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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Three Kings Day is returning to the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks on Sunday, Jan. 7 at 2 p.m.Also known as Dia de los Reyes, the observance is a Christian feast day that commemorates the Biblical story of the three kings who followed the star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the Christ child. -
The City of Bethlehem and the Celtic Cultural Alliance will hold a joint news conference on Monday, Dec. 18 to impart details of their new partnership for the Parade of Shamrocks in March.
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Hoagie-making contests, T-shirt giveaways and free coffee highlighted the grand opening of the Wawa on Hellertown Road in South Bethlehem on Thursday.
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Two live reindeer visited residents at the Fellowship Community continuing care retirement community in Whitehall Township on Tuesday.
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Sara Frassinelli of Allentown finds strength during her breast cancer battle from a number of areas, especially from her 7-year-old son.
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A 54-year-old time capsule was removed from a cornerstone at Mosser Elementary School in Allentown on Thursday. A few alumni from the 1969 sixth grade class were in attendance.
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Lehigh University sophomore Rhema Hooper on Monday spoke at the United Nations about human rights during a program observing the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
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With rain forecast, the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce has decided to hold its annual tree lighting ceremony virtually at 6:15 p.m. Friday at Veterans Memorial Park on Main Street.
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Toys for Tots Lehigh Valley coordinator, Marine Corps Reserve SSgt. Christopher Olson, urges folks to place a new, unwrapped toy into one of 193 drop boxes throughout the region. The toys will be distributed to underprivileged families in time for Christmas.
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On Giving Tuesday, Essentials Café in west Bethlehem held its soft opening. The café provides free breakfast and lunch for those who cannot afford to pay.
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The first of the five championship events at Saucon Valley will be the 2026 U.S. Junior Amateur, followed by the 2032 U.S. Senior Open, 2038 U.S. Women’s Amateur, the 2042 U.S. Senior Open, and the 2051 U.S. Amateur. The U.S. Women's Amateur event will be a first for the club.
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A Thursday morning panel discussion at Univest Public Media Center in Bethlehem focused on a new statewide report showing that early childhood care teachers earn less than $12 an hour and are planning to leave the industry for higher-paying jobs.
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Fifty-seven residents and entities in and around Lower Saucon Township received status this week to join a legal battle against the proposed expansion of the Bethlehem Landfill.
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Lower Saucon Township residents opposing the landfill expansion who received party status are permitted to ask questions of witnesses, present evidence, make arguments, and are allowed to participate in an appeal.
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Bethlehem Freedom High School's new Wellness Center is an area where students dealing with any type of emotional issue can go to either decompress alone and/or speak to one of four on-site therapists.
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For a second consecutive month, Allentown Parking Authority board members heard from residents on Wednesday who complained the parking ordinances are unfair and need to be amended. Complaints ranged from a perception of unfairness and, in some instances, predatory treatment by employees issuing parking tickets.
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The proposed new roller coaster project at Dorney Park cleared another hurdle by receiving unanimous approval from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission on Tuesday afternoon.
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DeSales University welcomed two members of the Pennsylvania Department of Education on Friday as it announced the state's awarding of two grants totaling nearly $200,000 to benefit projects in its education department.
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Allentown City Planning Commission on Tuesday approved the construction of a 49-unit apartment building and parking garage on West Hamilton Street. The complex would house primary occupants 55-and-older and adults with disabilities. Representatives of the neighboring music school voiced concerns about increased traffic and the safety of students, parents, and staff.
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The Allentown City Planning Commission on Tuesday approved plans for the construction of the Archer Music Hall on Hamilton Street.
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Andre Reed, the Allentown native, Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver, and four-time Super Bowl participant, offers advice to Eagles' young starting quarterback Jalen Hurts on how to deal with nerves during the game.
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Allentown native and three-time Grammy Award-nominated jazz singer, Denise Donatelli, recalls how the music of legendary composer Burt Bacharach she first heard as a teenager inspired her to record an album of his songs. Bacharach died Wednesday at age 94.
