Lehigh County News

The South Whitehall Board of Commissioners is seeking applications to fill a vacant seat. The current commissioners will conduct public interviews with applicants at a special meeting on Dec. 28, then vote to appoint one of them.

The Upper Macungie Planning Commission reviewed a sketch plan for renovations and expansions to Trexler Travel Center on 5829 Tilghman St.

It might seem counterintuitive, but harvesting holiday trees year after year is better for the environment than using an artificial one, experts said, especially amid the proliferation of plastic piling up in landfills.

The new position will appear on the ballot in 2025. The Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas had one of the higher caseloads for counties of its size.

Officials on Wednesday reviewed several preliminary transportation policy strategies for the Valley's priority climate action plan. The plan’s focus is to reduce carbon emissions from transportation, a significant driver of greenhouse gas emissions across the region.

More than three dozen projects in the Valley were awarded grants, receiving about 7% of the total funding awarded. Statewide, $335 million in grants were announced Wednesday.

KidsPeace, which provides behavioral and mental health services to children, collected about 1,400 toys for its 12th annual Angel Tree holiday gift drive.

All but one township zoning amendment application were reviewed without issue by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Comprehensive Planning Committee on Tuesday afternoon.

If ultimately completed, the combined health care system would operate 30 hospitals and more than 700 outpatient sites, with more than 62,000 employees, according to LVHN and Jefferson Health.

Driven by $8.1 billion in manufacturing, the Lehigh Valley's Gross Domestic Product grew to a record $50.2 billion in 2022. The region's economy now ranks above Vermont and Wyoming.

Two votes last week — by Allentown City Council and the U.S. Supreme Court — made it a difficult one for advocates for homeless people in Allentown.

The inaugural Firefighter Appreciation Picnic was held Sunday at Ontelaunee Park in New Tripoli. It was hosted by the Northwestern Lehigh Firefighter Foundation.

Lehigh Valley Humane Society opened up to the public Friday, allowing potential pet parents, budding volunteers, and other community members to explore everything they have to offer.

Food trucks, carnival rides by AEB Amusements and live music will be present each day as local organizers seek to expand on last year's "Community Day" event.

On July 1, the YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon counties will merge with the Greater Valley YMCA in Pen Argyl to form the River Crossing YMCA.

Teamsters Local 773 approved a new contract that awarded employees raises, more sick days and better contributions toward their health care costs, said union President Dennis Hower.

Jill Biden, Susan Wild and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus will look to connect with Latino voters in Allentown as the PA-7 congressional race heats up.

The first annual KidsPeace Dodgeball Tournament was held Thursday. It raised money for the Orefield-based nonprofit, which provides behavioral and mental health services to children.

All but one member of the joint Technical and Coordinating Committee of the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study voted to approve.

Downed trees and power outages were the result of a powerful storm that pounded the Lehigh Valley on Wednesday night.

Allentown City Council members are preparing for potential litigation against the mayor for putting "roadblocks" in the way of an investigation into allegations of workplace discrimination and racism.

South Whitehall Township will hold its first Summer Movie Series event from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday in the township municipal building’s grass circle, 4444 Walbert Ave. It will also hold an information and feedback session about its Transportation PLAN.