Lehigh County News

Xylazine, 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.

The funding comes from the commonwealth’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program, a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Known as "tranq" on the streets, an animal tranquilizer named xylazine infiltrated drug supplies throughout Pennsylvania since 2019. Its presence in the Lehigh Valley has grown, with deadly consequences.

WLVR's Brad Klein talks with Bethlehem's Backyard Astronomy Guy, Marty McGuire about planetary viewing in this week's Watching the Skies. Leading into the first week of July, viewers can snag a better view of the planet Mercury just after sunset.

The Clean Trucks PA Coalition report identified more than 600 schools, childcare centers, playgrounds and parks near major roadways and trucking corridors across the state.

In the past four years, Lehigh and Northampton counties each saw a roughly 3% population increase, according to new U.S. Census Bureau data released Thursday.

Check out a roundup of activities, places, and times to see the fireworks as the Lehigh Valley celebrates Independence Day.

The district will consider the addition of a new assistant superintendent role focused on special education programming.

In the spirit of Shakespeare, Saturday's celebration will feature entertainment for all ages, including musical performances by the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, alpaca and ponies, and a student-led Latin band.

A regionwide wastewater plan and a hazard mitigation plan both advanced with staff review approvals by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission on Thursday night.

The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce celebrated local businesses and chamber president Tony Iannelli at its annual meeting.

ALDI opened its newest location at 3235 Hamilton Blvd. in South Whitehall Township Thursday.

St. Luke’s University Health Network begins construction on a new Women & Babies Tower that will bring more resources to families in Allentown. The hope is to serve 3,000 families a year.

Cetronia Ambulance Corps is on the receiving end of $300,000 from the state. The money was used to purchase brand new defibrillators.

Community forum for Upper Saucon Township seeks long needed third communal space

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission projects the population in the Lehigh Valley will grow by 100,000 by 2050.

After a tense commissioners meeting, Lehigh Valley will provide a $200,000 line in next year's budget to try to prevent homelessness.

Eco-friendly LED lights and 15-foot star will be light up at Bethlehem Payrow Plaza thanks to $50,000 grant.

Seeing Eye puppies are bred to be guide dogs for their blind future handler, and in order to do their jobs, they need to be exposed to as many different environments as possible — including the inside of an ambulance.

Lehigh Valley Health Network is holding a series of influenza vaccine clinics as cases rise across the country. Doctors said this year is expected to be a more severe flu season.

Allentown's police chief, Charles Roca, is looking to grow the number of officers patrolling city streets, add new vehicles to the city's fleet and is investigating the possibility of installing gunshot detection equipment in neighborhoods across the city.

Lehigh Valley Health Network received new spinal surgery device with a $1million grant. The O-Arm device scans a patient's spine.