Lehigh County News

Since it's not a presidential or midterm election, the 2023 municipal primary election may have snuck up on folks. If that surprises you, here are some other things you may not know about how our local elections are run.

Gavin Holihan, the uncontested candidate for Lehigh County district attorney, has been endorsed by incumbent Republican Jim Martin and Democratic County Executive Phil Armstrong, among others.

Three candidates for the local office said they focused on juggling campaign tasks around full-time jobs in the lead-up to the primary election. All were driven by a desire to educate voters and help people understand county government and its services.

They have been working without a contract since last summer and say they are overworked and short-staffed.

National issues are seeping into local races, turning elections into proxy partisan fights over race and gender.

Local elections rarely get the same level of participation as presidential races, but the outcomes often have greater impacts on voters' quality of life.

Like all the other major cities in the Lehigh Valley, Allentown is a patchwork of neighborhoods, some with good tree cover and some without any. Officials plan to use a mapping tool as a starting point to make planting trees city-wide more equitable.

Former journalist Ann Wlazelek pays tribute to her mother in a new book.

Debates in the South Whitehall commissioners race have taken place on the candidate's Facebook pages. The posts have primarily debated candidate Ben Long's positions and campaign style.

Concerts on the Grange is a two-day music festival that continues at 5:30 p.m. today, May 13, with tribute acts portraying The Doors and The Grateful Dead. Tickets, at $22 and $34, remain available on the SteelStacks website.

After leading the team that saved a man buried at a construction site, Allentown Technical Rescue Team Commander Jonathan Hammel reflects on the trench rescue.

Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro plans to nominate former Lehigh County Sen. Pat Browne, who left office last month, as the commonwealth's Secretary of Revenue.

OSHA documentation shows a prior inspection history for the company that resulted in 3 serious violations involving trench excavation hazards

Lehigh County expects to apply for up to $2.7 million from a new state program that offers to help low- and middle-income homeowners improve their properties and remove any health hazards.

Sunny Ghai will be the new chair starting in February. He campaigned for the board as a smart growth candidate.

From over-the-counter drugs to prescription medications, supply seems to be dwindling for certain meds. A doctor and pharmacist from the Lehigh Valley are explaining what they are seeing firsthand.

Third generation Lehigh Valley resident Ashley Coleman will lead the Bradbury-Sullivan Center as it expands its programming over the next few years.

Harrisburg's popular Farm Show featured vendors and exhibits from the Lehigh Valley at its opening day Saturday.

Lehigh County's Board of Commissioners has named its leadership positions for the new year.

The appeal involves potential open meetings violations.

At the latest hearing for the proposed facility, both witnesses spoke about the need for recovery houses. "There's as much effort being made to get the drugs out there as to keep them also on the down-low, very silenced, so no one really can tell. And they're attacking our young population.” Julissa Pena, a witness for the applicant said.

The grant will cover pre-construction and land development expenses in Upper Saucon Township. The new YMCA has been on the drawing board for years. Officials hope to open in in 2025.