Lehigh County News

The North Whitehall Township Planning Commission voted Tuesday to recommend waiving the land development approval process for a proposed new barn at the Lehigh Valley Zoo.

Impaired driving is among the most persistent threats to road safety in the Lehigh Valley, according to two of the region's chief prosecutors. Lehigh County recorded about 1,750 impaired-driving cases in 2024, up almost 42% over the past five years.

Courts weigh the benefits of punishing drivers for their actions and helping them recover from underlying issues that may have led them to drive impaired, according to the region's chief prosecutors.

Lehigh County Judge Melissa Pavlack on Monday ruled that Whitehall Township Commissioner Thomas Slonaker did not file a statement of financial interest with the township prior to the March 11 filing deadline, rendering his ballot for treasurer/tax collector invalid.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission’s Environment Committee on Tuesday reviewed plans to update sewage infrastructure in two municipalities.

National politics often makes headlines, but former Bethlehem mayor Bob Donchez says municipal government impacts its residents more. This week on Political Pulse, host Tom Shortell dives into what goes on inside local government with Donchez.

Lehigh Gap Nature Center from Feb. 14-16 held its annual Lehigh Gap Area Feeder Watch. The long-term research project focuses on monitoring winter bird populations.

Increased stress due to everyday life, like politics or the economy, coupled with habitual, risky behaviors distracting the driver from the road, can create a slippery slope, ripe for crashes, experts said. Plus, those risky behaviors are far more common than the average driver would think.

Organizations such as colleges, local governments and non-profits are encouraged to apply for funding under Congress's Community Project Funding program. The Lehigh Valley has secured tens of millions in funding through federal discretionary spending in recent years.

The Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital on Monday received a check in the amount of $114,676 from Spirit Halloween, a national costume retailer, for its Child Life Program. The amount increased the retailer's donation to the program over $1 million since 2012.

Both Allentown and Bethlehem would be split into different Senate districts under the plan.

The district attorney's office says Nothstein stalked a female acquaintance and her boyfriend.

Lehigh County had one of the largest percent jump in liquor sales in the state since the start of the pandemic.

Police say the "smash and grab" theft could be part of a bigger national trend.

A total of 261 mail-in ballots remain uncounted and could swing the outcome.

Pa. House Republicans have threatened to impeach the Lehigh County election board if the mail-in votes are counted.

Police say five masked men entered the Lower Macungie Township store and fled in under a minute.

The combination of supply constraints and the winter season is pushing energy prices up.

The number of drug overdoses in Pennsylvania has skyrocketed since the beginning of the pandemic.

The Holiday Hope Chest boxes include toys, toiletries and other essentials.

Most utilities will be raising electricity prices in December, according to the Pa. Public Utility Commission.

Lehigh County officials are not yet sure how much or when the Lehigh Valley will see infrastructure funding.