The Northampton County Sheriff's Department worked with Colonial Regional police and Walnutport police on the investigation.

A man who had the rare distinction of being wanted on charges in Lehigh, Northampton and Warren counties is behind bars as of Tuesday, the Northampton County Sheriff's Department said.

Sheriff David Dalrymple said the effort to arrest James Andrew Pratola, which involved the department's Field Operations Group, as well as Colonial Regional police, Walnutport police and the U.S. Marshals Service Violent Fugitive Task Force, is an example of the cross-jurisdictional cooperation he plans to make more common.

Pratola, 38, most recently of Lehigh Township, was arrested May 29 by Colonial Regional police after the New Jersey sex offender lied about his identity during a traffic stop in Bath, police said at the time. His wife, who was in the car, provided a proper identification, police added. Pratola later complained of a medical ailment and subsequently escaped from a local hospital, Colonial Regional said earlier this month.

Sex offender sought after escape

At the time, he had April guilty pleas on his record for possession of a controlled substance and retail theft in Allentown. But he was extradited April 12 to New Jersey, records say. A warrant would later be filed for his arrest in Lehigh County, authorities said.

Sheriff's department Sgt. George Volpe, who heads the Field Services Group and was involved in the investigation after Pratola escaped from the hospital, said the man was sent from Lehigh County to Newark to live in a supervised setting.

But New Jersey investigators soon learned he wasn't staying there, Volpe said.

Pratola was then ordered to live with his sister in Phillipsburg, but the first two checks found he wasn't there and a third check found the home vacant and up for sale and the landlord saying no one was living there, Volpe said.

A warrant was issued May 25 for Pratola's arrest in Warren County for failing to comply with sex offender registration rules, Volpe and Dalrymple said.

Pratola pleaded guilty in 2001 to sexually assaulting a fellow patient at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in 2000, records and published reports show. Pratola was required to register for life as a sex offender, Volpe said. But records show Pratola was brought up on charges over the years for failing to register, including in 2009 in Phillipsburg.

The Northampton County Sheriff's Department's Field Services Group, which works 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. serving protection orders and warrants, dug into the case in early June, brought in the marshals service and developed information that Pratola was in Walnutport, Dalrymple said.

The sheriff's department advised borough police of a suspicious vehicle at a St. Luke's Hospital medical center there and at 4:58 a.m. Tuesday, an officer questioned the person the car, borough Sgt. Jason Nothstein said. The man initially lied about his identity, but through the investigation "we found out who he was" and Pratola was taken into custody, Nothstein said.

Pratola "admitted he was on the run" and had been staying with friends and family for a few days at a time as he "bounced around" trying to stay ahead of authorities, Nothstein said.

Pratola was committed without bail in Lehigh County Jail on the warrant based on the April crimes, authorities said.

Pratola still faces charges in Northampton and Warren counties, records show.

The sheriff's department is researching if Pratola should face Megan's Law failure-to-register charges in Pennsylvania, Dalrymple said.

"Our field operations operation did a phenomenal job" tracking Pratola over "the width and depth of Northampton County" as well as Allentown, Dalrymple said. Then "they got the break they needed."

He credited the cooperation among the various law enforcement operations with leading to the successful outcome.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

The Phillipsburg students raised over $1,200 for local nonprofits.

The Phillipsburg High School Interact Club has participated in many hands-on projects and raised over $1,200 for nonprofit organizations including: A Can Shake to benefit Shelter Box; Rotary Food Drive; Phillipsburg Public Library holiday Booktique; Phillipsburg Public Library Family Holiday Event; Candy Cane Gram sale to benefit Shelter Box ; toiletries drive for NORWESCAP; Phillipsburg Public Library cleanup; Bunny Gram sale to benefit Relay for Life ; Phillipsburg Comic-Con and Phillipsburg Relay for Life

The Morning Angels group is planning a trip to the exhibit and Little Italy.

Morning Angels, a Kaleidoscope hatter group from Phillipsburg is sponsoring a bus trip Oct. 7 to the Chihuly Exhibit at New York Botanical Gardens plus a stop to dine at Arthur Avenue, Little Italy of the Bronx.  

(File photo) 

The cost is $75 and it includes transportation, driver's tip and admission.

The works on display were curated to embolden different areas across the gardens, with the pool at the Conservatory Courtyard boasting a magnificent neon creation that lights up at night.

Dale Chihuly's work is in more than 200 museum collections worldwide. He is the recipient of many awards including twelve honorary doctorates and two fellowships from the National endowment for the Arts.

For reservations, contact Camille 908-387-0001.

The burglar used a credit card stolen in one of the incidents at stores in Warren County, as well, according to police.

Forks Township police Thursday released surveillance images said to show a serial vehicle burglar who is wanted in several local municipalities.

The male was spotted at Sunoco on Wood Avenue in Wilson Borough after breaking into a car and stealing a purse May 3 in the 2000 block of Lone Cedar Drive in Forks Township, according to police.

A credit card stolen in the incident was used at Sunoco as well as in New Jersey, at The Home Depot in Greenwich Township and Walmart in Pohatcong Township, police said.

Palmer Township police on May 8 circulated a surveillance image said to show the same perpetrator, and Bethlehem Township police said they were looking for him, as well.

Forks Township police ask anyone with information on the burglar's identity to contact Detective Michael Friel at mfriel@forkstownship.org or 610-252-0785, ext. 213.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

The Class of 2017 celebrated during a commencement ceremony at the school.

Belvidere High School held its commencement Thursday night at the school.

Check out the celebration by scrolling through the photos atop this post.

Belvidere High School prom 2017 (PHOTOS)

LOOKING FOR A KEEPSAKE?

Are you one of the people pictured at this graduation? Want to buy the photo and keep it forever? Look for a link below the photo caption to order prints in a variety of sizes or products like shirts or coffee mugs.

Be sure to check out our complete graduation coverage at lehighvalleylive.com/graduation.

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.

The Red team held a 22-7 lead in the 2nd quarter.

Witnesses were able to give authorities a license plate number and vehicle description.

A Phillipsburg man was arrested Thursday after driving away without paying from a Lopatcong Township gas station and injuring the attendant in the process, township police said.

Devon McBride, no age given, of Anderson Street in town, got a full tank and then started to pull away from the Eagle Gas station at 1075 Route 22, police said.

The attendant had asked for payment and then reached out to try to stop McBride, but the vehicle sped away, police said. The attendant, who suffered abrasions and was bleeding, was treated by Lopatcong EMS but declined to go to the hospital, police said.

Witnesses provided a license plate number and described the vehicle.

Phillipsburg police found the vehicle on Anderson Street and township officers arrested McBride, police said.

James Webster III , no age given, of Newark, was a passenger in the vehicle and he had synthetic marijuana, leading to his arrest by town police, township police said.

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McBride, who was also wanted on three warrants, was charged with theft of fuel, assault by auto and vehicular violations, township police said. He was released pending a court appearance, police said.

Lopatcong police were also assisted by the Warren County Prosecutor's Office and the Washington Township, Warren County, police K-9 unit.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

The junior outfielder made a spectacular diving catch in the Stateliners' season opener.

Sean Morro's highlight-reel diving catch in the Phillipsburg baseball team's season opener has hit the national stage.

The junior left fielder's spectacular grab from April was named the No. 5 play of the scholastic year by MaxPreps, beating out the likes of LaMelo Ball and other athletes from across the country.

Watch the video below, for the full Top 10 plays:

Seven students receive funds to attend 4- and 2-year colleges.

The Phillipsburg Education Foundation announced 2017 scholarship award recipients.

Front, from left: Abigail Mae Donnelley, Andrea Loren Merring and Amanda Camunas. Back: Alexis Taylor, Austin James Sumner and Peyton Elling. Missing from photo: Alyssa Darden. (Courtesy photo) 

Phillipsburg High School seniors and their parents were recently honored at a luncheon at the Brass Rail in Phillipsburg. Seven students were awarded scholarships to assist them in furthering their education after high school. Students attending a four-year college, awarded a one-time $2,000 grant, include: Peyton Elling, Andrea Loren Merring, Austin James Sumner and Alexis Taylor. Students attending a two-year college or technical school, awarded a one-time $500 grant were Amanda Camunas, Alyssa Darden and Abigail Mae Donnelley.

The foundation is a recognized, independent, nonprofit organization comprised of members of the school district's administration, foundation trustees, and educators working together to help Phillipsburg students further their education and reach their goals.

Do you have education news to share? To see it posted here and possibly in The Express-Times and Warren Reporter, send me an email.

Some of the animals died at Horses 4 Hope, an NJSPCA investigator said.

The organizer of a therapeutic horse-riding program in Warren County will face animal cruelty charges, according to the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Fifteen counts will be filed against Aiyana Callaway, who ran Horses 4 Hope in Pohatcong Township, NJSPCA law enforcement Sgt. Phil Amato confirmed this week. The organization planned a formal announcement next week, and the charges were not available in municipal court as of Friday morning.

In March, an SPCA spokesman confirmed that the farm was under investigation with the state agriculture department. A department spokesman declined comment on Friday.

Amato said the accusations follow a long investigation into neglect of a number of horses, some of which died. It was not immediately clear where the survivors were taken, or if Horses 4 Hope is still operating. A phone number for Callaway redirected to another farm, which did not respond to a voicemail.

PETA chastises Minsi Lake fish salvage program

Callaway nursed mistreated horses back to health, then used them to provide free, therapeutic rides for abuse victims, troubled youths and people with special needs, according to a 2014 lehighvalleylive.com profile on Horses 4 Hope. The farm was located in Upper Mount Bethel Township at the time.

In that report, Callaway said she has no employees and does almost all of the work by herself: "We don't have the money to do all this," she said. "The problem is I just can't say 'no.'"

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

President Trump and his aides had conversations with N.J. officials before Friday's Cuba speech. Watch video

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump's call for Cuba to extradite convicted New Jersey cop killer Joanne Chesimard came after he and members of his administration had conversations with Gov. Chris Christie and U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez. 

Trump drew bipartisan praise from the Garden State when he singled out Chesimard on Friday during his speech rolling back former President Barack Obama's Cuba policy.

"To the Cuban government, I say: Put an end to the abuse of dissidents," Trump said in Miami. "Release the political prisoners. Stop jailing innocent people. Open yourselves to political and economic freedoms. Return the fugitives from American justice -- including the return of the cop-killer Joanne Chesimard."

Christie cites Chesimard in criticism

Christie, who is friends with Trump, raised Chesimard with the president several times, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the conversations who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. 

"I want to commend President Trump for speaking out so strongly and forcefully demanding the return of Joanne Chesimard to face justice in New Jersey for the murder of Trooper Foerster," said Christie, who consistently mentioned Chesimard's name in criticizing Obama's moves to normalize relations with Cuba. 

"His defense of the New Jersey State Police and the rule of law should give great confidence to every American who supports our system of justice," Christie added.

Menendez (D-N.J.), a Cuban American and fierce critic of Obama's Cuba policy, said he discussed Chesimard with Trump's national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, and recommended  the president single her out in his Cuba speech. McMaster accompanied Trump on his trip to Miami.

Menendez said that Trump's decision to mention Chesimard was a significant step in the effort to return her to the U.S.

"It sends a powerful message to the Cubans of the importance of returning her," Menendez said in an interview. "When the president of the United States verbalizes her name as a focal point, I think it's a very powerful moment." 

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Chesimard, who is on FBI's list of the most wanted terrorists, now goes by the name Assata Olugbala Shakur. She has lived in Cuba since 1984 after escaping from prison. The Black Liberation Army member had been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted in the killing of state Police Trooper Werner Foerster in a shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike in 1973.

The FBI and the Office of the New Jersey State Attorney General have offered a combined $2 million for information leading to her arrest.

"I am more hopeful than ever for the return of Joanne Chesimard to the United States to complete her term of imprisonment for the 1973 murder of Trooper Werner Foerster," said Col. Rick Fuentes, State Police superintendent.

New Jersey lawmakers of both parties had criticized Obama for moving toward normal relations with Cuba without demanding Chesimard's return.

"I commend President Trump for mentioning Joanne Chesimard's murder conviction in his speech in Miami," said Rep. Leonard Lance (R-7th Dist.). "Her return to New Jersey must be included in any normalization of our relationship with Cuba." 

In his speech, Trump cancelled Obama's agreements with Cuba, saying instead he would strictly enforce economic sanctions and a ban on tourism.

"We challenge Cuba to come to the table with a new agreement that is in the best interests of both their people and our people and also of Cuban Americans," Trump said.

During the Obama administration, Lance and Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-3rd Dist.) were among the New Jersey lawmakers seeking to block federal funding for restoring relations with Cuba as long as Chesimard remained free. 

"I echo President Trump's call for Cuba to extradite cop-killer Joanne Chesimard to the United States," MacArthur said. "Every day, our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe. We owe it to all of them to bring her to justice."

Menendez said Trump's speech mentioning Chesimard makes it more likely that she eventually will be returned to the U.S.

"At some point, the regime has to re-question the value to them to continue to give her refuge," he said. "It's not a question of whether she comes back. It's a question of when."

Like Menendez, New Jersey's other Cuban American representative, Rep. Albio Sires (D-8th Dist.), also broke with fellow Democrat Obama over his Cuba policy.

Sires and Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) introduced legislation in March to have the government push for the return of Chesimard and fugitives harbored abroad.

Their bill was named for Foerster and another New Jersey resident, Walter Patterson, whose killer also was found and convicted but escaped and fled the country. The measure would require the federal government to submit annual reports on the number of fugitives and the efforts being made to extradite them.

Sires, though, questioned why Trump's budget eliminated funding for programs promoting human rights in Cuba.

"President Trump must back his words with actions," Sires said. "I will continue working to protect the lives of oppressed people all over the world and urge the president to prioritize human rights as a guiding principle when crafting foreign policy towards strongmen everywhere, not just the Castro regime."

NJ Advance Media correspondent Brent Johnson contributed to this report.

Claude Brodesser-Akner may be reached at cbrodesser@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ClaudeBrodesser. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

The Class of 2017 became the first to celebrate commencement at the new high school.

Phillipsburg High School held its commencement Friday night -- the first class to graduate at the new high school off Belvidere Road.

Check out the celebration by scrolling through the photos atop this post. Additional photos from the graduation can be seen here: Phillipsburg High School graduation 2017 - Part 2

Phillipsburg High School prom 2017 (PHOTOS)

LOOKING FOR A KEEPSAKE?

Are you one of the people pictured at this graduation? Want to buy the photo and keep it forever? Look for a link below the photo caption to order prints in a variety of sizes or products like shirts or coffee mugs.

Be sure to check out our complete graduation coverage at lehighvalleylive.com/graduation.

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.

Students celebrated during a commencement ceremony at the school in Washington Township, Warren County.

Warren Hills Regional High School held its commencement Friday night at the school.

Check out the celebration by scrolling through the photos atop this post.

Warren Hills Regional prom 2017 (PHOTOS)

LOOKING FOR A KEEPSAKE?

Are you one of the people pictured at this graduation? Want to buy the photo and keep it forever? Look for a link below the photo caption to order prints in a variety of sizes or products like shirts or coffee mugs.

Be sure to check out our complete graduation coverage at lehighvalleylive.com/graduation.

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.

Route 519 in Harmony Township was closed as a result of the June 16, 2017, crash.

An SUV took out mailboxes and a utility pole in a crash in Harmony Township on Friday.

It happened about 6:20 p.m. in the 2700 block of Belvidere Road, aka Route 519.

A southbound Ford Explorer crossed the opposite lane and went off the road before plowing into mailboxes and a utility pole, according to a witness account.

The pole snapped at its base, bringing down wires. The driver was taken by ambulance to St. Luke's Hospital in Phillipsburg.

The SUV, which had temporary Delaware tags, had to be towed. Belvidere Road was shut down between Harmony Station and Garrison roads during the cleanup.

New Jersey State Police at the Washington station were investigating.

Also responding to the call were the Harmony Fire Department and Greenwich Rescue Squad.

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.

Police charged two people after finding them in a car at Lopatcong Park.

Lopatcong Township police charged two people with drug crimes and child neglect after finding them in a car late Friday at Lopatcong Park.

An officer who approached the vehicle about 10:30 p.m. allegedly detected a strong odor of marijuana.

Besides the two adults, two children ages 1 and 7 were inside the vehicle, police said.

Arrested were driver Antwuan Smith, 20, of the 500 block of Elm Street in Phillipsburg, and Kimberlie Allen, 28, of the first block of Kyle Drive in Lopatcong.

Police said they found a partially smoked marijuana cigarette and two small bags of suspected marijuana.

Smith and Allen were charged with marijuana possession, being under the influence of a controlled substance and two counts each of child neglect and abuse.

Smith also was cited for possessing a controlled substance in a vehicle.

The children were turned over to a family member, according to police.

Smith and Allen were taken to police headquarters for processing and were released on their own recognizance pending a Superior Court hearing, police said.

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.

Fifteen volunteers completed training with the Warren County Fire Academy.

Warren County recognized its newest volunteer firefighters and paid tribute to a longtime instructor Saturday.

Fifteen volunteers from across the county graduated in a ceremony at the Warren County Fire Academy in Franklin Township.

Officials also honored Charlie Wright, a member of the Washington Fire Department since the mid-1950s and an academy instructor for more than 30 years.

Wright was the county's first fire marshal and a former officer and fire chief in Washington.

Warren County freeholders and county Public Safety Director Frank Wheatley were among the speakers.

The president of the graduating class is Abigail R. Crisp of Mountain Lake Fire Co.

Other graduates of the 83rd class are:
Douglas M. Blaine, Oxford Volunteer Fire Department
Austin M. Buckley, Harmony Township Volunteer Fire Co.
James H. Campbell, Harmony Township Volunteer Fire Co.
Deanna M. Harrington, Washington Fire Department
Victor C. Hennig, Oxford Volunteer Fire Department
Kaitlyn M. Hopkins, Lopatcong Township Fire Department
Austin J. Lajda, Stewartsville Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1
Lydia M. Martinez, Franklin Township Fire Department
Corbin M. Rees, Allamuchy Township Volunteer Fire Department
Garrett W. Sassaman, Good Will Fire Co. No 1
Richard M. Selser, Harmony Township Volunteer Fire Co.
Matthew R. Silva, Alpha Volunteer Fire Department
Brent D. Van Grouw, Hope Volunteer Fire Department
Blake P. Yuhas, Mount Bethel Volunteer Fire Co.

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.

An event is scheduled Monday on South Main Street.

A section of Phillipsburg's South Main Street will be closed late Monday morning when Gov. Chris Christie pays a visit.

Town police said detours will be set up in the 400 block for about an hour starting at 10:30 a.m., when the governor helps cut the ribbon on a new drug abuse and mental health outpatient facility at 427-429 S. Main St.

Freedom House, based in Clinton, provides long-term residential treatment, transitional living programs and outpatient services, according to its website. Besides the ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m., Monday's events include tours and a meet-and-greet with staff.

In his last year as governor, Christie has focused on drug addiction and treatment, and is chairing a presidential commission on opioid abuse.

This will be the governor's second stop in the Phillipsburg area in less than a year. He spoke at a September ceremony for the new Phillipsburg High School.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

The operator of a therapeutic horse-riding program in Warren County was charged with 15 counts of animal cruelty.

The operator of a therapeutic horse-riding program in Warren County fed animals shrink-wrapped hay and failed to provide care, leading in some cases to their deaths, according to the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The agency charged Aiyanna Callaway, 33, of the Bangor area, and owner of Horses 4 Hope in Pohatcong Township, with 15 counts of animal cruelty. A phone number for Callaway redirected to another farm, which did not respond to a voicemail.

Her inaction at the farm she leased at 50 Warren Glen Road resulted in serious bodily injury or death for a number of horses, authorities said.

Horses showed signs of botulism and an investigation by the NJSPCA and state agriculture officials concluded 13 of the 37 horses on the property earlier this year were below the minimal body score of a 2.0 as required by New Jersey law for the humane treatment of livestock, officials said.

Lehighvalleylive.com first reported on the charges Friday; authorities released more details about the charges Monday. A hearing is set for July 13 in Pohatcong Municipal Court.

The NJSPCA said it launched an investigation in March after receiving numerous complaints.

State officials said they put the farm on quarantine after witnesses reported that Callaway would order hay in shrink-wrap, have it rolled in the field, and leave it up to the horses to rip through plastic with their teeth.

The NJSPCA said it also found tubs of water frozen on the property, and the horses' only access to water was from a pond that collected the run-off of the animals' feces and urine.

On officials' first visit to the property in March, they said, they found a dead horse that they later learned was humanely euthanized by a veterinarian the day before.

PETA chastises Minsi Lake fish salvage program

On March 22, a witness found a horse named named Ruby laying on the ground showing signs illness and unable to stand. Due to the horse's suffering, Ruby was humanely euthanized by a state veterinarian later in the day.

Callaway was not there, but officials contacted her by telephone at her Pennsylvania home, according to the NJSPCA.

On March 24, another horse named Black Beauty was humanely euthanized due to clinical signs of botulism, officials said.

Initial necropsy reports tested positive for bot larvae in Ruby's digestive system and final necropsy results concluded positive for botulism in Ruby's digestive system and in the feed hay.

Due to the deadly epidemic, Callaway was ordered to find a new place to house the horses, according to the NJSPCA.

The entire farm was put on quarantine because of that and due to a lack of appropriate paperwork and health certificates, officials said. Callaway was ordered to find a new place to house the horses.

Around April 2, 13 horses with body scores that did not meet the state's requirements were relocated by Callaway to an alleged horse rescue called Rescue Last Chance Horse Ranch in Jackson, N.J.

Witnesses provided officials with a written communications from Callaway to the new ranch, directing personnel to feed Callaway's personal horses "the good grain and to give the other horses whatever."

Communications from Callaway were also provided to the NJSPCA in which Callaway instructed individuals to lie to the authorities that she was "hiding behind her horse therapy program for kids to escape getting a horse dealer license and its regulations," according to the NJSPCA.

According to a 2014 lehighvalleylive.com profile on Horses 4 Hope, Callaway nursed mistreated horses back to health, then used them to provide free, therapeutic rides for abuse victims, troubled youths and people with special needs. The farm was located in Upper Mount Bethel Township at the time.

In that report, Callaway said she has no employees and does almost all of the work by herself: "We don't have the money to do all this," she said. "The problem is I just can't say 'no.'"

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.

Authorities said the altercation occurred while two women and a man were in a South Main Street home.

A man suffered a knife wound to the chest late Sunday night in a Phillipsburg home.

Two women and the man were in the home about 11:15 p.m. in the 400 block of South Main Street when Leslie Caul, 26, slashed the man with a knife during an altercation, Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke said Monday night.

A knife was later found in the street.

Both women -- neither in handcuffs -- were taken away in a police vehicle, but only one was charged, Burke said. It was determined to be a domestic violence issue, town police said.

Caul, of the 400 block of South Main, is charged with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, Burke and town police said. She remained jailed Monday evening in Warren County, records show.

As police investigated, the victim was on a porch and the two women were in a nearby backyard.

The man's injuries were not life-threatening, Burke said, and the victim appeared conscious and alert as the town emergency squad took him to an ambulance. He hard a large white bandage across his chest. He was taken to Easton Hospital, town police said.

Phillipsburg police plan on releasing more information on Tuesday morning, authorities said.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Phillipsburg High School graduates Julia Dalrymple and Zach Troxell each received $2,000.

The Phillipsburg Rotary awarded two $2,000 scholarships to Phillipsburg High School graduates at a recent Rotary lunch meeting at Flynn's on the Hill. Julia Dalrymple and Zach Troxell, both will be attending college in the fall. Selections were made by Judge James Swick, scholarship chairman and Robert Gould, committee member. From left: Chris Troxell with son Zach Troxell; Todd Tersigni, incoming Rotary president; Julia Dalrymple and her parents, Sharon and David Dalrymple; and Eric Simons, outgoing Rotary president. (Courtesy photo)