
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.
-
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.
-
$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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Emmaus has proposed shifting crossing guard responsibilities to the East Penn School District citing declining volunteerism and a similar agreement with Lower Macungie Township
-
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.
-
Western Lehigh Services, a commercial landscaping and snow management firm, is planning expansion into a new location in Lower Macungie Township.
-
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.
-
The Building Hope for Kids project completed a home expansion in Allentown for two brothers to increase their home's accessibility.
-
The funding was announced at an event in the symphony hall Monday morning.
-
The virtual meeting on Thursday, Dec. 1, will address the risks of ethylene oxide and the B. Braun commercial sterilizer on Marcon Boulevard in Hanover Township, Lehigh County.
-
Emmaus Public Library hosted a workshop highlighting common types of scams and fraud — and how to keep from falling victim to them in the holiday season and beyond.
-
The 94-year-old tradition will set off from Macungie Volunteer Fire Department promptly at 5:45 a.m. and will feature a sunrise service at the Sheeprock landmark.
-
A message from the Emmaus Public Library director alerted library residents that the budget item would be discussed at the workshop held Monday. Councilmembers voted to affirm that the funding would remain for the upcoming year.
-
The well-attended event 'Moravians in Emmaus: The First 100 Years' explored the religious community's origins from 1742 to 1842.
-
Civil engineering association ASCE gave the state the same grade it did in 2018 as the commonwealth continues to face challenges improving its infrastructure, but optimism is strong a year after the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill was signed.
-
Dieruff and Allen high schools and Trexler Middle School were locked down Monday after multiple unsubstantiated threats of mass violence were made to the district. Additional threats were made to Lehigh Career & Technical Institute, which also closed for the remainder of the day.
-
Mayor J. William Reynolds held his first budget address as the city's top elected leader at the ArtsQuest Center on Friday morning.
-
The new project replaces the demolished public housing on the Lehigh Street site, with a groundbreaking ceremony held Thursday.
-
Board members appeared receptive to the proposals for increased funding for the three departments in the public safety focused budget review meeting, although there were some disagreements whether to use American Rescue Plan Act funds.