East Penn News

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

The new official map marks recently acquired land, while setting priorities for future desired open space.

The newest iteration of the East Penn School Board had its first regular meeting, and established an agreement with Emmaus to hire elementary school crossing guards.

Emmaus' borough council on Monday introduced an ordinance establishing an official borough historical commission to collaboratively govern efforts towards the historical borough landmarks of the 1803 House, Shelter House and Knauss Homestead.

Emmaus is set to approve the $46 million dollar budget at council's second December meeting, marking a large investment into the borough's management of PFAS contamination.

An ordinance to swap the official fire company of Macungie and written agreement with Lower Macungie Township were both introduced to borough council on December 4.

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.

Emmaus' Old Fashioned Christmas on Saturday will ring in the holiday season for many participating businesses and nonprofits. It will be joined by other nearby festivities in the East Penn area.

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.

The money, administered by the National Park Service, along with $1,850,000 already committed by Lehigh County, will be used to replace the Cast House roof. Other work will focus on water infiltration of the furnace and rehabilitation of related buildings.

LehighValleyNews.com’s top stories of 2024 reflect a mix of community concerns, business developments, and breaking news. The stories were selected based on those that were most popular, drawing the most readers this year.