Easton News

Councilman Frank Pintabone reintroduced his marijuana decriminalization ordinance at Easton City Council on Wednesday, aiming to turn possession into a summary charge. A vote on the matter is expected in two weeks.

Start Making Sense, a Talking Heads tribute band with singer Jon Braun assuming the role of frontman David Byrne, will perform the first day of Garlic Fest, set for Oct. 4-5 in Downtown Easton.

Palmer Township police officer John Smoke faces up to five years in prison. Authorities accused him of sending the photo to a 16-year-old while he was assigned to Easton Area High School as a resource officer.

Incumbent Easton City Council members Taiba Sultana and Roger Ruggles lost in the Democratic primary, according to unofficial election returns. Susan Hartranft-Bittinger defeated Sultana and Frank Graziano outpaced Ruggles.

Wilson Area School Board unanimously approved its $49 million budget for the 2025-26 school year on Monday night. Included is a 3.5% tax increase.

Police have charged an Easton man in connection with a recent chop shop investigation. Angel Vidal faces several felony and misdemeanor charges as he awaits a preliminary hearing in Northampton County Prison.

Tuesday, May 20, is Primary Election Day in Pennsylvania. Several high-profile local races are on the ballot in Lehigh and Northampton counties. Check out our procrastinator's guide and Q&A.

One week after damage to underground cables caused widespread power outages on Easton's South Side, parts of the city were in the dark once again Monday.

Drivers who have been ticketed for school bus camera violations say the process to contest them needs to change. PennDOT said thousands of citations across seven Lehigh Valley school districts are still awaiting hearings.

In Tuesday's Democratic primary election, two challengers are on the ballot to face off against incumbent council members Roger Ruggles and Taiba Sultana.

Comedian Bobby Collins, known for his appearances on "The Tonight Show" and VH1 and Showtime comedy specials, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16. And The Fab Faux, which for more than 25 years has recreated iconic Beatles tunes and solo songs of its members behind guitarist and former "Conan" bandleader Jimmy Vivino, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30.

Former Easton City Councilwoman Taiba Sultana listed her job as "self-employed" on a candidate form. The lack of detail about her occupation violated state law and was grounds to remove her from the Democratic primary, Commonwealth Court Judge Anne Covey ruled.

Marty Nothstein, a former Lehigh County commissioner, had been accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend but admitted to lesser charges Monday. The plea deal came three years after he pleaded guilty to illegally entering the home of a different ex-girlfriend.

KC and the Sunshine Band helped the audience experience many of those moments — and memories — in a two-hour show of 15 songs.

The SBA is offering low-interest disaster loans to both renters and business owners, while the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency has helped facilitate grant programs for renters.

Easton Fire Chief Henry Hennings said the Hotel Hampton blaze exposed critical staffing shortages, delayed response challenges and growing risks in high-occupancy buildings.

KC and the Sunshine Band will bring that music to Easton's State Theatre at perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28. Tickets, at $90-$110, remain available, though some sections are limited.

Three Dog Night, which had hits such as "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)," "Joy to the World" and "Black and White," will perform at 7 p.m. Sept. 27, and the stage musical of Charles Dickens’s "A Christmas Carol," will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3.

With rising rents and limited inventory, the Lehigh Valley housing crunch is making it harder for many people to find affordable apartments or even think about buying a home.

The full story, to publish Wednesday, will explore why newly available apartments are attracting large numbers of applicants and what that reveals about the balance between housing supply and demand.

The My Generation Tour of Gary Lewis & The Playboys, The Lovin' Spoonful and The Hollies' Terry Sylvester that stopped Friday, March 13, at Easton's State Theater was a wonderful collection of memories — and an occasional surprise.

The Oak Ridge Boys will stop at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at Easton's State Theatre. Tickets, at $65-$85, remain available at the theatre website and are expected to be available at the door at 453 Northampton St.