Business News

Reporter Julian Abraham spent the weekend covering the explosion that occurred Friday at a chocolate factory in West Reading.

Three people died and four remain missing in the explosion at the R.M. Palmer Co. chocolate-making plant in West Reading. The grim announcement Saturday night came after a day of hope spurred by a victim found alive in the wreckage early in the day.

Goblies Throwable Paintballs and Play Paint are now on shelves in Target and online. The Bethlehem-based products were created by Lehigh University grad Briana Gardell.

Though others have experienced an increase in passenger traffic at Lehigh Valley International Airport, Delta has seen an 18% decline.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission on Thursday voted to accept recommendations of its Comprehensive Planning Committee for a Bethlehem apartment complex and three area warehouses.

The Allentown Parking Authority hosted a public forum Tuesday night at the Americus Hotel to hear residents' complaints.

Gov. Josh Shapiro said he's long admired the Lehigh Valley's unique ability to build partnerships. It's a skillset he said he hopes to bring to other communities across the state to promote economic growth. Shapiro was keynote speaker at the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. annual meeting in Bethlehem.

A week-long job fair helped to fill 1,500 seasonal positions in preparation for the 2023 season, but hundreds of openings remain for ride operators, security personnel, emergency medical technicians and lifeguards.

Contrasting points of view are at issue with the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission's decision to relocate its headquarters.

Zoning approval was granted for the 54.4-acre mixed use development at 617 N. Krocks Road including apartments, a hotel and retail space. The development will now have to address comments and submit land development plans to the township.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto highlighted the Confluence, an $80 million mixed-use development he's spearheaded, during a campaign event Friday. The project's groundbreaking has been pushed back to Fall 2023.

Hawk Music co-owners Phil Hawk and his sister, Pat Hawk Paulus, recalled the relationships made with customers at the store their late father founded 50 years ago.

A woman pulled alive from the rubble of a Pennsylvania chocolate factory after an explosion that killed seven co-workers says her arm caught fire as flames engulfed the ruined building — and then she fell through the floor into a vat of liquid chocolate.

Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center will host a Community Day in Bethlehem on April 8 at The Ice House. The event is free and will feature a community conversation for residents to share how the center can better serve Bethlehem's LGBTQ residents.

In addition to the introduction of a bill that would automatically return some unclaimed property, a local representative is holding a session that would help residents to find their unclaimed property.

A new Jewish Orthodox summer camp by the organization Camp Degel Hatorah is set to take over the previous Camp Jubilee site at 1312 N Brookside Road in Lower Macungie Township after being cleared by township zoners.

Rodale Institute's board of directors announced Jeff Tkach, 43, of Lower Macungie Township, will serve as the nonprofit's new CEO. He'll take the helm of the Kutztown-based organic farming research and education organization starting April 21.

Starting April 3, Trans-Bridge passengers will have confirmed bus runs for their travel date and time as the company phases out its first come, first served policy.

Bethlehem Township Planning Commission reviewed on Monday night a preliminary plan for a proposed 34-room hotel, restaurant, spa, and banquet complex at William Penn Highway and Bethman Road.

PennDOT is tackling 37 major projects worth more than $700 million in Berks, Carborn, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton and Schuylkill counties this year.

Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered Pennsylvania flags on all Commonwealth facilities, buildings, and grounds be lowered to half-staff to honor the victims of the RM Palmer Company factory explosion.

West Reading's police chief announced two additional fatalities on Sunday evening, ending the search for two missing individuals. The search and rescue operation followed a chocolate factory explosion Friday night.