Easton News

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.

Sal Panto Sr. was the father of Mayor Sal Panto Jr. and longtime proprietor of Sal's Meat Market on College Hill.

Keith Lampman-Perlman has been appointed executive director of the Historic Easton Cemetery. Situated on 85 acres in the West Ward, it is the largest green space in the city.

After more than a year of meetings, plan review and expert testimony, Easton Planning Commission on Wednesday denied an application for a million-square-foot warehouse at 1525 Wood Ave.

Plans to upgrade the pocket park, at 1030 Bushkill St., include adding educational stations, such as a weather station and a sundial, as well as planting a nano-forest.

Easton Area School District took a preliminary look at the 2027 budget Tuesday, highlighting a prospective $7 million gap, alongside several cost-saving strategies intended to help EASD rebuild its reserves.

Scotty McCreery, who won “American Idol” in 2011 and since has released three No. 1 Country chart albums and two other Top 10 discs, will perform at 7 p.m. April 26, it was announced.

After a near four-hour hearing, Easton's Zoning Hearing Board continued the session on the Spring Brook relocation — part of the Easton Commerce Park site — to January 2026.

Easton Police Department says no charges will be filed against an Easton resident regarding allegations of harassment directed at Councilwoman Taiba Sultana at the city's Christmas parade.

It's time for Crayola Experience's Colorful Christmas, featuring plenty of seasonal, creative activities for just about everyone up until Jan. 5, 2026.

Easton City Councilwoman Taiba Sultana said late Friday that she has filed a formal police report after being subjected to "aggressive harassment, intimidation and politically motivated threats" during the city Christmas Parade.

Some great deals are being offered on tickets at the Lehigh Valley's entertainment venues. But all are for a limited time, and some already have started.

Easton's Winter Village opens Black Friday, offering shoppers a chance to explore small businesses in a festive holiday environment.

Easton's annual Toys for Tots drive is joined this year by a food drive, with both collections based out of City Hall, 123 S. Third St.