County News

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure previously vetoed three measures that could create term limits for most county officials. On Thursday, county council overrode all three.

Richard "Bucky" Szulborski served three terms as a Bethlehem councilman and twice filled in as Northampton County controller. Friends and colleagues in Bethlehem and at the county government center in Easton on Friday mourned his passing.

A fire that broke out Friday afternoon damaged 16 apartments and displaced 38 people at The Residences at Willow Ridge in Allen Township.

The Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors reported home sales dropped 22% in May — normally a busy season. Increased interest rates and tight inventory in Lehigh and Northampton counties were driving the figures, according to GLVR.

Chris Kiskeravage, the retired assistant chief for training in the Allentown Fire Department, died after a battle with cancer. Colleagues say his personality and wealth of knowledge made lasting impressions on those he instructed.

The resolution, passed 129-72, empowers the House Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to complete a study on the status, management and benefits of wildlife corridors across the state.

As Lehigh Valley residents treated themselves at the Easton Farmers Market Strawberry Day on Saturday, they also reached into their pockets to help less fortunate neighbors displaced by a Memorial Day row homes fire in Easton.

The authority was first established in 1986, but it had been defunct for about a decade until recently. The Iron Works Project in Catasauqua is its first order of business.

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.

A 605-pound black bear harvested in the Lehigh Valley has ranked one of the largest in the state to be bagged during its most recent season, and was the sixth-heaviest bear in Pennsylvania for 2023.

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 Lehigh County Courthouse will be closed Thursday as officials deal with a small electrical fire that occurred early Wednesday morning.

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.

In a letter to Gov. Josh Shapiro, state Rep. Milou Mackenzie asked the Department of State to provide Northampton County with instructions on how to avoid more Election Day mistakes with their voting machines.