Lehigh County News

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.

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.

Contrasting points of view are at issue with the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission's decision to relocate its headquarters.

Planners recommended approval to the preliminary/final plan for a self-storage facility on Walbert Avenue.

The Board of Commissioners adopted the plan four years after its creation began.

A motorcade of 40 dirt bikes and ATVs ignored traffic laws and endangered others last year. They also delayed an injured Allentown detective from getting medical treatment. Only one driver, a Pen Argyl man, has been identified and charged.

The Upper Macungie Planning Commission reviewed a revised conceptual design for the proposed residential development Sunset Orchards.

Allentown City Council unanimously voted on Wednesday night to approve Mayor Matt Tuerk’s ordinance to appropriate $10,000 for an analysis of the embattled parking authority.

Sen. Nick Miller, D-Lehigh/Northampton, invited the state Senate’s top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee for a visit Tuesday of the Allentown School District’s oldest school buildings.

Allentown City Planning Commission on Tuesday gave preliminary final approval for a proposed five-story, 140-room boutique hotel, with ground-bar and restaurant at 949 Hamilton St.

Mayor Matt Tuerk is asking city council to approve a $10,000 study of the Allentown Parking Authority's management and structure. It comes in the wake of dozens of complaints from residents alleging overbearing and predatory enforcement practices.

Lehigh County Judge Thomas Capehart denied the appeal of Patrick Palmer, who argued election staff should accept his paperwork because he paid a filing fee on time.

Upper Macungie planners will discuss the Sunset Orchards residential development at a meeting Wednesday.

The township's board of comissioners quickly moved to pass their permits on Monday.