Lehigh County News

Existing charter schools and parents of charter students say for years they've asked the school board to expand the number of students who may attend them.

The Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce has committed to providing $100,000 to the needed stadium updates to Coca-Cola Park to ensure the IronPigs can play in the region next year.

English and social studies will eventually only have on-track and honors offerings going forward, despite students and teachers voicing opposition at recent school board meetings

Christopher Kammerdiener, 35, was a resident of the home in West Penn Township, Schuylkill County, where two firefighters died battling a blaze.

Marley Wait, of Macungie, is a cadet at United States Military Academy West Point. She was named one of the 40 students to win a prestigious Marshall Scholarship to support her studies when she graduates this spring.

Lehigh County commissioners approved a nearly $1 million contract with long-term vendor Lehigh Valley Pretrial Services Inc. though several commissioners and the county controller raised concerns about transparency.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission approved 36 new honorees for 2022, including the Allentown State Hospital and the President Pumping Engine in Upper Saucon Township.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro has announced the charges against 30 individuals and 21 businesses located in Lehigh, Lebanon and Philadelphia counties. They are accused of “title washing” and re-titling stolen vehicles.

The city removed the check box after concerns were raised over whether the question of legal status was overly intrusive and whether it could be discouraging requests.

The newly approved budget does not raise property taxes, but does have a deficit due to big projects planned in 2023.

Lehigh County introduced new wide-ranging non-discrimination legislation for housing, education, health care and public accommodations establishing new protected classes not included in state law such as sexual orientation, gender expression, disability, age, weight, citizenship status and marital status. Legislators appeared supportive but indicated there would be likely amendments before passage

Dorney Park will build a sidewalk along Hamilton Boulevard from Haines Mill Road westward to the park entrance. South Whitehall commissioners also voted to pursue a grant that would fund a safety audit of the corridor to see what other improvements could be added.

Candidates have different takes on whether taxes should raised to support capital improvements, expanding kindergarten classes and teacher retention.

It's National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. The state Health Department is encouraging parents to get their children tested and educating adults on how to minimize exposure.

Lehigh County introduced a new agreement with the state Transportation Department to get released inmates official state IDs to reduce hardship when reentering society. The county is set to review the legislation for approval at the board's Nov. 8 meeting.

Six candidates are running for four four-year seats in Emmaus Borough Council. Candidates noted fiscal responsibility and managing the plan to fix PFAS contamination in the water as priorities.

Two Republican incumbents, Jacob Roth and Diane Kelly, are teaming up to campaign with township Public Safety Commission member Chris Peischl. Only one Democrat is on the ballot: former commissioner Thomas Johns.

The commonwealth’s fifth fall foliage report was released Thursday. Here's the forecast for the coming week in Lehigh and Northampton counties.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection held two hearings regarding permit applications for two of the proposed warehouses in Lowhill Township.

The Lehigh County Board of Commissioners passed the 2024 budget unanimously with no tax increase. Some debate remained over the passage of an amendment to raise the legal fees funds for the controller's office.

Environment and Science Reporter Molly Bilinski, alongside Grace Oddo, social media specialist, trekked across the Lehigh Valley to map out the best leaf-peeping spots. Fall foliage is expected to peak across the region later this week.

South Whitehall Township hosted a wrap-up meeting for "South Whitehall Landscapes," a plan guiding preservation efforts in the township.