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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Mayor Matt Tuerk called on the county's president judge to “issue a public and unambiguous policy” banning ICE agents from county courthouses, a move he said would “be a major step in restoring trust in government and faith in its fairness.” -
Lehigh County Board of Commissioners have Ok'd a four-year, $34.6 million contract with PrimeCare Medical to serve inmates in their corrections facilities.
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State Senators were urged to vote to fully fund public transportation in the state budget during a rally on Thursday in Bethlehem.
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Lehigh County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday heard from angry and concerned residents regarding the procedures they believe ICE agents are using at the county courthouse.
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Video surveillance cameras will be installed at Whitehall Township parks and recreation areas in an attempt to deter vandalism.
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Whitehall Township will pay close to $900,000 for new radios for its police, fire and emergency services personnel. What hasn't been decided yet is by which means.
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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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Cindy Jakoby, of Barto, was selected on Tuesday night as the 10 millionth fan in the 17-year history of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
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The Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter School in Allentown held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its $16.8 million school for fourth-to-eighth graders on Friday morning.
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Community Bike Works received more than $600,000 from the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study to fund its bicycle safety and repair program for students in the Lehigh Valley.
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The 173rd year of the Allentown Fair kicked off Wednesday night to large crowds enjoying food, live music, and the crowning of the 2025 fair queen.
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Commonwealth Charter Academy, a large, public, cyber charter school for all school-age children, plans to convert a nearly 47,000-square-foot, one-story building into office space for teachers and staff at 2200 W. Broad St.
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The taxiway expansion program is part of the LVIA’s new taxiway project for the proposed North Cargo Area Development Project.
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A judge on Monday set a status conference hearing regarding an Allentown developer’s lawsuit against the City of Allentown over issues with a homeless encampment near his residential property near Jordan Creek.
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Bubbakaoo's Burritos, a national, Mexican-themed restaurant, will hold its grand opening in the Hellertown area on Tuesday.
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A torpedo memorial was dedicated at VFW Egypt Post in Whitehall on Friday to honor submarine veterans who died during World War II.
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Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman shared strategies for success in sports and business at the 2025 BSI CORE Annual Summit at Musikfest Cafe at the ArtsQuest Center on Wednesday.
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Emad Kasseri, 62, of Salisbury Township died from multiple blunt force injuries a short time after his vehicle collided with a LANTA bus on Monday morning.
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El Jefe Taqueria in Bethlehem is expected to reopen this month. The popular Mexican restaurant has been closed since May because of water damage from a fire in an above apartment complex.
