Lehigh County News

Lawmakers in Harrisburg passed nearly three dozen laws last week in a final burst of action as they held their last voting session of the year.

Silk Lehigh Valley has to move from its location in the Hamilton Business Center after Allentown inspectors deemed the building an "immediate risk to human life” earlier this month.

Monsignor John P. Murphy headed St. Thomas More Church in Allentown for more than 40 years. He died Friday at age 86, according to the Diocese of Allentown.

Lehigh County Courthouse is expected to reopen a week after fire sprinklers damaged the building's electrical system Tuesday night.

The South Whitehall Board of Commissioners is seeking applications to fill a vacant seat. The current commissioners will conduct public interviews with applicants at a special meeting on Dec. 28, then vote to appoint one of them.

The Upper Macungie Planning Commission reviewed a sketch plan for renovations and expansions to Trexler Travel Center on 5829 Tilghman St.

It might seem counterintuitive, but harvesting holiday trees year after year is better for the environment than using an artificial one, experts said, especially amid the proliferation of plastic piling up in landfills.

The new position will appear on the ballot in 2025. The Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas had one of the higher caseloads for counties of its size.

Officials on Wednesday reviewed several preliminary transportation policy strategies for the Valley's priority climate action plan. The plan’s focus is to reduce carbon emissions from transportation, a significant driver of greenhouse gas emissions across the region.

More than three dozen projects in the Valley were awarded grants, receiving about 7% of the total funding awarded. Statewide, $335 million in grants were announced Wednesday.

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.

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 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.

There are plenty of fun, as well as sacred, ways to celebrate Easter in 2023.