Borough Field Renewed With New Sod

Hellertown Royals Manager Bob Zerfass told Borough Council Oct. 1 that the East End Field at Dimmick Park was recently repaired.

Volunteer Defends Park Restroom's Cleanliness

Ann Henshaw told Borough Council Oct. 1 that various factors should be considered in judging the cleanliness of the public restroom in Dimmick Park.

Borough Council Supports Radar Use by Local Police

Pennsylvania is the only state that does not allow local police to use radar to enforce speed limits.

Borough Yard Waste Pick-Up Will Begin Oct. 15

Hellertown Public Works Director Tom Henshaw announced Oct. 1 that his department's annual curbside fall yard waste pick-up will begin the week of Oct. 15.

Former Whitaker Street Playground Property for Sale

Hellertown Borough Council solicitor Michael Corriere said it's unclear whether the owners of a parcel at 1400 Whitaker Street plan to develop the self-storage facility they won approval to build in 2008. The property was listed for sale on Sept. 8

Borough Officer Promoted to Rank of Corporal

Hellertown police officer Jeffrey Johnston was sworn in by Mayor Richard Fluck at borough council's Oct. 1 meeting.

Borough Authority Park Fountain Could Be Restored

Hellertown Borough Council was told that Joe Delfoe wants to help restore the stone fountain in Borough Authority Park, near Rentzheimer Drive. Delfoe is responsible for maintaining the fountain in Detwiller Plaza.

Council Opposes Easton Road Stop Sign Request

Borough Manager Cathy Kichline said a resident of Easton Road, Hellertown, asked that stop signs be installed at each intersection along that road. On Oct. 1 his proposal failed to gain the support of Borough Council.

New Local Coalition Forming, Kick-Off Meeting Planned

The kick-off meeting for the Saucon Valley Community Coalition will be held Thursday, Oct. 25 from 5-7pm at Hellertown Borough Hall.

Saucon Valley Recreation Partnership Discussed

The partnership represents an effort by Hellertown and Lower Saucon officials to create a single information source for local users of parks and other recreational facilities.

Compost Center's Success Could Mean Extended Hours

Local officials say the Saucon Valley Compost Center could open on additional days next year if enough volunteer help can be found.

Officials Discuss Fire Companies' Cooperation

Municipal managers Cathy Kichline and Jack Cahalan told members of the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce Sept. 27 that local volunteer fire companies cooperate extensively with one another.

Borough Manager Offers Update on 412 Project

Hellertown Borough Manager Cathy Kichline said Phase 1B of the $36 million project to improve Route 412 is about to begin. That phase will result in new parking restrictions in Hellertown near and within the work zone, she said Sept. 27.

Planners Oppose Rezoning Land Near Landfill

The 6-1 decision to oppose a request by IESI Bethlehem Landfill to rezone property it owns near its Applebutter Road facility came at a Sept. 27 meeting of the Lower Saucon Township Planning Commission.

School Board Revisits Energy Plans, Education Goals

The Saucon Valley School Board continues to explore energy ideas and education goals for the future.

Hellertown's Boil Water Advisory Lifted

As of Thursday mid-afternoon, the restrictions on water consumption announced by the Hellertown Borough Authority on Tuesday have been lifted.

Salmonella Alert: Nut Spread Recall Expands, Includes Almond, Organic

A Salmonella outbreak has led to the recalling of more than 100 nut butter spreads. Products included in the recall are listed below.

Landfill Expansion Opponents Target Giant Shoppers

A "No Rezoning" flyer was placed on the windshields of cars parked at the Giant Food Store in Lower Saucon Township Wednesday night. Local residents were urged to attend tonight's township planning commission meeting.

Boil Water Advisory Issued for Hellertown

The Hellertown Borough Authority says a breakdown in the equipment that disinfects the public water supply was discovered last night. A boil water advisory may be in effect for days.

Some College IDs Still Not Pa. Voter ID Law-Compliant

A state consumer group is urging colleges and universities to offer voter ID-valid cards to students.

Resident Says ATVs, Dirt Bikers Tearing Up Trail

Hellertown resident Lee Weidner told Borough Council Sept. 17 that "intruders" on dirt bikes and ATVs are damaging Hellertown's section of the Saucon Rail Trail.

Councilwoman Requests Park Restroom Cleanup

Hellertown Borough councilwoman Gail Nolf told Public Works Director Tom Henshaw Sept. 17 that the floors at the women's restroom in Dimmick Park are "disgusting."

Scout Proposes Kiosk at Tumminello Property

The borough-owned property will become a park near the Saucon Rail Trail, west of Main Street in Hellertown. Lower Saucon Township resident Vincent Behe plans to build an information kiosk there as an Eagle Scout project.

Hellertown Mosquito Tests Positive for West Nile Virus

The positive test result was confirmed in an email from Pennsylvania's West Nile Control Program Tuesday.

Township Announces Fall Road Paving Schedule

Mountain Drive South and Redington Road East in Lower Saucon Township will be closed while paving occurs later this month.

School District to Keep $10 Per Capita Tax

A vote on abolishing the Saucon Valley School District's per capita tax failed 5-3.

Fourth Grade Teaching Position Splits School Board

A vote to hire an additional fourth grade teacher to reduce class sizes split the Saucon Valley School Board 5-4 on Sept. 11.

Man Admits Accepting Kickbacks on Iraq Contracts

John Alfy Salama Markus, 40, pleaded guilty to taking at least $3.7 million in bribes and kickbacks from government contracts in Iraq. More than $1.1 million was used for the construction of a home in Bushkill Township.

Hellertown Block Watch Meeting

Old Mill Road Bridge Repairs Bid Awarded

The $164,000 bid for repairs to Lower Saucon Township's historic Old Mill Road Bridge was awarded to Professional Construction Inc. of Bethlehem earlier this month.

Plan Calls for 20 Parking Spots at Trailhead

The Lower Saucon Township trailhead along the Saucon Rail Trail is near Reading Drive and Bingen Road.

Manager: Hand Dryers Could Save Township Money

A plan to replace paper towels with electric hand dryers in two park restrooms was embraced by Lower Saucon Township Council Sept. 5.

Township Could Regulate Temporary Storage Units

Lower Saucon Township Council members discussed regulating non-traditional storage units--including PODS--at their Sept. 5 meeting.

Council Votes to Request School Bus Stop Sign

If approved by PennDOT, the school bus stop sign would be placed along Route 412 in the Apples Church Road area of Lower Saucon Township.

Task Force Report Presented to Library Board of Trustees

The Saucon Valley Library Task Force made its final presentation of its final report to the Hellertown Area Library Board of Trustees last month.

Council Approves 'Virtually Indestructible' Park Toilet

The high-tech composting toilet will be purchased and installed at Kingston Park in Lower Saucon Township.

Township Council Opposes In-Ground Pool Requests

Lower Saucon Township Council members cited stormwater runoff concerns in voting to oppose two requests for variances by residents who want to install in-ground pools.

Councilman Questions Labor Day Weekend Road Closure

Hellertown Borough Councilman Tom Rieger asked Public Works Director Tom Henshaw why a section of Chestnut Street that was recently repaved was closed throughout the holiday weekend.

New Emergency Generator Installed at Dewey Fire Co.

Hellertown Borough Council Vice President John Bate announced the installation of the new generator at council's Sept. 4 meeting.

Braveheart's Scaled Back Outdoor Event Approved

The one-day event, which is now planned for Oct. 7, will be confined to the pub's parking lot, a representative told Hellertown Borough Council last week.