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.

Lower Saucon Township was just awarded almost $510,000 in grant funding, to redevelop the ball fields off Easton Road.

Easton city officials provided an update on the status of the Ferry Street fire Wednesday, advising victims to be cautious of grifters and the public to stay away from the dilapidated properties for safety's sake.

The deadline to submit work is Sunday, June 25.

Easton Police Chief Carl Scalzo and South Side Civic Association President Melody Davis-Rogers alerted the community to several car break-ins on South Side at a city council meeting Wednesday.

The late William Jacob Heller founded The American Flag Manufacturing Co. in Easton in 1887, helping popularize the U.S. flag nationally. Heller is credited as being instrumental in having flags hung at schoolhouses throughout the nation.

The employee under investigation at Easton Arts Academy Elementary Charter School was recently acting CEO until it hired its third CEO last month.

The Easton Housing Authority has partnered with the Lehigh Conference of Churches to offer city residents assistance with various issues, including homelessness and food access.

A report by the United Way of the Pennsylvania found basic amenities are too expensive for 39% of the state's households, including ones where people are employed full time.

This Sunday, Trinity Episcopal Church in Easton will host a Pride flag raising to show solidarity and support for the LGBTQ community in a time of need.

The City of Easton will host a Multi-Agency Resource Center at Paxinosa Elementary School for victims of the Ferry Street fire that tore through 15 homes and displaced more than 40 people on Memorial Day.

The event featured drag performances, kids' face painting and a doggie drag.

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.