Consumer Affairs

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 precautionary measure across Pennsylvania comes at no cost to farmers. While the virus hasn't been reported in commonwealth cattle, other states have seen a marked uptick in cases.

Crayola celebrated its 10th annual "64 Seconds of Color Shopping Spree," pairing three local children with Marines to spring the store and collect as much merchandise as they could carry, with the company providing matching contributions to local Toys for Tots programs.

For the sixth year, Lehigh Valley Health Network is sponsoring free two-hour parking in the Main Street and South Bethlehem areas for Saturday parking during the holiday season, starting Nov. 30.

Sheetz will offer its holiday price slash on Unleaded 88 fuel this year. The deal will be available at five of six Lehigh Valley Sheetz gas stations, unlike the July 4 promo that was not offered anywhere this year.

VEPO, a water meter solutions company in Astoria, New York, has been contracted by the City of Bethlehem to help change out 24,000 old water meters — a quick 15-minute appointment — by 2027.

Easton City Council tabled a bill which would pool police fuel savings stemming from their switch to hybrids for a senior property tax rebate, with several members citing that they would like to see the results of a financial study for the city before committing to the legislation.

Allentown City Council is scheduled to hold a hearing at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday on the developer’s request to transfer a liquor license from a Germansville restaurant.

Love's Restaurant and Lounge was designed to bring something entirely new to the Lehigh Valley — a former diner revamped and built up out of passion.

After 36 years of business, what owner Richard Samar calls "the last original downtown business" is set to close at the end of the month. A coffee shop will take its place.

The price of a first-class stamp could increase for the fourth time in less than two years. Other proposed adjustments would raise all mailing services product prices approximately 7.8 percent.

Crews will soon get to work fitting out the market at 250 E. Broad St. on Bethlehem’s North Side.

Gateway on Fourth — a new mixed-income housing project on Fourth Street in South Bethlehem — will bring 120 apartments to part of the city long slated for redevelopment, officials said.

Some E-ZPass users are receiving phishing texts, alerting them of overdue toll balances, the turnpike said in a release.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Monday unanimously passed legislation crafted by Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, targeting pet insurance contracts. It would make sure waiting periods or coverage exclusions are clearly explained.

The former president is holding a campaign rally Saturday at Schnecksville Fire Company — the same day nearby Shankweiler's Drive-In had planned its anniversary celebration. With road closures imminent, operators of the nation's oldest operating drive-in adjusted plans.

Ahead of the Banana Factory's scheduled demolition next year, ArtsQuest is selling some of the odds and ends accumulated there over the years. The goal was never to make money, one official said.

The amenities make a difference, and all of it “separates us from a run-of-the-mill middle class hotel to a luxury historic hotel,” said Hotel Bethlehem Managing Partner Bruce Haines.

If approved as written, “A municipal authority shall provide notice to utility customers if the municipal authority determines that the water usage has increased by 50% for one month above the average water usage for the property.”