues from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Lehigh Valley Tattoo Convention | PHOTOS

Lehigh Valley Tattoo Convention

Sports

Lehigh’s Luke Stanich reached the 141-pound semifinals with a 6-4 victory over Iowa State’s Anthony Echemendia. (Photo by Matt Hawley/Lehigh athletics)

Lehigh’s Luke Stanich a semifinalist, two-time All-American

Lehigh's Luke Stanich a 141-pound semifinalist, two-time All-American after a 6-4 win over Iowa State's Anthony Echemendia

Things to Do

The Large Flower Heads plays Saturday, May 24, 2025, during Mayfair at Cedar Crest College in Allentown. The festival of the arts continues until Sunday evening with a 9 pm drone show. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

From art exhibits to concerts and more, a preview of spring art events in the Lehigh Valley

There's plenty to do in and around the Lehigh Valley this spring.

Opinion

The west entrance to the Pennsylvania State Capitol at Third and State streets in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 3, 2026. (Tom Gralish/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)

Opinion: Pitchers don’t call their own strikes. Public notices require same independence

Opinion: Newspapers' role is to inform the public and create an independent record of government...

Crime and Public Safety

A Bethlehem police cruiser. (Rich Rolen/Special to The Morning Call)

Man, 80, who died after being hit by vehicle in Bethlehem is identified [Updated]

Bethlehem police said the man was crossing at the south end of the intersection of...

Best Reviews

<p>Adobe Stock</p>

Add whimsy and light with the best suncatchers

Suncatchers are decorative pieces of stained glass designed to capture the sunlight. When placed indoors...

Business

Elon Musk, left, arrives for a Twitter shareholder trial at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Jury finds Elon Musk misled investors during Twitter purchase, absolves him of some fraud claims

The civil trial centered on a class-action lawsuit filed before Musk took control of Twitter.

Pennsylvania News

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PA attorney general wants to hear from customers of 2 area car-subscription companies

Customers of Your Cause Auto Inc. and Your Cause Auto Services LLC are urged to...

National News

Air travelers endure long lines and two-hour wait times at the TSA security check point at Terminal E at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport Friday, March 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

TSA officers are quitting as a funding standoff forces them to staff airports without pay

It could worsen the delays at airport security checkpoints.

Allentown

Holiday lights illuminate the night Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, during a preview night of The 29th annual Lights in the Parkway drive-through display in Allentown. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Following vandalism, donors help Allentown’s Lights in the Parkway replace damaged displays

A new light display, supported by over 100 donations, will replace damaged Lights in the...

Bethlehem Area

Samantha Harrison and son Bodey Price, 3, both of Bethlehem enjoy the festivities Saturday, March 14, 2026, during the 16th annual Parade of Shamrocks in downtown Bethlehem. The parade was presented by the Celtic Cultural Alliance and Historic Hotel Bethlehem. The St. Patrick’s Day celebration featured pipe bands, school marching bands and community groups, starting on Broad Street and ending under the Hill-To-Hill Bridge. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Bethlehem gets in St. Patrick’s Day spirit with Parade of Shamrocks | PHOTOS

Bethlehem kicked off the St. Patrick's Day weekend with the 16th annual Parade of Shamrocks...