Lehigh County News

A slightly smaller-than-expected award of state funding forced a developer to downsize its plans for an affordable housing complex in downtown Allentown.

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 Allentown reporter Jason Addy and reporter Phil Gianficaro.

Wednesday marked the end of the first round of a three-year initiative called TOWERS, or Tackling Obstacles for Women’s Engagement and Retention in STEM, at Cedar Crest. Through the program, incoming freshmen are paired with mentors to complete science projects, gaining confidence and community along the way.

Lehigh County Judge Michele Varricchio ruled on Aug. 8 that Core5 Industrial Partners’ warehouse plan at 7503 Kernsville Road was rejected with a quorum, meaning the supervisors’ denial will stand for now.

Dorney Park's Halloween Haunt, which features haunted mazes, elaborate scare zones and more, will return, the park announced.

Allentown School District's OneAllentown Back-to-School Bash was designed to show parents the caring nature of those who will prepare their children for their future.

City officials are planning a significant overhaul in downtown Allentown, with pedestrians and cyclists to be prioritized in the project.

Improvements at aging Steckel Elementary School and Whitehall-Coplay Middle School will begin with window replacements.

Upper Macungie supervisors soon may vote to adopt a new law meant to address resident complaints of loud noise. The draft of the new law would significantly reduce the maximum allowed noise levels in both the residential and industrial sections of the township.

Four farms in Lehigh and Northampton counties were the latest to be included in Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program. The program aims to ward off development and protect open spaces.

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.

The teen died three weeks after the incident in Lynn Township, Lehigh County. He was with three other teens in the truck. State police and the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office are investigating.

Gov. Josh Shapiro said he wants all Pennsylvania students have the resources they need to learn and grow, from early childhood through adulthood. That desire will have local impacts too.

Local leaders on Thursday unveiled a new sign renaming part of state Route 143 as Heroes Highway in honor of firefighters Marvin Gruber and Zachary Paris.