Lehigh County News

The latest update from Lehigh Valley Breathes compares local air monitoring data to existing regulatory standards in the United States, as well as the air quality guidelines recommended by the World Health Organization.

The fire broke out Saturday night at the Fairmont Place Apartments on Maryland Circle in Whitehall Township. The emergency shelter is at Whitehall High School, 3800 Mechanicsville Road.

Groundbreaking for a 72-unit apartment expansion was held at Fellowship Community senior independent living in Whitehall Township on Friday.

At a Lehigh Valley town hall, Elizabeth DeJesus recounted her husband’s ICE detainment as experts explained immigrant rights, enforcement limits, and how the community can help through the ERN network.

South Whitehall Township Planning Commission reviewed a plan for an Islamic Center along Ridgeview Drive. Members raised concerns about traffic and recommended a study.

The media center replaced the school's old library, which students said they didn't use. The new space has modern books and makerspaces for art and science projects.

Millions of Americans will see their health premiums double if Congress doesn't extend tax credits for the Affordable Care Act beyond Dec. 31. U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, attached his name to last-ditch efforts to preserve the tax credits.

Two North Whitehall Township supervisors on Wednesday rejected a challenge to township zoning rules surrounding at-home auto repair businesses. It's far from the end of a legal fight over whether township resident Gene Weierbach's business should be allowed to operate.

LGNC’s annual autumn Bake Oven Knob Hawk Watch ended late last month. The overall count was more than double last year’s total, and records were set for bald eagles and turkey vultures spotted from the lookout.

Community Bike Works in Easton is celebrating the 30th year of its Earn a Bike program. Low-income families from the Lehigh Valley can become eligible to get a bike by signing up online or in person for the 24-hour mentoring program.

The victim in Tuesday's crash on Route 100 was identified Thursday as Krishan Kumar of Upper Macungie. He was a passenger in a car that collided with a tractor trailer in the area of Route 100 and Schaefer Run Road.

The results of the 2023 citywide greenhouse gas inventory are in. The project was part of Penn State’s Local Climate Action Program.

Lehigh Valley lawmakers have continued to raise concerns about traffic safety in the area. On Tuesday, Sen. Jarrett Coleman announced that PennDOT would designate Route 22 a safety corridor, which should be a step toward traffic safety, a PennDOT representative said.

Brenda Rodriguez, 51, of Palmerton is charged with criminal solicitation/criminal homicide and conspiracy-aggravated assault in the shooting death of her husband, Hector Manuel Garcia Gomez, 46, of Palmerton on Dec. 7.

Continued economic growth for the Lehigh Valley was predicted during at “Sizing Up 2025: Lehigh Valley Economic Outlook” at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks on Tuesday. The event, presented by Truist and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, featured speakers who shared a positive economic picture of the Lehigh Valley and the nation.

Nassim Younes suffered a traumatic brain injury in the accident Jan. 4, 2002, according to the coroner, who ruled his death an accident.

Authorities applied for the warrant after the employee declined to provide a voluntary DNA sample Jan. 14 during an interview with an FBI agent, according to court documents.

PPL Electric Utilities' President Christine Martin says Pennsylvania needs to allow changes in the energy sector or risk widening the gap between between supply and demand for consumers.

Applications are open for the DCNR's Community Conservation Partnerships Program. Funding supports projects to develop new parks, rehabilitate existing spaces and protect vital natural habitats.

A farm in Lehigh County has tested positive for HPIA, according to a news release Monday from the state Department of Agriculture. A response team is in place and the farm has been quarantined, officials said.

Joshua and Tracy Dechant were charged Sunday with two felony counts each, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said in a release.

State officials announced the theme for this year’s annual tick-themed art contest, “Protect. Check. Remove.” Last year, there were no winners in the Lehigh Valley.