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.

More than 800 people have completed a free online instructional program to build their knowledge base of all things Lehigh Valley.

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.

Easton's Wood Avenue will receive some much-needed work, including repaving, new ramps and new safety islands now that the city council has approved a near-$1.8 million deal with Grace Industries.

Police are warning folks not to deposit mail in the dropbox outside the Palmer branch of the Easton Post Office. They say several checks have been stolen from the mail.

The tavern at 2722 Freemansburg Ave. is under contract to be sold to new owners, who plan to keep it as a sports bar but under a new name.

Tickets to most shows for the State Theatre's new season go on sale to theater members on Aug. 2 and the public on Aug. 9 at the box office or statetheatre.org.

Easton's West Ward Market hosted the 17th annual Zucchini 500, challenging children and some adults to craft their own veggie racer for a thrilling summer competition. Or is it a fruit?

Easton's Greater Shiloh Church has opened a new mobile shower unit on West Canal Street, catering to homeless people and others in need of a shower and fresh supplies.

Gracedale, the Northampton County nursing home, will convert the first floor of its vacant Southeast Wing into a day care center that will offer free services to employees of the facility and the county’s emergency operations and forensic centers.

Easton City Council was hit with plenty of public commentary on their presence in the community Wednesday, with residents applauding member Taiba Sultana while chastising others for perceived inaction.

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.

Restaurant Week returns to Easton on July 16, with a plethora of delightful plates to please just about any palate.