Lehigh County News

Allentown's 111th annual Romper Day celebration was held at J. Birney Crum Stadium on Monday night. About 400 students who participated in the summer playground program exhibited skills including dance and calisthenics.

Lehigh Country Controller Mark Pinsley criticized President Donald Trump and U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie for gutting the social safety net and Democratic leaders for failing to offer effective resistance.

The first weekend of August was a deadly one for motorcyclists in the Lehigh Valley, with three fatal crashes reported in Northampton and Lehigh counties.

Tenants at Oak Hollow Apartments in Bethlehem say significant rent increases are forcing them to look elsewhere for housing. The increases reflect market rates, according to the complex's owner. A housing advocate says renters throughout the Lehigh Valley are experiencing similar situations as housing costs rise and inventory stays low.

The tract, spread across Penn Forest and Kidder townships, includes Mud Run, a key tributary of the Lehigh River. It was purchased through a $1 million grant from the Open Space Institute.

One of Easton's favorite cultural festivals, Lebanese Heritage Day returns to the city this weekend, featuring plenty of music, culture, and, of course, food.

Developer Nat Hyman is suing the city over a homeless encampment in Jordan Meadows that he alleges is hurting his neighboring properties.

On Thursday, Lehigh Valley Zoo broke ground on a $10 million multi-phase project, with initial work on a new barn area and accessible playground set to be finished in the fall.

Mark Pinsley is the fourth Democrat to challenge Republican incumbent Ryan Mackenzie in the Lehigh Valley's battleground district in the 2026 midterm.

Lehigh County Coroner Dan Buglio said toxicology testing showed a significant level of illicit controlled substances in Timothy Vanbilliard’s system, including methamphetamine, when he died May 11, 2025.

“Without their continued partnership and assistance, the outcomes of last night’s incidents would have been much different,” Capt. Jonathan Hammel said of mutual aid provided to Allentown Fire Department and city residents.

Subclade K, the new flu variant, emerged after U.S. pharmaceutical companies developed their vaccines for the current flu season.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, and 16 other Republicans voted for a Democratic bill to extend tax credits for the Affordable Care Act on Thursday night. Mackenzie called on senators to reject the House version but find a deal to keep the credits and reform the health care system.

A spokesperson for The Giant Company said the supermarket chain is transitioning to store-based fulfillment and discontinuing centralized fulfillment at its Giant Direct centers. The company is closing five centers in Pennsylvania, including one in Coopersburg, by April.

The victim, 29-year-old Rigiberto Hernandez Arias of Allentown, died Nov. 21 after being run over near Emaus Avenue and South Fourth Street in Allentown. An Amazon delivery driver, 30-year-old Troy Johnson, is in Lehigh County Jail on $500,000 bail.

Kirk Chin Jr., 37, of Pottstown, Montgomery County, is charged with misdemeanor charges of recklessly endangering another person and reckless driving.

This week's episode welcomes former Lehigh Valley representatives in the U.S. House. Susan Wild and Charlie Dent join host Tom Shortell to discuss campaigning and the stakes in PA's 7th District.

The 110th PA Farm Show opens this weekend in Harrisburg. While this year's theme is “Growing a Nation,” officials are also spotlighting the crucial role of women in agriculture.

Aiden Gonzalez, of Bethlehem, is the latest Democratic candidate looking to represent Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District.

Taylor Stakes and Lee Christman were sworn in as new board members.

Lehigh County Commissioner Geoff Brace was re-elected as board chairman for a sixth year during the commissioners' reorganization meeting Monday.

Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel took the oath of office at the Cumberland Gardens public housing complex. Siegel has made affordable housing a priority for his administration at a time when Americans grapple with rising costs and the Lehigh Valley faces a housing crisis.