Easton News

Forks Township Police Chief Michael Friel announced his retirement from the force in a Facebook post Sunday — several days after township supervisors considered a separation agreement with the 23-year department veteran.

Easton's State Theatre will offer The Magical Music of Harry Potter: Live in Concert at 1 p.m.; The Music of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and Rings of Power in concert at 4:30 p.m.; and The Music of Hans Zimmer & Others: A Celebration of Film Music, presented by a pirate from Pirates of the Caribbean at 8 p.m., all on April 19.

A proposed property tax rebate for senior citizens, drawn from hybrid police patrol vehicle fuel savings, will have to wait to be voted on until Jan. 2026.

After finishing off just a few changes, Easton City Council eventually approved a 2026 budget for almost $71 million, with no tax increase for another year.

Easton City Council passed its immigration protection resolution Wednesday, though a push for a proper ordinance sparked an argument during public comment.

Easton officials announced the launch of nonprofit HOME Easton and the start of a new Landlord-Tenant Engagement Program on Wednesday, with the goal to address affordable housing and improve the rental scene in the city.

A new map-based art project in Easton will highlight donations and reinforce the holiday spirit this season, with NuHouse tracking the charitable contributions through Dec. 23.

A new Light, Projection Mapping, and Immersive Art Festival is headed to Easton in 2026, but fans can get a sneak preview of what's to come at city's Centre Square this Friday and Saturday.

Country singer, songwriter and fiddler Alison Krauss will perform at Easton's State Theatre at 7:30 p.m. July 20.

Conditional preliminary approval was granted for a six-story apartment on Northampton Street in Easton, provided the developer and a neighboring property owner resolve a property line dispute.

Easton firefighters responded to a 1 a.m. call for a fire on the 1100 block of Lehigh Street. Multiple properties were involved in the 3-alarm blaze. No serious injuries were reported.

Easton Farmers' Market will celebrate its 272nd birthday this month with plenty of history and community-oriented events.

Northampton County Council has chosen to table a vote on an ordinance which would give the developers behind the Dixie Cup apartment project a significant tax break.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., asked Northampton County Democrats to support his re-election campaign during a stop at Weyerbacher Brewing. He will face Republican challenger David McCormick in one of the nation's most contested Senate races.

Victaulic, the pipe-joining manufacturer based in Forks Township, will undertake a $100 million expansion project in Tioga County, Pa., that will create at least 214 new, full-time jobs and retain 1,611 more across the state, it was announced Tuesday.

Owowcow Creamery announced it secured two brag-worthy titles: third-best ice cream shop in the U.S. and first place on the East Coast. The creamery has two locations in the Lehigh Valley.

About 120 workers at the distribution center in Palmer Township are represented by the United Auto Workers union. Leaders say the proposed deal increases wages 33% over the next five years.

This week, Megan Frank is joined by Allentown reporter Jason Addy and social media specialist Grace Oddo.

Easton City Council approved a resolution that would allow the city to take the historic Hooper House by eminent domain, but officials would prefer not to fall back on that option, hoping discussions with owner Rock Church may be successful.

The “Easton Commerce Park" proposal for a 1,006,880-square-foot warehouse at the old Pfizer Pigments property off Wood Avenue drew concerns from members of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.

In the midst of scorching temperatures, Tandoor Grill owner Raj Muddu is giving out free water bottles to help cool off Easton community members.

Easton Area School District approved a final 2024-25 budget in the amount of $208 million, though some board members are concerned about the potential for shortfalls.