Lehigh County News

There were 15 Diamond Clover awardees this year, including two from Lehigh County. The award is the highest in Pennsylvania's 4-H program.

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.

Trout season opens across Pennsylvania on Saturday, April 2.

The two-year global health crisis has had a huge impact on young people's mental health.

Community Action Lehigh Valley has another $25 million to distribute and plans to ask the state for $15 million more.

Fire companies are also looking for ways to get more people to volunteer.

Lehigh County has its own bridge maintenance department but PennDOT performs routine inspections of locally-owned bridges.

For now, only a small number of Lehigh Valley properties are being spurred by AI, says a local expert.

The county put a freeze on its work-release program over a year ago, but that could be changing.

The good news is that the number of bridges that are classified in poor condition has been going down, an expert says.

Sen. Lisa Boscola condemns the changes, calls process 'back-room assault on the Lehigh Valley."

Inflation has squeezed renters, too, and some landlords are taking advantage, a housing advocate says.

The ACLU filed suit in federal court on behalf of five voters who did not date their ballots.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. - COVID-19 cases appear to be dropping in Lehigh Valley jails, but the omicron surge continues to drive new lockdowns for inmates and…