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 County District Attorney's Office is investigating the fatal shooting that occurred in the 100 block of North 38th Street in South Whitehall on Wednesday afternoon. -
Technology is a major component in PPL Electric Utilities' ability to provide reliable service to its 1,700 customers in Eastern and Central Pennsylvania.
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A two-building, 20-unit apartment complex along Quarry Road received unanimous preliminary final approval from the North Whitehall Township Planning Commission on Tuesday night.
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Will a proposed, mixed-use, land development project in Allentown that was advanced by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission on Thursday night include affordable apartments?
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South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners may approve placing a referendum on the November ballot regarding funding to preserve open space.
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Wilson Area School Board unanimously approved its $49 million budget for the 2025-26 school year on Monday night. Included is a 3.5% tax increase.
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About 9,000 fans watched Cosmic Baseball at Coca-Cola Park on Friday night. The game pitted Tri-City Chili Peppers and GloMojis wearing glow-in-the-dark uniforms and caps illuminated by UV light.
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Nazareth High junior Brody Muthard will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a playground he created for autistic children at the Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 in Bethlehem. Muthard received intervention and therapies for autism at the I.U. as a child.
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A mural reflecting the dreams of young Allentown teenagers was unveiled at the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown on Wednesday.
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Pediatricians say teen twin boys who were severely malnourished in their parents' care likely would have died in weeks or months if not for medical attention. District Judge Michael J. Faulkner determined that there was enough evidence to send the case to Lehigh County Court.
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Proposed federal budget cuts would impact programs such as the free summer meal program for children in the Allentown School District.
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A generous donation from a Lehigh Valley native and others funds free swim lessons for children and adults in the River Crossing YMCA's Safety Around Water, or SAW, swim education program.
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Allentown Zoning Hearing Board unanimously approved a special use application request by City Center Group to perform partial demolition of the former Merchants National Bank at Seventh and Hamilton streets. The revitalization project will include office and retail space, and a restaurant.
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A regionwide wastewater plan and a hazard mitigation plan both advanced with staff review approvals by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission on Thursday night.
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Speakers at the Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony at Allentown City Hall on Thursday emphasized the amount of work yet to be done in guaranteeing equality for all.
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The Lehigh Valley Transportation Study committee on Wednesday released a priority list of where electric vehicle charging stations are most needed throughout the Lehigh Valley.
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The Lehigh Valley Transportation Study approved nearly $2.6 million in projects designed to fund children’s education programs, improve safety, extend trails and expand bicycle and pedestrian options across the region.
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Challenges and solutions were discussed at the Lehigh Valley Transportation Forum at Mack Experience Center in Allentown on Tuesday.
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A rededication ceremony of the repaired Sacred Heart of Jesus statue damaged in 2023 was held at St. Luke' Sacred Heart campus in Allentown on Friday.
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The 49th annual Boutique for Hope at St. Luke's SportsPlex is a clothing and household items shopping event, with proceeds benefiting three cancer-centric departments at St. Luke's Hospital.
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A group from the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living traveled to Harrisburg on Wednesday to speak with local legislators about the importance of continued state funding for organizations that help the disabled.
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After rain damaged the contents of a time capsule buried at Dieruff High School in 2000, students on Tuesday resorted to a second capsule saved inside the building 25 years ago.
