Easton 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.

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.

Mahogany Reynolds-Clarke, founder and executive director of Just Be You Academy & Performing Arts, held a presentation on Kwanzaa at Easton Area Public Library's Palmer Branch Thursday evening.

Father and son Tom and Michael Meischeid have taken control of Bar-Don Lanes, a Palmer Township bowling alley that has been operating since 1958.

Both the number of guests and vendor sales were up substantially over 2022. The Winter Market begins Jan. 6.

Lafayette College will host the 2024 vice presidential debate this coming September, drawing the world's eyes to its Easton campus. Nicole Hurd, the college's president, hopes it will be an opportunity to highlight the liberal arts school and the greater Easton community.

Here is a list of Mass and church services in the Lehigh Valley in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic.

The 4th annual Winter Village in Easton brought in over 56,000 visitors from over 20 states.

Authorities believe the same person or people are responsible for the break-ins due to the proximity and times of the calls. Police say there have been 16 reported thefts the past week and more unsuccessful attempts to enter locked vehicles.

According to a survey conducted by Breakthrough Research, Easton's cherished Crayola has been ranked as one of the most "authentic" brands in America.

One advocate at Wednesday night's Easton City Council meeting compared the practice to a "partial amputation," similar to a human's fingers being cut off at the knuckles.

U.S. Army Capt. Christopher Scott Seifert died in an attack on troops in Kuwait. His killer was sentenced to death. For Seifert's parents in the Lehigh Valley, the passage of time hasn't eased the loss. 'He was a much-wanted child and a very loved young man,' says his mother Helen.

At a press conference Thursday, DA candidate Stephen Baratta criticized incumbent district attorney Terry Houck over three cases from his tenure. Houck hit back in response.

Kerry Myers, who represents the Easton area on Northampton County Council, will not appear on the primary ballot after losing a petition challenge.

The film festival will feature seven short films that draw attention to women's issues such as gender equality and body dysmorphia. Ticket sales benefit the American Association of University Women's college scholarship fund.

Clement Swaby was sentenced to up to 150 years in prison in the 2020 rape of a Lehigh University student, plus subsequent break-ins and attempted sexual assaults in Easton.

As a spike in antisemitic incidents continues nationally, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley hosted a summit in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League to try to fight back and push for solutions. Both incidents and instances of propaganda are increasing, officials say

Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said the city has managed its finances while aggressively pursuing a grant for a public housing complex in the West Ward.

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

Organized by the Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP), the event offers a variety of merchandise and local foods and drinks for attendees to sample.

Easton Area School District Superintendent David Piperato is retiring in August, he announced in an email to district staff Monday morning. He's served the district since December 2019 and has decades of experience in education.

The nonprofit plans to build a new community center in Bethlehem where the Banana Factory is currently located, plus an event space in the former Bethlehem Steel grind and turn shop.