East Penn News

An amendment to a bill that would approve tax abatements on blighted land where a 144-unit apartment complex is proposed in Emmaus Borough has temporarily stalled the project.

To arrive at emergency scenes faster and well-staffed, Upper Macungie Fire & Rescue in Lehigh County has launched a staffing incentive program that will pay "qualified and trained" volunteers to cover 12-hour shifts.

Mack Trucks said it will lay off 250 to 350 workers at its Macungie facility — in part because of market uncertainty and the impact of tariffs.

Lower Macungie's Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Monday to buy 44 acres of farmland on Lower Macungie Rd. Township officials previously approved a 30-building, 180-unit apartment complex on the site.

The board on Wednesday voted to correct the one-character mistake and schedule the amended bill for a second reading and vote at its next meeting April 9.

More than 450 students from across Pennsylvania gathered for Aevidum Live, a conference focusing on speaking up about depression and suicide prevention, and encouraging others to help stop the stigma of mental health help.

A rezoning proposal that would clear the way for an apartment and commercial/retail space project in Bethlehem was reviewed by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission on Thursday night.

A proposed 25,800-square-foot childcare center in Salisbury Township would be named in memory of Monsignor John P. Murphy, long-time cleric in Allentown who died in 2023 at age 86.

The East Penn School District's board voted Monday to create a three-year LERTA property tax incentive for an 8.5 acre brownfield in Emmaus. The lot is set to become 144 apartments.

Lehigh Valley Salsa Social meets monthly in the Lehigh Valley to practice salsa and bachata. The dances are making a comeback among younger people thanks to TikTok and artists like Bad Bunny.

East Penn School District is seeking proposals for a potential solar farm near the Macungie and Shoemaker Elementary School buildings.

The gala includes drinks, music, seated dinner, behind the scenes presentations and a screening of the locally produced historical film.

A new set of retail buildings near Hamilton Crossings got zoning approval from Lower Macungie

Pennsylvania State Police say Jared Gerhard, 30, touched a 17-year-old girl inside a Lower Macungie Township Marshall's Friday while she was shopping with her family.

Executive Chef Anthony Distefano said the change was “really a ‘culinary momentum’ shift as opposed to a ‘rebranding of the Grille.’”

The nonprofit Emmaus Community Foundation looks to support borough arts, historical preservation and recreation projects by raising money from local donors.

The Borough of Macungie 2024 Memorial Day program featured local veterans, emergency workers and elected representatives. It was the first program in five years in the borough.

With renovations complete at Central Station, the borough is looking to sell and repurpose trailers used during renovations as it plans to redesign Lions Field park.

Taking a route that several Lehigh Valley municipalities already have, Lower Macungie Township is bracing its residents for a likely trash fee increase in the latter part of 2024.

The Emmaus Memorial Triangle could get a major facelift. A veterans group seeks to build a new memorial complex there and rename it.

Lower Macungie is introducing an opportunity for the community to highlight who they consider to be local heroes. The program, for $150, will highlight residents who fall into the following categories: active duty, retired, honorably discharged, or deceased U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy or Coast Guard member.

After changes and a promised expansion project dating back three years, the lot is now for sale