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 Police Chief Carl Scalzo reviewed the 2025 budget with city council on Nov. 26, highlighting a substantial total budget increase for the department.

Ten new shows were added to the State's 2024-25 season lineup.

The 67-year-old driver died from natural causes and not from injuries in the crash, according to the Northampton County coroner. The crash happened Monday at the Tatamy interchange.

Officials have confirmed the Easton office of Hearst Magazines has been impacted by the layoffs announced last week, with union heads expressing outrage over the decision.

When the system is online, riders can use a ValleyRide SmartCard or online account to pay their fares.

The free-admission event features 40 unique merchant huts, live entertainment, a skating rink and more. It runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22.

The eighth annual Bob Price Memorial Turkey Drive was held at Coca-Cola Park on Friday. More than 2,000 turkeys were donated by area businesses and residents to help feed those in need in the Lehigh Valley.

Palmer Township resident Andrew Wolke, 53, faces arson charges after investigators alleged he attempted to set fire to his house after being accused of indecent assault and corruption of minors.

Join Megan Frank every Friday at 9:30am and 6:30pm for Insights with LehighValleyNews.com on WLVR. This week, Brittany Sweeney takes her place, joined by politics reporter Tom Shortell and Easton reporter Brian Myszkowski.

Easton Area School District may not be able to have their classic bonfire next week, but students are engaging in a new tradition: developing their own themed floats for the parade.

A Palmer Township man has been arrested and charged with corruption of minors and related crimes against a high school student. Police say they are investigating "several incidents."

The State Theatre show will kick off a tour in which Elvis Costello will perform only with pianist Steve Nieve from his band The Attractions, according to his website.