County News

If party status is granted, county officials have the right to participate in zoning hearings, as Bethlehem Landfill officials seek approval to expand.

The FCC's equal time rule means Lehigh County commissioner candidates will be entitled to hours of air time on La Mega 101.7 — if they want it.

Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong credited partners and his administration for maintaining the region's high quality of life.

Stephen Baratta and Terry Houck exchanged more salvos Thursday in a heated race for Northampton County district attorney. Houck said he's considering filing an ethics complaint against the retired judge.

County Executive Lamont McClure announced that the county is conducting a broadband study and will gather public input through a survey.

Kevin Dellicker, a Republican who ran for the Lehigh Valley congressional seat, said federal investigators should look into the improper release of his military records.

North Whitehall supervisors voted to fund them at their meeting last week, and South Whitehall has received a grant to help cover the cost.

As the region diversifies, relations across racial groups are seen as a key element of quality of life. A new survey finds overall ratings as mostly positive, but different age groups rate the state of race relations differently.

Members of the council's Finance Committee criticized County Executive Lamont McClure's handling of the studies they requested last year. He threatened to walk out.

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.

A fire that broke out Friday afternoon damaged 16 apartments and displaced 38 people at The Residences at Willow Ridge in Allen Township.

The Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors reported home sales dropped 22% in May — normally a busy season. Increased interest rates and tight inventory in Lehigh and Northampton counties were driving the figures, according to GLVR.

Prosecutors confirmed Johnathan Miklich, a Moore Township police officer, remains suspended from duty. His wife and ex-girlfriend previously accused him of harassment and assault.

Chris Kiskeravage, the retired assistant chief for training in the Allentown Fire Department, died after a battle with cancer. Colleagues say his personality and wealth of knowledge made lasting impressions on those he instructed.

The resolution, passed 129-72, empowers the House Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to complete a study on the status, management and benefits of wildlife corridors across the state.

As Lehigh Valley residents treated themselves at the Easton Farmers Market Strawberry Day on Saturday, they also reached into their pockets to help less fortunate neighbors displaced by a Memorial Day row homes fire in Easton.

The authority was first established in 1986, but it had been defunct for about a decade until recently. The Iron Works Project in Catasauqua is its first order of business.

A grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority, part of the state DCED, will facilitate the construction.

Plans for the River Pointe Logistics Industrial Park Development Project in Upper Mount Bethel Township are inconsistent with those of FutureLV, according to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.

Citing the financial concerns of taxpayers, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission member Richard D. Molchany suggests slowing down the Lehigh Valley Passenger Rail project.

The program will be operated by Mid-Atlantic Rehabilitation Services (MARS) and is paid for by lawsuits against opiate manufacturers.

This year's address focused on the success of the county's pandemic response, opposition to warehouse construction and plans for affordable housing projects.