Northampton County News

Based on themes of home in the Lehigh Valley and executed via improvisation on the piano, former Nazareth native Dominic Billett's new record “Truer is the Valley, the River, the Pale Sky" paints a thoughtful, vivid picture perfect for walks throughout the region.

At its Nov. 11 meeting, Northampton Area school directors considered five partial renovation options for Moore Elementary.

Northampton Area school directors approved the second round of financing for the East Allen Elementary School and education center project at their meeting last week.

Bethlehem Area school directors approved the purchase agreement for 315 Columbia St. in South Bethlehem at their Monday meeting. The space would serve as a satellite campus for the Bethlehem Area Vo-Tech School.

A partnership between Second Harvest Food Bank and the GIANT Company will make sure a thousand families have a Thanksgiving dinner.

Northampton Area School Board approved Kovalchik's retirement at Monday's school board meeting. It will be effective July 1.

Addison Agen, who finished second to Chloe Kohanski on the show's 13th season, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at the center at 30 E. Belvidere St., Nazareth.

State Rep. Joe Emrick won Pennsylvania's 137th House District in his battle against Democratic challenger Anna Thomas.

Republican state Rep. Zachary Mako was well on the way to defeating Democrat Joseph Lenzi to win a fifth term representing the 183rd House District.

The Gap Fire, which erupted Saturday near Route 248 in Lehigh Township, has drawn hundreds of firefighters over four days. Crews have gotten the upper hand and are now searching for and extinguishing hotspots, officials said.

The team behind Lehigh University's "Community Mapping for Environmental Justice” project is creating an interactive map of litter in Bethlehem. Officials said the collaborative effort aims to improve the health and well-being of the entire community.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

Registration is open for the Nurture Nature Center's Youth Climate Summit of the Lehigh Valley, a free event April 19 and 20. The summit aims to engage middle and high school students in climate change issues, as well as seek solutions.

Waste amounts coming from out of state to the Bethlehem Landfill are down 10% from last quarter, the dump's manager said Thursday.

Lower Saucon Township Council debated a number of topics until midnight on Wednesday. Since no vote took place surrounding the tower's conditional use, the conversation is set to continue Feb. 7.

The WorkshopLV: Environment + Transportation meeting laid out measurable goals for the soon to be due climate action plan, that will open up more grants for the region

“If we’re really trying to have streets that are for everybody, not just for cars, we want to make it as smooth and frictionless as possible for cyclists to be able to stay on route,” councilwoman Hillary Kwiatek said.

Gov. Josh Shapiro was in Bethlehem on Tuesday to announce the expansion of the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program. Older, disabled residents can apply for rebates up to $1,000. State Rep. Steve Samuelson authored the legislation.

A warehouse proposed for an area of Freemansburg Avenue that officials and residents say is plagued with roadway safety issues was rejected Monday by the Bethlehem Township Board of Commissioners.

A severe rainstorm is expected to cause flooding that may impact roadways throughout the Lehigh Valley.

There’s no official “home” library agreement between Hellertown and Lower Saucon as of Jan. 1, 2023, following the Hellertown Area Library removing Lower Saucon from its service area.

The funding for four projects came from the Growing Greener and Act 167 grant programs, both through the state Department of Environmental Protection.