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.

Several Lehigh Valley high school performing arts students took home Freddy Awards at the ceremony held Thursday, May 25 at the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Easton.

Lafayette College has confirmed it will soon finalize the purchase of the Lafayette Inn, a historic mansion-turned-bed and breakfast located near the school.

Easton City Council approved amendments to the budgets for ARPA and CARES Act funds Wednesday, providing funding for community projects and small business recovery and retention.

The Easton City Council addressed a proposed program from resident Carol Free to allow for backyard chickens on Tuesday. No decision has been made, though councilmembers had numerous concerns over the idea.

WLVR’s Brad Klein speaks with reporter Brian Myszkowski about the prospects for backyard chickens in Easton.

After clearing more than 40 trees without city approval, college officials must resubmit plans to comply with the city's steep slope conservation ordinance. Failure to do so will halt the project.

Officials from said an industrial building that burned last month was too badly damaged to find how the fire started.

Republican William Rowe, a write-in candidate for the Bethlehem-area seat on Northampton County Council, will advance to the November election.

Carol Free, Easton's "Chicken Lady," is on a mission to allow for backyard chickens in the city. Check out her plan, the concerns with the birds, and what the city government is up to when it comes to chickens in the city.

The Easton Twilight Criterium returns to the city's Downtown district on Saturday, May 27. Streets will be closed to accommodate racers and pedestrians throughout the day.

An appreciative community packed Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena in Allentown to bid farewell to Bishop Edward P. Cullen, 90, who died May 9. Cullen was the third Bishop of Allentown, having served from 1998 until his retirement in 2009 at age 76.

The Weyerbacher Hill Challenge 5K is set for this weekend, with runners set to explore the hills of Easton before getting back to the brewery to enjoy some brews.