Northampton County News

As 2023 draws to a close, lehighvalleynews.com offers a retrospective of a variety of stories about people, places and things that make the Lehigh Valley special.

Northampton Area Board of Education said it would have been on the hook for about $9.5 million if construction contracts were cancelled for a new elementary school.

Chances are, you'll still be able to find a tree, it just might take a little extra work — and you might want to get it soon. Roger from Unangst Tree Farms explains the ins and outs of why this problem, a decade in the making, is now causing tree farms and stands to sell-out when it's barely December.

The Upper Nazareth Township Board of Supervisors Wednesday voted against rezoning land for a new industrial park next to Nazareth Area Intermediate School. Representatives for the developer said they may try again in the future.

Three Republican school board members are now part of the panel governing Nazareth schools, including two endorsed by the Moms for Liberty Northampton County chapter.

A state mandate requiring schools to identify sexual content in books could cost Lehigh Valley school districts significant time, money and resources.

Jeff Dailey was a 2004 graduate of Notre Dame High School and held its all-time scoring record for almost 20 years. He died in a fire in 2007 while attending East Stroudsburg University. On Friday night, hundreds turned out to pay homage to his legacy and family.

On display are Baez's guitars, artwork, personal letters and other items on loan from the singer.

Most unofficial election results remain the same in Northampton County, but one school board race has shifted after nearly all emergency ballots were counted Thursday.

While moderate Republicans and Democrats prevailed in most races, two Moms for Liberty candidates won seats on the Nazareth Area school board in Northampton County.

Hundreds of students were seen outside the school on Third Street in South Bethlehem as police responded to the incident on Monday. Officers blocked streets in the area and students and staff were moved to a nearby location.

A newly released report from the nonprofit Lehigh Valley Justice Institute shows the impact marijuana offenses have on the local court system and the difference in how individuals are charged in Allentown and Bethlehem.

U.S. Rep Susan Wild (D-Lehigh/Monroe) and Republican challenger Lisa Scheller squared off Friday night for another round of exchanges in a live debate. The event was the second and final face-to-face meeting between the two candidates before the 2022 midterm election.

“The city of Bethlehem is ready to step up and meet the regional need,” Deputy Director of Community Development Sara Satullo said. “It is a major shift from simply meeting the community's fair needs of shelter to a holistic, comprehensive approach.”

80 boxes were packed and handed out to kids across the Wilson Area School District.

A bear was seen in a backyard in Palmer Township Saturday.

The incident has prompted the Bethlehem Area School District and city police plan to ramp up security measures at future games.

The change will substantially reduce the number of days Northampton County offers free vaccines to its uninsured residents, from five days a week to two days each month.

Lehigh Valley Voter's Guide: Statewide races including John Fetterman vs. Dr. Oz, Josh Shapiro vs. Doug Mastriano and Susan Wild vs. Lisa Scheller.

Lehigh Valley Voter's Guide: Local races for state senate and state representatives

Lehigh Valley Voter's Guide: An FAQ and what you need to know for the 2022 midterm election

A vigil hosted by Turning Point Lehigh Valley will honor people who have survived intimate partner abuse and remember those who have died