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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The Lehigh Valley Palestine Coalition hosted the teach-in program in an effort to educate and engage the community in thoughtful conversation about the Israel-Hamas war and strategies organizing support for a ceasefire. -
The 28th annual Lights in the Parkway, an Allentown holiday tradition, will be held on the Lehigh Parkway from Friday, Nov. 29 through Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. Visitors can drive through more than a mile of enchanting holiday displays featuring between 175,000-200,000 LED lights.
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Worries over anticipated tractor trailer traffic around a proposed distribution facility along Main Street have slowed the plan in Whitehall Township.
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The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual meeting and awards luncheon at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem on Thursday.
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The City of Bethlehem erected a 45-feet-high Christmas tree at Payrow Plaza on Wednesday. The annual tree-lighting ceremony will be Friday, Nov. 29.
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Area Democrats held an election watch party at the Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown.
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Republican state Rep. Zachary Mako was well on the way to defeating Democrat Joseph Lenzi to win a fifth term representing the 183rd House District.
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Vietnam veteran and former Steelers running back Rocky Bleier was the keynote speaker at the Lehigh Carbon Community College veterans fundraising event at Glasbern Inn in Fogelsville on Monday night.
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The wife and sons of the late and former Allentown Fire Dept. Fire Marshal Jeffrey Tomczak had the remainder of their home mortgage paid off last week by a national organization that advocates for first responders and military veterans. Tomczak died in July from service-related cancer at age 44.
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A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at The Hamilton at Grand Plaza in Allentown on Wednesday. The eight-floor building has been transformed into condominiums for purchase and apartments for rent on Hamilton Street in the downtown area.
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When excessive rain falls, the Lehigh Valley can see flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. These area roadways are usually impacted.
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The Lehigh Valley IronPigs will host a cat-centric promotion at their game Saturday, April 27, at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Lehigh Valley Humane Society.
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The National Association of Realtors has agreed to eliminate its rules on commissions. That will have an impact on real estate professionals' fees — and perhaps supply a jolt to the tepid housing market.
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A St. Patrick’s Day Ceremony/Irish Culture Celebration on Friday at Payrow Plaza in Bethlehem kicked off the St. Patrick's Day weekend in the Lehigh Valley.
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The Lehigh Valley ranked first in the nation in economic development projects in 2023 than any similarly sized market, according to Site Selection magazine. The region also ranked fourth in all communities in the Northeast.
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Purchase of an $80,000 used Mack tractor hauler, assessment of fees on credit and debit card payment and release of summer pool fees were among items discussed at the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday night.
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Three elementary schools in the Lehigh Valley hosted Lehigh Valley Reads events, underscoring the importance of grade-level literacy by third grade.
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At 1 Million Cups-Lehigh Valley event in Bethlehem, prospective entrepreneurs gain knowledge to help them realize their dreams.
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The Lehigh Valley IronPigs' will offer more than 20 new and improved menu items for the 2024 season.
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Demolition began Monday on the 62-year-old Haupert Union Building at Moravian University. A $40 million student union will open in September 2025.
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Scranton-based D&D Realty Group has a tentative $9 million agreement to purchase the PPL Tower Building in Allentown, it was announced on Friday. The company has a history of transforming properties into mixed-use commercial spaces, apartments and other amenities.
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The chemical odor at Sharp Packaging Solutions that sent 54 employees to the hospital on Friday remains a mystery.
