Easton News

We asked people across social media channels to weigh in with their Lehigh Valley-centric wishes for 2024. Here's what topped the list.

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.

Easton Police Chief Carl Scalzo spoke out against a proposed "welcoming city" ordinance, saying it could be seen as a beacon for criminal activity in the city and make police officers' jobs more difficult.

Teaming up, Mayhem Amusement Arcades and Mystery Box Games are creating a monster: a weekly pinball tournament which welcomes players from all over to engage in an arcade favorite.

Palmer Township's Aiden Hess, 20, pictured with his mother Melissa, continues searching for a living donor kidney after transplant surgery was cancelled late last month.

A new tradition is taking shape in Easton, with the Big Easy Easton Brass Band encouraging people to assemble Krewes for a Mardi Gras parade and ball with a $1,000 cash prize.

While the arrest of a suspected Venezuelan gang member outside Northampton County Prison in late January was timely, it was not directly tied to President Trump's recent executive orders on illegal immigration.

The Boys and Girls Club of Easton's weekend food giveaway isn't just a place to pick up some pantry staples, it's a community unto itself where people can connect with new friends and neighbors.

The foundation supports student-athletes by providing academic support and pairing them with mentors. Saquon Barkley's foundation and St. Luke's University Health Network are among the partners in the effort.

Mac Powell, who led Christian rock band Third Day to produce 13 gold and platinum albums, will perform at Calvary Baptist Church in Bethlehem Township. Also on the bill are contemporary Christian band Cochran & Co. and songwriter Jon Reddick.

Easton City Councilwoman Taiba Sultana is making a move to codify pro-immigrant policies just after Allentown's council passed a similar measure days ago.

For the first time in its 122-year history, Crayola is bringing back retired colors in a special, limited edition 8-pack this spring.

Palmer Township zoning officials continued their hearing on the former Crayola building at 2025 Edgewood Ave., though due to testimony from experts, the hearing will go on to March at least.

According to a release issued by ICE, Luis Gualdron-Gualdron, “a citizen and national of Venezuela who previously entered the United States without inspection,” was arrested on Jan. 31 without incident near the prison shortly after an immigration detainer was not honored.