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Makenzie Christman/LehighValleyNews.comXylazine, an animal-grade tranquilizer that's not approved for human use, has taken Pennsylvania's illicit drug supply by storm. Known on the streets as "tranq," it accounted for almost 1 in 4 overdose deaths in Pennsylvania by 2023. Last year in Lehigh County, it was a contributing cause of death in 20 of the 112 deadly overdoses, or 17.9 percent of cases.
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Courtesy/Marco CalderonThe funding comes from the commonwealth’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program, a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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Hunters Sharing the Harvest, Pennsylvania’s venison donation program, has since 1991 built a network of deer processors and food pantries across the state, donating nearly 2 million pounds of venison. Deer rifle season begins Saturday.
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Rep. Susan Wild served as the ranking Democrat overseeing the congressional investigation of scandal-plagued Rep. George Santos. She said she was repeatedly shocked by his flagrant disregard of ethics.
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Macungie Borough Council requested its solicitor to prepare an ordinance to swap the official fire service from Macungie Volunteer Fire Department to the Lower Macungie Township Fire Department.
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Jim Martin, who has served as Lehigh County district attorney for a quarter-century, played a major role in the launch of the Regional Intelligence and Investigation Center.
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The county’s legal department urged commissioners to wait until their next meeting to ensure any changes to the bill could be properly advertised, as required by Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act.
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In an effort to ensure drivers in the Lehigh Valley abide by speed limits and remain mindful of not being distracted, Pennsylvania State Police plan to step up enforcement from Wednesday through Sunday in this Thanksgiving holiday period.
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Lehigh Valley Zoo will welcome red pandas in 2024 as part of its effort to introduce new species to the zoo.
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The Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence is open to any commonwealth business, farm, government agency, educational institution or nonprofit organization that has developed or participated in a project that promotes environmental protection and stewardship. Applications are due by Jan. 3.
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When state officials announced a series of in-person and virtual meetings there were no in-person meetings slated for the Lehigh Valley, even though the region is the third largest metropolitan area in the commonwealth. A meeting in Allentown has been added to the schedule.
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The Lehigh County Authority is raising its water fees in 2024, but Allentown residents will also have to pay more for sewer services.
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It could take two weeks to fix operational issues at Kline’s Island Wastewater Treatment Plant on Union Street. Officials described the sewer odor as an ‘"earthy" or "rotten egg" smell, but said it is not harmful to human health.
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The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is seeking public comment for its 25-year, $4.39 billion Long-Range Transportation Plan until October 6
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Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, has proposed a law that would require developers to conduct detailed impact studies on major projects. Supporters acknowledged it needs work while opponents argued it would hamper economic development.
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Emmaus Borough Hall is returning to 28 S. 4th Street after over $5 million in extensive renovations that began in December 2021, with the first meeting set to take place Tuesday night.
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Silk Lehigh Valley held an open house at its new location in Allentown. It is a drop-in program for LGBTQ youth ages 14 to 29 that is part of Bethlehem-based nonprofit Valley Youth House.
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Total attendance figures won't be released until later in the week, but they likely were helped by a week of splendid weather. The six-day fair started last Wednesday and wrapped up, as usual, with the demolition derby at the grandstand on Labor Day.
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The Great Allentown Fair's final day is Monday. Sunday hosted the Barnyard Olympics, a homemade chocolate cake competition and a Keith Urban concert.
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Former Allentown City Councilman Josh Siegel, now a state representative, accepted two tickets from the Lehigh Valley IronPigs to see the Philadelphia Phillies take on the Houston Astros at last fall's World Series. The gift may have violated the city's Code of Ethics.
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The Great Allentown Fair crowned its queen on opening night Wednesday, Aug. 30. Kamryn Fink, of Germansville, succeeded 2022 fair queen Allison Emanuel, of Laurys Station.
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Under Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong's proposed budget, local property owners would pay an average of $768.10 in county taxes. It's Armstrong's fifth proposed budget without a tax hike in six years.
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The 171st Allentown Fair held opening ceremonies on Wednesday. The fair, which will run through Monday, Sept. 4, is expected to attract some 200,000 visitors over all six days.
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Lehigh County officials determined the proposed legislation had more than a dozen problems, making it too problematic to present to Allentown voters. The bill would have dispatched an EMT and mental health professional to certain calls and prohibited other first responders from going.