Hellertown Seeks Public Input on Reinhard Site Plans

The old Reinhard School building in Hellertown will be demolished as soon as the borough has written approval from the state to tear it down.

PUC: Utilities Must Improve Communication, But Irene Response Efficient

Communication breakdowns frustrated many electricity consumers after damage from Hurricane Irene led to major power outages across the state.

Zoning Board Approves Variance for Patio Furniture Business

Andrew Panick, the owner of Hellertown's Neighbors Home and Garden Center, successfully petitioned the borough's Zoning Hearing Board for a parking variance for a building he has purchased at 720 Main Street. The building will house patio furniture.

Inheritance Tax Burden Falls Heavily on PA Farmers

Governor Tom Corbett supports a phase-out of the tax applied after death.

Lawmakers, Education Officials Try to Fund Universities

Faculty union says universities' focus will shift from teaching to research.

Township Council Adopts Geocaching Policy

Geocaching is a popular sport in which participants use global positioning devices to locate hidden containers in public areas.

Council Discusses Repairs at Heller Homestead

In addition to a new roof on the historic root cellar, the Saucon Valley Conservancy has reported that windows need repair and cracks in the art gallery's floor need to be investigated.

Nursery Owner Criticizes Councilman at Meeting

Lower Saucon business owner Mike Kiefer confronted township council vice president Tom Maxfield at council's Oct. 19 meeting, over what Kiefer characterized as slanderous statements made by Maxfield. Maxfield denied ever making the statements.

Neighbors' Dispute Brought to Light at Council Meeting

On Oct. 19 Lower Saucon Road resident Francis Callery told township council about a dispute involving a nearby neighbor, in which the police have been summoned recently.

Steel City Park Badly Vandalized

Police say the park in the Steel City section of Lower Saucon Township became a crime scene after someone took a saw blade to children's playground equipment and committed numerous other acts of vandalism.

Cost of YMCA Summer Camp Called Into Question

Hellertown Borough Council members expressed support for the annual Dimmick Park program, but several questioned whether the borough can afford to "subsidize" the camp in the future.

Attorney Appointed to Serve as Zoning Board Alternate

Mark Albright, an attorney from Hellertown, was unanimously appointed to be an alternate member of the Hellertown Zoning Hearing Board at council's Oct. 17 meeting.

Borough Council Approves Purchase of New Fire Truck

Approval for Dewey Fire Company to purchase a new Pierce truck was unanimous at Hellertown Borough Council's Oct. 17 meeting.

Final Preparations Being Made for Halloween Parade

The Saucon Valley Halloween Parade will take place in Hellertown this Sunday, Oct. 23, from 2 to 4pm. Motorists should expect traffic delays in the area on Sunday afternoon.

Borough Leaf Collection Will Begin Oct. 31

The Borough of Hellertown has announced that residential leaf collection will begin on Monday, Oct. 31 and continue through mid-December.

Main Street Flag Idea Gathers Momentum

At their October meeting members of the Borough Business Revitalization Committee continued to discuss a proposal to install American flags on utility poles in downtown Hellertown.

Planning Commission Approves Several Site Plans

Plans for businesses at 427 Main Street, 1304 Main Street and 46 West Water Street were approved at the Hellertown Borough Planning Commission's Oct. 11 meeting.

Patio Furniture Outlet Green-Lit by Borough Planners

The patio furniture business at 720 Main Street will function primarily as a warehouse, with customers visiting by appointment only, owner Andrew Panick told the Hellertown Planning Commission Oct. 11.

District Issues Statement about Bus Stop Decision

The Saucon Valley School District has issued the following statement about its decision not to move a bus stop from Finady Avenue--a location that some parents have objected to.

Controversial Bus Stop to Remain Unchanged

At its Oct. 11 meeting, the Saucon Valley School Board took no action to provide van service that some parents say would make a former bus stop usable again.

Saucon Valley School Board Discusses Pool Concerns

At its Oct. 11 meeting the board voted to accept new fees, and to allow student athletes to use the pool for free.

Hellertown Water Line Project to Begin Oct. 17

The Hellertown Borough Authority has announced that approximately 155 of its customers on Northampton Street and First Avenue will be provided with temporary water service while the project is underway.

Provisions in Obama’s Jobs Bill Could Be Costly for PA

The provisions could cost PA millions of dollars after federal funding expires.

Republicans Look to Amend Prevailing Wage Requirements

Democrats say the effort will hurt workers’ wages.

Different Electoral Vote System Would Have Changed History, But Rarely

Pennsylvania State Sen. Dominic Pileggi's plan is getting competition from a National Popular Vote plan.

County Officials in Drilling Areas Want More Revenue, Not Responsibility

Gov. Tom Corbett says the state would raid revenue from a proposed Marcellus shale impact fee for other projects.

Sales of Local Artist's Print Benefit Music Students

The print "Valley's Pride" by Wendy L. Wolf is being sold as a fundraiser for the Saucon Valley Music Connection.

Council Votes to Support Prevailing Wage Reform

At its Oct. 3 meeting Hellertown Borough Council approved a motion to support prevailing wage reform in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

High Street Bridge Agreement Struck, Solicitor Says

Hellertown Borough Council solicitor Michael Corriere announced Oct. 3 that several parties have agreed to pursue state funding for a new High Street Bridge.

Chief: Elderly Borough Couple Targeted by Thieves

An elderly First Avenue couple were recently the victims of a burglary, Hellertown Police Chief Robert Shupp told Borough Council Oct. 3.

Council Discusses Drainage Problems at Intersection

Hellertown Borough Council members discussed problems with storm water drainage at the intersection of Cherry Lane and Easton Road at their Oct. 3 meeting.

Country Club Ordered to Install Sidewalks in Borough

On Oct. 3 Hellertown Borough Council approved a subdivision plan for a piece of Silver Creek Country Club property at Durham and Depot streets, but refused to grant a deferment for the installation of sidewalks.

Reinhard Demolition Could Begin November 1

Hellertown Borough Council was told Oct. 3 that the vacant school building's date with a wrecking ball is moving closer.

Structure Contaminated with Lead Paint, Council Told

A project that would restore the Dimmick Park grandstand could prove more costly if the soil underneath the structure is contaminated, Hellertown Borough Council was told Oct. 3.

Dunkin' Donuts Expected to Open in Mid-November

Hellertown Zoning and Codes Enforcement Officer Joe Chernaskey announced the revised opening date at Borough Council's Oct. 3 meeting.

Patio Furniture Business Proposed in Hellertown

At their Oct. 11 meeting members of the Hellertown Borough Planning Commission are expected to discuss a site plan for a proposed patio furniture business at 720 Main Street.

All Eyes on Corbett When It Comes to Transportation

Lawmakers say they are ready to move, and are waiting for a signal from the governor.

Republicans in Harrisburg Pushing English-Only Law

Opponents say it would scare away immigrants and businesses.

Lower Saucon Township Acquires Trailhead Land

Plans call for turning the 2-acre tract into an access point along the Saucon Rail Trail.

Township Announces Appointment of Junior Councilors

Jameson Packer will serve as Junior Council Member to Lower Saucon Township Council, while April Koehler will serve as Junior Council Member to the Lower Saucon Township Parks & Recreation Board.