'Green Mold' on Road Signs to Be Investigated

Lower Saucon Township Council president Glenn Kern recently asked township manager Jack Cahalan to find out if the mold can be removed from the signs.

Park-School District Connector Trail Almost Finished

On April 4, Lower Saucon Township Manager Jack Cahalan announced that the new connector trail between Polk Valley Park and the Saucon Valley School District campus is nearing completion.

EMA Director Asks Council to Consider Appointing Assistant

Hellertown emergency management coordinator Chris Scherer recommended that his father, Robert Scherer, be appointed his assistant at Borough Council's April 2 meeting.

Denied Variance, Property Owners Launch Petition

In March, Hellertown property owners Jason Chew and Paul Pierce were denied a variance for a dwelling in a garage apartment on Clauser Street, behind a home they own at 96 Kiernan Avenue.

Cherry Trees Planted on Cherry Lane

The aptly-chosen trees were recently planted on the Hellertown side of the thoroughfare.

Temporary Changes Planned at '5-Points Intersection'

On April 2, Hellertown Borough Council approved Police Chief Robert Shupp's suggestion to test traffic changes at the so-called "five points intersection" of Penn Street, Durham Street and Delaware Avenue.

Council Wants Awareness of Rail Trail Events

Hellertown Borough Council members recently asked the Saucon Rail Trail Oversight Commission to resubmit a proposal that will pave the way for special events to be held on the popular path.

Manager: Water Street Bridge Will Be Inspected Soon

Hellertown Borough Manager Cathy Kichline told Borough Council April 2 that PennDOT has agreed to an accelerated inspection schedule for the aging bridge across the Saucon Creek.

Boy Asks for Donation to Participate in Cultural Exchange

Sixth-grader Connor Jackson, of Lower Saucon Township, plans to travel to England and France this summer as part of the "People to People" student ambassador program.

Councilman on NIZ Lawsuit: 'It's Not Our Job to Fund Allentown's Dreams'

By a vote of 5-1, Hellertown Borough Council approved a motion to join the lawsuit against Allentown's Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ) at its April 2, 2012 meeting.

Side Street Barricades to Go Up in Late April, Early May

The barricades will be erected at the east ends of several side streets that intersect with Main Street (Route 412) in north Hellertown. They will be installed to help prevent traffic displaced by the Route 412 widening from diverting onto local side stre

The Summer Job Search is On ... Share Information on Patch!

It's that time of year again: The time when teens pound the pavement looking for satisfying summer jobs that will net them extra cash and help them learn the ways of the working world.

Route 412 Project to Last 3 Years, Cost $36 Million

The major project will widen the road to accommodate two southbound and three northbound lanes between the I-78 interchange and Shimersville Road in Bethlehem.

'Revolt' of Saucon Valley

Let freedom ring, but not so loudly.

U.S. Supreme Court Hears 'ObamaCare' Arguments

The Supreme Court of the United States began hearing a case regarding the constitutionality of President Barack Obama's signature piece of legislation, the Affordable Care Act.

Compost Center Gearing Up for April 13 Opening

The Saucon Valley Compost Center in Lower Saucon Township will open for the 2012 season on Friday, April 13 at 9am.

Township Will Join Lawsuit Against Arena Zone

On March 21, Lower Saucon Township Council voted 5-0 to join the legal fight against the Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ).

Borough Council Opts Against 'Yellow Book' Regulation

After receiving an update from solicitor Michael Corriere on March 19, Hellertown Borough Council declined to attempt to regulate the distribution of phone books and other printed informational materials in the borough.

Township Zoning Board Deadlocks on 'Nursery' Vote

A vote on a cease and desist order for what a township official has determined is a nursery business was split 2-2 at the township zoning hearing board's March 19 meeting.

March 26 is Primary Voter Registration Deadline

Monday, March 26 is the deadline to register to vote in 2012 Pa. primary

Zoning Board Denies Apartment Owners' Appeal

At its March 21 meeting, the Hellertown Zoning Hearing Board denied an appeal from a cease and desist order applied to an apartment above a garage on Clauser Street.

Director: More Than 30,000 Visited Hellertown Library in 2011

In a March 19 presentation before Borough Council, Hellertown Area Public Library director Robin Rotherham said 69 percent of borough residents hold a library card.

Several Borough Streets to Be Blocked During 412 Widening

Hellertown Borough Manager Cathy Kichline announced March 19 that--according to a preliminary plan--barricades are to be placed at Kichline, Kiernan, Roth and Hess avenues and Main Street during the upcoming widening of Route 412 north of the borough.

Hellertown Brownies Plan Earth Day Clean-Up

Hellertown Brownie Troop 8523 plans to help pick up trash along the Saucon Creek on April 21, in celebration of Earth Day.

Are Photo IDs Necessary at the Polls?

Pennsylvania Republicans say the state's new ID law will prevent voter fraud; Democrats say the new law could disenfranchise thousands of registered voters. What do you think?

Questions on Arena Funding Still Need Answers

Taxing bodies still waiting for answers from Allentown on its Neighborhood Improvement Zone, which threatens flow of earned income taxes.

School Board Members Ask Superintendent to Review Budget Cuts

Saucon Valley superintendent Sandra Fellin was asked by the board to look at course offerings and class sizes.

Borough Seeks Owner of Lost Dog

The pup was found in the 1000 block of Northampton Street, Hellertown, over the weekend.

Council Weighs Converting Museum Furnace to Gas

Converting the Heller Homestead's oil furnace to gas could result in a significant savings. The potential for a conversion was discussed at Lower Saucon Township Council's March 7 meeting.

Council Authorizes Trail Commission to Approve Special Events

On March 7, Lower Saucon Township Council gave the green light to the Saucon Rail Trail Oversight Commission to approve special events held on the trail in the township, although it will retain final authority over those decisions.

Council Approves Issuing Compost Center ID Cards

The Saucon Valley Compost Center's popularity with local residents has grown considerably in recent years, Lower Saucon Township manager Jack Cahalan told council March 7.

Borough Owed Thousands in Trash, Recycling Fees

More than $45,000 in outstanding garbage and recycling fees are owed to the Borough of Hellertown.

Township Council Approves 3-Year Police Labor Contract

On March 7, Lower Saucon Township Council unanimously approved a three-year labor contract with the Lower Saucon Township Police Officers Association. The contract includes modest annual wage increases.

Public Works Employees Hailed for Post-Storm Heroics

On March 7, Lower Saucon Township Council officially recognized the efforts of the township's public works and Lower Saucon Authority employees, who helped the township recover from the October 2011 Halloween snowstorm.

Colesville Road Resident Fears Traffic from Planned Development

On March 7, Sandra Miller told Lower Saucon Township Council that her neighborhood's character will be compromised by an influx of traffic associated with the planned "Old Saucon" development south of Colesville Road along Route 378.

Council: Club to Pay for Raised Crosswalk Instead of Sidewalks

Representatives for Silver Creek Country Club won a conditional waiver for sidewalk installation from Hellertown Borough Council March 5. According to the agreement reached, the club will instead fund installation of a raised crosswalk on Durham Street.

Regional Police Study Complete; Public Meeting Planned

A public meeting to discuss the results of a regional police study for Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township will likely be held the week of April 23.

Apartment Variance Request on Zoning Hearing Board Agenda

Property owners Jason Chew and Paul Pierce are seeking a variance for an apartment at 96 Kiernan Avenue, Hellertown, which is located within the borough's Residential 2 (R2) zoning district.

Chief: New Speed Sign 'Seems to Be Working'

Hellertown police chief Robert Shupp told Borough Council March 5 that the electronic speed detection sign recently acquired by his department has already helped slow traffic on Main Street.

Council Green-Lights Borough Hall IT Overhaul

The proposal approved by Hellertown Borough Council March 5, subject to its solicitor's review, calls for purchasing a managed IT service contract, upgrades to borough computer servers and wiring, and a disaster recovery system.