East Penn News

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.

Nowhere Coffee Co. co-owner Lauren Vargas says her landlord, borough council President Chad Balliet, has a conflict of interest in recent health inspections of the property. The borough manager denied that and defended the process after an Emmaus Borough Council meeting Monday night.

"The Fries Rebellion," a historical docudrama by the Lower Macungie Township Historical Society, wrapped filming last week.

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.

A coffee shop two months ago lauded by President Joe Biden as a shining success of small business appears to be on its way out of Emmaus following an extended landlord-tenant dispute.

An empty lot near Little Lehigh Creek may be developed in Lower Macungie, but only after further changes to the plan.

Early budget discussions among the East Penn School Board show expenses are projected to significantly increase in the next five school years.

Bear Creek Mountain Resort's race of self-built cardboard sleds needed some modifications this year because of melting snow, but participants in Sunday's festivities couldn't be stopped.

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.

A ribbon cutting for Lehigh Valley Hospital Macungie was held Friday. The neighborhood hospital is a small scale emergency department.

President Trump's 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum, which are set to take effect on March 12, will have an impact on Lehigh Valley breweries — and likely consumers, too.

Emmaus Borough Council awarded the contracts earlier this week. The project focuses on two of the borough’s wells, including one that’s been offline since PFAS contamination was discovered.

Attendees will receive a piece of artwork during the benefit, which takes place Friday at the JuxtaHub.

Lisa VanArsdale, a local podcaster and comedian, will perform her one-woman show on Sunday, Feb. 23.

A draft version of East Penn School District's budget for the 2025-2026 school year includes a 0.84-mill tax hike. The district has raised property taxes nine times in the past 10 years.

Restaurants will offer “an irresistible variety of soups" during the Emmaus Soup Crawl, scheduled to run from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Ron W. Beitler is seeking reelection to the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners, he announced in a news release Tuesday.

Joshua and Tracy Dechant were charged Sunday with two felony counts each, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said in a release.

Emmaus is one step closer to remediating two of its PFAS-contaminated wells. PFAS are also called "forever chemicals" because they are slow to breakdown in the environment and are linked to a variety of health issues.

The new plan, presented to Lower Macungie Planning Commission on Tuesday, now consists of 13 homes in Cherry Ridge Estates, instead of the original 20.

Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong, with less than a year left in his term, emphasized the need for nonpartisan cooperation, funding and "not being a lame duck" toward the end of his service during a visit to Emmaus Borough Council. He also brought a funding announcement.

The borough heard from five passionate applicants, some brand new to politics — and rejected them all in favor of an eight-year council veteran. Still, they encouraged the other applicants to run for election and even offered to help with paperwork.