East Penn News

Emmaus Borough Council continues to mull giving tax assistance to plans for a large apartment complex on condemned, environmentally hazardous former industrial land that has gone unused for nearly 30 years.

More than six years since its conception and after thousands of hours of volunteer work, the creativity and arts center JuxtaHub has announced a slate of summer workshops.

Two bordering suburban residential developments are set to see playground changes in the coming weeks.

A proposed contract was presented to the East Penn school teachers union in late June and was rejected 367-11 by voting members.

Dozens of residents came out to support a private, publicly used recreation facility that was constructed without a permit and against zoning laws in Lower Macungie Township.

President Joe Biden nominated Montgomery County Judge Gail Weilheimer to a judicial vacancy in the U.S. District Court's Eastern District of Pennsylvania. U.S. Rep. Susan Wild said more attorneys from the Lehigh Valley ought to be considered for the postings.

The new docudrama "The Fries Rebellion" is a unique project. Spearheaded by Lower Macungie Historical Society and its president Sarajane Williams, who wrote the script, the 30-minute film spotlights local history without being either a documentary or historical fiction.

Food trucks, carnival rides by AEB Amusements and live music will be present each day as local organizers seek to expand on last year's "Community Day" event.

Teamsters Local 773 approved a new contract that awarded employees raises, more sick days and better contributions toward their health care costs, said union President Dennis Hower.

The years-long process to connect Lower Macungie warehouses more directly with Route 100 is nearing completion, with some hoping it can alleviate damaging truck detours.

Expect delays on Route 22, Interstate 78 and several other routes as President Joe Biden makes his second visit to the Lehigh Valley as president. He's expected to go to several local businesses in the afternoon.

Police declined to provide any additional information, but the rumor mill has the president stopping in at least one local business on his visit to the Lehigh Valley on Friday. East Penn and several other school districts plan to dismiss students early.

Author Brad Meltzer came to Allentown to promote the newest iteration of the now 10-year-old Ordinary People Change the World series of children's books.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

As 2023 draws to a close, lehighvalleynews.com offers a retrospective of a variety of stories about people, places and things that make the Lehigh Valley special.

The borough has not raised taxes since 2014, but borough officials say running pre-coronavirus pandemic revenues against post-pandemic expenses and trends is no longer sustainable.

The ski slopes just southeast of Lehigh County announced it would shut down at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, awaiting colder weather to make snow

It's a Festivus for felines! Emmaus cat boutique Purr Haus hosted a Festivus celebration on Saturday, Dec. 23 to collect contributions for local rescue Ruff Life, with a them of everyone's favorite fake holiday.

After months of dispute between the Macungie Volunteer Fire Department and the Borough of Macungie, the Lower Macungie Fire Department will be the new fire service for the borough starting in January.

A regular stream of customers came to send off the Trexlertown Yocco's location, as ownership of the Lehigh Valley chain says business is strong and they are evaluating options for a new location in the future.

Emmaus set its taxes and service rates for 2024 in its final meeting of the year, while also voicing concern about a last-minute change to a deal with East Penn over crossing guard payments

Historical preservation society members gathered to see the commission's establishment, and to send off a council member with a celebration of her desire to preserve local history