Lehigh County News

Upper Macungie supervisors recently waived a requirement to build a sidewalk along Hamilton Boulevard — even though the township's Vision Zero plan indicated there should be a sidewalk built in that area.

The Upper Macungie Planning Commission last week unanimously recommended final approval for a plan to expand XPO Logistics, a freight transportation company.

South Whitehall Township plans to put a referendum to create an open space tax on the May 20 primary in 2025.

Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, Lehigh County Democratic Chair Lori McFarland and political organizer Aidan Levinson said they could rally behind Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the Democratic ticket. They are among the Lehigh Valley's contingent of delegates heading to the Democratic National Convention in August.

Development has divided wildlife habitats across Pennsylvania, leading to more vehicle-animal collisions. A new report from the state Legislature argues reconnecting the pieces through wildlife corridors would help.

Lower Macungie joins other municipalities in having to significantly raise their trash collection fees.

Tom Perez, a senior adviser to President Joe Biden, said a $208 million matching grant to Volvo will grow the middle class and help fight climate change.

An early part of the specific land development for Lehigh Valley Town Center project has taken shape, with more expected to come.

Racecar driver and property owner Marco Andretti should ease off the gas with his proposed West Broad Street apartment project, city planners agreed on Thursday.

Lehigh County Coroner Dan Buglio said a 93-year-old woman from Upper Macugie Township was pronounced dead in her home Thursday. It's the first heat-related death reported in the area.

Kian Deater, 21, was sentenced by Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony to serve 17 ½ to 39 years in state prison on felony charges of aggravated assault with attempt to cause serious bodily injury.

Authorities have identified a Monroe County man who died Wednesday as the result of a motorcycle crash on Route 22 in Bethlehem Township.

South Whitehall Board of Commissioners on Wednesday heard a proposal for a new PJ Whelihan’s in Ridge Farms, a mixed use housing development at the intersection of Cedar Crest Boulevard and Walbert Avenue.

A dispute between the Whitehall Township Tax Office and Mayor's Administration has come to a head after legal action was threatened.

Among the winners are projects to repaint the basketball court at Building 21; build several community gardens; and plant trees.

Whitehall Tax Collector Tina Koren has been subject to "a series of possible civil rights and other violations" and is seeking legal remedies, according to the lawyer, Matthew Mobilio.

State officials announced a $1 million pool for the 2025 Environmental Education Grants Program, as well as the Nov. 15 deadline to apply. Two Lehigh Valley projects were funded in the last round.

The visit will be Doug Emhoff's second to Allentown as second gentleman. He visited the region in May 2021 to promote the Biden administration's infrastructure plan.

Becoming a Lehigh Valley Ambassador will unlock a digital membership card, discounts and perks, it was announced last week. The cards can be stored in an Apple or Google wallet and used at participating partners.

Following a Commonwealth Court ruling Friday, Pennsylvania counties cannot throw out mail-in votes over incorrect envelope dates.

Join Megan Frank at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. every Friday for Insights with LehighValleyNews.com on WLVR. This week, she's joined by Parkland reporter Olivia Marble and Allentown reporter Jason Addy.

Only 12 community colleges in Pennsylvania were awarded a total of $33 million in grants to go toward upgrades. Two schools in the Lehigh Valley were on the receiving end of that.