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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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 -
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.
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Projects in the over $4 billion plan include road improvements, pedestrian access, and highway expansions in the coming years
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The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is seeking public comment for its 25-year, $4.39 billion Long-Range Transportation Plan until October 6
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The South Whitehall Board of Commissioners approved a five-year waste management contract with J.P. Mascaro & Sons after debate over multiple bids at a prior meeting. The approved bid, the lowest five-year quote the township received, is set to increase next year's cost for the township by 62.54%.
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58 jobs at Coca Cola's Upper Macungie syrup plant are to be cut by the end of the year due to reorganizing effort by Coca-Cola to a third-party
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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 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.
