Consumer Affairs

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 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.

The nonprofit has added almost $400,000 to its bank account since securing $300,000 in "foundational support" from Allentown officials.

Safety officials with PPL presented about a dozen demonstrations of electrical hazards to more than 100 firefighters in Williams Township. The event was designed to educate first responders about potential electrical mishaps at the scenes of emergencies.

The new Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton Regional Music Awards has an official website, and is taking nominations for its first ceremony later this year.

A new documentary focusing on income and wealth disparity in America will premiere at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas at the ArtsQuest Center in Bethlehem. It was produced by Richard Master, founder and CEO of MCS Industries in Palmer Township.

Upper Milford Township Zoning Hearing Board met Monday to discuss a variance request to extend the available space at the TG Countryside ice cream shop to become a retail smoke and tobacco store. Residents packed the meeting to speak out against it.

Changes in fare collection are coming this month for LANTA bus riders in the Lehigh Valley.

The Lion's Share scratch-off lottery ticket boasts of five top prizes worth $5 million. A winning ticket was recently sold in Lehigh County, bringing the current top prizes available down to two.

City Center is getting to work on its plans to build a 257-apartment building at the corner of Sixth and Turner streets, where The Morning Call once stood.

Bob's Discount Furniture just off Easton-Nazareth Highway (Route 248) celebrated its grand opening Friday by giving back to two Easton nonprofit organizations.

Easton's workforce housing initiative, which would benefit the "missing middle," will need some more consideration — especially in regard to who will run the program — before it reaches a vote at City Council.

More Lehigh Valley residents will have another option for an internet provider. Astound announced a multi-million-dollar deal to deepen its roots further into the area and Northeast Pennsylvania.

Nearly 100,000 passengers flew through Lehigh Valley International Airport last month — the best June on record, airport authority officials said.