Phil Gianficaro
General Assignment ReporterA native of northeastern Pennsylvania, I've been a journalist for more than four decades. I've reported on events like the pope's visit and the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, local appearances by Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, covered the Flyers in the Stanley Cup finals, and the Eagles in the playoffs. However, the stories that have touched me most involve ordinary folks in our community. A 12-year-old boy getting the better of cancer; Holocaust survivors sharing horror stories they know the world needs to hear again and again; a little girl from Bucks County who grew up to become Miss America. These are the stories I'm committed to finding and sharing with our readers. About me: Married with a son and a daughter in college. Golf when I can. Morning coffee's a must; Favorite quote from my late mother: "There are givers and takers in this world, which do you want to be?" Contact me at PhilG@lehighvalleynews.com or 267-222-0540.
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Allentown native and three-time Grammy Award-nominated jazz singer, Denise Donatelli, recalls how the music of legendary composer Burt Bacharach she first heard as a teenager inspired her to record an album of his songs. Bacharach died Wednesday at age 94. -
A Northampton County Judge on Wednesday denied the request of Lower Saucon Township residents for a stay of a meeting on Feb. 27 relative to the proposed expansion of the Bethlehem Landfill.
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A 55,000-square-foot, five-story, 140-room hotel, with a bar and restaurant, and a 30,000-square-foot, two-story entertainment center are being proposed for Hamilton Street in Allentown.
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The 10th annual Lehigh Valley Winter Classic on Saturday was a fundraiser for Special Hockey of Lehigh Valley.
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Atty. Brian Panella pushed back on claims by Atty. Nancy Aaroe, his opponent in the race for Northampton County Court of Common Pleas, that he lacks trial experience.
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Attorney Nancy Aaroe repeatedly noted her many years of trial experience make her a better candidate than Brian Panella in the race for Northampton County Court of Common Pleas.
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DeSales University Homeland Security majors received first-hand knowledge of the challenges and requirements of the job at the third annual DeSales University Center for Homeland Security Conference on Wednesday.
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Freedom High School senior Jerry Rivera has been awarded a four-year scholarship to Princeton University by QuestBridge, a national nonprofit that connects high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds with leading colleges and universities. A celebration of the scholarship was held at the high school on Tuesday morning.
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Pastor Tammie Rinker announced the church’s latest ministry — the pay-what-you-can Essentials Café— will provide breakfast and lunch five days each week for folks between 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
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After 50 years in business at Westgate Mall in Bethlehem, Hawk Music must vacate its location due to planned renovations at the mall.
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The Coalition for Appropriate Transportation moved into a 2,500-square-foot space at the new Walnut Street parking garage in Bethlehem. Advocates say it will enhance the alternative transportation cooperative's outreach and mission.
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Residents of South Whitehall Township voiced their opposition to a proposed 5-million-square-foot data center near Parkland High School.
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La instalación de 15,100 pies cuadrados se construiría en terrenos consolidados en 1415 y 1425 Lehigh St.
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The 15,100-square-foot facility would be constructed in consolidated lots at 1415 and 1425 Lehigh St.
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A total of 44 one- and two-bedroom apartments will be offered at the Walnut Street location.
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The project would consist of a Lehigh Valley Health Network medical facility and 190 residential units near Lehigh Street and MacArthur Road.
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As America approaches its 250th birthday in 2026, we take a look back at the role Allentown played in hiding the Liberty Bell from British troops during the Revolutionary War.
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Jessica "Jess" Lee, 67, served PBS39 viewers in the Lehigh Valley for nearly a half-century. The Bethlehem native and Liberty High alum died Thursday after a battle with cancer. She joined the station in 1980.
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Subclade K, the new flu variant, emerged after U.S. pharmaceutical companies developed their vaccines for the current flu season.
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Taylor Stakes and Lee Christman were sworn in as new board members.
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Lehigh County Commissioner Geoff Brace was re-elected as board chairman for a sixth year during the commissioners' reorganization meeting Monday.
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Families of children who are patients at Lehigh Valley Health Network were treated to a toy giveaway on Tuesday morning.
