County News

A grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority, part of the state DCED, will facilitate the construction.

Plans for the River Pointe Logistics Industrial Park Development Project in Upper Mount Bethel Township are inconsistent with those of FutureLV, according to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.

Citing the financial concerns of taxpayers, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission member Richard D. Molchany suggests slowing down the Lehigh Valley Passenger Rail project.

The program will be operated by Mid-Atlantic Rehabilitation Services (MARS) and is paid for by lawsuits against opiate manufacturers.

This year's address focused on the success of the county's pandemic response, opposition to warehouse construction and plans for affordable housing projects.

The proposed River Point industrial park project for Upper Mount Bethel Township has residents questioning unanswered questions by Bethlehem developer Lou Pektor.

The development would consist of 96 units spread across two three-story buildings at 4406 Easton Ave. The developer has been working alongside township staff and other agencies to get conditional use approval.

Voter turnout was about 23.74% among Democrats and Republicans in Northampton County — only slightly better than Lehigh County’s 22.5% voter turnout rate.

Northampton County Council voted to eliminate 20 frontline jobs at the county's juvenile detention and treatment center, and create 13 new supervisor positions. A union for the detention center's workers argued the change is illegal.

The changes, introduced at a county council committee meeting Wednesday, would eliminate some youth care worker positions at the county's juvenile justice center, and create new assistant supervisor roles.

Northampton County Council first proposed the two studies in April 2022, which often brought council members into conflict with County Executive Lamont McClure.

The 5% sewer discount is no longer an option because the township will soon charge residents based on their sewer usage rather than a flat rate.

If party status is granted, county officials have the right to participate in zoning hearings, as Bethlehem Landfill officials seek approval to expand.

The FCC's equal time rule means Lehigh County commissioner candidates will be entitled to hours of air time on La Mega 101.7 — if they want it.

Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong credited partners and his administration for maintaining the region's high quality of life.

Stephen Baratta and Terry Houck exchanged more salvos Thursday in a heated race for Northampton County district attorney. Houck said he's considering filing an ethics complaint against the retired judge.

County Executive Lamont McClure announced that the county is conducting a broadband study and will gather public input through a survey.

Kevin Dellicker, a Republican who ran for the Lehigh Valley congressional seat, said federal investigators should look into the improper release of his military records.

As the region diversifies, relations across racial groups are seen as a key element of quality of life. A new survey finds overall ratings as mostly positive, but different age groups rate the state of race relations differently.

Members of the council's Finance Committee criticized County Executive Lamont McClure's handling of the studies they requested last year. He threatened to walk out.

Allentown City Planning Commission on Tuesday approved the construction of a 49-unit apartment building and parking garage on West Hamilton Street. The complex would house primary occupants 55-and-older and adults with disabilities. Representatives of the neighboring music school voiced concerns about increased traffic and the safety of students, parents, and staff.

The Lehigh Valley is a desirable place to live. But as more move to the region, the volume of affordable housing is shrinking. A quality-of-life survey shows it's a major concern of those who live here.