
Jason Addy
Allentown Area reporterI cover Allentown and have worked for news outlets in Pennsylvania, Chicago and Minneapolis since graduating from Penn State. It’s great to be much closer to home — I was born and raised in Lehighton — and I’m excited to help share Allentown’s stories. If you've got an idea, I want to hear it. You can reach me any time at jasona@lehighvalleynews.com.
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Mayor Matt Tuerk’s firing of a human-resources employee who filed complaints against the city was “an act of revenge,” Councilman Ed Zucal said. On Tuesday, Tuerk made his first public comments regarding the matter.
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Karen Ocasio, who worked in the human resources department, repeatedly called for an investigation after detailing what she said were her experiences of racism and discrimination while working for the city. One council member labeled her firing "an act of revenge" and "blatant retaliation and retribution” by Mayor Matt Tuerk.
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The Lehigh County Authority is raising its water fees in 2024, but Allentown residents will also have to pay more for sewer services.
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Mayor Matt Tuerk must convince at least one of four Allentown City Council members who voted Wednesday against his latest 2% tax-increase proposal to change their minds.
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Council members Ed Zucal and Ce-Ce Gerlach led an unsuccessful push Wednesday night to override Mayor Matt Tuerk’s veto.
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Allentown Planning Director Jennifer Gomez said her staff had “concerns” about Ideal Concepts’ plans to build more than a quarter-million square feet of office space.
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The interactive map is meant to “foster transparency and provide residents with a clear understanding of the proposed 2% tax increase,” Allentown communications manager Genesis Ortega said.
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Allentown zoning officials saw no issues Monday night with Blackstone Structures’ request to convert a former commercial building that once was the home of Gen. Harry Trexler into housing and retail space.
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Joshua Steven Gonzalez, 39, of South Whitehall Township, is accused of possessing child pornography after a detective allegedly traced videos to his computer.
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Some council members support Mayor Tuerk's latest proposal to raise taxes by 2%, but some members appear ready to override his veto.
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The commission no longer has an investigator, forcing it to refer discrimination complaints about housing, employment and public accommodations to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.
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Public safety costs make up almost 60% of the city’s general fund spending in Mayor Matt Tuerk’s proposed 2024 budget.
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A criminal justice expert on Tuesday urged members to help fund a new youth center and affordable housing instead of using the city’s remaining ARPA funds on new fire and police stations.
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A “typical customer” in Allentown should expect to pay about $100 more next year for water and sewer services, according to the agency's projections.
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Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act requires local agencies “provide a meaningful opportunity for public comment at every public meeting,” a legal expert said.
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City Center bought The Morning Call's headquarters in 2016 and plans to put a five-story apartment complex on the property over the next few years.
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Crowds stretched from Sixth to Ninth streets in Center City Allentown as the city celebrated spooky season.
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Louis Belletieri, 42, is accused of pocketing huge sums after his insurance title company sold three properties.
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The council plowed through three meetings about the 2024 budget without public comment before a member pushed to hear from some of the residents who showed up to speak.
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Milagros Fonseca, 28, died at a local hospital Sunday morning after being found unresponsive in her home.
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Allentown voters will decide whether City Council members and the controller get substantial raises. Voters were denied opportunities to vote on term limits and a proposed alternative first response program.
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City Center inked a deal with Marriott to operate its under-construction boutique hotel, but it's still unknown who will bring acts to the Archer Music Hall next door — a critical piece in driving visitors to both projects.