Parkland News

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

Upper Macungie Township will host a workshop on Tuesday, March 26 to get community input on a new noise ordinance, the law that dictates how much noise businesses and residents can make.

Nowhere Coffee Co. co-owners Juan and Lauren Vargas spoke at the Upper Macungie Township supervisors meeting Thursday about their frustration over what they said was a system not set up for small business owners.

North Whitehall Township will host its first Breakfast with Badges event on Saturday, Feb. 3. The event will have firetrucks and ambulances for kids to touch, educational crafts about fire safety and free cold breakfast items.

Nowhere Coffee Co. co-owner Lauren Vargas said Upper Macungie Township denied a permit for their planned roastery at 1115 Trexlertown Road, citing a zoning violation.

Glasbern, a Lehigh County property known for its historic cottages, antique farmhouse, restored stables and barns and ponds, is now part of the Jaindl Companies, owned by David Jaindl.

Upper Macungie Township will host its first annual Winter Festival at Grange Park 4-7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10.

Nonprofit for vulnerable youth Valley Youth House hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a new recreation center at their Orefield-based Camp Fowler.

About 70 new apartments are coming soon to North Whitehall near the intersection of Main Street and Levans Road.

North Whitehall Twp. kitten rescue Foxy's Cradle is changing their operations in an effort to comply with township zoning rules they were found to have violated. They're also preparing for a possible court fight to determine the rescue's future.

Planners recommended final approval for Timberidge Luxury Apartments, which would have 72 units and be located at Timberidge Town Center Drive and Levans Road.

South Whitehall Planning Commission reviewed a 78-unit housing development at Chapmans and Blue Barn Roads at its meeting Thursday.

Upper Macungie’s Planning Commission discussed a sketch plan for a proposed warehouse at its meeting Wednesday. The warehouse would be located across from the municipal building.

The two opposing candidate groups in the Parkland School Board race have won the Democratic and Republican nominations, according to unofficial results.

The Parkland School District budget that was voted on and approved Tuesday night includes a 2.5% property tax increase. The tax hike is district's highest in the past seven years, but is still the lowest millage rate in Lehigh County.

National issues are seeping into local races, turning elections into proxy partisan fights over race and gender.

Former journalist Ann Wlazelek pays tribute to her mother in a new book.

Debates in the South Whitehall commissioners race have taken place on the candidate's Facebook pages. The posts have primarily debated candidate Ben Long's positions and campaign style.

Candidates have formed two groups: one made up of mostly incumbents, and the other made up of Republican challengers. Transparency, spending and projected overcrowding in the district's middle and high schools have become key issues in the race.

The budget includes a 2.5% increase to the millage rate, the biggest increase in seven years. The district would still have the lowest millage rate in Lehigh County.

The project promises to connect counties, offer a trail through nature and speed things up for emergency responders — using old railroads.

Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is opening to the public on Friday, May 12, with a preview day for season pass-holders on May 7.