Lehigh County News

PBS39 will broadcast a special, hourlong community forum tonight on data centers — their demand, their needs and their potential impact on the Lehigh Valley.

Democrat Ana Tiburcio pulled out a decisive victory in Pennsylvania's 22nd state House District Tuesday night over Republican Robert E. Smith Jr.

Commissioner Zachary Cole-Borghi, 35, is among roughly 40 people charged in a multistate drug network. On Tuesday, his defense attorney argued in Lehigh County Court that his case should have a preliminary hearing separate from the others.

Democrat Ana Tiburcio and Republican Robert E. Smith Jr. are vying to serve out the remainder of state Rep. Josh Siegel’s term representing the district.

The project, known as The Shoppes at Hamilton, would include 318 apartments, a 160-room hotel and roughly 20,000 square feet of retail space.

Voters will chose between Democrat Ana Tiburcio and Republican Robert E. Smith Jr. in Tuesday's special election for Pennsylvania's 22nd House District.

The winter storm that prompted dire forecasts and a statewide disaster declaration largely fizzled in the Lehigh Valley, leaving the area with only moderate to light snowfall by Monday morning.

With control of the state House in the balance, Pennsylvania Democratic leaders selected Ana Tiburcio as the party's nominee in the 22nd House District special election. Some prominent Lehigh County Democratic leaders have criticized her as unprepared following her performance at a debate this month.

Allentown Fire Department was dispatched about 10:35 a.m. Sunday to the 200 block of North 17th Street for reports of a house fire, with the possibility of entrapment, a fire department release said.

Police Chief Charles Roca said he will welcome Sgt. Evan Weaver back to full duty on the city's police force.

Allentown declared a snow emergency ahead of Sunday's major winter storm. Enforcement efforts in the city will begin Saturday morning.

Residents of South Whitehall Township voiced their opposition to a proposed 5-million-square-foot data center near Parkland High School.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has used county office space but hasn't paid rent in three years despite a 2022 memorandum of understanding, county officials said. Said Controller Mark Pinsley: "We're going to deport ICE."

Several celebrations and church services in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. have been postponed due to weather. Check back for updates.

A community meeting on the city's Urban Forestry Master Plan is slated for Feb. 2 in chambers of City Council. Residents are invited to shared feedback there, as well as through a survey.

A county judge heard arguments Friday for and against releasing the two pages from a sealed grand jury presentment that deals with the drug-charge allegations against Lehigh County Commissioner Zach Cole-Borghi, of Bethlehem.

The funding, through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Recreation and Conservation’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program, is aimed at protecting national resources and expanding outdoor access.

Lehigh County prosecutors tried to avoid the standard procedures for criminal court by bypassing defendants' preliminary hearings. Instead, Lehigh County Judge Thomas Caffrey ruled the cases should proceed Friday morning as scheduled.

A Lehigh County judge threw out a lawsuit accusing B. Braun of emitting dangerous amounts of ethylene oxide, ruling it did not meet the legal requirements for a class action.

Buglio said the decision is driven by what investigators are increasingly encountering during death investigations, particularly in private residences.

Lower Macungie Township's planning commission voted Tuesday to recommend approving a 55,000-square-foot light manufacturing facility near Schoeneck and Alburtis roads.

The 15,100-square-foot facility would be constructed in consolidated lots at 1415 and 1425 Lehigh St.