Lehigh County News

A change.org petition opposing the new mascot chosen by the Whitehall-Coplay School District has attracted more than 1,200 signatures. The mascot, named Big Z, is so named in honor of the school name Zephyr, which was also a train that once ran through Whitehall Township.

Candidates for president, Congress, the General Assembly and Pennsylvania's row offices must file their petitions with the state by Tuesday. Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley could be a critical swing region at both the national and state levels.

One area of potential concern at the Allentown State Hospital had been the presence of dioxins in the soil. Dioxins are a group of toxic chemical compounds that take a long time to break down in the environment, and can cause health problems in people.

With an inconclusive prediction, Sunday's Super Bowl is up in the air — according to the Lehigh Valley Zoo's otters. The zoo in Lehigh County hosted its Otter Bowl XIII, which drew hundreds of spectators Saturday.

It’s a special year for cicadas, insects known for their high-pitched mating songs. Two adjacent broods are expected to co-emerge for the first time in 221 years. Here's the next time they emerge in the Valley.

Allen Issa, a former congressional aide and Penn State Law student, endorsed Maria Montero for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District race.

South Whitehall planners Thursday reviewed a plan for a new medical office for Aesthetic Surgery Associates. The practice would relocate to the new building from its current location at 250 Cetronia Road.

Stanley cups have skyrocketed in popularity, following other trends in reusable drinkware. But, fads like these can encourage overconsumption, experts said.

The South Whitehall Board of Commissioners on Wednesday waived the land development review requirement for a Tesla charging station at the Wawa at 408 S Cedar Crest Blvd., near Dorney Park.

Nowhere Coffee Co. co-owners Juan and Lauren Vargas will open their planned roastery in the Allentown area after a permit denial in Upper Macungie.

North Whitehall supervisors tabled the final plan for Timberidge Luxury Apartments after a lengthy debate about potential curbing and sidewalk installation.

The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania is asking people to consider donating blood over the 4th of July holiday. This time of year, the organization says donations drop off, but the need stays the same.

A cappella singing group Straight No Chaser will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 6, at Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. 6th St., Allentown. Tickets, at $49.50-$69.50, are available at www.millersymphonyhall.org or 610-432-6715.

One the first day of sweet corn sales at Newhard Farms on Friday, the lines were long and the smiles were in abundance.

After an outbreak earlier this month among the Humane Society's shelter dogs, the organization says it's now safe to adopt their animals. They are set to re-open to the public on July 1.

3M Co. has committed up to $10.3 billion, payable over 13 years, for remediation of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.

South Whitehall Township is creating a preservation plan called 'South Whitehall Landscapes.' Tuesday was the kickoff meeting for the plan's creation.

Maria Shantz was one of a group of Republicans who signed a controversial pledge to create policies around gender and rejecting "wokeness."

Officials gathered at The Waterfront to highlight the Environmental Protection Agency’s $5 billion climate pollution reduction grants program.

According to the Lehigh County elections office, the candidate has moved out of the area.

Part 3 of 3: Allentown's anti-discrimination ordinance did not include gender or sexuality when it was first adopted. The Lehigh Valley LGBT Community Archive tells the story of three different attempts to amend it.

Over $10 million in renovation work at the Borough of Emmaus municipal building and central fire and EMS station offices is nearing completion after interiors of the buildings were gutted and redesigned.