Lehigh County News

State transportation officials on Wednesday held an online public forum to answer questions from residents about their 12-Year Program, a planning and funding tool for state-owned road and bridge projects.

Lehigh County Board of Commissioners propose new legislation that would provide property tax relief for volunteer firefighters.

Excessive road salting during the winter months can negatively impact the environment and local infrastructure. A nonprofit is working to collect salinity data from waterways.

PennEnvironment launched an interactive map of efficient and renewable energy projects across the state. Here are the Lehigh Valley projects included.

Joseph Roy, the superintendent of the Bethlehem Area School District, is being sued in federal court by Liberty High School Assistant Principal Antonio Traca. Roy says he has never struck a district employee. Read the complaint here.

Almost 100 volunteers on Saturday picked up litter at Monocacy Creek. Organizers said there was "lots of camaraderie” and enthusiasm.

An egg hunt was held for visually impaired children this week. The Allentown Fire Department Bomb Squad and Sights for Hope teamed up for the event.

Ruth Santiago, an attorney and environmental activist in Puerto Rico, is returning to the Lehigh Valley this month to speak to students and residents about alternative electrical systems and environmental equity amid climate change.

The commonwealth is getting $265.9 million in federal funding to upgrade its aging water infrastructure. The state has the fourth most lead pipes in the nation, according to a recent EPA survey.

School district officials aren't publicly saying who is the current principal at William Allen High School. District spokeswoman Melissa Reese said Thursday it was a personnel matter and the district was unable to comment.

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.

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.

The state Public Utility Commission announced a proposed settlement that also requires the Allentown-based utility company to absorb about $16 million in costs associated with corrective actions. It still requires approval by PUC commissioners.

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.

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.

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.

Lehigh Valley Zoo will welcome red pandas in 2024 as part of its effort to introduce new species to the zoo.

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.

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.

The Lehigh County Authority is raising its water fees in 2024, but Allentown residents will also have to pay more for sewer services.

A decade or so after buying his South Whitehall Township home in the late 1960s, Fred Buse started recording the average temperature, precipitation type and amount, as well as any animal sightings in his backyard to study and track the health of the local environment.

Discussion was deferred on a wide-spanning non-discrimination bill for Lehigh County was deferred after three varying amendments were presented the day of the most recent Lehigh County Board of Commissioners meeting.