Business News

El Jefe Taqueria in Bethlehem is expected to reopen this month. The popular Mexican restaurant has been closed since May because of water damage from a fire in an above apartment complex.

The first phase of the project is to cost about $2.3 million and is “shovel ready,” according to Mandy Tolino, who leads Allentown’s parks and recreation department.

Historic Hotel Bethlehem was celebrated Wednesday for being chosen by USA Today as one of the nation’s 10 Best Historic Hotels/Resorts for the fifth consecutive year.

Easton City Council at a Tuesday meeting took a look at the capital improvement plan for the next five years, highlighting projects such as pool rehabilitation, waterfront development, fire station work and more.

Wind Creek Bethlehem held a preview Tuesday for its latest restaurant: Bethlehem Barrel and Drafthouse.

Resurrected Community Life Church is renovating its building on West Turner Street to serve more than 1,000 young students in Allentown.

Fellowship Community's revised sewage facilities plan for its expansion project can be submitted to the state for approval, Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners voted Monday.

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.

Residents who spoke to LehighValleyNews.com said they don’t know where they will go; the camp near Tilghman Street was an oasis for many who previously lived alone or in small groups.

Community Bike Works in Easton is celebrating the 30th year of its Earn a Bike program. Low-income families from the Lehigh Valley can become eligible to get a bike by signing up online or in person for the 24-hour mentoring program.

Easton officials announced the launch of nonprofit HOME Easton and the start of a new Landlord-Tenant Engagement Program on Wednesday, with the goal to address affordable housing and improve the rental scene in the city.

City planners meet at 5 p.m. Thursday at Bethlehem Town Hall, 10 E. Church St. The proposal for the former Wells Fargo is listed fourth on an agenda of five items.

Lehigh Valley residents attended a state Public Utility Commission hearing on Tuesday to oppose a proposed rate increase by PPL Electric Utilities. It would be the first rate increase in almost a decade.

Testimony began Monday in hearings that could decide what sort of businesses are allowed at homes throughout North Whitehall Township — and whether one resident’s long-running car repair business can keep operating.

The developer behind a proposed 37-story skyscraper in Allentown asked planning officials for another delay.

Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners approved a $36.7 million budget for 2026 Monday. Several residents attended the meeting to oppose the real estate tax increase, the first in the township since 2019.

The Allentown Parking Authority, state Sen. Nick Miller, D-Lehigh/Northampton, and the City of Allentown have opened a request for proposals for the redevelopment of the 100 block of North Seventh Street.

Event admission of $20 ($23.18 with fee online) goes directly to the aforementioned nonprofits in efforts to feed, temporarily house and support folks in need.

"Too many families are discovering that their gift was emptied by a scammer before it was ever used. We should not allow criminals to take advantage of this season of generosity," State Sen. Lisa Boscola said.

Northampton County Council passed its $503 million budget for 2026 Thursday night, keeping taxes stable for the eighth year in a row.

General real estate taxes will stay flat in South Whitehall Township next year, its fire tax will rise 0.28 of a mill and residents will see a new 0.1% income tax to fund open space preservation.