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.

Although hospital officials say a change in location for medevac helicopter access is crucial during building of a new facility at the Anderson campus, some residents think there are more adjustments to be made.

With residents packing council chambers, Easton's Zoning Hearing Board denied a proposal for a nine building, 412-unit apartment facility near the Forks Township border.

Easton Yoga's "A Night of Ecstatic Music and Kirtan," set for Sept. 21, will feature music from Seán Johnson & the Wild Lotus Band, with proceeds going toward child mindfulness programs.

Friends of the Easton Cemetery and the West Ward Community Initiative are hosting Community Day at Easton Cemetery this Saturday, with tours, activities and food for all.

The annual Lehigh Valley Polo for Equi-librium will take place at Braden Airpark on Sunday, Sept. 17.

Following the approval of two contracts for solid waste and recycling disposal, Easton officials are warning rates for residents could increase due to hauling costs.

Easton City residents can recycle their old, outdated electronics and appliances at 500 Bushkill Drive this Saturday. Most items can be recycled for free, while some others require a small fee.

Thanks to contributions from over 200 individuals and organizations, victims of the May 29 Ferry Street fire have been provided with over $67,200 in funding to help them recover.

Easton's Redevelopment Authority recommended approving variances on a former church they intend to transform into affordable housing during the city's Wednesday planning commission meeting.

The Lehigh Valley child care centers already have long waitlists, staffing shortages and high costs.

Bruce Frassinelli, 84, worked more than 25 years at The Express in Easton. He left in 1992 to become publisher of a newspaper in Oswego, N.Y. He died early Wednesday at his home in North Whitehall Township.

Easton Area School District will begin issuing digital report cards for elementary students this school year, starting in the second semester when they will introduce the concept to parents.