
Jim Deegan
Executive editorI’ve lived more than 25 years in the Easton area and worked as a reporter, producer and editor for longer than that. Since 1996, I’ve led news teams and covered virtually every major news story in the Lehigh Valley – and lots of little ones, too. It’s a privilege to work in a newsroom with people who care about our corner of Pennsylvania and share stories that hopefully make an impact. It’s an even greater privilege to have your attention – and earn your trust – as we cover your communities. Contact me at JimD@lehighvalleynews.com or 610-984-8224.
-
The National Weather Service determined damages during a severe thunderstorm Monday night were from straight-line winds as high as 100 mph, but no tornadoes touched down there.
-
The National Weather Service rated the tornado as an EF-1 — the second-weakest on the scale. It hit the Midway Manor neighborhood of Allentown and crossed into Bethlehem briefly, according to a weather service statement.
-
The hiring of a new executive director completes an extensive search, according to the board of the South Bethlehem facility. Victoria Montero served as executive director for the past five years.
-
As a severe thunderstorm bore down on the Lehigh Valley on Monday night, ArtsQuest declared a pause to Musikfest and the many concerts being held across Bethlehem. Activities resumed later in the night after the storm passed.
-
Neighbors in the Midway Manor neighborhood of Allentown reported seeing a twister as the storm tore through the city's East Side on Monday night. There were no reports of serious injuries, but property damage was extensive.
-
A severe storm knocked out power to thousands in Lehigh County and sent Musikfest revelers searching for cover Monday night. As of 6 a.m. Tuesday, 16,000 customers have lost power.
-
Armed with a search warrant, Bethlehem police say they detained a man Friday who allegedly made statements of his intent to build and detonate an improvised explosive during Musikfest.
-
An investor in one of the Easton-area's first sports bars has built a successful business in Bethlehem — Molly's Irish Grille and Sports Pub — that he says he plans to build upon in Palmer Township.
-
Police are warning folks not to deposit mail in the dropbox outside the Palmer branch of the Easton Post Office. They say several checks have been stolen from the mail.
-
The tavern at 2722 Freemansburg Ave. is under contract to be sold to new owners, who plan to keep it as a sports bar but under a new name.
-
Members of United Auto Workers Local 677 at Mack Trucks in the Allentown area have been on strike since Oct. 9. This week they'll vote on what the union negotiating committee has called the company's last, best and final offer.
-
Jimmy's Hot Dogs has operated in the 25th Street Shopping Center in Palmer Township since 1991. Its original partners worked for Jim's Doggie Stand in Phillipsburg and its owner Jimmy Makris, who established the roadside stand in 1910.
-
A state representative is demanding Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure resign over the voting machine issues discovered on Election Day. Said McClure: 'I have absolutely no plan to resign.'
-
Buglio, a Democrat from South Whitehall Township, has served as coroner since being appointed by the county commissioners in April 2022.
-
Several county and municipal races in the Lehigh Valley were uncontested in the general election. That includes two of the highest-profile jobs in Lehigh and Northampton counties, as well as elected city representatives in Easton and Allentown.
-
Voters are casting ballots in several races at the county and local levels in Tuesday's general election. School board seats and statewide judicial posts also are up for grabs. Check out our rundown and last-minute checklist to get up to speed.
-
The crash occurred Tuesday afternoon at Cedar Crest Boulevard (Route 29) and North Street, authorities said. The Lehigh County Coroner's Office was called to the scene.
-
The crash occurred Thursday morning on Union Boulevard, at Jerome Street, in Allentown. Police say they are continuing to investigate and will release more information once an arrest is made.
-
Union workers at the Mack Trucks assembly plant in Lower Macungie Township went on strike Oct. 9. The two sides are seemingly no closer to an agreement as the walkout is about to enter its third week.
-
The monthly report from the Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors shows home sales down 32 percent in September from September 2022. Low inventory and higher mortgage rates are to blame, officials say.
-
A biologist from the Pennsylvania Game Commission visited the location of the sighting in Lower Macungie Township and determined the animal spotted was not a mountain lion.
-
State police say someone has photos and they are investigating the sighting of a large feline — possibly a mountain lion — in a field in Lower Macungie Township on Sunday.