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 throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

The mayors of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton will participate in group bike rides for Lehigh Valley Bike to Work Week.

The program provides up to $10,000 to restore the facades of historic buildings in Easton, with the goal of restoring some of their original character.

Easton City Council approved a measure to increase the salary for the police department's unfilled community advocate position and establish a new internship at City Hall.

Easton's City Council primary will feature seven candidates competing for three open seats. Priorities for the contenders include affordable housing and neighborhood development.

Easton City Council passed a bill banning cat declawing and the sale of animals in pet shops, taking steps toward protecting against animal abuse. The measures passed unanimously and were cheered by residents and animal rights advocates.

Thanks to a grant from Air Products Foundation in collaboration with the Greater Easton Development Partnership, Easton Police Department has received two new e-bikes.

Democratic mayoral primary candidates Peter Melan and incumbent Sal Panto Jr. addressed affordable housing, parking and other topics in a debate organized by Lafayette College. The election is May 16.

Easton's Democratic primary will feature a faceoff between longstanding Mayor Sal Panto Jr. and councilman Peter Melan.

The first Lehigh Valley Space Fest started Saturday. Hosted at Paxinosa Elementary School, organizers aim to inspire children and young adults to be interested in science and space topics.

Take a look at stories throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

The Palmer Recovery Center is the site of a free trauma-informed yoga class every Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m. The class helps veterans with their mental health struggles.