Consumer Affairs

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.

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

Things are looking up for the southern end of Lehigh County, officials agreed Thursday at an annual municipal update event at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

No seat belts are needed to attend the auto show, the largest display of new SUVs, pickups, and cars from Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, plus Honda, Toyota, Nissan Ford, and Dodge.

Officials from the Transportation Security Administration visited Lehigh Valley International Airport Tuesday with a collection of simulated bombs in tow.

Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley hosted a town hall to detail how federal budget cuts could impact Medicaid care in Lehigh County on Tuesday.

William Donner, an anthropology professor at Kutztown University, led a presentation over the weekend on the history of what was once known as the country's oldest folk festival. He lectured at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum.

The new vision for the park is planned to offer the area more green space and native trees, central lawn space, a public-access splash pad and a new basketball court. The aging park currently has two playgrounds, swing sets, a bicycle safety course, a basketball court and a concrete storage building with murals on the outside walls.

Mayor Matt Tuerk on Wednesday announced the launch of a citywide data strategy that he said will help officials address Allentown’s “wicked problems,” like homelessness, gun violence and poor air quality.

Jennifer Parker designs earrings and glassware with faith-based phrases and motivation messages through her Crafting with Agape website. She also creates handmade designs featuring the mascots of local schools.

Just around the corner from Main and Broad streets, Darto's has operated at the same 46 W. North St. location for more than 40 years. It will be replaced by another restaurant of some sort.

For the first time in its 122-year history, Crayola is bringing back retired colors in a special, limited edition 8-pack this spring.

Last week, just two leases for Big Lots locations in the Lehigh Valley were listed for sale by Gordon Brothers Retail Partners. Now leases for all locations in the area are for sale as the asset liquidation company enters phase two of its sales.

Three former Public Utility Commission chairmen say PPL is changing its tune on utility-owned generation. They say the Allentown-based utility company unnecessarily wants consumers to fund its power generation venture and profits.