County News

In addition to two Lehigh County fatalities, three people have died in Northampton County crashes since Saturday, according to the Northampton County Coroner's Office.

Lawmakers announced the $40 million infusion that they said will support a new Northside Logistics and Cargo Complex. It will include a new dock facility and direct truck-to-aircraft loading apron at LVIA.

Gov. Josh Shapiro was in Bethlehem on Tuesday to announce the expansion of the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program. Older, disabled residents can apply for rebates up to $1,000. State Rep. Steve Samuelson authored the legislation.

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure asked county council Thursday to repeal tax breaks for the developer of the planned River Pointe industrial park, less than a year after council voted to extend them.

The Pennsylvania Department of State is starting a new office to help train county election workers, Pa. Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt said. It also plans to update its guidance for logic and accuracy testing that could have caught issues with the Northampton County voting machines.

Only some of the newest Northampton County elected officials are actually new to county government. The new slate of county elected leaders will take office Jan. 2.

The new position will appear on the ballot in 2025. The Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas had one of the higher caseloads for counties of its size.

If ultimately completed, the combined health care system would operate 30 hospitals and more than 700 outpatient sites, with more than 62,000 employees, according to LVHN and Jefferson Health.

Northampton County Council bid farewell to four members Thursday evening, including its first Black president, Kerry Myers.

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure announced Monday he approved the county's 2024 budget, leaving in place amendments made by the County Council last week.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission's comprehensive planning committee gave preliminary approval for a warehouse development in Upper Saucon Township and a recycling plant in Plainfield Township.

The new unit will allow law enforcement from municipal, state and county agencies to pool resources for particularly complex cases.

Residents at an open house for South Whitehall Township's draft comprehensive plan said they worried about industrial development and traffic.

Northampton County Council held a regularly scheduled meeting Thursday, but a clerical error meant they couldn't take any official action.

Some Lehigh Valley school districts are reviewing their safety protocols for responding to injuries at area football games after Damar Hamlin's recent collapse brought renewed attention to the dangers of the sport.

She served as deputy director of administration and the county's chief information officer.

A rockslide shut down Route 611 north of Portland, Pa., in early December. Last week, PennDOT said the road isn't expected to reopen for another 7 months. On the heels of pandemic losses, many merchants said they don't know if they can withstand this hit.

Our Lady of Good Counsel and Our Lady of Mount Carmel parishes will merge and keep those churches open. However, the Chapel of St. Vincent de Paul in Portland will be closing, the Diocese of Allentown announced.

Lehigh County expects to apply for up to $2.7 million from a new state program that offers to help low- and middle-income homeowners improve their properties and remove any health hazards.

Jeff Warren, a former city council member who also served on Hanover Township's board of supervisors, is running to represent District 3 on Northampton County Council.

Lehigh County's Board of Commissioners has named its leadership positions for the new year.

In December, Northampton County Council adopted an ordinance placing new restrictions on County Executive Lamont McClure's plans for a clinic treating county employees. After Thursday night's vote, it's set to go into effect.