Easton News

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.

Scouting for Food is organized by the Boy Scouts of America Minsi Trails Council, which includes Lehigh and Northampton counties.

It's time for the Easton Area Public Library's Fall Book Sale, where shoppers can pick up plenty of books, DVDs, CDs, games and more for as low as 50 cents while helping fund library programming and events.

Most unofficial election results remain the same in Northampton County, but one school board race has shifted after nearly all emergency ballots were counted Thursday.

The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce annual meeting attracted about 1,000 at Wind Creek Event Center Thursday afternoon.The event brought together members of the business community — colleagues, customers and competitors — to celebrate their collective mission of making the region a better place to work and live.

Dozens of individuals came out to speak about Easton City Councilwoman Taiba Sultana's Israel-Hamas cease-fire resolution Wednesday, but despite strong support, the document failed to make it to a vote.

From North Whitehall to Danielsvile, veterans are being honored this week.

These are searchable, unofficial results as reported by the Northampton County elections office on Tuesday night. Provisional ballots are not included. The vote will remain unofficial until certified in several days.

Several county and municipal races in the Lehigh Valley were uncontested in the general election. That includes two of the highest-profile jobs in Lehigh and Northampton counties, as well as elected city representatives in Easton and Allentown.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. and the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley are calling out a resolution for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war introduced by Councilwoman Taiba Sultana as divisive and outside the bounds of city council.

Easton Area School District is moving forward with a final proposed budget set to be voted upon in late June, though it comes with a 3.5% tax increase which will help fund the new high school.

The Giant Company has made a $50,000 donation to the River Crossing YMCA to buy nearly 13,000 gallons of milk for its preschool students.

Palmer Township Supervisors narrowly passed a measure which will see supervisors salaries, along with committee members, increased for newly elected and appointed individuals at their Monday meeting.

Plans call for nine 3-story residential buildings and a 5,260-square-foot amenity structure at the old V7 driving range and restaurant. Also proposed: 557 parking spaces and an internal circulation drive with two connections to Hope Road.

Stop Wood Ave. Warehouse Coalition has purchased digital billboard time to fight the development the million-square-foot Easton Commerce Park project.

Easton City Council heard requests for CDBG funds at their Wednesday meeting, but officials are concerned about the Trump administration's goal to cut the program and potentially cripple funding initiatives for those in need.

With support from Unity Bank and organizers Greater Easton Development Partnership and the Easton Tea Dance, Easton will host its first-ever Pride celebration on June 1, 2025.

Councilman Frank Pintabone reintroduced his marijuana decriminalization ordinance at Easton City Council on Wednesday, aiming to turn possession into a summary charge. A vote on the matter is expected in two weeks.

Start Making Sense, a Talking Heads tribute band with singer Jon Braun assuming the role of frontman David Byrne, will perform the first day of Garlic Fest, set for Oct. 4-5 in Downtown Easton.

Palmer Township police officer John Smoke faces up to five years in prison. Authorities accused him of sending the photo to a 16-year-old while he was assigned to Easton Area High School as a resource officer.

Incumbent Easton City Council members Taiba Sultana and Roger Ruggles lost in the Democratic primary, according to unofficial election returns. Susan Hartranft-Bittinger defeated Sultana and Frank Graziano outpaced Ruggles.

Wilson Area School Board unanimously approved its $49 million budget for the 2025-26 school year on Monday night. Included is a 3.5% tax increase.