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.

Preliminary results show a Democratic sweep in the hotly contested East Penn School Board race, over Republican challengers by over 1,000 votes each in the hotly contested and controversy laden race

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.

Rain doesn't appear to have dampened spirits as Macungie Halloween Committee shifts its plans for festival.

The financially flush campaigns are a stark contrast from traditional school board races, where candidates rarely spent more than $250 while campaigning for the unpaid offices.

Edwin Cortes, 16, died from injuries he sustained in a crash on Cedar Crest Boulevard at North Street, according to Lehigh County Coroner Dan Buglio.

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 Emmaus Film Festival gathered young filmmakers to contribute to this year's monster movie theme, as 7 teams' films were screened at the Emmaus Theatre for the "red carpet" event.

Parental rights are on the agenda in school races as moms versus moms battle for control to set policies on book restrictions, bathrooms, transgender students and teaching history.

Although 329 miles away from Buffalo, New York, these football fans are holding down the fort in the Lehigh Valley rooting for the Bills.

Six candidates are running for four four-year seats in Emmaus Borough Council. Candidates noted fiscal responsibility and managing the plan to fix PFAS contamination in the water as priorities.

The East Penn School Board held a presentation over proposed facilities expansions due to anticipated enrollment increases. Options included shifting grades 5/6 and 7/8 into their own buildings, and constructing a new high school.

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.