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. -
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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The general election for the Alburtis borough council is a near mirror-image of its Republican primary race, with five current council members running for four open seats on the council.
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The East Penn area is getting a multitude of Halloween festivals in events in October. New festivals return and set off, while traditional events return.
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Macungie is considering swapping out the Macungie Volunteer Fire Department after concerns over response times and other worries. But now a "draft agreement" appears to be in the works.
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A revitalization project at the community center and its new board have brought new life, restoration, and new events to the Alburtis area meeting place
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The 19th annual Emmaus Arts Commission Student Film Festival has opened registration, giving students throughout the Lehigh Valley opportunities to make something for the big screen with a kickoff event taking place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24 in the Emmaus Community Park's Arts Pavilion.
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Lower Macungie Township is getting $250,240 for traffic signal improvements by PennDOT's Green Light-Go program — part of a series of upgrades on major roads in the Wescosville area.
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Up to $1 million in PennDOT funds are headed to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission for a study of Route 22. The highway is among the most traveled in the region, hosting nearly 110,000 vehicles per day according to the LVPC
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Developments consisting of hundreds of housing units came before the Upper Macungie Planning Commission during Monday's workshop meeting, one being the Sunset Orchard plan that drew ire from nearby residents. The developers are seeking preliminary approval.
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The Islamic learning center Al-Maqasid plans a two-campus, nine-building complex that will host seminary training, K-12 education, religious services and recreation facilities. It will be years in the making and cost about $100 million, according to organizers.
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Over a thousand employees from businesses and groups throughout the region volunteered thousands of hours of labor to assist nonprofits and community projects throughout the Lehigh Valley for United Way.
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Various local craftspeople, businesses, food amenities and more will be on display and available for attendees at the annual Emmaus Farewell to Summer festival
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Lehigh County commissioners began reviewing the $520 million budget proposed for 2024. It anticipates the hiring of new positions and wage increases for nonunion employees, but no new property taxes.
