Parkland News

The administrator who heads Parkland schools’ arts programs has not been in school, and parents say they are seeking answers to why.

Willow Haven Farm is looking to raise $50,000 to help open an organic grocery store at 8150 Hamilton Blvd. in Trexlertown.

Ryan Mackenzie pulled off a comfortable win in the Republican primary for the PA-7 congressional race. He credited an army of campaign volunteers, but his 12 years in the state House and at least $419,000 of support from a super PAC helped, too.

Parkland School District administration officials presented a proposed budget Friday with a property tax rate increase that would take the millage rate from 16.30 mills to 17.07 mills, a 4.75% increase.

PennDOT construction next month is expected to disrupt an average daily traffic volume of 6,488 vehicles. Crews will work to rehabilitate the Kernsville Road Bridge in North Whitehall Twp., from May through August.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission on Thursday approved a staff review of a Parkland School District proposal for a second floor being added to its new operations center currently under construction.

Incumbent state Rep. Zach Mako defeated newcomer Zachari Halkias, a Slatington councilman, in the GOP primary in the 183rd District. He will be opposed by Democrat Joseph Lenzi in the November general election.

The Lehigh Valley Comprehensive Planning Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved an application from the Parkland School District for a 12,832-square-foot addition to the second floor of the new operations center currently under construction at 2619 Stadium Road in Orefield.

Parkland School Board last week appointed Kelly Bracetty as the new Girls and Boys Cross Country Coach for the 2024-25 school year.

Speakers at the Sportsmen for Dave rally in North Whitehall Township on Monday painted a bleak picture of America. Righting the country would require Republicans like Donald Trump and David McCormick to win their races this November, they said.

Cetronia Fire Department has a new chief: Ricardo Diaz, who has served the all-volunteer agency for 10 years. Most recently the deputy chief, he was appointed after former chief Jay Heicklen retired on May 1.

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.