East Penn News

Vice President JD Vance will swing through the Lehigh Valley on Tuesday as the Republican Party courts voters ahead of the midterm election. The Lehigh Valley and the surrounding area are ripe with swing voters who could flip control of the U.S. House in next year's election.

After setting aside a realignment plan in fall 2025, East Penn School District now is exploring a $142 million redistricting project that would see hundreds of students moved to different schools, and building renovations.

The family of Renna Marra, who has Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, is raising funds for a trained guide dog to help Renna with tasks as mobility assistance, behavioral calming and social communication.

Macungie residents, including a long-serving corporal of the police department, packed a borough council meeting Wednesday morning to protest a revised police internal affairs policy.

Hilary Unger, owner of Perianth Interior Design, was chosen Designer of the Year for 2025 by the Interior Design Society in the category of Living Spaces Over $100,000.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie helped secure $1.6 million in earmarks toward a new Alburtis Fire Station. The existing structure is too small to serve a modern fire department.

Next month, Wind Creek Event Center owner Jeff Trainer plans to open The Broken Record, a restaurant in Lower Macungie Township that will combine a broad range of food offerings with a music theme — and perhaps more.

At a Lower Macungie Planning Commission meeting Tuesday, officials praised a data center zoning ordinance under consideration in neighboring Upper Macungie.

Three African Servals escaped from Cricket Wildlife Center after a powerful storm last Wednesday damaged their enclosure. After dozens of reported sightings, two of the wild cats are back, leaving one left to capture.

Three Democrats will join the Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners in January. The trio appear to have become the first Democrats to be elected to the township governing body in more than a half century.

Emmaus Borough Council approved parking kiosks at a borough-controlled lot at 311 Main St. — a first in town. Council also approved several new hires.

Zoning approval was granted for the 54.4-acre mixed use development at 617 N. Krocks Road including apartments, a hotel and retail space. The development will now have to address comments and submit land development plans to the township.

In preparation for St. Patrick's Day, the Lower Macungie Township Historical Society on Wednesday took to Rising River Brewing for a "history on tap" event highlighting the history of Irish immigrants in the township during the mid-1800s.

The East Penn Board of School Directors discussed long term finances while casting affirmative votes to retain Superintendent Kristen Campbell, introducing online ticket sales and finalizing the school calendar for the upcoming year.

Nearly 140 candidates are running for dozens of positions on school boards across the Lehigh Valley.

Industry experts say it’s not a question of if, but when Trader Joe’s will open a Lehigh Valley store.

ArtsQuest will hold the first Upper Mac Days will be held Friday, June 23, through Sunday, June 25, in the Grange Park, the township's 165-acre open space.

A second building is set to join the Home Depot being constructed at 5887 Hamilton Boulevard in Lower Macungie Township.

Upper Milford Township Board of Supervisors Chair and former Lehigh County Comissioner candidate Joyce Moore is seeking reelection for her position on the township's Board of Supervisors

An ordinance introduced to the Emmaus Borough Council establishes parking kiosks at a borough controlled lot at 311 Main Street and may make it easier to introduce more in the future.

Fountain Hill, East Penn, Northampton and other restaurant weeks look to bring together various local restaurants and attract people to locally owned and operated businesses

Emmaus native Ashley Coleman was named executive director of the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in January 2023.