Lehigh County News

As America approaches its 250th birthday in 2026, we take a look back at the role Allentown played in hiding the Liberty Bell from British troops during the Revolutionary War.

Julian Guridy abruptly dropped out of the special election for Pennsylvania's 22nd District House race, leaving Democrats to scramble for a candidate at the 11th hour.

Lewis Shupe, who tried to run as an independent in 2018 and 2024 but failed to make the ballot, has lodged his candidacy as a Democrat with the Federal Election Commission.

State Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-Lehigh/Bucks, has scheduled a telephone town hall at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, to hear concerns over the automated school bus enforcement program.

“Without their continued partnership and assistance, the outcomes of last night’s incidents would have been much different,” Capt. Jonathan Hammel said of mutual aid provided to Allentown Fire Department and city residents.

Subclade K, the new flu variant, emerged after U.S. pharmaceutical companies developed their vaccines for the current flu season.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, and 16 other Republicans voted for a Democratic bill to extend tax credits for the Affordable Care Act on Thursday night. Mackenzie called on senators to reject the House version but find a deal to keep the credits and reform the health care system.

A spokesperson for The Giant Company said the supermarket chain is transitioning to store-based fulfillment and discontinuing centralized fulfillment at its Giant Direct centers. The company is closing five centers in Pennsylvania, including one in Coopersburg, by April.

The victim, 29-year-old Rigiberto Hernandez Arias of Allentown, died Nov. 21 after being run over near Emaus Avenue and South Fourth Street in Allentown. An Amazon delivery driver, 30-year-old Troy Johnson, is in Lehigh County Jail on $500,000 bail.

Kirk Chin Jr., 37, of Pottstown, Montgomery County, is charged with misdemeanor charges of recklessly endangering another person and reckless driving.

Four surplus male bison from the Lehigh Valley Zoo will be donated to the Wildlife Restoration Foundation for transfer to a member of the InterTribal Buffalo Council in New York. The recent loss of the dominant male bison at the zoo necessitated the transfer.

Specifics for the plan are still under wraps as Upper Macungie Township is processing the application. The proposal would develop the data center at the former Air Products headquarters on Hamilton Boulevard.

Community Bank announced in June it would assume seven Santander Bank branches in the Lehigh Valley by the end of 2025. In November, the company announced that acquisition is now complete.

For the second year, the nonprofit water and wastewater utility has launched a public outreach campaign about lead pipes. Under a new EPA rule, utilities have until 2037 to remove all lead service lines from its system.

The Allentown EAC on Monday approved two letters to City Council with recommendations for the citywide parks plan, as well as the city's first Climate Action Plan, respectively.

Despite concerns over potential safety issues regarding tractor-trailer traffic near the proposed Fullerton Terminals distribution center, the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners approved the plan by a 4-3 vote on Monday.

Ti'Shaun Singleton was pronounced dead early Saturday evening, according to the Lehigh County Coroner's Office. The coroner ruled homicide as the manner of death.

Gov. Josh Shapiro says Pennsylvania's utility companies have stepped up to shelter low-income households this winter. The customers are usually covered by LIHEAP, but the federal assistance program has experienced delays due to the federal government shutdown.

LehighValleyNews.com, lehighvalleylive.com and The Morning Call have filed a joint motion seeking the release of sealed court records connected to a grand jury drug case investigation. The documents have been sealed for two months even though an order sealing at least one of them expired more than a month ago.

As the federal government shutdown drags on into its second month, hundreds of flights Friday are being canceled at 40 airports across the country. Regional airports, such as LVIA, could be affected, too.

The show runs at 7 p.m. today, Nov. 7, and at the same time Saturday in Emmaus High School’s auditorium. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.

The winners, based on unofficial results, are Democratic candidates: Kimberly Jaramillo, Luis Melecio, Josh Rager and Chris Sykora — who ran together on a slate.