Pennsylvania
The Pretzel Capital Of The World Is Located In This Pennsylvania City
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Believe it or not, the pretzel capital of the world is not in Munich or Würzburg, but rather in the small Pennsylvania city of Reading. In the 1700s, German immigrants who moved to Pennsylvania brought with them a love of soft, lye-boiled, hand-twisted breads. These immigrants settled in areas like Lititz and Lancaster, where early bakers laid the foundation for large-scale commercial pretzel making.
According to the Berks History Center, Julius Sturgis opened a commercial pretzel bakery in Lititz, near Reading, in 1861, widely credited with being the first. However there are also reports that a man named Benjamin Lichtenthaler built the first such bakery in 1860, or that a baker named John Sauermilch set up shop even earlier, around 1846.
Regardless, what is certain is that the city attracted a host of pretzel makers, and by the late 19th century, dozens of bakeries operated across the city, producing everything from traditional twists to innovative pretzel sticks. According to a local history website, at one point, Reading was home to 26 different bakeries, which earned it the nickname “Pretzel City.” By the 1940s, Reading was responsible for producing one-third of all pretzels baked in the United States. According to a local tourism guide, Pennsylvania continues to dominate the pretzel industry today, with about 80% of U.S. pretzels made in the state.
Read more: Foods Anthony Bourdain Hated With A Passion
From pretzel twists to pretzel sticks
A bunch of salty pretzel sticks. – Bhofack2/Getty Images
Prior to ever reaching U.S. shores, pretzels were popular in western Europe as soft breads, with that characteristic twist. But once they reached the U.S. their form and texture began to shift. The Tom Sturgis company (operated by descendants of the original Julius Sturgis) states it produced the first crisp, hard pretzels in the U.S. While soft pretzels remain beloved, hard pretzels became the industry standard as they are easier to store and ship.
Other companies such as Unique Snacks, and Faller’s Pretzels established themselves in Reading and surrounding Berks County and similarly began experimenting with these hard pretzels. Faller’s Pretzels became known for thin crunchy pretzel sticks, cut to snacking size.
From pretzel twists dipped in chocolate or pretzel nuggets stuffed with peanut butter, Pennsylvania bakeries keep reinventing a centuries-old snack. Today’s pretzel aisles are filled with modern spins, like pretzel sandwich buns, and super light extra thins. And let’s not forget, the introduction of the butter pretzel — which adds shortening to the dough for a richer, more indulgent taste — is a distinctly modern twist on the original austere recipe.
Ways to enjoy your salty Reading treat
A handful of crunchy pretzel twists. – New Africa/Shutterstock
The enduring appeal of pretzels lies in their remarkable salty flexibility. If you’re seeking a traditional, hands-on experience, you can easily make soft pretzels at home, using a bit of lye to achieve that fresh chewy taste.
However if you want to enjoy the crunchy hard-baked Reading speciality, there are endless options. Try crushing hard pretzels for a salty pie crust that goes great with a creamy pumpkin cheese cake and delivers an unreal sweet-and-salty combo. Or crumble some pretzel sticks on top of a rich baked mac and cheese right before you put it in the oven for a crispy crust. Similarly add a fine layer of crushed pretzel dust to your next shepard’s pie for a crunchy finish. Of course, the simplest and perhaps most authentic way to enjoy this Pennsylvania specialty remains enjoying them in their purest form: straight from the bag as a perfectly portable and satisfying snack.
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Read the original article on Food Republic.
Pennsylvania
Small plane makes emergency landing on interstate in Pennsylvania
A small airplane made an emergency landing on Interstate 78 in Allentown, Pennsylvania on Saturday morning, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Rockwell Commander landed at around 9:20 a.m. after reporting engine issues, the FAA said.
The two people onboard were not injured, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Dashcam video of the incident circulating on social media shows the plane flying low overhead before landing on the interstate and slowing down.
Emily Rivera, who posted the video, was traveling from Harrisburg to Lehigh Valley when she saw the plane make the landing.
“Honestly I was in disbelief because I never expected a plane to land in front of me!” Rivera said, adding that she was impressed with how the pilot landed.
Police said to expect delays in the area and that all traffic eastbound is being detoured onto exit 40. More information will be released later, police said.
The FAA is investigating the incident.
Pennsylvania
PENNSYLVANIA DEP TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON HOMER CITY GAS LINE PROJECT
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has announced a public hearing on a proposed natural gas pipeline project connected with the Homer City Redevelopment site.
The hearing will focus on the proposed National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit that is part of the Homer City Pipeline project. The plan is to install close to six miles of 30-inch diameter natural gas pipeline from an interconnect facility in Burrell Township to the proposed Homer City Redevelopment site in Center township. The line will run through parts of Burrell, Blacklick and Center Townships.
The hearing will be held May 12th at 5:00 PM at the Indiana Theater.
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Pennsylvania
Brooklyn baby shooting: Second suspect in killing of 7-month-old girl caught after fleeing to Pennsylvania, sources say | amNewYork
Police apprehended on Friday a second suspect tied to the horrific, deadly shooting of 7-month-old Kaori Patterson-Moore on Wednesday afternoon, amNewYork has learned.
NYPD
Police apprehended on Friday a second suspect tied to the horrific, deadly shooting of 7-month-old Kaori Patterson-Moore in Brooklyn on Wednesday afternoon, amNewYork has learned.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, the perpetrator was cuffed on Friday afternoon after fleeing to Pennsylvania. Sources identified him as 18-year-old Matthew Rodriguez; he is currently being held in the Keystone State, pending extradition back to New York for prosecution on charges yet to be announced.
The arrest came 48 hours after Patterson-Moore was shot while being wheeled in her stroller by her mother near the corner of Humboldt and Moore Streets in East Williamsburg at about 1:20 p.m. on April 1.
Law enforcement sources said two suspects on a moped rode up to the location and fired the fatal shot before fleeing the scene. Sources said Rodriguez is believed to be the moped’s operator; the alleged shooter, 21-year-old Amuri Greene, was officially charged on Friday with multiple counts of murder.
Patterson-Moore sustained a fatal gunshot wound to her head. Frantic efforts by her parents and bystanders were to no avail; the infant died later on Wednesday afternoon at Woodhull Hospital.
The shooting horrified local residents and the city. Linda Oyinkonyan, the grandmother on Kaori’s mother’s side, said she has been left devastated.
“Heartbroken, horrified. It’s bad, it’s sad, it’s sorrowful, it’s hurtful, it’s nothing you can imagine, nothing, the hurt, the deep hurt,” she said.

Police said Greene and Rodriguez allegedly crashed their ride two blocks away from the shooting scene. Though Rodriguez was able to avoid capture, Greene was hospitalized with injuries after being thrown from the vehicle. He was subsequently charged at his bedside.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced on Wednesday evening an extensive manhunt for the second suspect in the killing. That search ultimately led cops to Pennsylvania, and to Rodriguez on Friday.
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