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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Allentown City Council on Wednesday approved a nine-figure transfer to ensure all of Allentown's pandemic-relief funding is allocated by the end of the year. Here's what the money is being spent on. -
Among the winners are projects to repaint the basketball court at Building 21; build several community gardens; and plant trees.
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Two men are in Lehigh County Jail facing charges of attempted homicide and aggravated assault in connection with a shooting at Sunday's Dominican Festival in downtown Allentown.
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State and local lawmakers on Thursday talked up a $25 million program to install solar power at Pennsylvania schools. That program could be implemented at Allentown public schools.
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The Allentown Fair introduced metal detectors two years ago, and guests "appreciate" the added security they provide, according to organizers.
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Eight were wounded and one person was charged in connection with the shooting, but “it’s too early in the investigation to detail exactly what occurred and to comment whether anyone else is likely to be charged,” District Attorney Gavin Holihan said Wednesday.
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A 32-year-old Allentown man died Tuesday at a local hospital shortly after he was found unresponsive in his cell at the Lehigh County Jail. The coroner on Wednesday ruled his death a suicide.
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Police charged two men with gun-related crimes in the downtown area. Eight people were hit by gunfire in the first incident, including one who required life-saving surgery, according to charging documents. The second, unrelated incident involved a man who allegedly fired into the ground.
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Renters who receive three disruptive-conduct reports within a 12-month period must move out or be evicted by the property's owner, according to city ordinances.
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Council President Cynthia Mota and Controller Jeff Glazier clashed Wednesday night after Mota told the independent fiscal watchdog he couldn't deliver a report requested by council.
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An expansion of the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program “delivers the largest targeted tax cut for Pennsylvania seniors in nearly two decades,” according to the Department of Revenue.
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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.
