Easton News

Broadway's "Rock of Ages" Band features the musician case of the Broadway show playing what it calls playing "the greatest rock hits from the glam metal bands of the '80s."

The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, in coordination with Greater Easton Development Partnership, has established the fund to help victims of Friday's devastating fire at the Hotel Hampton building, 462 Northampton St. Also, a Red Cross emergency shelter operation has been relocated.

One firefighter suffered serious injuries when he fell off a ladder escaping the fire. Several others received minor injuries. Authorities said the coroner was on scene Saturday "out of an abundance of caution" because they did not have an accurate count of people living in the Hotel Hampton building.

In December alone, there were 676 eviction filings and defaults in Lehigh County — the highest monthly total since August 2023.

In counties such as Lehigh, eviction filings have reached their highest point in years, even as rental vacancy rates have fluctuated. That apparent contradiction — rising vacancy estimates alongside persistent eviction volume — is part of a broader housing dynamic playing out across the region.

Xiaomin Fei, 34, on Thursday entered the plea in the June 3 shooting deaths of Robert and Gretchen Ackerman, Northampton County District Attorney Stephen G. Baratta announced.

Officials signed off on plans that call for 73 condominiums — 15 one-bedroom units, 36 two-bedroom units and 22 three-bedroom units — and about 2,500 square feet of commercial space.

Jack Bennett grew up in the family hardware business and went on to lead it for nearly 25 years. He was one of Easton's most prominent business leaders in the 1970s and '80s. He died Jan. 29 at age 98. Friends say he left an impression on the Downtown business community that still can be felt today.

Affected customers are being asked to enroll in interest-free payment plans so the city can recover more than $35,000 in unpaid bills, its finance director said Wednesday.

Lawmakers voted 46-1 on Senate Bill 1014, bipartisan legislation that would require public schools to adopt "bell-to-bell" policies restricting student use of smartphones and other internet-connected devices throughout the entire school day.

Easton's West Ward finalizing plans to submit for a federal HUD Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant that would give $30-50 million to revitalize neighborhood

A hot, dry July this year slashed yields for many Lehigh Valley farmers this year, just as prices for fertilizer hit all-time highs. Now, Northampton County is offering help them implement new practices that could let them use less.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission projects the population in the Lehigh Valley will grow by 100,000 by 2050.

Northampton County and Lehigh Valley Habitat for Humanity spent a combined $1.3 million on land for 50 new houses in response to families in need.

Northampton County has joined nearly 200 other counties in the nation that participate in the Hidden Heroes program started by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation.

Restaurants and small businesses are giving veterans free food, drinks and discounts this year to celebrate Veterans Day.

There is now a holiday ornament available of the Mount Vernon Hotel, a local Easton landmark.

Joe Emrick appears to lead the 137th District race. Anna Thomas is the Democratic challenger to Republican incumbent Joe Emrick.

Senate candidate Mehmet Oz will hold a get-out-the-vote rally with House candidate Lisa Scheller in Bethlehem Township on Sunday.

This week, the LehighValleyNews.com digital desk has handpicked three events for you to enjoy, including the play "Odysseus" by Touchstone Theatre, Bacon Fest and "All Hands Hold" at the Bradbury-Sullivan Center.

At its Wednesday budget hearing, Northampton County Council looked for ways to draw more workers to the Juvenile Justice Center — that don't involve raising wages.

Weekly neighborhood West Ward Market sees success and shares plans to return in 2023. Organizers value inclusivity with ideas for every age group from tots to seniors.