Lehigh County News

Lower Macungie's Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Monday to buy 44 acres of farmland on Lower Macungie Rd. Township officials previously approved a 30-building, 180-unit apartment complex on the site.

The Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners heard results of a recreation center feasibility study from engineering and architectural firms. The proposed $13 million project would be at Jefferson Street Park.

Multiple sources tell LehighValleyNews.com that Carol Obando-Derstine is expected to launch a campaign for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District. The battleground seat is held by freshman U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, will be one of four House members from battleground districts to take questions from a bipartisan audience and CNN anchors.

A five-person panel examined Lehigh Valley programs for people who are incarcerated to access education. They also discussed workforce development opportunities for people after they are released.

The African penguin colony, off exhibit since early January because of bird flu, is back at the Lehigh Valley Zoo.

PennDOT officials say complaints about roadside trash peak in early spring when snow melts, revealing months of litter build-up. State officials estimate there are 500 million pieces of rubbish on Pennsylvania roads — about a third of which are cigarette butts.

Lehigh Valley Public Media comprises LehighValleyNews.com, PBS39 and 91.3 WLVR. Debates to be held in advance of the May 20 primary election include Allentown mayor, Bethlehem mayor, Northampton County executive and Lehigh County executive.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport knew a former police officer was the subject of an internal investigation at his former job but hired him anyway, according to details released this week by Sen. Chuck Grassley, who is looking into the matter.

The Downtown Allentown Market "did not meet our long-term expectations," a City Center executive said.

Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley released an audit on Tuesday which is focused on the county's health care expenses. He says he found that taxpayers were paying about $4 million more than necessary.

A local nonprofit in Bethlehem is aiming to collect 8000 boxes to bring holiday cheer to local children this season.

Tommy ultimately delighted in recycling some belongings to others who could use them in 'The Boy Who Never Threw Anything Out."

Plans to renovate an old building used by the Police Athletics League (PAL) are coming to fruition in part thanks to allocation $80,000 from Pa. state funds

A newly released report from the nonprofit Lehigh Valley Justice Institute shows the impact marijuana offenses have on the local court system and the difference in how individuals are charged in Allentown and Bethlehem.

A partnership with Lehigh Valley County Animal Response Team teaches mounted police what to do if their horses get into trouble.

Almost 500 housing units have been proposed at Upper Macungie Planning Commission's meeting, including the controversial Sunset Orchards development.

“The city of Bethlehem is ready to step up and meet the regional need,” Deputy Director of Community Development Sara Satullo said. “It is a major shift from simply meeting the community's fair needs of shelter to a holistic, comprehensive approach.”

Judge Thomas Capehart has sided with the Lehigh County Board of Elections and will permit the county to use election boxes as planned - including allowing the use of a 24-hour drop box - in the upcoming election.

School Board Director Patrick Foose said the school board harrassed him for voting against a new $80,000 scoreboard for the district's swimming pool and was not transparent about the process.

Lehigh Valley shelters for people experiencing homelessness are already getting busy. Management for two of the shelters has noticed an uptick in guests.

Lehigh County has halted the use of ballot dropboxes as the county awaits a ruling in an ongoing lawsuit over dropbox monitoring and hours of usage.