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.

Following a request for a $1-per-transaction increase for tax collection in Palmer and Forks Townships, Easton Area School Board is considering setting the rate for all four of their contributing municipalities to the city's current rate of $2.60 per transaction.

ThreeBirds Coffee House in Easton was named among 20 coffee shops in the nation nominated for USA Today's 10Best Reader's Choice Awards for "best independent coffee shop." Voting ends at noon today.

Melt Ice Cream Bar, a fixture for dairy fiends in Easton, is set to close in October. But they'll still keep their ice cream truck operational and open for special events.

This year's Easton Holiday Ornament features Easton Area Public Library, a historic landmark. The ornament is available at certain local retailers.

It's time for Easton Garlic Fest, and the stink couldn't be any more prevalent, with over 130 vendors, incredible culinary options, and some of the very best entertainment around.

The Easton Main Street Initiative has been name a semifinalist in the 2025 Great American Main Street Awards, with recognition for the city's downtown revitalization, historic preservation, and innovative community programming.

Giacomo's owner Sal Famularo said it’s been a long road, but the new Giacomo’s Italian Market and Grille will open at 11 a.m. Saturday at 4041 William Penn Highway — in the old Miller’s Paint & Wallpaper building in Palmer Township.

A couple from Easton who are in the midst of moving their business down to North Carolina are amassing contributions of necessities to deliver directly to victims of Hurricane Helene in their new community.

Celebrate the stink this weekend, when Easton Garlic Fest returns to the city, featuring over 130 vendors, and a special performance by Tito Puente Jr.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. introduced his proposed 2025 budget on Tuesday, Oct. 1, highlighting yet another year without a property tax increase.

Melani and Jason Hansche are aiming to open Tucker Garage & Grocery in Easton this October, providing the public with a community café and grocery store. They just need a little help, and they're more than willing to offer some fun rewards in order to get to the finish line.

Author Elin Hilderbrand's boyfriend, Tim Field, of Palmer Township, passed away on Aug. 15, 2024.