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.

Republicans have long demonized mail-in voting in Pennsylvania, and experts say it's cost the party elections. Win Again PAC, formed by rivals Dean Browning and Lisa Scheller, is attempting to get irregular GOP voters to embrace the method and swing close races.

Northampton County Council rejected amendments to county 'responsible contracting' rules Thursday, blocking a bid to make county construction contracts more friendly to non-union firms

This first round of designations included 483 tracts across the country, with only one in the Lehigh Valley. Officials said additional designations are slated for the next 12 to 18 months.

Parents accused of medical child abuse, formerly known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, criticized the doctor they say is behind the false claims against them, and asked Northampton County to intervene.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is seeking public comment for its 25-year, $4.39 billion Long-Range Transportation Plan until October 6

Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, has proposed a law that would require developers to conduct detailed impact studies on major projects. Supporters acknowledged it needs work while opponents argued it would hamper economic development.

Volunteer pedestrians crossed Main Street in Northampton Borough over and over Wednesday afternoon as local police watched to catch drivers failing to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

After a vote by the Bethlehem Twp. Board of Commissioners Tuesday night, developers behind a parking lot for Amazon's delivery vans have another year to meet conditions of the project's approval.

The kits were being handed out for free by the Northampton Co. Government's "Fake is Real" campaign, in response to the opioid crisis.

Majestic Realty fielded questions and commentary from concerned citizens over their proposed 3.2 million square foot development set to be constructed near Airport Road, with the public citing worries over traffic, additional warehouses and pollution.

The $3.05 million in federal funding comes on behalf of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program. The Easton Avenue project is one of five across the state.

Two Allegiant flights slated for Wednesday afternoon have been canceled. Forecasters say the Category 3 story is 'unprecedented.'