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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Nadeem Shahzad said Mayor Matt Tuerk forced him to step down in mid-August after he didn’t fire another employee. Tuerk fired that employee Nov. 20 "based on his belief that she was a troublemaker,” according to Shahzad. -
A developer is going back to the drawing board after the Allentown Zoning Hearing Board was reluctant Monday to approve its plans for a 445-unit self-storage facility.
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A mostly vacant warehouse in East Allentown could be converted into 36 apartments.
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City Council members this month unanimously approved a new quarter-century lease — at $1 a year — for the museum in the Little Lehigh Parkway.
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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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The Allentown Environmental Advisory Council's residency requirement has been "a bit of a stumbling block" as members work to fill vacancies.
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A lawyer for the mayor and finance director hit back last week in court filings, saying council has no legal standing to sue.
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Allentown officials were able to balance the 2025 budget proposal without raising taxes because the city is set to bring in $6.2 million more than projected this year, according to Finance Director Bina Patel.
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The Allentown City Planning Commission on Tuesday approved a developer's plans to build a mixed-use complex with 201 residential units and ground-floor shopping.
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City and police officials in Allentown are eyeing a property on North Ninth Street to convert into a temporary police station, but the police union's president said officers have numerous concerns about the building's security.
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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.
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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.
