Easton News

One firefighter suffered serious injuries when he fell off a ladder escaping the fire. Several others received minor injuries. Authorities said the coroner was on scene Saturday "out of an abundance of caution" because they did not have an accurate count of people living in the Hotel Hampton building.

In December alone, there were 676 eviction filings and defaults in Lehigh County — the highest monthly total since August 2023.

In counties such as Lehigh, eviction filings have reached their highest point in years, even as rental vacancy rates have fluctuated. That apparent contradiction — rising vacancy estimates alongside persistent eviction volume — is part of a broader housing dynamic playing out across the region.

Xiaomin Fei, 34, on Thursday entered the plea in the June 3 shooting deaths of Robert and Gretchen Ackerman, Northampton County District Attorney Stephen G. Baratta announced.

Officials signed off on plans that call for 73 condominiums — 15 one-bedroom units, 36 two-bedroom units and 22 three-bedroom units — and about 2,500 square feet of commercial space.

Jack Bennett grew up in the family hardware business and went on to lead it for nearly 25 years. He was one of Easton's most prominent business leaders in the 1970s and '80s. He died Jan. 29 at age 98. Friends say he left an impression on the Downtown business community that still can be felt today.

Affected customers are being asked to enroll in interest-free payment plans so the city can recover more than $35,000 in unpaid bills, its finance director said Wednesday.

Lawmakers voted 46-1 on Senate Bill 1014, bipartisan legislation that would require public schools to adopt "bell-to-bell" policies restricting student use of smartphones and other internet-connected devices throughout the entire school day.

Alton Brown, who started the Food Network’s “Good Eats” show, will perform An Evening of Alton Brown at 7:30 p.m. April 16, the theater announced. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30.

Allentown declared a snow emergency ahead of Sunday's major winter storm. Enforcement efforts in the city will begin Saturday morning.

Safe Harbor Easton has announced that because of the state funding impasse, services soon could be impacted, but the public can help through donations and spreading awareness.

Be on the lookout for some colorful and crafty public art Friday, as Easton's Downtown district sees 11 artists custom-paint fire hydrants to spruce up the neighborhood.

Gov. Josh Shapiro reached out to Easton City Council for assistance with signage along the 9-11 Trail in anticipation of the 25 anniversary of Sept. 11 in 2026.

Reviewing data from Safe Streets For All, Easton City Council took a close look at pedestrian and driver safety in the city, and how it can be improved, during their Wednesday meeting.

Palmer Township has been recognized with a historic marker from the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, commemorating the spot where the famous Crayola crayon was born.

Gabby's Dollhouse Live, a live stage show with puppets based on the popular preschooler Netflix series, will perform at Easton's State Theatre on Jan. 27, it was announced.

Criminal charges — including involuntary manslaughter in one case — have been filed against two Northampton County young people who, trying to replicate TikTok challenges, seriously injured and killed participants, the Northampton County District Attorney's Office said.

The largest green space in Easton, situated in the West Ward, Easton Cemetery officials are working to generate revenue through membership, fundraisers and events.

Well over 1,000 fans descended on Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township on Saturday to catch a glimpse of Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B, who made an appearance at Spin Me Round record store for her new "Am I the Drama?" album.

Easton's Zoning Hearing Board continued a meeting for a special exception related to the Easton Commerce Park warehouse on Thursday.

After more than a year of negotiations between the developer and a county authority, Northampton County Council is preparing to decide whether a project to build 405 apartments in the former Dixie Cup building in Wilson will get a $26 million property tax break.

The Daughters of the American Revolution, with help from a local Girl Scout troop, commemorated the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution by ringing bells in Easton's Centre Square on Wednesday.