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.

It’s expected to be a busy day for power crews in the Lehigh Valley with a wind advisory in place until 8 p.m., northwest winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts up to 55 mph. Met-Ed and PPL Electric Utilities were reporting scattered outages.

Lehigh Valley restaurant owners get candid on inflation, labor challenges and the state of the industry as they struggle to bring customers in the door.

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.

Sample beer from local breweries, plus Irish eats and other drink specials at these pub crawls in the Lehigh Valley.

Porters' Pub is celebrating the Pipers taking over the beloved bar this Saturday with a special ribbon cutting at 700 Northampton Street.

The “Love, Easton” campaign has officially surpassed its goal of a single handcrafted heart for each resident of the city by more than double, with volunteers producing over 63,000 signs of love.

Three elementary schools in the Lehigh Valley hosted Lehigh Valley Reads events, underscoring the importance of grade-level literacy by third grade.

Easton's Planning Commission ultimately opted to vote against recommending a special exception which would allow for a 256-unit apartment in College Hill during Wednesday's meeting.

A Northampton County judge set simple assault charges against Easton City Councilwoman Taiba Sultana on a path to dismissal in a hearing Wednesday. District Attorney Stephen Baratta said her prosecution was influenced by politics.

Three secure ballot drop-off boxes will be installed in new areas of Northampton County prior to the April 23 primary election, bringing the total number of drop-off boxes in the county to seven.

Rep. Robert Freeman and Easton City Councilwoman Taiba Sultana took questions from the 136th District constituents at Greater Shiloh Church onTuesday night.

Wilson Area School District has posted their special education comprehensive plan for 2024-2027 on their website for public review.