Phil Gianficaro
General Assignment ReporterA native of northeastern Pennsylvania, I've been a journalist for more than four decades. I've reported on events like the pope's visit and the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, local appearances by Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, covered the Flyers in the Stanley Cup finals, and the Eagles in the playoffs. However, the stories that have touched me most involve ordinary folks in our community. A 12-year-old boy getting the better of cancer; Holocaust survivors sharing horror stories they know the world needs to hear again and again; a little girl from Bucks County who grew up to become Miss America. These are the stories I'm committed to finding and sharing with our readers. About me: Married with a son and a daughter in college. Golf when I can. Morning coffee's a must; Favorite quote from my late mother: "There are givers and takers in this world, which do you want to be?" Contact me at PhilG@lehighvalleynews.com or 267-222-0540.
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Allentown's 111th annual Romper Day celebration was held at J. Birney Crum Stadium on Monday night. About 400 students who participated in the summer playground program exhibited skills including dance and calisthenics. -
Food, drinks, music and an act of kindness kicked off the 42nd Musikfest on Friday night. The 10-day, free music festival will run through Aug. 10.
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Rain stayed away to the delight of visitors on Musikfest Preview Night. The 10-day, free music festival celebrates its 42nd year in Bethlehem.
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Two men, including one at-large, have been charged with attempted homicide and other offenses in the shooting of six individuals in Easton this month.
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Lehigh Little League 9-10-year-old all-stars win state title, advance to Eastern Regional TournamentThe Lehigh Little League 9-and-10-year-old all-stars won the state championship to qualify for the Eastern Regional Tournament Aug. 2-9 in Cranston, Rhoad Island.
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The son of a Bethlehem fire chief chose to plan, raise funds for and build a gear drying rack for the fire company for his Eagle Scout project.
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Bethlehem received $3.7 million in grants to fund improvements to the South Bethlehem Greenway Trail Extension and other projects.
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Are developers proposing to build a warehouse, fulfillment center, industrial manufacturing facility or something else in Northampton Borough? Members of the LVPC's Comprehensive Planning Committee want to know.
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Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is opposed to a request by Waste Management to amend the Plainfield Township zoning ordinance regarding the sanitary landfill in the township.
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Jorge Suarez-Santiago, 33, was sentenced to 5-to-15 years in prison in the drug-induced death of his 22-month-old son.
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Pedestrian safety continues to be the primary concern for residents regarding the Riverside Drive Multimodal Revitalization Corridor Project planned along the Lehigh River in Allentown and Whitehall.
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The Parkland School District budget that was voted on and approved Tuesday night includes a 2.5% property tax increase. The tax hike is district's highest in the past seven years, but is still the lowest millage rate in Lehigh County.
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Mattel has marketed a Barbie doll that represents those with Down syndrome.
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Pennsylvania Youth Theatre has initiated a $1 million capital campaign as it searches for a future home. The organization will likely be displaced when the Banana Factory complex is demolished for a new cultural arts center.
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Lehigh County Coroner Daniel A. Buglio is working to determine the identity of skeletal remains discovered by hikers in Canal Park in Allentown in April 1991. Forensic analysis has shown the remains to be an African-American male, aged 25-35 at time of death, who grew up in the South.
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Upon arriving at Coca-Cola Park on Monday evening, Southern Lehigh and Salisbury were surprised to learn they'd be playing their regularly scheduled game there as part of the IronPigs' annual Little League Takeover event.
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Newcomers looking to unseat three incumbents in primary election for Bethlehem Area school board.
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The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission clarified that the proposed South Side Bethlehem Cultural Arts Center isn't expected to meet LEED green certification in construction.
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The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission comprehensive planning committee on Tuesday directed the project developers of the proposed cultural arts center to incorporate environmentally friendly materials in its construction.
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The 241-year-old structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places will be completely renovated. It will become a hands-on interpretation and demonstration space for visitors to learn about colonial industrial trades and crafts.
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Michael J. Marko, who was killed in a torpedo bombing of his ship 79 years ago today, is among World War II veterans whose stories are being kept alive by the nonprofit national storytellers.
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Hasshan Batts, executive director of Promise Neighborhoods of Lehigh Valley, has been named a Fulbright Specialist. He will travel abroad to share his expertise with other countries in areas of violence prevention and health care.
