Easton News

An estimated $450,000 is needed for the next step in the process of studying passenger rail. While Lehigh County officials say they will pay half, Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure said he thinks other local agencies should foot the bill.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. swore in firefighter Joseph Liecht as lieutenant earlier this week. Liecht led efforts to combat the July 5 fire that routed nearly 20 people in the 1100 block of Lehigh Street.

Easton officials paid respect Saturday to 43 African Americans whose grave sites have been built over. The city expects to honor their memory with a new memorial in the months to come.

College Hill PorchFest, a celebration of music and community across the Easton neighborhood, will return in September, with applications for performers and porches being accepted until July 31.

The Buffalo Soldiers are set to ride from Allentown to Easton's Nesquehoning Street Park in remembrance of the men interred at a forgotten site as part of the "Forgotten Soldiers Ride" on Saturday.

Join Megan Frank at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. every Friday for Insights with LehighValleyNews.com on WLVR. This week, she's joined by Allentown reporter Jason Addy and Easton reporter Brian Myszkowski.

Weeks after a dam was removed from the Bushkill Creek in Easton as part of a years-long effort to improve stream health, officials continue to restore its banks. A stabilization project will close the bridge for several hours on weekdays over the next couple weeks.

The Northampton County Coroner's Office says the cause and manner of death have yet to be determined. The victim was a 60-year-old man from Easton.

Easton City Council approved a new Project Stabilization Agreement with the Greater Lehigh Valley Building and Construction Trades Council that could lead to more local union workers scoring high-cost government projects.

Tickets for the 50 shows in the new season go on sale to theater members at 10 a.m. Aug. 1 and to the public at 10 a.m. Aug. 8 at www.statetheatre.org, or at the box office at 453 Northampton St., Easton.

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.

What's going on with parking in Easton, and why? Well, street rates are up and garage rates are down, all in an effort to bridge a budget gap with the least possible impact on city residents.

Sen. Bob Casey called out big corporations during a stop in Easton on Thursday, saying their pursuit of profits has kept inflation high. Leading economists are warming to the once fringe theory of "greedflation."

Delivering his State of the City address Tuesday night, Mayor Sal Panto noted Easton has made vital progress over the past few years, and the future is looking brighter than ever.

The nominating petition for Taiba Sultana, a candidate for Pennsylvania's 136th House District, contained a questionable signature belonging to a Lisa Boscola. State Sen. Lisa Boscola and incumbent state Rep. Robert Freeman are accusing her of fraud.

Students and faculty from Lafayette College revitalized a discussion about an Israel-Hamas cease-fire resolution at Easton City Council on Tuesday evening.

Tuesday served as a preview of the political campaigns to come as candidates filed paperwork to appear on the April primary ballot. Voters will decide races for president, Congress and the General Assembly among others this year.

It seemed Lehigh Valley residents were handling Tuesday's snow with some resignation, but also without too much concern.

Tuesday's fast-moving storm swept quickly through the Lehigh Valley but packed a wallop, bringing nearly a foot of snow to several spots.

PPL Electric Utilities and Met-Ed reported more than 13,000 customers without power Tuesday morning as a winter storm swept through the region.

The "Love, Easton" project is aiming to display a hand-crafted heart for each and every city resident — 28,127 in total — throughout windows and public spaces as a show of unity, love, and creativity.

Access to a warm meal can become few and far between as some people get older, but a local health system is offering low-cost options for seniors. Those looking to grab a bite are coming from across the area to take part in the program.