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.

The debate over whether to repair or remove the over 100-year-old dam began in 2014 when Wildlands Conservancy offered to remove it.

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

The Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) advocates for the needs of townships of the second class to state and federal government officials.

The Parkland School Board recognized student Tushar Mehta after he was chosen as the 2022 Congressional App Challenge Winner for the 7th District.

North Whitehall supervisors voted to fund them at their meeting last week, and South Whitehall has received a grant to help cover the cost.

Plans for the proposed Parkland Operations Center were recommended for preliminary/final approval by South Whitehall Township planners.

After some ups and downs, the South Whitehall planners recommended preliminary/final approval to plans for the new ride.

A heated interview for a vacant Zoning Hearing Board alternate position caused South Whitehall Township commissioners to consider policy changes.

The hearing featured more public comment and closing statements from the parties in the case.

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

Cetronia Elementary held a rally Friday to educate the kids on the impact and importance of the Super Bowl each year as the area readies to cheer on the Philadelphia Eagles.

Allentown native and three-time Grammy Award-nominated jazz singer, Denise Donatelli, recalls how the music of legendary composer Burt Bacharach she first heard as a teenager inspired her to record an album of his songs. Bacharach died Wednesday at age 94.