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.

State Sen. Pat Browne trails Coleman by 30 votes out of more than 30,000 reportedly cast.

Parkland School Board member Jarrett Coleman maintained a razor-thin edge over the veteran lawmaker.

Mackenzie, who has served in the House since 2012, is all but assured another 2-year term.

The seat was created when legislative maps were redrawn earlier this year.

Victor Cai wanted to help his karate teacher who has been losing his sight for year.

Some routes on some days can expect to arrive at school or home up to 90 minutes late.

Individual school districts must now decide if their students will mask or not.

Most utilities will be raising electricity prices in December, according to the Pa. Public Utility Commission.

Three children sleep overnight in the family SUV while their parents work the overnight shift at Walmart.

School districts will establish their own policies in January.

The governor said he will turn over masking decisions to local school officials on Jan. 17.

Some insects like mosquitos are thriving later in the season as temperatures reach well into the 70s.