The Morning Call from Allentown, Pennsylvania • 13

FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH THE MORNING CALL MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2002 B3 Wal-Mart to open Bethlehem Township store by spring that face competition from Kmart, Ames or Target stores are "some of our best-performing stores." "Our best-looking stores are in markets with direct competition. If there is no competition, there is no incentive to make sure we stay one step ahead," he said. According to Wal-Mart's Web site, the chain has nine stores in the Lehigh Valley area and employs 31,630 people in Pennsylvania at 49 stores, 31 supercenters and 19 Sam's Clubs. ture," he said, adding, "We don't want to be in the position two years from now where customers have to navigate around buckets on the floor because the roof is leaking." About 150 people will be hired, with 70 percent of them working full time and the remainder part time, he said. Wal-Mart's continuing expansion comes as its main competitor, Kmart, faces a difficult time.

Kmart, which has a store across Route 191, last week filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Morris said the Wal-Mart stores had remained vacant for a long time, it could have had a negative impact on the surrounding businesses." The Wal-Mart will join those in Easton, Lehighton, Whitehall Township, Lower Macungie Township, Quakertown, East Stroudsburg, Phil-lipsburg and Clinton, N.J. The company could have opened the store earlier without extensive renovations, but Morris said it decided to gut the interior, replace electric wiring, add a new roof and install new lights in the parking lot. "It will take more time, but the money we spend on major improvements now will pay off in the fu 191. He said the Wal-Mart should open in late spring.

Bradlees, which opened in 1987, employed as many as 200 people before closing in 2000. Home Depot and ShopRite anchor the Bethlehem Square shopping center. Bethlehem Township officials were confident that a store would replace Bradlees, because the other businesses attract many shoppers, Commissioner Allan Robertson said. "It's obviously preferable to have Wal-Mart come in and spend money on renovations and bring back some jobs," Robertson said. "If the store Conversion of former Bradlees on Rt.

191 proceeds. By Sonia Csencsits Of The Morning Call Retail giant Wal-Mart, which bought the former Bradlees store in Bethlehem Township last year, expects to open a store at the renovated site before June. Keith Morris, Wal-Mart's community affairs manager, said last week the renovations under way will cost almost $2 million to convert the store on Route Man sentenced on molesting charge Judge tells Easton resident he'll go to jail if he violates parole. ByTyraBraden Of The Morning Call An Easton man who molested a mentally retarded woman can stay out of jail if he doesn't get into trouble again. "Don't screw up.

Got that?" Northampton County Judge Stephen G. Baratta told Charles Goble, 68, of Line Street on Friday. "If you're arrested and charged with any sexual offense I will revoke your probation, and you go to state prison." Baratta sentenced Goble, who has numerous health problems, to five years of intermediate punishment on a stalking charge and to time served to 24 months less a day in the county prison. However, Baratta said, Goble will serve five years in state prison if he breaks the provisions of his parole. Goble is not allowed to be alone with children or with "intellectually limited" people, the judge said.

If I imKiS fc. footage their cameras could not capture. Even Madison Avenue and Hollywood have used infrared images to cast an aura of scientific credibility, such as the television commercial that demonstrates the efficacy of a hair care product. But not just anyone is allowed to buy thermal imaging viewers. Infrared imagers are considered restricted technology by the Department of Defense and the Department of Commerce and are forbidden to be sold to some countries and for certain uses domestically.

Durst returns to Texas to face homicide charge Industries that use large heat-producing machinery have been using thermal imaging cameras for preventive maintenance to head off ment failure, Little said. Operating machinery normally creates heat, but it heats to different temperatures when it malfunctions, Little said. The medical and veterinary professions are experimenting with infrared thermography in vascular, muscle and cancer research. Television news crews have been known to use the night vision cameras to get sonia.csencsitsomcall.com 610-861-3639 Goble was charged with indecent assault on the woman, who speaks no English, in January 2001, when she reported that he groped her. In May, Goble stalked the woman.

Goble's attorney, Robert Sletvold, said Goble has "borderline" intellectual function. Baratta said his concern is that Goble may repeat his offense. "Children or intellectually deficient people could be at risk," he said. Assistant District Attorney Jay W. Jenkins said Goble's age, mental health and health needed to be considered and suggested a five-year tail on any sentence to give the court "the hammer" to put Goble away for a substantial time.

Baratta asked Goble if he wanted to speak. "I'm sorry that it happened," he said. "I understand why you're sorry," the judge said, asking Goble if he had wanted to share personal information that might help his case. "There is none," Goble said. tyra.bradenamcall.com 610-253-5751 Kevin Bartram Associated Press ROBERT DURST steps out of a sheriffs car in Texas on Sunday.

county court Friday, he waived his right to an extradition hearing. Durst's attorney told Judge James C. Hogan that Durst was eager to return to Texas. NORTH WHITEHALL TWP. Charged Justin Edward Berger, 19, of Schnecksville; Sunday with false identification, possession of alcoholic beverage and driving with suspended license; allegedly gave false name and had six-pack of beer in car when pulled over by police Dec.

30 for alleged traffic violation. LOWER SAUCON TWP. Burglary Reported Tuesday by Gardner family, 2593 Applebutter Road; computer, television, cordless phone and a decorative gold plate taken; $3,440 value. HANOVER TOWNSHIP Lehigh County Theft Reported Saturday by Tammy Womack of Allentown; purse stolen from sport utility vehicle parked at 1700 Catasauqua Road. BANGOR Charged Arthur R.

Anderson, 49, of Broad Street, Stroudsburg; Sunday with drunken driving on Route 191; summons to be issued. Charged James A. Dyer, 40, of 516 S. Main Jan. 11 with drunken driving on Market Street; summons to he isMipd il it I I It was fun, but Steelers still don't win Eleven-year-old Nate Birkel of Bethlehem tries to keep Tony Lasko, 12, also of Bethlehem, from gaining extra yards during their backyard AFC Championship Game Sunday.

The contest ended in a tie at 12 touchdowns each. Ed Crisostomo The Morning Call CAMERA FROM PAGE B1 Thermal imaging uses multiply ogy's ability to see concealed weapons made of plastic or ceramics. But the device cannot see through clothing, unless the clothing is made of spandex, Little said. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and Honeywell Laboratories spent 5250,000 to develop an infrared device that picks up the heat pattern that forms around the eyes when a person is lying. The machine is under development and is being considered for use when passengers are being questioned at airports.

Even automakers are beginning to use thermal imaging. Cadillac installed night vision in its DeVille model two years ago to help drivers better navigate in darkness, arid DaimlerChrysler used it in some Mercedes Benz door locks to recognize special keys. WALNUTPORT BODY FOUND NEAR RIVER MAY BE MISSING WOMAN A body was found down an embankment between a tow-path and the Lehigh River in Walnutport Sunday afternoon, officials said. Police were reportedly checking to determine if the body was that of a missing 68-year-old woman who walked out of a nursing home earlier this month. The missing woman, Angeli-ta Torres, was described as a diabetic suffering from Alzheimer's.

She was seen leaving Canal Side Care Manor Jan. 5 and has not been heard from since. ALLENTOWN FAMILY OF FIVE ROUTED BY MATTRESS FIRE A fire in a row home displaced an Allentown family of five late Saturday. Louis Santiago, his wife, thfee children and a puppy of 3 'f v' 1 It The devices are not cheap. South Whitehall Township spent about $60,000 to equip its three fire companies with thermal imaging viewers.

The township shares the cameras with its police department, which used one recently to help find an elderly patient who had walked away from a nursing home at night. ISG's Little said he is seeing fewer fire departments having to raise money to buy thermal imaging cameras because their municipalities are budgeting for them. "There will be a day that every fire department will equip their firefighters with infrared vision the same as they equip them with self-contained breathing apparatuses." Woodlawn Fire Chief Rusty Held is one of many fans of the thermal imaging viewer. "It's unbelievable what it can do," said Held, whose company is one of the three in South Whitehall with the infrared technology. But Held considers the camera as a tool to be used along with, not instead of, traditional firefighting skills.

"It definitely cuts down on search time, but I still have to get in a room and do a visual check. You still have to do your initial search with furnishings." wendy.solomonamcall.com 610-820-6780 on and towed. Police charged Taylor with failing to obey traffic signs. Further information was unavailable over the weekend. ALLENTOWN Vandalism Reported Saturday by Pam Rupert, 3452 Churchview Road, Upper Milford Township; driver's door scratched on car parked at 1855 S.

Fifth $500 value. Vandalism Reported Saturday by Anna Nieves, 624 N. Fourth windshield chipped on car parked at residence; $300 value. Theft Reported Sunday by Austin Murphy, 1011 N. 19th car parked at residence damaged and laptop taken; $1,100 value.

Theft Reported Sunday by Meghan Depaolo of Bethlehem; car parked at 1996 S. Fifth St. damaged, CDs and cell phone taken; $950 value. Theft Reported Sunday by Rick Teasdale of Roseto; electronic equipment, tools and wallet taken from car parked at 1725 Chew $11,900 value. Theft Reported Saturday by the Ice Palace, 623 Hanover three hockey sticks taken; $315 value.

Theft Reported Saturdayby Courtesy of Allentown Fire Department A THERMAL-IMAGING CAMERA shows three Allentown firefighters ventilating a structure during a blaze. Multimillionaire left Valley prison Sunday after waiving hearing. Robert Durst has left Northampton County. The 56-year-old multimillionaire returned to Texas, where he faces a homicide charge, Sunday morning, a county prison worker said. Police in Galveston say Durst killed his neighbor, Morris Black, 71, and cut up his body with a saw in September.

Police charged him with Black's death Oct. 9. Durst posted bail but didn't show up for his arraignment Oct. 16. Durst had been in Northampton County Prison since Nov.

30, when he was picked up for allegedly stealing a Band-Aid, sandwich and newspaper at the Wegman's supermarket in Hanover Township. Police said Durst, who is reportedly worth several hundred million dollars, had $500 in his pocket when he was picked up. In Ronald Mumbauer; car damaged and stereo equipment taken from car parked at 2115 Downyflake Lane; $1,665 value. Theft Reported Friday by Anthony Olivera of Coplay; car damaged and electronic equipment taken from car parked at 2027 Hamilton $600 value. Theft Reported Saturday by Wayne Chenevelt of Bethlehem; cash and cell phone taken from car parked at 625 W.

Brookdale $500 value. BETHLEHEM Burglary Reported Friday by Robert Crockett, 1027 Maple $490 worth of electronic and sound equipment taken. Burglary Reported Friday by Rebecca Cooney, 1531 E. Ninth $560 and jewelry worth about $1,000 taken. Charged Pedro Hernandez, 40, of 535 Atlantic Saturday with domestic assault; allegedly struck Norma Hernandez; released on unsecured bail of $10,000.

Charged 16-year-old boy; Thursday with disorderly conduct and institutional vandalism at Centennial School, 2196 Avenue allegedly used foul language, harassed classmates and broke door; referred to, Lehigh County juvenile authorities. POLICE REPORT Bethlehem street. Charged were Ian Gregory Hogan, 18, and Stephen Charles McCall, 20, both of North Wales; Paul M. Carroll, 18, of Philadelphia; and George Peter Sarianos, 18, of Lansdale. Hogan and Carroll were found and charged in the 400 block of Boyer Street, McCall in the 400 block of Montclair Avenue, and Sarianos in the 300 block of W.

Packer Street. LOPATCONG TOWNSHIP RIG GETS STUCK IN TUNNEL; POLICE CHARGE DRIVER A tractor-trailer driver got his rig stuck in a tunnel in Lopatcong Township, Warren County, N.J., Friday afternoon, township police said. Trucker David Taylor of Clemmons, N.C., was driving south on Route 519 at 6:17 p.m. when his trailer got lodged in the tunnel south of Route 57. Police said the trailer was so badly damaged that a two-truck crew and police had to move it so it could be worked 1057 Allen St.

were the unharmed victims of a mattress fire that occurred in the second-floor front bedroom of the home owned by Ron Coleman, said Allentown fire Capt. James Grim. Officials blamed the fire on an overturned candle. Firefighters entered the house through the front door but removed the bedroom windows to blow out the smoke and gases. They were at the home about V'i hours, Grim said.

Red Cross spokeswoman Janice Osborn said it provided lodging and vouchers for food and clothing for the family. The puppy went with the landlord, she said. BETHLEHEM FOUR MEN CHARGED AFTER CROWD BROKEN UP Four men were charged Sunday with underage drinking after Bethlehem police dispersed a crowd of more than 10 people on a south.