Jim Deegan
Executive editorI’ve lived more than 25 years in the Easton area and worked as a reporter, producer and editor for longer than that. Since 1996, I’ve led news teams and covered virtually every major news story in the Lehigh Valley – and lots of little ones, too. It’s a privilege to work in a newsroom with people who care about our corner of Pennsylvania and share stories that hopefully make an impact. It’s an even greater privilege to have your attention – and earn your trust – as we cover your communities. Contact me at JimD@lehighvalleynews.com or 610-984-8224.
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Crews worked Saturday to repair a sinkhole that opened in the westbound lanes of Route 22 in Northampton County. The 9-feet-deep sinkhole was partially in the right lane and highway shoulder, according to a PennDOT spokesman.
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Saquon Barkley, the former Penn State star and 2015 graduate of Whitehall High School, reached agreement with the Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million contract, according to ESPN reporter Adam Schefter.
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It’s expected to be a busy day for power crews in the Lehigh Valley with a wind advisory in place until 8 p.m., northwest winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts up to 55 mph. Met-Ed and PPL Electric Utilities were reporting scattered outages.
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The Bethlehem Area School District alerted parents Monday morning that East Hills Middle School would be dismissing students at 10 a.m.
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Sally R. Campbell was a longtime Bethlehem Area School District teacher who chaired the English department at Liberty High School. She volunteered as a judge until recently and wrote many of the questions for the PBS39 quiz show "Scholastic Scrimmage."
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Ruben Payan, the NTSB investigator in charge of the investigation, released new details and updated local officials during a meeting of Lower Saucon Township Council. Three of the derailed cars were hazardous materials tankers.
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Lehigh Valley motorists may want to keep their eyes peeled for a new look by Pennsylvania State Police. The metallic gray vehicles with "TROOPER" on the side are being phased out.
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Norfolk Southern crews remained at the derailment site along the Lehigh River in Lower Saucon Township. The company released no details on what the trains were hauling or where they were going.
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The National Transportation Safety Board says an eastbound train hit a stopped train on the tracks and derailed onto westbound tracks, where a westbound train collided with the wreckage. Photos from the scene in Lower Saucon Township showed multiple rail cars off the tracks.
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The 31-year-old was found unresponsive Saturday morning in the parking lot behind the Burger King at 2141 Stefko Blvd. in Bethlehem.
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A disaster action team was called after the blaze that broke out around 3:15 a.m. Saturday. Displaced residents were being asked to seek care and other resources by the Red Cross at a temporary care center established at nearby Emmaus High School.
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Dean M. Donaher is a former teacher, principal and administrator in the Bethlehem Area School District. He'll take the helm effective July 17 at Bethlehem Catholic.
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UPDATE: Allentown motorist in police-involved shooting charged at trooper with car, state police sayPennsylvania State Police on Monday night said the driver, a 47-year-old man from Allentown, was not struck by gunfire, as state police initially reported. A trooper fired two rounds after a traffic stop Friday night at South Third and West Union streets. The driver was ordered to Lehigh County Jail.
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A trooper and a suspect both were shot and killed in a shootout in central Pennsylvania, just hours after a 2nd trooper was seriously injured after being shot by the gunman, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
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Chris Kiskeravage worked as a career firefighter in Easton and Allentown. He wanted to know more about the link between cancer and the firefighting profession. When he died June 9 at age 56, his body was donated to research, according to his family.
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A fire that broke out Friday afternoon damaged 16 apartments and displaced 38 people at The Residences at Willow Ridge in Allen Township.
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It happened about 5:40 p.m. Friday near South Third and West Union streets in Allentown as city police and state troopers were conducting "high visibility proactive traffic enforcement," state police said. The motorist was taken to a hospital along with another motorist injured when struck by the offending vehicle.
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The Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors reported home sales dropped 22% in May — normally a busy season. Increased interest rates and tight inventory in Lehigh and Northampton counties were driving the figures, according to GLVR.
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The 12th annual Andre Reed Celebrity Golf Tournament is being held Monday at Woodstone Country Club and Lodge in Northampton County. It will raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown, which the NFL Hall of Famer says was instrumental in his success.
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Chris Kiskeravage, the retired assistant chief for training in the Allentown Fire Department, died after a battle with cancer. Colleagues say his personality and wealth of knowledge made lasting impressions on those he instructed.
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The latest map issued by the U.S. Drought Monitor shows a majority of Pennsylvania — including most of the Lehigh Valley — in a moderate drought.
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The National Weather Service says thick smoke associated with wildfires in Canada is moving into parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.