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.

Take a look at stories 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 mayors of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton will participate in group bike rides for Lehigh Valley Bike to Work Week.

The program provides up to $10,000 to restore the facades of historic buildings in Easton, with the goal of restoring some of their original character.

Easton City Council approved a measure to increase the salary for the police department's unfilled community advocate position and establish a new internship at City Hall.

Easton's City Council primary will feature seven candidates competing for three open seats. Priorities for the contenders include affordable housing and neighborhood development.

Easton City Council passed a bill banning cat declawing and the sale of animals in pet shops, taking steps toward protecting against animal abuse. The measures passed unanimously and were cheered by residents and animal rights advocates.

Thanks to a grant from Air Products Foundation in collaboration with the Greater Easton Development Partnership, Easton Police Department has received two new e-bikes.

Democratic mayoral primary candidates Peter Melan and incumbent Sal Panto Jr. addressed affordable housing, parking and other topics in a debate organized by Lafayette College. The election is May 16.

Easton's Democratic primary will feature a faceoff between longstanding Mayor Sal Panto Jr. and councilman Peter Melan.

The first Lehigh Valley Space Fest started Saturday. Hosted at Paxinosa Elementary School, organizers aim to inspire children and young adults to be interested in science and space topics.

Take a look at stories 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 Palmer Recovery Center is the site of a free trauma-informed yoga class every Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m. The class helps veterans with their mental health struggles.