East Penn News

Lehigh County's board of commissioners voted narrowly Wednesday to grant a LERTA tax break for a property in Emmaus set to become 144 apartments.

Pediatricians say teen twin boys who were severely malnourished in their parents' care likely would have died in weeks or months if not for medical attention. District Judge Michael J. Faulkner determined that there was enough evidence to send the case to Lehigh County Court.

Macungie Borough Council voted unanimously Monday to accept Barry Bloch’s resignation from the body.

Sone Ntoh, an Emmaus High School graduate, will look to impress the Baltimore Ravens at its rookie camp the first weekend of May. The former Monmouth University star running back signed a free agent contract with the team.

East Penn School District's board voted Monday to move their 2025-26 budget closer to approval.

An amendment to a bill that would approve tax abatements on blighted land where a 144-unit apartment complex is proposed in Emmaus Borough has temporarily stalled the project.

To arrive at emergency scenes faster and well-staffed, Upper Macungie Fire & Rescue in Lehigh County has launched a staffing incentive program that will pay "qualified and trained" volunteers to cover 12-hour shifts.

Mack Trucks said it will lay off 250 to 350 workers at its Macungie facility — in part because of market uncertainty and the impact of tariffs.

Lower Macungie's Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Monday to buy 44 acres of farmland on Lower Macungie Rd. Township officials previously approved a 30-building, 180-unit apartment complex on the site.

The board on Wednesday voted to correct the one-character mistake and schedule the amended bill for a second reading and vote at its next meeting April 9.

The borough is finalizing a multi-year process to update the zoning and land development ordinances, with many priorities centered on density, growth and walkability.

Emmaus is among many Lehigh Valley communities to host Small Business Saturday events, to encourage residents to support locally-owned businesses.

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.

Lower Macungie Township gave a first public look at its final 2024 budget, with no tax increases but potential increased charges related to waste management

Mack Trucks threatened to replace any employees who don't return to work if the latest offer wasn't accepted. Points of dispute included job security, labor demands and retirement safety nets.

Two large apartment complexes were moved forward at Tuesday's Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission meeting

Topgolf and the Lehigh Valley Town Center were discussed at Tuesday's Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission meeting, seeking waivers and granting a procedural approval.

East Penn School Board voted Monday to realign grades K-8 as the decision making process to expand district facilities continues, planning to put grades 5-6 in one building and 7-8 in another once renovations are complete.

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.

Scouting for Food is organized by the Boy Scouts of America Minsi Trails Council, which includes Lehigh and Northampton counties.

World War II veteran Bertram "Bert" Winzer from Emmaus was honored by U.S. Rep. Susan Wild on the floor of Congress in advance of Veterans Day. Winzer spent time in his later years appearing at local schools and other organizations to speak about life and time in the service.

While moderate Republicans and Democrats prevailed in most races, two Moms for Liberty candidates won seats on the Nazareth Area school board in Northampton County.