Parkland News

Parkland High School teachers reported suspected misconduct by ex-performing arts administrator Frank Anonia more than a decade before his arrest on charges of secretly recording a student in a dressing room, a former teacher testified. Anonia is due in court for a criminal trial this week.

South Whitehall Police Department's K-9, Drax, is retiring from the force after seven years of service, and taking up the easy life with his longtime work partner and handler.

South Whitehall Township commissioners passed the Kline's Island Sewer System Act 537 Plan at their Wednesday meeting, setting in motion a multiyear project to help manage the treatment plant's capacity. It serves numerous municipalities.

South Whitehall Township's board of commissioners received an update on the Nestlé Purina water line project, which is progressing at a steady pace, even if concerns over the cost to tie into the line remain.

Parkland School District is on track to award contracts in October and December for major additions to Parkland High School, district officials said Tuesday.

Cupid Foundations Inc. opened its design studio, CupidIntimates, on West Lehigh Street in Bethlehem in 1987. It's still designing original shapewear that it manufactures and sells in department stores and other national retailers.

Two phases of the Ridge Farms land development project were given extensions by the South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners.

Lehigh Country Controller Mark Pinsley criticized President Donald Trump and U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie for gutting the social safety net and Democratic leaders for failing to offer effective resistance.

Mark Pinsley is the fourth Democrat to challenge Republican incumbent Ryan Mackenzie in the Lehigh Valley's battleground district in the 2026 midterm.

The Trump administration announced in late June that it would not pay out more than $6 billion allocated through six grant programs created by Congress. For Parkland School District, that works out to $410,000 in lost funding.

State Sen. Jarrett Coleman spoke at the latest Parkland School Board meeting about a bill that would allow public schools to apply for waivers of state-imposed mandates.

Upper Macungie’s Planning Commission will vote on whether to recommend approval for the final land development plan at their meeting in May.

The applicant Eric Moyer said he is considering appealing the decision or proposing a different development at the 3599 Broadway site.

Housing, speeding, upgrades and an open house next week took focus in the Upper Macungie Township Board of Supervisors meeting Thursday.

The large Ridge Farms development was granted an extension for meeting compliances, longtime firefighters in the township were given recognition, and a new self storage facility was given the okay by the township near the Ridge Farms development site.

A new North Whitehall Township plan that considers building a skate park, amphitheater, disc golf, splash pads and more as outdoors activities increase got township supervisors' approval Monday.

Former educator Mike Millo is running for the Parkland School Board again after withdrawing from the race in 2020. He said his legislative priorities are listening to resident concerns, fiscal responsibility and transparency.

Rep. Peter Schweyer, chair of the House Education Committee, said a short timetable will likely limit how much lawmakers can change basic education funding in Gov. Josh Shapiro's first budget.

North Whitehall planners discussed proposed housing development Greenleaf Fields at Parkland at their meeting Tuesday.

Warmkessel's legislative priorities include transparency in the board, not raising taxes and "lowering standards" for academics in the district. She says school staff are now "more concerned with kids' pronouns and their feelings" than curriculum.

OAA Orthopaedic Specialists will soon open its second physical therapy location.

Parkland School District may add five full-time and 12 part-time positions next year. A final decision will be made as a part of budget discussions, which will happen in the coming months.