Lehigh County News

The Schnecksville zoo's annual Independence Day Celebration included patriotic enrichment for the animals, free flags for guests, as well as live music from the Allentown Hobo “Almost” Marching Band.

North Whitehall supervisors tabled the final plan for Timberidge Luxury Apartments after a lengthy debate about potential curbing and sidewalk installation.

The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania is asking people to consider donating blood over the 4th of July holiday. This time of year, the organization says donations drop off, but the need stays the same.

A cappella singing group Straight No Chaser will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 6, at Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. 6th St., Allentown. Tickets, at $49.50-$69.50, are available at www.millersymphonyhall.org or 610-432-6715.

One the first day of sweet corn sales at Newhard Farms on Friday, the lines were long and the smiles were in abundance.

After an outbreak earlier this month among the Humane Society's shelter dogs, the organization says it's now safe to adopt their animals. They are set to re-open to the public on July 1.

3M Co. has committed up to $10.3 billion, payable over 13 years, for remediation of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.

South Whitehall Township is creating a preservation plan called 'South Whitehall Landscapes.' Tuesday was the kickoff meeting for the plan's creation.

Maria Shantz was one of a group of Republicans who signed a controversial pledge to create policies around gender and rejecting "wokeness."

Officials gathered at The Waterfront to highlight the Environmental Protection Agency’s $5 billion climate pollution reduction grants program.

Sarah A. Rice, 39, and Greg A. Johnson, 42, both of Bethlehem, died from wounds to the head, Coroner Daniel Buglio ruled after autopsies Monday.

The Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary still is closed to the public after an April bridge collapse. Officials said a new, permanent bridge is slated to be installed in spring.

Bethlehem police said the couple had three children. The man and the woman were both found suffering from gunshot wounds in the basement of a home in the 200 block of 10th Avenue.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, hailed President Donald Trump's order to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power and extradite him to the United States to face drug trafficking charges.

Julian Guridy will face Bob Smith in the race to fill former state Rep. Josh Siegel's term.

Democrat Julian Guridy, an aide to state Sen. Nick Miller, is viewed as the favorite to land the party's nomination for the upcoming 22nd House District special election. Allentown Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach, precinct committee person Erlinda Aguilar and Lewis Shupe are also seeking the nomination.

One of Bethlehem's previous ESG application process in 2024 came on behalf of 12 area organizations, such as New Bethany, Third Street Alliance, VETBEDS and Valley Youth House.

Lehigh Valley municipalities will get nearly $3.5 million in combined funding from the Green Light-Go and Multimodal Transportation Fund programs to upgrade traffic signals and improve transportation safety.

Locally, housing costs still remain lower than national averages, but data from real estate marketplaces compared with U.S. Census data in Lehigh and Northampton counties show housing affordability still is a struggle.

Garcia's work with the anti-violence nonprofit organization is fueled by her son's murder in 2012. Her goal is to keep his memory alive and reduce shootings in Allentown moving forward.

Of the thousands of stories covered and told in 2025, our staff picked some of their favorites. They included a bald eagle looking for love in the Hellertown area and an $11 million "sky dome" planned for Easton.

In 2025, LehighValleyNews.com readers gravitated toward stories that reflected mounting economic pressure, public safety concerns, environmental uncertainty and moments of sharp civic tension.