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.

It's time for PA Bacon Fest in Easton. Nov. 4 and 5 mark the return of the city's favorite festival, featuring plenty of salty, smoky bacon in just about every iteration you can imagine.

On Halloween in Riegelsville, a choreographed flash mob half a year in the making is the talk of the town, drawing hundreds to one one front lawn.

U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, hosted a roundtable discussion on the child care crisis at Bethlehem YMCA on Tuesday.

It's time for Halloween at Easton Area Public Library, where kids can enjoy spooky stories, costume contests, trick or treating, and arts and crafts in a safe space.

Apple Jam and Pumpkins and Pooches are joining forces for the most fall-oriented celebration in Easton this Saturday, with plenty of food, fun, and contests for just about everyone.

Palmer Township's Planning Commission held a meeting to review the final details of a new zoning ordinance Thursday, finalizing details before the document is sent off to the township's board for consideration.

Easton has been awarded a $120,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant, with the funding intended to reduce roadway deaths and injuries 75% by 2030.

Easton City Council members and the public engaged in a heated debate on what a metropolitan government can do in regard to international conflicts when Mayor Sal Panto Jr. removed a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war on Wednesday.

Lafayette College needs help naming their nearly 100-year-old leopard mascot, and they're calling on the community to make the decision.

Easton Area School District's board approved a resolution to add nine new LERTA properties, putting the city one step closer to launching an initiative that could increase the district's tax revenue from the properties nearly ten times.

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 community chorale's founder, Ed Milisits passed away in January 2022. The chorus is gearing up for its December performances.