Northampton County News

Based on themes of home in the Lehigh Valley and executed via improvisation on the piano, former Nazareth native Dominic Billett's new record “Truer is the Valley, the River, the Pale Sky" paints a thoughtful, vivid picture perfect for walks throughout the region.

At its Nov. 11 meeting, Northampton Area school directors considered five partial renovation options for Moore Elementary.

Northampton Area school directors approved the second round of financing for the East Allen Elementary School and education center project at their meeting last week.

Bethlehem Area school directors approved the purchase agreement for 315 Columbia St. in South Bethlehem at their Monday meeting. The space would serve as a satellite campus for the Bethlehem Area Vo-Tech School.

A partnership between Second Harvest Food Bank and the GIANT Company will make sure a thousand families have a Thanksgiving dinner.

Northampton Area School Board approved Kovalchik's retirement at Monday's school board meeting. It will be effective July 1.

Addison Agen, who finished second to Chloe Kohanski on the show's 13th season, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at the center at 30 E. Belvidere St., Nazareth.

State Rep. Joe Emrick won Pennsylvania's 137th House District in his battle against Democratic challenger Anna Thomas.

Republican state Rep. Zachary Mako was well on the way to defeating Democrat Joseph Lenzi to win a fifth term representing the 183rd House District.

The Gap Fire, which erupted Saturday near Route 248 in Lehigh Township, has drawn hundreds of firefighters over four days. Crews have gotten the upper hand and are now searching for and extinguishing hotspots, officials said.

The AI model uses county Department of Human Services records to predict which kids will be removed from their families within one year. A similar system drew a federal investigation.

While the Lehigh Valley is no stranger to the effects of climate change, the new record is a startling reminder about how how global warming has local impacts.

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure previously vetoed three measures that could create term limits for most county officials. On Thursday, county council overrode all three.

Maria Montero, a member of former Gov. Tom Corbett's administration, declared her candidacy for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District with the FEC this week. She'll aim to unseat Democratic incumbent Susan Wild in the 2024 congressional race.

The city is looking to adjust the legal language in its industrial wastewater discharge permits to further adhere to state and federal guidelines. Residents of the city and neighboring Lower Saucon Township — home to the landfill — say they are concerned.

After approval by commissioners board, the police department will waive some prerequisite education requirements in hopes of attracting a broader spectrum of applicants.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

Hillside Mini Golf & Ice Cream has reopened under new ownership with a newly restored and redone mini golf course and renovated building

Richard "Bucky" Szulborski served three terms as a Bethlehem councilman and twice filled in as Northampton County controller. Friends and colleagues in Bethlehem and at the county government center in Easton on Friday mourned his passing.

With two members of the Lower Saucon Township Zoning Hearing Board absent from the Thursday meeting, Verizon asked for a continuance on the variance hearing for a potential cell tower in Steel City.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission awarded Easton the "Community of Distinction" for 2022, recognizing the city's commitment to "planning excellence."

Committees overseeing community development in Bethlehem Township have been busy this week, sending one plan to commissioners and looking for more on another.