Northampton County News

Sammy Sasso, a former Nazareth Area High School state wrestling champion, is charged with possessing unlicensed guns and a controlled substance after police said they stopped the car he was driving because of an expired registration.

Drake Bell, best known for his starring roles on Nickelodeon’s “The Amanda Show” with Amanda Bynes from 1999-02, and “Drake & Josh” from 2004-07, will perform at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at Gin Mill and Grille, at 1750 Main St., Northampton.

Check out a roundup of activities, places, and times to see the fireworks as the Lehigh Valley celebrates Independence Day.

Turkish candy company Kervan celebrated a groundbreaking for a new warehouse, manufacturing, and office space off Commerce Park Drive at the border of Bethlehem and Lower Nazareth townships.

Police said Amir Sims-Watson, 17, opened fire on a group of pedestrians in Allentown before robbing a woman at gunpoint at Trexler Middle School. Two other teens are charged in the shooting.

The district will operate four elementary schools in the 2026-27 school year when East Allen Elementary opens. Moore Elementary will be closed, but the district will keep the property for potential use.

Northampton Area School Board voted 5-4 for the spending plan. Some school directors said the tax hike was too high and the district should have cut more expenses.

Nazareth Area School District on Tuesday approved a $117 million budget with a 2.95% tax increase for 2025-26, though not without some opposition.

Sister started colorectal cancer awareness fundraiser last year for her brother, who loved cars and cookies and died too young from the disease.

Governor Josh Shapiro, joined by local and state politicians, spoke out in support of mass transit investments for the betterment of the Commonwealth, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hecktown Oaks Thursday.

Sal Panto Sr. was the father of Mayor Sal Panto Jr. and longtime proprietor of Sal's Meat Market on College Hill.

The final Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Bangor will be held Saturday, Feb. 7. Declining attendance and the need for costly repairs factored into the decision, church leaders said.

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

Easton Zoning Hearing Board 0n Jan. 15 rejected special exception applications for the Easton Commerce Park warehouse project.

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.

Former Forks Township Police Chief Michael Friel announced his retirement in December. Township supervisors approved a separation agreement but refused to disclose it until a Right-to-Know request was filed.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie voted to triple ICE's budget as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill last year. The extra funding has allowed the agency to hire more officers who are being deployed in force to major cities across the nation.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie touted his office's efforts to help Lehigh Valley residents secure tax breaks, receive passports and navigate the federal bureaucracy through 2025.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be observed Monday, Jan. 19, with a wide range of events across the Lehigh Valley honoring the life and legacy of the civil rights leader.

Lewis Shupe, who tried to run as an independent in 2018 and 2024 but failed to make the ballot, has lodged his candidacy as a Democrat with the Federal Election Commission.

State Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-Lehigh/Bucks, has scheduled a telephone town hall at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, to hear concerns over the automated school bus enforcement program.

Two presentations were given during the city Environmental Advisory Council’s Thursday meeting.