Area Prepares for Hurricane Irene

The storm is expected to approach the area Saturday, with its strongest effects to be felt Sunday.

School Board Ponders Naming Policy

The Saucon Valley School District's policy could allow businesses to have their names attached to district property.

Township Presents Two Gaming Grant Applications

Lower Saucon Township hopes to receive casino grant money for a police officer and emergency vehicles.

Hellertown Presents Grant Applications to Gaming Authority

The borough's engineer and emergency personnel gave in-depth explanations of items contained in the 2011 restricted gaming grant applications at an authority meeting Aug. 22.

Planners Rethinking Cul-De-Sacs

A report says a prevalence of dead ends burdens main roads with excessive traffic and costs municipalities more.

Local Business Owners Honored at Community Day

Hero Electric owners Bob and Vicki Hero, and Mary Ellen Convalescent Home owners Lynn and Nancy Keck were the recipients of proclamations and awards presented by local dignitaries at Hellertown-Lower Saucon Community Day Aug. 20.

Handicapped Parking Spaces May Be Added at Park

Police Chief Robert Shupp told Hellertown Borough Council Aug. 15 that additional handicapped parking spaces are needed at Dimmick Park.

Engineer Delivers Update on Bridge Closures

Hellertown Borough Engineer Bryan Smith said the City of Bethlehem is not seeking financial support from the borough in order to help fund the replacement of the closed High Street Bridge.

Grandstand Restoration Likely to Be Costly

Completely restoring the aged grandstand in Dimmick Park will require lifting the structure off its foundation, members of Hellertown Borough Council were told Aug. 15.

Revitalization Coordinator Highlights Program's Successes

Hellertown Borough Business Revitalization Coordinator Mary Himmelberger highlighted some of the program's successes during a prescheduled appearance before Borough Council Aug. 15.

Applebutter Road to Be Milled, Paved This Week

PennDOT says Applebutter Road in Bethlehem and Lower Saucon Township and Island Park Road in Williams Township will have lane restrictions with flagging from Monday through Thursday.

PennDOT Poised to Seek Bids on Rt. 412 Project

The busy corridor will be widened from near the Sands casino in Bethlehem to I-78 at a cost of $50 million.

Township Announces Green Light for Police Study

The regional police study will investigate the possibility of combining the Hellertown and Lower Saucon police departments.

Borough Police Will Escort Officer on Final Ride

Police Chief Robert Shupp announced Monday that borough officers will help escort the body of fallen Freemansburg policeman Robert Lasso to Falk Funeral Home in Hellertown, following a public memorial service at NCC.

Borough Offices to Be Closed Tuesday Morning

Hellertown's borough offices will be closed from approximately 9am to noon, while staff attend the memorial service for Freemansburg police officer Robert Lasso, who was killed in the line of duty last week.

Premier Announced as Pick to Run Gracedale

The company will provide quality care and a suitable work environment at a substantial savings to taxpayers, county administrators say.

South Bethlehem Greenway Officially Opens

Phase 4 of the project will extend the Greenway to Saucon Park next year.

Partnership Discusses Traffic Near Rail Trail

Members of the Saucon Valley Partnership say they see many cars not slowing down and stopping at rail trail intersections on local roads.

Planners Approve Law Office for 148 Main Street

Lawyer David M. Backenstoe told the Hellertown Planning Commission Aug. 9 that he will be relocating his practice there in order to have a "more permanent" location in the borough.

Dunkin' Donuts Gets Planning Commission's OK

The drive-through restaurant is expected to open at 730 Main Street, Hellertown, by late September, according to the borough's zoning officer.

Philadelphia School District Criticized at Committee Meeting

A Chester County state representative who referred to the district as a "rat hole" at a House Education Committee meeting later said his use of the term was not meant to be derogatory, and that it is a term used to describe a type of financial situation.

Lawmakers Move to Update Child Labor Law

Doing so would increase the hours minors can work while clearing up ‘archaic’ and confusing provisions.

Rep. Smith: Eliminate One Quarter of State House Districts

Analysts, however, are warning of the potential for unintended consequences.

The Future of Wine Kiosks is Uncertain

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board's experimental system has been mired in controversy and may not last past September.

Bacterial Infection Plagues Northampton County Prison

Complaint of inadequate inmate medical care, MRSA complications heard by county council.

Grant Funding for Reinhard Demolition Reauthorized

The Community Development Block Grant money will help pay for the demolition of the Reinhard School in Hellertown, which was scheduled to occur this summer.

Education Secretary: Testing Should Be Required of Voucher Students

Vouchers could be part of a busy fall agenda for lawmakers in the state capital.

Budget, Union Contracts Help Boost Corbett's Approval Ratings

Corbett's relative popularity among recently-elected Republican governors is the result of low-key union negotiations and tough spending cuts, officials say.

PA Law Adds Cancer Coverage for Firefighters

All local fire companies are affected by the change.

Happy 50th Birthday, Mr. President?

Today is Barack Obama's 'Big 5-0' birthday, but in light of the recent debt ceiling crisis it may not be a very happy one.

Energy Deregulation Benefiting Consumers

However, more could benefit if they explored their purchasing options under deregulation, one expert said recently.

Report Finds Problems With Liquor Control Board

A report from Pennsylvania's Auditor General found technical errors leading to shortages and hoarding of merchandise.

Springfield Township Moves to Restrict Gas Drilling

“What many people don’t realize is that there is shale in eastern Pennsylvania.”

Borough Will Investigate Park Grandstand's Rehabilitation

Hellertown's dilapidated Dimmick Park grandstand could potentially be renovated for less than the cost of a new structure, Borough Council Engineer Bryan Smith said Aug. 1.

Borough Manager: $93,000 Owed in Garbage, Recycling Fees

Hellertown Borough Manager Cathy Kichline told Borough Council Aug. 1 that "there's a significant amount of money outstanding" that's owed to the borough.

Council Discusses Salary Increases for Two Staff Members

Hellertown Borough Council tabled a vote on the increases pending meetings with the Assistant Borough Manager/Finance Officer and Administrative Assistant/Assistant Finance Officer.

PennDOT Agrees to Speed Limit Reduction on Easton Road

The speed limit will be reduced from 35mph to 25mph on Easton Road between High Street and Cherry Lane, Hellertown Borough Manager Cathy Kichline announced Aug. 1.

Tolling State Roads Suggested in New Report

The idea is not recommended in a new transportation commission report, but is suggested.

Transportation Funding Commission Suggests Use of Red Light Cameras

The state secretary of transportation and commission chairman, Barry Schoch, says the cameras would only be for increasing safety.

Township, Borough Apply for Another Round of Grants

Grants to be awarded by the Northampton County Gaming Revenue and Economic Redevelopment Authority could provide Lower Saucon Township and Hellertown with emergency devices and improve traffic safety.