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.
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Before ESPN, before social media, before the 24-hour news cycle, Muhammad Ali paid a surprise visit to Easton on Jan. 23, 1973, to appease a young, up-and-coming fighter named Larry Holmes. -
A rockslide shut down Route 611 north of Portland, Pa., in early December. Last week, PennDOT said the road isn't expected to reopen for another 7 months. On the heels of pandemic losses, many merchants said they don't know if they can withstand this hit.
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Our Lady of Good Counsel and Our Lady of Mount Carmel parishes will merge and keep those churches open. However, the Chapel of St. Vincent de Paul in Portland will be closing, the Diocese of Allentown announced.
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The busy road has been closed since early December, when heavy rain washed out a roadside rock facing and sent boulders onto the blacktop. A protracted closure is expected.
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The 71-year-old victim was found unresponsive in his garage on Dec. 25, two days after a winter storm knocked out power to thousands in the region.
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Allentown police say four people were shot Sunday night in the 1100 block of East Clair Street — site of the nonprofit East Side Youth Center. On Tuesday, folks played pickleball inside with the doors locked.
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Officers found one victim at the scene Sunday night. As they were investigating, three more victims showed up at the hospital to be treated for gunshot wounds.
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Need continues to grow for emergency food services. With the end of pandemic-era benefits and inflation still not letting up, demand is higher than ever, according to food pantry managers.
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Police said they have yet to locate a murder weapon. But they indicated the arrest of Bryan Christopher Kohberger, 28, in the Poconos early Friday was a breakthrough. “What I can tell you is we have an individual in custody who committed these horrible crimes and I do believe our community is safe,” Police Chief James Fry said.
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The child died Tuesday after he was shot in the basement of an Allentown home. Authorities said his 10-year-old brother accidentally fired a handgun the boys found.
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The 75-year-old victim died after being struck Wednesday night in the 3200 block of Water Street in Whitehall Township, according to the Lehigh County Coroner's Office.
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Fountain Hill police and the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office charged two men with breaking into the Fountain Hill Pharmacy and opening fire on police, which led to a standoff and lockdown on Christmas Eve.
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It will get warmer and closer to normal as the week progresses, but for now, the National Weather Service recommends folks bundle up as an arctic air mass from Canada and the Great Lakes moves in.
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Two people were wounded in the 300 block of Ridge Avenue. Allentown police were called there as they investigated a separate shooting blocks away in which a 1-year-old and his grandmother were shot to death in their home.
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The fire broke out Thursday morning at a house in Catasauqua. The Lehigh County coroner said Kathryn Kubinsky died from natural causes.
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Marblehead Chowder House on William Penn Highway in Palmer Township has been in operation since 1996. The ownership says the business has changed with the times and owes its success to loyal customers and staff.
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The shooting occurred early Saturday night in a parking lot off the 1100 block of MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township, near Jordan Parkway, according to the Lehigh County Coroner's Office.
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The crash happened early Monday in the eastbound lanes, between the Route 145 and Hellertown exits of Interstate 78. The coroner's office identified one of the victims and was working to identify the other.
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The crash happened before dawn Monday in Lower Milford Township. Lehigh County Coroner Dan Buglio released the victim's identity following an autopsy Tuesday.
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Christopher Joel Colon, 32, and John Brace, 32, both of Allentown, are accused of attempted murder and related crimes after a shooting early Wednesday on North Jordan Street. The victim suffered multiple wounds and was hospitalized, police said.
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The 67-year-old driver died from natural causes and not from injuries in the crash, according to the Northampton County coroner. The crash happened Monday at the Tatamy interchange.
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An estimated 300 Lehigh University students tore down a football goalpost and paraded it through South Bethlehem streets before tossing it from a bridge into the Lehigh River. It was a classic college football moment. Now, is someone going to be charged with a crime?
