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.

Despite it being a Republican hotbed, Democratic challenger Joseph Lenzi believes he can defeat incumbent Rep. Zachary Mako in the 183rd District.

Ian Fetterman, of Palmer Township, has taken his passion for Halloween and combined it with his artistic talents, carving out his own niche. Now, Ian’s Pumpkin Carvings has customers all over the U.S.

State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh, and U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, have each labeled one another extremists while campaigning for the moderate-leaning PA-7 Congressional District.

The Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley offers mental health counseling to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and robbery. They also work with the families of murder victims.

Both the Democrat and Republican candidates for the 131st House District seat say they want Pennsylvania families to remain at the forefront of policy coming out of the Capitol.

The Lehigh Valley Manufacturing Forum on Thursday in Allentown served as a premier event for manufacturing professionals, suppliers, service providers, and stakeholders to discuss the evolving landscape, challenges and opportunities within the Lehigh Valley's thriving manufacturing sector.

Democratic incumbent Sen. Bob Casey Jr. is seeking a fourth term representing Pennsylvania. He's being opposed by Republican Dave McCormick, the former CEO of the world's largest hedge fund.

Northampton County's proposed 2025 budgets cuts spending 9% while keeping taxes at 10.8 mills. County Executive Lamont McClure said a tax cut could be coming next year.

Live Nation, the country's top music promoter, will book shows for the state-of-the-art entertainment venue at 935-939 Hamilton St., the promoter announced.

A new $60,000 grant in Bethlehem will provide both necessary training for police departments countywide and related equipment for Project Lifesaver — a training and search and rescue operation run locally through the city Health Bureau.

Drop boxes for mail-in ballots will be placed in seven locations across Northampton County, including the Northampton County Government Center in Easton and Bethlehem City Hall.

As special operations team coordinator for Lehigh County, Kevin Krotzer served as the lead instructor Tuesday for “Water Rescue for the First Responder,” an awareness-level program developed and certified through the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.