Consumer Affairs

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.

Less than 50 people qualify under the program's current criteria, according to Allentown officials.

More shoppers are using ‘buy now, pay later’ plans heading into Black Friday and the holiday season, as the ability to spread out payments looks attractive at a time when Americans still feel the lingering effect of inflation and already have record-high credit card debt. Experts say the short-term loans can lead consumers to overextend themselves and warn that those who use credit cards for the service face higher interest expenses.

FirstEnergy sought to raise local customers' electric bills by more than 9%, but the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission blocked the higher rate.

The Allentown Health Bureau is collecting menstrual products for residents that don't have access or can't afford them. The period poverty initiative is underway during Menstrual Health Awareness Month.

“From ice cream-making to ketchup-surveying to flower-picking and nature walks, ‘Saturdays at Burnside’ promises to delight and educate guests of all ages,” said HBMS CEO LoriAnn Wukitsch.

Food Flights took the Lehigh Valley by storm three years ago, and the trend is still going strong. Find out which restaurants continue to embrace the food flight trend — and its success — today.

Lehigh County commissioners reflected on Memorial Day, and voiced hope in seeing more veterans take advantage of property tax exemptions.

LCCC graduates must be enrolled full-time, attend classes in person, and maintain a 2.0 GPA for 12 consecutive quarters in order to transfer credits.

Lehigh Valley International Airport had its best four-month start to the year since 2004 in terms of total passengers passing through, officials said Thursday. Air cargo volumes, meanwhile, declined year-over-year.

The thunderstorm Thursday morning packed heavy wind gusts, rain and hail in some spots. It ended almost as suddenly as it began. PPL reported 22,000 without power in Lehigh and Northampton counties.

North Whitehall supervisors will host a conditional use hearing on Wednesday, June 5, for a revised plan of the controversial Rising Sun subdivision.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced the fine after approving a consent agreement with casino operators Wednesday. The 10 incidents occurred over a 22-month period, regulators said.

Gas prices are up about 10 cents a gallon in Pennsylvania from this time last year, and up 11 cents in the Lehigh Valley region, according to AAA.

The Da Vinci Science Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony before opening its doors to the public on Wednesday. The brand-new facility is located at 815 Hamilton St. in Allentown.

The Coopersburg Farmer Market will be open on Sundays starting June 2 through Oct. 27.