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.
-
DeSales University Homeland Security majors received first-hand knowledge of the challenges and requirements of the job at the third annual DeSales University Center for Homeland Security Conference on Wednesday. -
Freedom High School senior Jerry Rivera has been awarded a four-year scholarship to Princeton University by QuestBridge, a national nonprofit that connects high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds with leading colleges and universities. A celebration of the scholarship was held at the high school on Tuesday morning.
-
Pastor Tammie Rinker announced the church’s latest ministry — the pay-what-you-can Essentials Café— will provide breakfast and lunch five days each week for folks between 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
-
After 50 years in business at Westgate Mall in Bethlehem, Hawk Music must vacate its location due to planned renovations at the mall.
-
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk held his Allentown State of the City event at the Renaissance Hotel on Thursday afternoon.
-
Due to increased prices of ingredients and lack of volunteers, the Good Will Fire Co. No. 1, of Trexlertown, will cancel its annual making of the popular Lenten treats.
-
Employees of a Lehigh Valley company recall the devotion to their guitars by music icon David Crosby, who died Wednesday at age 81.
-
The IronPigs Charities and Phillies winter caravan event was a raging success at ArtsQuest Center on Thursday night.
-
After more than five hours, a hearing before Bethlehem City Council regarding a New Jersey developer's request for a zoning variance to build 317 apartments on Hanover Avenue was suspended Tuesday night. A date and time for the resumption of the hearing was not immediately established.
-
The VFW Post 7293 (Egypt VFW), Whitehall, is conducting a fundraiser for a planned memorial to honor submarine veterans from World War II.
-
Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan announced on Friday that six persons have been charged in a large-scale burglary ring throughout the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas.
-
The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission on Thursday approved a staff review of a Parkland School District proposal for a second floor being added to its new operations center currently under construction.
-
The Lehigh Valley Comprehensive Planning Committee on Tuesday agreed to add new definitions for ordinances in Plainfield Township addressing the keeping and raising of chickens at residential properties.
-
Incumbent state Rep. Zach Mako defeated newcomer Zachari Halkias, a Slatington councilman, in the GOP primary in the 183rd District. He will be opposed by Democrat Joseph Lenzi in the November general election.
-
The Lehigh Valley Comprehensive Planning Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved an application from the Parkland School District for a 12,832-square-foot addition to the second floor of the new operations center currently under construction at 2619 Stadium Road in Orefield.
-
The unknown cause of a massive fire that destroyed Doctor Diesel trucking company in North Whitehall Township early Monday morning is under investigation.
-
Discussion on the proposed construction of a Wawa at MacArthur Road and Mickley Road was among several projects tabled by the Whitehall Township Planning Commission last week.
-
Cedar Crest College held a groundbreaking ceremony on a $2.5 million softball field renovation project on Saturday, April 20, 2024. The current grass and dirt field will be replaced by an all-weather turf field, with lights installed.
-
The Boys & Girls Club of Allentown will host its 39th Annual Benefit Golf Tournament on Monday, May 6 at Woodstone Country Club in Danielsville. Proceeds benefit BCGA youth programs.
-
A memorial sign dedication for the late Allentown Fire Department Assistant Chief Christopher Kiskeravage was held outside the Mack Southside Fire Department on Friday morning. A stretch of Lehigh Street outside the fire station is named in his honor.
