
Jay Bradley
East Penn Area reporterAs the East Penn Area reporter, I primarily cover the area of Emmaus, Macungie, and other nearby municipalities to highlight the goings-on and culture of the community. I’m originally from Southern Tier New York. Previously, you could see my work in The Ithaca Times, WBNG-TV and NewsChannel 34, and I served as news director for WICB-FM at Ithaca College. Outside of news, I consider myself an okay trumpet player, love exploring new cities, spend a lot of time outdoors, and occasionally work in the world of grassroots esports events. Contact me at JayB@lehighvalleynews.com or 610-984-8162.
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The East Penn School Board held a presentation over proposed facilities expansions due to anticipated enrollment increases. Options included shifting grades 5/6 and 7/8 into their own buildings, and constructing a new high school.
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The inaugural Bethlehem Running Festival's first day brought a 5k and 10k race back to the Steelstacks campus and the City of Bethlehem. Runners embarked on a running tour of the city through fall foliage and braving the hills on the route. Organizers say they are happy with the event and excited for Sunday's half marathon.
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$2.5 million of renovations are completed for the Victory Firehouse in Southside Bethlehem as BSI Corporate Benefits' new headquarters. The renovations include modern office spaces, technology improvements, a new kitchen and re-adding firehouse-like garage doors.
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Foxy's Cradle cat nursery is to appeal a code notice to North Whitehall Township that its operation was unpermitted. The owners of the nonprofit, which raises orphaned and neonatal cats, is seeking a special exemption to continue the operation, taking to Facebook to garner public support in advance of the meeting.
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The festival, scheduled Oct. 21-22, will feature 5K and 10K races on Saturday and half marathon and half marathon relay races on Sunday. A half marathon relay also allows for a three-person team to run two five-mile legs and one 5K leg.
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East Penn School Board candidates gathered Tuesday evening for a candidate forum hosted by the League of Woman Voters, fielding questions about school safety, transparency, and facilities expansion among other issues.
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Emmaus has proposed shifting crossing guard responsibilities to the East Penn School District citing declining volunteerism and a similar agreement with Lower Macungie Township
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A large crowd of Muslim and pro-Palestinian activists gathered in Center City Allentown to decry officials' full support of Israel in the wake of humanitarian concerns in Gaza. Many continue to mourn as thousands have been killed in both Gaza and Israel since last weekend's attack.
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Western Lehigh Services, a commercial landscaping and snow management firm, is planning expansion into a new location in Lower Macungie Township.
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A heated race has emerged at the East Penn School Board, with five spots up for grabs and only two incumbents running. Questions of national political issues and influence have surrounded the race, as accusations of extremism have been directed towards candidates based on connections and donations.
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Edwin Cortes, 16, died from injuries he sustained in a crash on Cedar Crest Boulevard at North Street, according to Lehigh County Coroner Dan Buglio.
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The Emmaus Film Festival gathered young filmmakers to contribute to this year's monster movie theme, as 7 teams' films were screened at the Emmaus Theatre for the "red carpet" event.
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Lehigh County introduced new wide-ranging non-discrimination legislation for housing, education, health care and public accommodations establishing new protected classes not included in state law such as sexual orientation, gender expression, disability, age, weight, citizenship status and marital status. Legislators appeared supportive but indicated there would be likely amendments before passage
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Lehigh County introduced a new agreement with the state Transportation Department to get released inmates official state IDs to reduce hardship when reentering society. The county is set to review the legislation for approval at the board's Nov. 8 meeting.
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Six candidates are running for four four-year seats in Emmaus Borough Council. Candidates noted fiscal responsibility and managing the plan to fix PFAS contamination in the water as priorities.
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Artists Matt Halm and Hector Castro, prolific mural artists in the area, are working together to bring it to life, joining a growing array of public art in downtown Allentown
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The Lehigh County Board of Commissioners passed the 2024 budget unanimously with no tax increase. Some debate remained over the passage of an amendment to raise the legal fees funds for the controller's office.
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Clarice Assad, a Grammy-nominated composer, vocalist and pianist, has joined the Allentown Symphony as the Miller Symphony Hall's 2023-24 composer in residence.
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The East Penn School Board heard presentations about upcoming curriculum changes at its meeting Monday, including ability to earn college credit, along with new arts, tech, and math courses.
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Macungie borough council voted to advertise the position of borough manager to seek new applicants to the position. The manager leads all municipal offices aside from police, and reports directly to the council
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Current Upper Milford Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Joyce Moore is up for re-election, with a challenge from the current head of the recreation commission Angela Ashbrook.
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The most recent Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Long Range Transportation Plan lists more than $1.2 billion for LANTA over the next 25 years for fleet expansion and expenses. Changes already are underway