Jason Addy
Allentown Area reporterI cover Allentown and have worked for news outlets in Pennsylvania, Chicago and Minneapolis since graduating from Penn State. It’s great to be much closer to home — I was born and raised in Lehighton — and I’m excited to help share Allentown’s stories. If you've got an idea, I want to hear it. You can reach me any time at jasona@lehighvalleynews.com.
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Lawyers for Allentown City Council and Mayor Matt Tuerk are to meet in late January for a status conference to discuss next steps with the litigation. -
Allentown could end up paying J.P. Mascaro & Sons almost $180 million to collect trash and recycling for the next nine years.
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Mayor Matt Tuerk said he is preparing the city's 2025 budget without any hike in property taxes. Tuerk is expected to present his 2025 budget Oct. 10.
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A vacant Allentown restaurant soon could be full of life again, but not for hungry diners. Instead, it will offer household plants, including some exotic varieties, as well as accessories such as soil, plant food and growing lights.
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Allentown officials are asking voters to authorize them to one day raise the tax rate paid when properties are bought and sold in the city.
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Bethlehem police took a 17-year-old into custody late Friday in connection with the fatal shooting. A 30-year-old Allentown man was identified as the victim.
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Weapons detectors could soon be installed in Allentown's four middle schools.
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Allentown’s Cleveland School is set to be knocked down and fenced off after its new owner called it a “hot spot" and "magnet for crime." Community Action Lehigh Valley is planning to build a $20 million youth center but wants to secure the property until construction can start.
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Two Lehigh Valley Chambers of Commerce held a luncheon Tuesday that focused on food insecurity in the region. Leaders of two food pantries and an executive with the Second Harvest Food Bank were featured panelists at the luncheon.
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The Allentown School Board approved metal detectors last year for the district's three high schools and J. Birney Crum Stadium. A public meeting is set later this week for middle school safety plans and input.
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Jim Martin, who has served as Lehigh County district attorney for a quarter-century, played a major role in the launch of the Regional Intelligence and Investigation Center.
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The county’s legal department urged commissioners to wait until their next meeting to ensure any changes to the bill could be properly advertised, as required by Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act.
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Mayor Matt Tuerk’s firing of a human-resources employee who filed complaints against the city was “an act of revenge,” Councilman Ed Zucal said. On Tuesday, Tuerk made his first public comments regarding the matter.
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Karen Ocasio, who worked in the human resources department, repeatedly called for an investigation after detailing what she said were her experiences of racism and discrimination while working for the city. One council member labeled her firing "an act of revenge" and "blatant retaliation and retribution” by Mayor Matt Tuerk.
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The Lehigh County Authority is raising its water fees in 2024, but Allentown residents will also have to pay more for sewer services.
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Mayor Matt Tuerk must convince at least one of four Allentown City Council members who voted Wednesday against his latest 2% tax-increase proposal to change their minds.
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Council members Ed Zucal and Ce-Ce Gerlach led an unsuccessful push Wednesday night to override Mayor Matt Tuerk’s veto.
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Allentown Planning Director Jennifer Gomez said her staff had “concerns” about Ideal Concepts’ plans to build more than a quarter-million square feet of office space.
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The interactive map is meant to “foster transparency and provide residents with a clear understanding of the proposed 2% tax increase,” Allentown communications manager Genesis Ortega said.
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Allentown zoning officials saw no issues Monday night with Blackstone Structures’ request to convert a former commercial building that once was the home of Gen. Harry Trexler into housing and retail space.
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Joshua Steven Gonzalez, 39, of South Whitehall Township, is accused of possessing child pornography after a detective allegedly traced videos to his computer.
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Some council members support Mayor Tuerk's latest proposal to raise taxes by 2%, but some members appear ready to override his veto.
