Consumer Affairs

No one matched all five Powerball numbers, plus the red Powerball, on Monday night's drawing, but one Lehigh Valley resident matched four out of five white balls to win $200,000. It was among three winning tickets sold in Pennsylvania for the Dec. 15 drawing.

A new AP-NORC poll finds this holiday season isn’t quite so merry for American shoppers as large shares of them are dipping into savings, scouring for bargains and feeling like the overall economy is stuck in a rut. The vast majority of U.S. adults say they’ve noticed higher than usual prices for groceries, electricity and holiday gifts.

A proposed property tax rebate for senior citizens, drawn from hybrid police patrol vehicle fuel savings, will have to wait to be voted on until Jan. 2026.

Easton officials announced the launch of nonprofit HOME Easton and the start of a new Landlord-Tenant Engagement Program on Wednesday, with the goal to address affordable housing and improve the rental scene in the city.

Lehigh Valley residents attended a state Public Utility Commission hearing on Tuesday to oppose a proposed rate increase by PPL Electric Utilities. It would be the first rate increase in almost a decade.

The Northeast PA Regional Counter-Terrorism Task Force said customers in Lehigh and Northampton counties have been affected by a recent data breach.

A Lehigh Valley man was hunting when the lithium ion battery in heated insoles in his boots caught fire. A surgeon from Lehigh Valley Health Network said these incidents are causing devastating burn injuries.

"Too many families are discovering that their gift was emptied by a scammer before it was ever used. We should not allow criminals to take advantage of this season of generosity," State Sen. Lisa Boscola said.

General real estate taxes will stay flat in South Whitehall Township next year, its fire tax will rise 0.28 of a mill and residents will see a new 0.1% income tax to fund open space preservation.

After persistently dry, windy weather last year triggered concerns over the longevity of holiday trees, this year’s crop is shaping up well, Lehigh Valley growers said, with many different varieties available.

Easton Councilman Frank Pintabone has called on the city's mayor and administrators to set up a meeting with Met-Ed to discuss issues with the city's electric grid, spurred by a series of small blackouts over the weekend.

The 330 Thrift won over its patrons for a second consecutive year with washed-and-ironed pieces that retail between $3 and $10, and its community-minded founder.

Big Lots announced going-out-of-business sales would start in coming days, as it no longer anticipates its purchase agreement with Nexus Capital Management to go through.

Easton has confirmed their agreement with Comcast, which will eventually lead to a third option for internet and cable access for residents of the city.

Allentown City Council members waded through a series of potential amendments to Mayor Matt Tuerk's proposed 2025 budget.

Easton's 2025 budget was approved, amounting to just under $71 million with no property tax increase, during the city's Dec. 11, 2024 council meeting.

Officials say enforcers will work under a limited scope and focus on “public safety” violations, including double-parking and blocking a street or fire hydrant.

Easton's 3rd & Ferry Fish Market held its 10th annual Community Dinner & Toy Drive on Dec. 9, 2024, with community members providing an abundance of food, gifts and cash to help those in need throughout the city.

Primo Water North America alerted consumers Friday that one of its self-service water refill vending machines was found to have "total coliform." The affected machine has been shut down.

The $21.5 million budget does not include a property tax hike, but does have some increases to sewer fees.

Emmaus residents could see an increase in their property taxes in 2025. Emmaus Borough Council is set to discuss the proposal at its next meeting on Monday, Dec. 16.

Shannon Torres, a customer service representative with the U.S. Postal Service, shared tips and tricks to make sure gifts arrive on time and intact.