Lehigh County News

Tuesday served as a preview of the political campaigns to come as candidates filed paperwork to appear on the April primary ballot. Voters will decide races for president, Congress and the General Assembly among others this year.

Whitehall Township commissioners selected new member Rob Piligian after several votes during a meeting Monday night, just shy of the deadline to do so.

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.

Daniel Buglio will run for Lehigh County coroner, a job he was appointed to this spring.

Lehigh Valley Health Network's 17th Street Hospital is relocating and expanding its emergency department thanks to $6.5 million in state funding.

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation offers a grant program to fund employees' ideas. Projects range from helping those with spinal chord injuries to researching specific topics.

With the leadup to the Lehigh-Lafayette game comes a tradition of hanging bedsheets around each campus heckling the other school. We've rounded up our favorites for you to enjoy.

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.