East Penn News

Lehigh Valley firefighters warn staffing shortages are worsening as call volumes rise, leaving departments below national standards and increasing risks for crews and residents.

A school district email said that at 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, "during an administrative search of a student's belongings, school officials discovered a loaded firearm inside a student's school bag."

The project, known as The Shoppes at Hamilton, would include 318 apartments, a 160-room hotel and roughly 20,000 square feet of retail space.

Democrat Geoffrey Whitcomb intends to campaign for the Lehigh County-based district that Republican Gary Day currently represents. The seat heavily favors Republicans.

After searching for the right space for around nine months, Maria and Alison Corradini officially opened Alchemize Pilates Community in Emmaus on Jan. 3. As the two push to build a community through their Pilates studio, almost 100 members registered before the business wrapped up its first week.

Lower Macungie Township's planning commission voted Tuesday to recommend approving a 55,000-square-foot light manufacturing facility near Schoeneck and Alburtis roads.

Juxtahub has tapped Ryan Hill, who previously served as its chief programming officer since April, to serve as its executive director. Hill will participate in the arts center and gallery's JuxTuesday on Jan. 13.

The school district alerted the community about three hours after an incident involving pepper spray occurred in the upstairs cafeteria of Emmaus High School on Wednesday afternoon. Legislation that went into effect this month requires districts to alert parents, guardians and teachers of school weapon incidents.

The Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary still is closed to the public after an April bridge collapse. Officials said a new, permanent bridge is slated to be installed in spring.

After customers speculated its permanent closure online, Casa Catrina shared an announcement on social media thanking patrons for their continued support over the past six years. This month, the Mexican restaurant posted on its doors a notice of a temporary closure.

Police are still investigating what they have labeled a suspicious package found at a distribution center in Lower Macungie Township on Monday afternoon. Local authorities have enlisted the FBI's help.

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.

Nowhere Coffee Co. co-owner Lauren Vargas says her landlord, borough council President Chad Balliet, has a conflict of interest in recent health inspections of the property. The borough manager denied that and defended the process after an Emmaus Borough Council meeting Monday night.

"The Fries Rebellion," a historical docudrama by the Lower Macungie Township Historical Society, wrapped filming last week.

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.

A coffee shop two months ago lauded by President Joe Biden as a shining success of small business appears to be on its way out of Emmaus following an extended landlord-tenant dispute.

An empty lot near Little Lehigh Creek may be developed in Lower Macungie, but only after further changes to the plan.

Early budget discussions among the East Penn School Board show expenses are projected to significantly increase in the next five school years.

Bear Creek Mountain Resort's race of self-built cardboard sleds needed some modifications this year because of melting snow, but participants in Sunday's festivities couldn't be stopped.

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.

A ribbon cutting for Lehigh Valley Hospital Macungie was held Friday. The neighborhood hospital is a small scale emergency department.

The proposed Mill Creek Pointe apartments in Lower Macungie would put 180 units across 30 six-unit structures and a community center across the street from the school. But it's facing strong opposition.