Consumer Affairs

In the Lehigh Valley, 105,000 people rely on SNAP benefits for food assistance. One in four of them is a child. When federal safety nets falter, the charitable food network becomes the community’s last line of defense. It requires collaboration, leadership and shared purpose.

Among the free food, candy and raffles was quite a spread of information available, both in English and Spanish, for families related to a major neighborhood redesign in the works.

The Gateway on Fourth, a 120-unit affordable housing project, expected to cost $29 million, just received $16 million in highly competitive tax credits awarded by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency board. It's one of two affordable housing projects out of six total applicants in the Lehigh Valley to receive the credits.

The filings, which occurred over the past few days in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey, are individual filings of LLCs, including the location that was based at the Lehigh Valley Mall Lifestyle Center.

PPL Electric Utilities this week filed its first distribution base rate request in a decade, seeking approval from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for an 8.6% increase in annual revenue — about $356 million.

It's budget time in Easton again, and for another year, Mayor Sal Panto Jr. has confirmed that property taxes will remain stable.

As a new round of scams make way through Pennsylvanians via phone call and text message, officials are warning residents to be cautious and instead report potential scams to the appropriate agencies.

Two weeks after Iron Hill Brewery announced the closure of its flagship restaurant, the company shared Thursday that all locations are now closed.

Council officials will have the final say on the expenditures outlook, which includes how the city plans to pay for everything from protected bike lanes along West Broad Street to new trees and lights at Rose Garden Park to an armored vehicle replacement for police.

Easton will soon issue a survey and a series of community discussions aimed at improving public transportation routes between the city's neighborhoods.

Eleven11 Nail Studio opened in late June in Easton. The owners say their goal is to provide clients with an experience focused on self care and pampering.

Lower Macungie joins other municipalities in having to significantly raise their trash collection fees.

Air Products' sale of its liquefied natural gas business to Honeywell includes operations in Allentown and Port Manatee, Florida, that employ about 475 people.

The internet is buzzing with people who have been targeted by the latest money scam. A text message was sent out to people across Pennsylvania claiming the recipient owes money to the PA Turnpike for unpaid tolls.

The Lehigh Valley Transportation Study recommended the second phase of studies to restore passenger rail to the region as some major logistic concerns remain about the process.

A text scam is making its rounds again, according to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Recipients are urged to not click the link in the text.

What started as an idea has blossomed into a bustling business. Now, husband-and-wife duo Chris and Sheri Anthony are sharing big-league aspirations for their little farm

Two bordering suburban residential developments are set to see playground changes in the coming weeks.

Need transportation around Bethlehem's beloved multi-day music festival this year? Well now there's a new free way to get around during Musikfest, which is now in its 41st year.

The FDA recently approved a new medication for those suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. A Lehigh Valley doctor said it could be an option for his local patients suffering from mild cases.

Open houses are scheduled for Tuesday at the East Side Youth Center; Wednesday at Fearless Fire Company; and Thursday at Theatre514. Each starts at 6 p.m.

USA Today nominated Hotel Bethlehem for its sixth consecutive run at the Best Historic Hotel in America title — something the luxury landmark has brought home the past three years in a row. Now it's time for the community to pitch in for the win.