Easton News

A new citizen-led nonprofit has officially launched in Easton, bringing together residents and community advocates concerned about rapid downtown development, preservation standards and public access to planning decisions.

A rainy Memorial Day weekend forecast is forcing some schedule changes across the Lehigh Valley, but several of the region’s biggest annual events say they’re moving forward — rain or shine.

Straight No Chaser will perform at the theater at 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 5. And the stage play "Waitress" at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16.

Planning and Codes Director Dwayne Tillman said records dating to a 1977 certificate of occupancy consistently identified the Hotel Hampton property as a hotel and not a rooming or boarding house.

A Northampton County Councilwoman last week accused former county Executive Lamont McClure of trying to pressure her to vote for a 20-year special taxing district that could have sent $26 million in public funding to a project to turn the former Dixie Cup factory into housing.

The developer behind the Dixie Cup project was seeking a 20-year agreement that could have generated about $26 million.

Former residents and several people close to the fire department described years of deteriorating conditions and limited enforcement inside the Hotel Hampton, including blocked or missing exits, rodent infestations, malfunctioning or ignored smoke alarms and more.

The iconic Dixie Cup structure is set to be restored as part of Skyline Investment Group’s plans to turn the long-vacant industrial site into more than 400 apartments.

Bob Brooks, a Democratic candidate running for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, has asked a judge to throw out a lawsuit filed against him by Carol Wiley, his former mother-in-law. She alleges he owes her more than $162,000 from a lawsuit she filed in 2018.

The Hotel Hampton boarding house had not undergone fire inspections since at least 2017, despite a history of code violations, fire alarm problems and prior safety concerns, according to a newly completed federal investigation.

Roughly 50 people gathered in Hackett Park as bagpipes played and the Brown and Lynch Honor Guard performed a rifle salute at an Easton celebration that paid respect to all who have served in the nation’s armed forces.

More than half of the $18B coming to the state will go toward fixing roads and bridges.

School districts will establish their own policies in January.

The money will be used in part for neighborhood improvement projects and job training.

The governor said he will turn over masking decisions to local school officials on Jan. 17.

Some insects like mosquitos are thriving later in the season as temperatures reach well into the 70s.

The low-impact sport is a cross between tennis, ping pong and badminton.

The race for county executive in Northampton County has been controversial from the start.

Labor shortages are happening across the country and the problem is hitting home in the Lehigh Valley.

Downtown Easton stands to lose hundreds of parking spots as the result of a proposed new housing development off the square. City officials are asking: is the parking necessary?

A delta variant COVID-19 outbreak at the Northampton County Prison is raising questions about vaccine mandates.

As of Sept. 17, nearly half the holding areas in the Northampton County Prison were in quarantine due to what officials are calling a “delta outbreak.” Cases have jumped this month from almost none at the end of August to now more than 30 among inmates and employees.