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.

For the third year in a row, St. Luke's University Health Network topped health systems in Pennsylvania for charitable giving, according to the Lown Institute.

Pete Ruggiero, a Lehigh Valley native with more than 25 years at Crayola, will become the company's chief executive officer, the company announced Thursday. Crayola Chief Executive Officer Rich Wuerthele will retire from the company, it was announced.

A proposed amendment to Easton's rental property regulations could push landlords to take a more active role in their rentals, with the potential for them to lose their licenses if tenants engage in illegal activities.

The different proposals would provide connections to New York City, Philadelphia or Reading.

The Lehigh Valley Passenger Rail Analysis will be unveiled during a special informational meeting on Wednesday. Here's what to know and what could happen next.

Churches across the Lehigh Valley are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus on March 31. Here's where to find Sunday church services.

Sen. Lisa Boscola announces $3.6 million in Northampton County transportation improvements

The conference in Lancaster this week will include workshops on business, entrepreneurship, technology, civic engagement, health and well-being, politics and government, and mentoring.

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.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs will host a cat-centric promotion at their game Saturday, April 27, at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Lehigh Valley Humane Society.

Easton activist Lance Wheeler, known for his work with West Ward WISE, has been cleared of charges of threats and abuse against a trio of Wilson teens in 2022.

Easton's Nurture Nature Center has been granted a novel parking variance which will allow it to add an immersive dome to the property without having to pay for secured parking at local lots.