Parkland News

A Lehigh County judge heard arguments Monday in a case that will decide whether a 501,000-square-foot warehouse will rise on 71 acres near Route 309 and Orefield Road.

The $68 million, five-building expansion to the existing high school at 2700 N. Cedar Creek Blvd. will be voted on for final approval by the township board of commissioners in January.

The submission proposing the construction of 2.6 million square-feet of data center facilities closely aligns with Air Products' existing plan for warehouses on the 194-acre property.

Specifics for the plan are still under wraps as Upper Macungie Township is processing the application. The proposal would develop the data center at the former Air Products headquarters on Hamilton Boulevard.

Parkland School District officials on Monday presented early estimates for their 2026-27 budget. It includes a $20 million deficit, and could lead to a tax increase next year.

State Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-Lehigh/Bucks, introduced the bill in 2023 after a student brought a knife to Schnecksville Elementary School. Parents didn't learn of the incident until a week later.

Parkland Superintendent Mark Madson, Assistant Superintendent Michelle Minotti and Chief Financial Officer Leslie Frisbie were awarded five-year extensions on Tuesday, the district said in a news release.

Parkland's school board voted unanimously Tuesday to stop payments to charter schools until a state budget is in place.

A crop farm in Lehigh County was included in the latest round of Pennsylvania's Farmland Preservation Program. Twenty-three other farms across the state were also preserved.

A Lehigh County detective Monday explained his process for obtaining a cell phone from Francis Anonia, Parkland School District's former performing arts administrator charged with secretly recording a student changing clothes. Anonia's lawyer asked a judge to throw out key evidence in the case.

Parkland School Board approved its final budget Tuesday, which will take the millage rate from 16.30 mills to 17.12 mills, a 5% increase. The average resident will pay about $200 more in school property taxes next year.

The Parkland School Board on Tuesday accepted district Director of Performing Arts Frank Anonia’s resignation, effective Friday, June 21. Anonia recently was the subject of an internal investigation.

Parkland School Board on Tuesday will vote on whether to accept district Director of Performing Arts Frank Anonia’s resignation, effective June 21, according to the meeting’s agenda.

South Whitehall Planning Commission recommended final approval for Phase 1C of Ridge Farms, a development that would include housing, shops and outdoor eateries.

Upper Macungie Zoning Hearing Board on Wednesday approved a plan to renovate and expand truck stop Trexler Travel Center at 5829 Tilghman St.

North Whitehall Township has added several new events to its recreation calendar this summer, including a food truck festival, a back-to-school party and a community concert.

Recently, many of Wildwater Kingdom's rides have been temporarily closed. All of them have reopened, except one, which will soon be replaced.

The union at Gardner Cryogenics represents 184 members who manufacture specialized tanks to transport liquid helium and liquid hydrogen. The business is a subdivision of Air Products.

The owners of Let's Play Books announced they would be consolidating all retail operations at The End: A Bookstore near the west end of Allentown, while growing their focus on engagement events.

It all started with a wig, a Hannah Montana song and a sassy pose: this local vet is going above and beyond on social media to entertain and educate pet parents.

The Upper Macungie Community Center's proposed renderings are now public, as well as an estimated cost.

The North Whitehall Board of Supervisors hosted a conditional use hearing Wednesday for a revised plan of the Rising Sun subdivision, which would have 110 single-family homes on about 100 acres.