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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Arts Academy Charter Middle School in Salisbury Township dedicated the school building in honor of outgoing executive director William Fitzpatrick. -
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held Thursday for a 145-room Courtyard by Marriott at the Lehigh Valley International Airport. The hotel is expected to open late next year or early 2027.
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Jillian Mercado, a model and advocate who has spastic muscular dystrophy, urged those with challenges to continue fighting for equality at an event at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation on Wednesday night.
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The Giant Company has made a $50,000 donation to the River Crossing YMCA to buy nearly 13,000 gallons of milk for its preschool students.
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Two land developers' requests to build residential units in phases were reviewed by the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners on Monday night.
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Sixty-two acres of donated land along Santee Mill Road in Bethlehem will become the future home of the Industrial Archives & Library.
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The debut of the $48.5 million Lifestyle Community Center in Upper Macungie Township took another step closer on Thursday afternoon at a walking news conference. The first of 18 heavy timber trusses, imported from Austria, was installed this month on 188,000-square-foot, multi-functional indoor facility.
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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.
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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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Allentown's 111th annual Romper Day celebration was held at J. Birney Crum Stadium on Monday night. About 400 students who participated in the summer playground program exhibited skills including dance and calisthenics.
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Food, drinks, music and an act of kindness kicked off the 42nd Musikfest on Friday night. The 10-day, free music festival will run through Aug. 10.
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Rain stayed away to the delight of visitors on Musikfest Preview Night. The 10-day, free music festival celebrates its 42nd year in Bethlehem.
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Two men, including one at-large, have been charged with attempted homicide and other offenses in the shooting of six individuals in Easton this month.
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Lehigh Little League 9-10-year-old all-stars win state title, advance to Eastern Regional TournamentThe Lehigh Little League 9-and-10-year-old all-stars won the state championship to qualify for the Eastern Regional Tournament Aug. 2-9 in Cranston, Rhoad Island.
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The son of a Bethlehem fire chief chose to plan, raise funds for and build a gear drying rack for the fire company for his Eagle Scout project.
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Bethlehem received $3.7 million in grants to fund improvements to the South Bethlehem Greenway Trail Extension and other projects.
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Are developers proposing to build a warehouse, fulfillment center, industrial manufacturing facility or something else in Northampton Borough? Members of the LVPC's Comprehensive Planning Committee want to know.
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Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is opposed to a request by Waste Management to amend the Plainfield Township zoning ordinance regarding the sanitary landfill in the township.
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Jorge Suarez-Santiago, 33, was sentenced to 5-to-15 years in prison in the drug-induced death of his 22-month-old son.
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Lehigh Little League 9-10-year-olds open state tournament play at 4 p.m. Monday against Section 1 champion DuBois in Drums, Luzerne County.
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Sammy Sasso, a former Nazareth Area High School state wrestling champion, is charged with possessing unlicensed guns and a controlled substance after police said they stopped the car he was driving because of an expired registration.
