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.

WLVR's Brad Klein spoke with Parkland area reporter Olivia Marble about the issues at play and the atmosphere at the meeting as residents spoke on a proposed recovery house near Cetronia Elementary.

Some spoke about the need for recovery houses, and others spoke about the potential harm it could bring to the children.

South Whitehall Township officials and North Whitehall residents were concerned about a section of the southern part of the township that is marked for industrial development in the plan’s potential future land map.

South Whitehall residents will likely be able to comment on the proposed recovery house next to Cetronia Elementary at Thursday's hearing. LehighValleyNews.com was invited into a recovery house ahead of the hearing.

North Whitehall staff will begin a trial period of a 9-hour 4-day week on Feb. 20. The municipal office will be closed on Fridays during the trial.

Concerts on the Grange, a two-day music festival featuring tribute acts portraying Elton John, Billy Joel, The Doors and The Grateful Dead, will be May 12-13.

Renovations to the North Whitehall Township municipal building could cost $4.9 million, according to initial plans for the project.

ArtsQuest, the organization that annually presents Musikfest in Bethlehem, has announced it will offer a music festival and other events in Upper Macungie Township this summer.

Upper Macungie Township supervisors granted preliminary approval to a land development plan for three warehouses at 7201 Hamilton Blvd.

South Whitehall commissioners unanimously appointed Capt. Stephen Brown and Lt. Eric Dotter at their meeting Wednesday.

The witnesses spoke about the operations of recovery houses and the proximity to the elementary school.

Chris Herren will speak to students during the school day then host a free presentation for families at 6:30 p.m. Thursday