Lehigh County News

Tuesday served as a preview of the political campaigns to come as candidates filed paperwork to appear on the April primary ballot. Voters will decide races for president, Congress and the General Assembly among others this year.

Whitehall Township commissioners selected new member Rob Piligian after several votes during a meeting Monday night, just shy of the deadline to do so.

A change.org petition opposing the new mascot chosen by the Whitehall-Coplay School District has attracted more than 1,200 signatures. The mascot, named Big Z, is so named in honor of the school name Zephyr, which was also a train that once ran through Whitehall Township.

Candidates for president, Congress, the General Assembly and Pennsylvania's row offices must file their petitions with the state by Tuesday. Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley could be a critical swing region at both the national and state levels.

One area of potential concern at the Allentown State Hospital had been the presence of dioxins in the soil. Dioxins are a group of toxic chemical compounds that take a long time to break down in the environment, and can cause health problems in people.

With an inconclusive prediction, Sunday's Super Bowl is up in the air — according to the Lehigh Valley Zoo's otters. The zoo in Lehigh County hosted its Otter Bowl XIII, which drew hundreds of spectators Saturday.

It’s a special year for cicadas, insects known for their high-pitched mating songs. Two adjacent broods are expected to co-emerge for the first time in 221 years. Here's the next time they emerge in the Valley.

Allen Issa, a former congressional aide and Penn State Law student, endorsed Maria Montero for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District race.

South Whitehall planners Thursday reviewed a plan for a new medical office for Aesthetic Surgery Associates. The practice would relocate to the new building from its current location at 250 Cetronia Road.

Stanley cups have skyrocketed in popularity, following other trends in reusable drinkware. But, fads like these can encourage overconsumption, experts said.

U.S. Rep. Susan Wild had 10 times as much cash on hand as Republican challenger Ryan Mackenzie as of June 30, campaign finance reports show.

A home on Spring Street in West Bethlehem could be up for demolition to make room for senior living units. The Diocese of Allentown owns the property and could replace it with a four-unit, 4,100-square-foot complex.

South Whitehall Township commissioners discussed new rules for Covered Bridge Park following reports of “unsafe and unnecessary practices” in the park.

Lehigh Carbon Community College might end its intercollegiate athletics program as soon as this year if it can't find an athletic trainer before the 2024-25 academic year begins. That could change, but nothing is official yet.

The Lehigh Valley Transportation Study recommended the second phase of studies to restore passenger rail to the region as some major logistic concerns remain about the process.

Mosquitos carrying West Nile virus were recorded within city limits. Here's where officials are spraying Wednesday.

Applications for a seat on the council, launched in 2022 and aimed at growing public participation, are being accepted through the end of the month. Here's how to apply.

Parkland School District is set to receive a large boost in funding in Pennsylvania’s new budget — $2.4 million to be exact.

Thousands of Lehigh Valley residents had power cut at the height of the string of storms to batter the area Tuesday. Another round could be on the way Wednesday, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

Pennsylvania's new $47.6 billion budget sets aside $500 million to improve old industrial sites so new businesses can expand or relocate to the properties.

The executive board of the International City/County Management Association at its June 21 meeting publicly censured former Fountain Hill Borough Manager Eric Gratz and permanently barred him from ICMA membership.

Emmaus Borough Council continues to mull giving tax assistance to plans for a large apartment complex on condemned, environmentally hazardous former industrial land that has gone unused for nearly 30 years.