County News

Northampton Area School Board directors twice failed to fill a vacancy. They have asked Northampton County Court to fill it for them, instead.

Essentially a scholastic scrimmage for environmental science, the annual Envirothon combines classroom learning and outdoor activities to engage students in the environment. The state competition was held Wednesday at Camp Mt. Luther in Mifflinburg.

County Executive Lamont McClure said the closings mark the end of a significant chapter in the county’s COVID-19 response. More than 3.5 million cases and 50,000 deaths in Pennsylvania have been attributed to COVID since 2020.

State revenue generated by Wind Creek Bethlehem and Mount Airy Casino will help Bangor renovate a fire hall, Lower Nazareth Township purchase a new police vehicle and improve seating at a Freemansburg amphitheater.

The Diocese of Allentown announced several moves among priests in its 78 parishes — part of an annual process led by an advisory board of priests and approved by Bishop Alfred Schlert.

Inspired by battery fires in the Lehigh Valley and across the state, the bill would put the onus on manufacturers to provide safe recycling options for lithium ion batteries, as well as launch an education campaign for residents.

Rose Josephine Hnath, 78, was found dead in her North Whitehall Township home in January 1989. She had been repeatedly stabbed and beaten, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said.

U.S. Rep. Susan Wild said plans to consolidate the Lehigh Valley's mail processing center appear to have been pushed back. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy backed off a controversial cost-savings effort after receiving pushback from a bipartisan contingent of the U.S. Senate.

In the April update for Lehigh Valley Breathes, a regionwide effort to monitor air quality amid emissions from trucking and warehousing, officials explained new EPA soot standards and how they could impact the project.

The Democratic-controlled House passed legislation that would let counties get a head start counting mail-in ballots. But Senate Republicans are unlikely to pass it without an unlikely compromise on voter ID provisions.

Atty. Brian Panella pushed back on claims by Atty. Nancy Aaroe, his opponent in the race for Northampton County Court of Common Pleas, that he lacks trial experience.

Community space, a recreation center and affordable housing are some suggestions for how to redevelop the old Dixie cup building in Wilson Borough, just outside Easton.

County Executive Lamont McClure previously said he intended to pursue a no-bid contract with New Jersey-based Integrity Health.

Attorney Nancy Aaroe repeatedly noted her many years of trial experience make her a better candidate than Brian Panella in the race for Northampton County Court of Common Pleas.

Lehigh County will be funding free walk-in mental health services administered by KidsPeace.

Denise Snyder founded St. Luke’s Nurses Honor Guard for those dedicated to the profession.

The program focuses on the risks of overdose from fentanyl-laced pills and other drugs. It's the county’s first funded with money from a settlement with opioid manufacturers and retailers.

North Whitehall residents want to reduce commercial and warehouse development, keep taxes low and preserve the rural character of the township. But is that what the future will hold?

Lehigh County has laid out a budget plan for the $17.5 million received through lawsuits with opioid manufacturers

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission's comprehensive planning committee gave preliminary approval for a warehouse development in Upper Saucon Township and a recycling plant in Plainfield Township.

The new unit will allow law enforcement from municipal, state and county agencies to pool resources for particularly complex cases.

Residents at an open house for South Whitehall Township's draft comprehensive plan said they worried about industrial development and traffic.