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.
-
Mayor Matt Tuerk will deliver his State of the City address in public meetings next week. He presented it earlier this week during a luncheon with the Allentown Chamber of Commerce and Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber. -
Before ESPN, before social media, before the 24-hour news cycle, Muhammad Ali paid a surprise visit to Easton on Jan. 23, 1973, to appease a young, up-and-coming fighter named Larry Holmes.
-
A rockslide shut down Route 611 north of Portland, Pa., in early December. Last week, PennDOT said the road isn't expected to reopen for another 7 months. On the heels of pandemic losses, many merchants said they don't know if they can withstand this hit.
-
Our Lady of Good Counsel and Our Lady of Mount Carmel parishes will merge and keep those churches open. However, the Chapel of St. Vincent de Paul in Portland will be closing, the Diocese of Allentown announced.
-
The busy road has been closed since early December, when heavy rain washed out a roadside rock facing and sent boulders onto the blacktop. A protracted closure is expected.
-
The 71-year-old victim was found unresponsive in his garage on Dec. 25, two days after a winter storm knocked out power to thousands in the region.
-
Allentown police say four people were shot Sunday night in the 1100 block of East Clair Street — site of the nonprofit East Side Youth Center. On Tuesday, folks played pickleball inside with the doors locked.
-
Officers found one victim at the scene Sunday night. As they were investigating, three more victims showed up at the hospital to be treated for gunshot wounds.
-
Need continues to grow for emergency food services. With the end of pandemic-era benefits and inflation still not letting up, demand is higher than ever, according to food pantry managers.
-
Police said they have yet to locate a murder weapon. But they indicated the arrest of Bryan Christopher Kohberger, 28, in the Poconos early Friday was a breakthrough. “What I can tell you is we have an individual in custody who committed these horrible crimes and I do believe our community is safe,” Police Chief James Fry said.
-
Gas prices are up about 10 cents a gallon in Pennsylvania from this time last year, and up 11 cents in the Lehigh Valley region, according to AAA.
-
The Diocese of Allentown announced several moves among priests in its 78 parishes — part of an annual process led by an advisory board of priests and approved by Bishop Alfred Schlert.
-
Problems with theft in the mail collection bins outside the post office go back at least four years. Last year police warned folks to stop using the bins and deposit mail inside the post office. The bins remained open — and the stolen checks and mail have persisted.
-
The Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors' April report shows a bit of spring momentum, but demand continues to outpace available supply. The Lehigh Valley's median sales price is more than $320,000.
-
The sale to New Jersey’s State Agriculture Development Committee in Warren County, N.J., assures that the land will continue to be used for agricultural purposes, according to the deal.
-
Costas Alestas, a former Bethlehem police officer and soccer coach at East Hills Middle School, intends to plead not guilty to multiple sex-related crimes involving two middle school students, his attorney said.
-
Pennsylvania State Police said the victim was hit by a tractor-trailer along Interstate 380 in Tobyhanna Township, Monroe County. Sean Richmond, 38, was a 2004 Easton High grad and current coach and athletic director at Stroudsburg.
-
A special hourlong program livestreamed on LehighValleyNews.com Wednesday night. Panelists included Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure. The nonpartisan civic education group Keep Our Republic was a partner in the production.
-
The iconic Easton-area business has operated in the 25th Street Shopping Center since 1991. Owners announced last year that they were putting the place on the market. The new owners have run a Downtown Easton restaurant since 2018.
-
The Lehigh County Coroner said the crash happened about 8:20 p.m. and both victims — ages 83 and 80 — were pronounced dead just before 9 p.m. at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest.
-
Almost 2,200 runners registered for the races that started at William Allen High School and ended at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown on Sunday. Volunteers and spectators lined the route in support of racers. (See the top finishers)
-
Three Republicans sought the party's nomination in the 7th Congressional District primary to face incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Susan Wild in the November election. Ryan Mackenzie emerged victorious.
