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.
-
The Lehigh Valley Manufacturing Forum on Thursday in Allentown served as a premier event for manufacturing professionals, suppliers, service providers, and stakeholders to discuss the evolving landscape, challenges and opportunities within the Lehigh Valley's thriving manufacturing sector. -
The playground cleanup at Stevens Park in Allentown is only one aspect of a collective mission to make all parks safe havens for the community.
-
Three proposed warehouse projects are on hold in Lowhill Township, the board of supervisors said at a meeting on Tuesday night. Two of the projects are in litigation; the third will be discussed at a hearing before the supervisors in November.
-
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission hosted a community forum on discrimination and other issues at the Allentown Public Library on Monday night.
-
State Rep. Mike Schlossberg and mental health experts advocated for an increased investment in school-based health clinics at a news conference at Hays Elementary School in Allentown on Friday.
-
Valley Youth House's THRIVE Program, which helps sex-trafficked folks, will receive $150,000 in state funding, Rep. Josh Siegel, D-22nd District, announced at a news conference on Wednesday.
-
Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz wowed the crowd with a campaign speech at Freedom High School in Bethlehem on Saturday afternoon.
-
Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, the Minnesota governor, is making his first visit to the Lehigh Valley since Vice President Kamala Harris introduced him as her running mate against former President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. JD Vance.
-
Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong came out on the short end of a fundraiser challenge to benefit the Cedarbrook Senior Care and Rehab Center's auxiliary. So he had to kiss a pig.
-
Artist Vaughn Randall's cast iron and bronze Locus sculpture was chosen as winner of the third annual Sculpture at SteelStacks national contest. An official ceremony was held outside the Bethlehem Visitor Center on Thursday evening where the sculpture will be displayed for one year.
-
Cedar Crest College held ribbon-cutting ceremonies at its $2.5 million, all-weather turf softball field on Friday.
-
United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain and U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, PA-07, will headline a rally to help elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz on Sunday, Oct. 20 at 10:30 a.m. in Allentown.
-
A proposal to build 73 apartments at the Fellowship Community senior living community received final approval from the Whitehall Township Planning Commission on Wednesday night.
-
At a Miller-Keystone Blood Center event in Allentown on Wednesday night, Sofia Groves thanked blood donors whose generosity helped save her life.
-
A local Wreaths Across America organization is seeking donations so it can purchase and place 1,700 wreaths on the graves of veterans at Resurrection Cemetery in Wescosville.
-
Community commemorations of the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel were held in the Lehigh Valley on Monday night. The message was for the release of more than 100 hostages.
-
Despite it being a Republican hotbed, Democratic challenger Joseph Lenzi believes he can defeat incumbent Rep. Zachary Mako in the 183rd District.
-
Occasional light drizzle did nothing to keep the crowd away from the opening night of the 14th Oktoberfest at SteelStacks on Friday night. The festival runs through the weekend and again Oct. 11-13.
-
Parkland School District's Vision 2030 project to expand and renovate the high school and Orefield Middle School to address school overcrowding has increased by nearly $4 million from its original $210 million price tag.
-
A developer’s plans to build a 150,400-square-foot warehouse along Route 100 moves on to Upper Macungie Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday night.
-
How to assist the homeless and food insecure in Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley was the central message the New Bethany Souper Day Fundraiser luncheon at ArtsQuest Center on Friday.
-
Upper Macungie Township held a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday for a $47 million Lifestyle Community Center to be built at Grange Park.
