Lehigh County News

ICE agents have agreed not to wear masks and to present ID and warrants when operating inside the Lehigh County Courthouse. But county officials declined to spell out specific procedures for ICE inside the courthouses.

The Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs has appointed 27 commissioners for its 2025-27 board, including several leaders from Lehigh and Northampton counties.

Detoured traffic during the ramp closure will continue on Route 309 to the Interstate 78 merge to Route 222 to Route 309 North to the Tilghman Street East exit.

On a narrow residential street, Etienne Theagene was driving 40.7 mph when he struck and killed Edward Tomcics, according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday.

Lehigh Gap Nature Center’s Bake Oven Knob Hawk Watch is back for another season. Officials are seeking volunteer observers and counters.

Until state legislators adopt a budget, state agencies can't reimburse counties for services they provide. Right now, Lehigh County is waiting on $12.5 million in reimbursements, with no end to the budget impasse in sight.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, downplayed President Donald Trump's proposal to slash $32.9 billion from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development following a tour of the Allentown Rescue Mission.

The Allentown Environmental Advisory Council on Monday discussed but did not vote on the draft letter, addressed to members of City Council.

Fellowship Community's revised sewage facilities plan for its expansion project can be submitted to the state for approval, Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners voted Monday.

Officials with the Lehigh Valley's transit authority said its new ValleyRide system can track a customer's ride history and apply the best fare deal based on their usage.

The Lehigh County Coroner's Office said the 27-year-old died Saturday night at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest — hours after being shot during a standoff with Pennsylvania State Police in a North Whitehall Township driveway.

Yaniel Fermin, 17, is charged with homicide, possession with intent to deliver controlled substances and possession of a firearm by a minor in the death of Jeomy Miguel Soto, 19. Soto was shot Thursday in Allentown.

Lehigh Valley shelters are adding capacity as meteorologists forecast between 10 and 16 inches of snow starting Sunday.

Lehigh County Coroner Dan Buglio announced that a 93-year-old Lower Macungie Township woman died outside her home of hypothermia. She is Lehigh County's first weather-related fatality of 2026.

State Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton, introduced a bill this week to more sharply define when local governments can forgo a requirement in the Sunshine Act of publicizing meeting agendas at least 24 hours in advance.

Allentown declared a snow emergency ahead of Sunday's major winter storm. Enforcement efforts in the city will begin Saturday morning.

Residents of South Whitehall Township voiced their opposition to a proposed 5-million-square-foot data center near Parkland High School.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has used county office space but hasn't paid rent in three years despite a 2022 memorandum of understanding, county officials said. Said Controller Mark Pinsley: "We're going to deport ICE."

Several celebrations and church services in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. have been postponed due to weather. Check back for updates.

A community meeting on the city's Urban Forestry Master Plan is slated for Feb. 2 in chambers of City Council. Residents are invited to shared feedback there, as well as through a survey.

A county judge heard arguments Friday for and against releasing the two pages from a sealed grand jury presentment that deals with the drug-charge allegations against Lehigh County Commissioner Zach Cole-Borghi, of Bethlehem.

The funding, through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Recreation and Conservation’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program, is aimed at protecting national resources and expanding outdoor access.