Parkland News

North Whitehall Township Planning Commission voted Tuesday to reject Gene Weierbach's contention that a zoning ordinance pertaining to an auto repair shop operating in a residential zone is unconstitutional.

A Lehigh County judge has denied a request by Francis Anonia, the former Parkland School District performing arts administrator, to suppress videos allegedly recovered from his cell phone during an invasion of privacy investigation by county detectives.

On Thursday, one of the final pieces of timber was placed atop an outer wall of the $47 million, 188,000-square-foot, multi-functional indoor facility under construction at Grange Park.

A Lehigh County judge heard arguments Monday in a case that will decide whether a 501,000-square-foot warehouse will rise on 71 acres near Route 309 and Orefield Road.

The $68 million, five-building expansion to the existing high school at 2700 N. Cedar Creek Blvd. will be voted on for final approval by the township board of commissioners in January.

The submission proposing the construction of 2.6 million square-feet of data center facilities closely aligns with Air Products' existing plan for warehouses on the 194-acre property.

Specifics for the plan are still under wraps as Upper Macungie Township is processing the application. The proposal would develop the data center at the former Air Products headquarters on Hamilton Boulevard.

Parkland School District officials on Monday presented early estimates for their 2026-27 budget. It includes a $20 million deficit, and could lead to a tax increase next year.

State Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-Lehigh/Bucks, introduced the bill in 2023 after a student brought a knife to Schnecksville Elementary School. Parents didn't learn of the incident until a week later.

Parkland Superintendent Mark Madson, Assistant Superintendent Michelle Minotti and Chief Financial Officer Leslie Frisbie were awarded five-year extensions on Tuesday, the district said in a news release.

Proposed housing development Strawberry Acres may need a redesign after North Whitehall planners gave an unfavorable recommendation for a waiver.

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

All guests ages 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old “in order to be admitted to, or remain in, the park” after 4 p.m. until close.

South Whitehall commissioners granted preliminary/final approval to plans for the new Parkland School District operations center at their meeting Wednesday.

A proposed new roller coaster at Dorney Park cleared the final hurdle from South Whitehall Township.

State Sen. Jarrett Coleman spoke at the latest Parkland School Board meeting about a bill that would allow public schools to apply for waivers of state-imposed mandates.

Upper Macungie’s Planning Commission will vote on whether to recommend approval for the final land development plan at their meeting in May.

The applicant Eric Moyer said he is considering appealing the decision or proposing a different development at the 3599 Broadway site.

Housing, speeding, upgrades and an open house next week took focus in the Upper Macungie Township Board of Supervisors meeting Thursday.

The large Ridge Farms development was granted an extension for meeting compliances, longtime firefighters in the township were given recognition, and a new self storage facility was given the okay by the township near the Ridge Farms development site.

A new North Whitehall Township plan that considers building a skate park, amphitheater, disc golf, splash pads and more as outdoors activities increase got township supervisors' approval Monday.

Former educator Mike Millo is running for the Parkland School Board again after withdrawing from the race in 2020. He said his legislative priorities are listening to resident concerns, fiscal responsibility and transparency.