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.

The sprawling plan in South Whitehall touches on infrastructure and future development in a township that has seen contentious debate over its future in recent years

This development comes six years after voters in South Whitehall voted to allow the township to borrow $600,000 to repair the dam.

South Whitehall Township's Board of Commissioners approved the 2023 budget after making minor changes to the draft budget at their meeting Wednesday.

The Parkland School Board stopped short of committing to advertising to fill the vacant seat of Jarrett Coleman, who was elected to the state Senate.

State Senator-elect Jarrett Coleman had previously said he was not going to resign his school board position.

KidsPeace received more than a thousand gifts during its 11th annual Angel Tree holiday gift drive. The gifts will go to more than 200 kids in the organization’s residential treatment and foster care programs.

A representative of the owner of the King George Inn property addressed the delay in the property’s redevelopment at the latest board of commissioners meeting. The three-story stone structure dates to the 1700s, but has been renovated over the years as it was used for various businesses.

The newly approved budget does not raise property taxes, but does have a deficit due to big projects planned in 2023.

Upper Macungie Township’s newly adopted 2023 budget does not change the real estate tax.

The South Whitehall Township Zoning Hearing Board didn't make a decision about the proposed facility at its meeting Thursday.

South Whitehall Township commissioners unanimously appointed Penn State University student Jacob Roth to fill their vacant position.

South Whitehall Township's Board of Supervisors may appoint a new commissioner at their special meeting on Wednesday.