Consumer Affairs

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 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.

The Steel City cell tower was planned to include a 125-foot tower, panel antennas, equipment cabinets and a diesel, standby generator on a ground-level concrete pad.

Dan Shantz Greenhouse, a popular plant destination in Allentown, closed in December 2023. But now it's back, temporarily, and under new out-of-county operators.

With the superstructure about 65% demolished, BPA Executive Director Steven Fernstrom said all is looking “on target” for completion in late May or early June.

The Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority Board of Governors voted Tuesday to approve a $2.50 fee on every ride-share trip to and from the Lehigh Valley airport and chose a design firm for a proposed parking garage there.

The Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority's business committee recommended higher rideshare fees, endorsed a design firm to oversee plans for a new parking garage at Lehigh Valley International Airport, and reviewed a new tool for passengers to book flights to and from LVIA.

Allentown pet stores can no longer sell guinea pigs after city council approved a ban last week. Council members, though, voted down a measure to also prohibit the sale of betta fish in city stores.

Russian-tied BlackCat hacker group attacked another health care system in February, what does it mean for cybersecurity in hospitals?

The event, held at Lehigh University's Stabler Arena, drew a crowd of both car enthusiasts and those vaguely interested.

Bethlehem Water and Sewer Resources Director Edward Boscola says the city's water meters don't lie. But consumers who got outrageously high bills with no findings of leaks aren't buying it.

The National Association of Realtors has agreed to eliminate its rules on commissions. That will have an impact on real estate professionals' fees — and perhaps supply a jolt to the tepid housing market.

Fabric and crafts giant Joann announced its bankruptcy filing Monday and said it expects to shift to private ownership following financial restructuring over the next several weeks.

Bethlehem City Council’s public works committee is set to meet Tuesday to discuss resident complaints from the past year about costly — and sometimes prohibitively expensive — water bills.