Parkland News

The two opposing candidate groups in the Parkland School Board race have won the Democratic and Republican nominations, according to unofficial results.

The Parkland School District budget that was voted on and approved Tuesday night includes a 2.5% property tax increase. The tax hike is district's highest in the past seven years, but is still the lowest millage rate in Lehigh County.

National issues are seeping into local races, turning elections into proxy partisan fights over race and gender.

Former journalist Ann Wlazelek pays tribute to her mother in a new book.

Debates in the South Whitehall commissioners race have taken place on the candidate's Facebook pages. The posts have primarily debated candidate Ben Long's positions and campaign style.

Candidates have formed two groups: one made up of mostly incumbents, and the other made up of Republican challengers. Transparency, spending and projected overcrowding in the district's middle and high schools have become key issues in the race.

The budget includes a 2.5% increase to the millage rate, the biggest increase in seven years. The district would still have the lowest millage rate in Lehigh County.

The project promises to connect counties, offer a trail through nature and speed things up for emergency responders — using old railroads.

Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is opening to the public on Friday, May 12, with a preview day for season pass-holders on May 7.

The Upper Macungie Board of Supervisors hosted a badge pinning ceremony for two new township police officers.

Building projects that would address overcrowding in the Parkland School District will cost between $169 million and $391 million, according to a presentation at the school board meeting this week.

The water main broke late Tuesday and service has been restored to residents. Officials say the thoroughfare will reopen later today.

The Parkland School Board renewed a sports medicine and school health needs agreement with St. Luke's after state Sen. Jarrett Coleman urged them not to. He suggested the health network should find better ways to spend the money.

Senator Bob Casey visited the chemical and gas company Air Products at its headquarters. Company engineers took him for a drive in a new hydrogen-powered Toyota.

This week was the South Whitehall Township Emergency Services Youth Camp. The camp teaches youth ages 12 to 16 years old the basics of emergency services.

South Whitehall has a new policy that outlines the process for implementing speed reduction measures in the township.

North Whitehall supervisors granted preliminary/final approval to the plan for housing development Greenleaf Fields at Parkland.

Some parents and residents are asking schools to take books off library shelves. Others want a parental consent policy for children to take out some books.

Upper Macungie supervisors adopted a Vision Zero Action Plan, which has the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities in the township.

Upper Macungie Township is asking for community feedback during its review of the township's zoning ordinance and SALDO.

South Whitehall Commissioner Brad Osborne is launching a new radio show called Good Morning Lehigh Valley on May 30.

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