Easton News

Broadway's "Rock of Ages" Band features the musician case of the Broadway show playing what it calls playing "the greatest rock hits from the glam metal bands of the '80s."

The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, in coordination with Greater Easton Development Partnership, has established the fund to help victims of Friday's devastating fire at the Hotel Hampton building, 462 Northampton St. Also, a Red Cross emergency shelter operation has been relocated.

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.

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.

Businesses across Downtown Easton are pairing up for "A Match Made in Easton," a special promotion created so shoppers can present a receipt from one business to a partner business for a discount or exclusive item.

When 33-year-old Miguel Barragan shows up to the kitchen at Texas Roadhouse, people know to get out of his way. Next month, he's competing nationally in a very specific kind of competition — one that he's been dominating this year.

A proposed smoke shop in Easton's South Side received a recommendation for a special exception at Wednesday's meeting, though approval from the zoning hearing board is still required.

Easton's Environmental Advisory Council is looking to the future to address the potential needs for residents in the wake of global warming, even if net zero emissions are met.

The group, which over a career of nearly 60 years has released 22 gold or platinum albums, and which, according to Billboard magazine, is the most successful American band in history, will perform 7:30 p.m. June 27 at Easton’s State Theater.

ArtsQuest's annual Souper Bowl brought hundreds to the SteelStacks campus a week before the big game. The contest pitted Lehigh Valley chefs and caterers against one another for bragging rights to the Lehigh Valley's best soup.

Easton City Councilman Frank Pintabone has taken an appointment on the Pennsylvania Municipal League, which he aims to utilize for funding and other assistance in his hometown.

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.

As part of Black History Month, we celebrate the contributions of local artists, dancers, actors and community leaders, whose achievements stand out year-round.

Porters' Pub, a beloved bar which served as a launching point for the revitalization of Easton, has been passed on to a local couple with a strong connection to the community.

After six years of work, The Commodore has officially opened its doors in Easton, offering luxury apartments, Thyme Rooftop Grille, and retail spaces.