Bethlehem News

Lehigh University's Office of Multicultural Affairs hosted a panel discussion with faculty on Friday, Dec. 1.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

The nonprofit media organization includes PBS39, 91.3 WLVR radio and LehighValleyNews.com, which launched in October 2022.

The Bethlehem Fire Department looks to secure $20,000 from the county to switch to a PFAS-free firefighting foam. The process of implementing that foam across seven of its trucks could be completed by the end of next year.

Fighting AIDS Continuously Together, or FACT, is hosting its 35th annual Snow Ball on Sunday to raise money to help people in the Greater Lehigh Valley with HIV and AIDS.

Bethlehem Area Public Library will host their book sale on Dec. 2 as a fundraiser for resources and services.

Bethlehem's main street will once again be featured in a livestream on the Hallmark Channel Website, joining "Christmas Towns" throughout the country.

The city is now in the two-year planning phase of the Pembroke/Stefko neighborhood overhaul. There's plans to demolish 196 units at Pembroke Village, replace them with mixed-income offerings and revitalize the surrounding area.

Toys for Tots Lehigh Valley coordinator, Marine Corps Reserve SSgt. Christopher Olson, urges folks to place a new, unwrapped toy into one of 193 drop boxes throughout the region. The toys will be distributed to underprivileged families in time for Christmas.

Mark Sivak, the city's former budget and finance director, was sentenced to a year of probation, restitution and required to cover investigation costs incurred by the city. Other charges were withdrawn under the plea deal.

At a community meeting Tuesday night, First Presbyterian Church Bethlehem asked community members to help imagine what the housing development proposed for their campus should look like — with the help of Monopoly pieces.

The township planning commission voted 4-3 against recommending approval. The dissenters wanted more information following safety and traffic concerns around the intersection of Willow Park Road and Freemansburg Avenue.