
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 transportation improvement program, expected to be approved in June, details transportation projects set to be approved to 2028.
-
The gala includes drinks, music, seated dinner, behind the scenes presentations and a screening of the locally produced historical film.
-
A new set of retail buildings near Hamilton Crossings got zoning approval from Lower Macungie
-
The nonprofit Emmaus Community Foundation looks to support borough arts, historical preservation and recreation projects by raising money from local donors.
-
The Borough of Macungie 2024 Memorial Day program featured local veterans, emergency workers and elected representatives. It was the first program in five years in the borough.
-
Lehigh County commissioners reflected on Memorial Day, and voiced hope in seeing more veterans take advantage of property tax exemptions.
-
With renovations complete at Central Station, the borough is looking to sell and repurpose trailers used during renovations as it plans to redesign Lions Field park.
-
The mural, which would be adjacent to the Lehigh County Government Center, would depict birds in flight and join a slate of other murals that have recently gone up in downtown Allentown.
-
Lehigh Valley Transportation Study officials laid out the next steps to getting the process started for resuming passenger rail service in the Lehigh Valley — if that's what they choose to do.
-
A simulation led by the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Lehigh Valley Justice Institute showed local leaders the challenges people face with income, ID, employment and more after being released from prison.
-
Taking a route that several Lehigh Valley municipalities already have, Lower Macungie Township is bracing its residents for a likely trash fee increase in the latter part of 2024.
-
Student groups fueled a good opening day for the park compared to typical rainy spring days