Borough Resident Implores Council to Ban 'Bath Salts'

On Monday, Michele Gubish told Hellertown Borough Council members that her son was recently hospitalized for 18 days after legally purchasing the synthetic drug from a local business.

Upper Macungie Patch Editor Remembers 9/11 Attack

Tom De Martini says Osama bin Laden's death does not make up for the thousands he caused.

Reaction: Area Legislators Talk about Bin Laden's Death

A roundup of your elected officials' reactions to the news of Osama bin Laden's death.

Victim's Family Finds Solace in Bin Laden's Death

El and Bill Sugra's son was killed in the attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

Motorists Could Pay a Price for 'Distracted Driving'

Pa. House panel considers whether ban should be primary or secondary offense for law enforcement.

Legislators Grapple with Proposed Education Cuts, Philosophy Change

Would still have long-lasting impact on higher, public school education.

New Natural Gas Proposal Draws Mixed Reactions

Would count as tax increase, says group behind no-tax pledge.

Poll: Pennsylvanians Divided Over Corbett’s First 100 Days

Natural gas tax, higher education cuts will be key issues.

Four State Reps Get Earful Over Corbett Budget

State reps. Doug Reichley (R-134), Bob Freeman (D-136), Steve Samuelson (D-135) and Joe Brennan (D-133) spoke at an April 20 forum in Bethlehem hosted by the Community Action Coalition of the Lehigh Valley.

Report: Police Say State Sen. Bob Mensch Had Guns in Car

Longtime lawmaker cited for disorderly conduct following incident on I-78.

Rail Trail Committee to Continue After Completion of Trail

The task force will help address issues related to the use and maintenance of the Saucon Rail Trail after it opens.

Zoning Officer Surveys Rail Trail Boundary; Finds Sheds, Couches

Hellertown Zoning Officer Joe Chernaskey recently told Borough Council that he has found sheds built on public property along the rail trail. Couches and chairs have also been dumped on public land along the trail, he said.

State EPA Cracks Down on Marcellus Shale Drillers

Lawmakers suggest DEP, Delaware River Basin Commission may need more support.

GOP Senators Seek to Trim Labor Unions’ Financial Muscle

Democratic state senator doubts the bills have the support needed to pass.

Interchange Proposed by Charles Chrin Companies Moves Closer to Reality

Paperwork for a $25 milion TIF has been completed.

Saucon Rail Trail Nears Completion

Park rules finalized, trail to open May 7.

Borough Manager Announces Greenways Grant

The Lehigh Valley Greenways grant will help fund improvements to the Tumminello property in Hellertown.

New Member Appointed to Borough Planning Commission

Jennifer Yanek replaces Ronald Shegda, whose resignation was accepted at Hellertown Borough Council's April 18 meeting.

Former Borough Manager, Scholarship Recipient Honored at Banquet

Former Hellertown Borough Manager Charlie Luthar was honored at the 89th Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce banquet April 8. Also honored was Phyllis M. Schnaible Merit Scholarship Award recipient Andrew Stauffer.

Tax Day Cometh

The deadline to file federal income taxes is Monday, April 18.

Northampton County Council Rejects Union Contract

Council members say they can't support giving raises when others are worried about keeping their jobs.

Monday is Deadline to Register to Vote in May 17 Primary

Who will you choose for your school board, municipal leaders and county government?

Less Government Would Give Municipalities More Power

Smaller communities have "very little political leverage when dealing with the state or private interests."

Environmental Advisory Council Considers Open Space Possibilities

Some land looks good for preservation, while other lots just don’t have the same potential.

Expanded Castle Doctrine Passes State House, Again

Allows for the use of deadly force in public for self-defense.

Council Approves Pursuit of Matching Grant for Rail Trail Property Purchase

Lower Saucon Township Council also green-lit an investigation of horseback riding on the Saucon Rail Trail. On April 18, however, Hellertown Borough Council unanimously voted to prohibit horseback riding on the borough portion of the trail.

Council Approves Purchase of Composting Toilets

Lower Saucon Manager Jack Cahalan explained that over time, the state-of-the-art commodes will be more economical than the Port-o-lets the township currently uses in some of its parks.

Dimmick Park Stage Committee Secures Project Funding

The money will go towards the construction of a performing arts stage in the Hellertown park.

Zoning Officer Says Shade Tree Ordinance Is Being Enforced

Zoning and Codes Enforcement Officer Joe Chernaskey recently told Hellertown Borough Council that 45 shade trees have been taken down by residents since 2009, with only 10 replaced.

Chief Wins Approval for Record Storage System

Citing a lack of space and the expense of purchasing filing cabinets, Hellertown Police Chief Robert Shupp won Borough Council's permission to purchase a modern filing system for his department.

Ann Compton to Take Audience Inside the White House

Compton, who was the first woman assigned to cover the White House for a television news organization, will deliver DeSales University's annual Marcon Lecture tonight at 7:30pm.

Several Area Bridges are 'Structurally Deficient'

PennDOT says the bridges are safe and would not be open to traffic if they were not.

Hellertown Awarded Sustainable Planning Assistance

The borough is one of 32 communities nationwide chosen to participate in the EPA's Sustainable Communities Building Blocks program.

Region Added 1,200 Jobs in February

Lehigh Valley unemployment rate drops to 8.7 percent, the lowest since May 2009.

Bridge Problems Flying Under Corbett’s Radar

Transportation for America report reveals that Pennsylvania has more structurally deficient bridges than any other state in the nation.

PA Democratic Senators Call for Corbett to Revoke New Drilling Inspection Policy

Propose oversight of inspectors go to the auditor general’s office.

What's Happening to Route 378?

Here's an explanation of what is happening now, and what you can expect in the future.

Valley Residents Live Longer, But Not Better

Report says Lehigh, Northampton counties fare worse than most in state on quality of life indicators.

Employer Taxes Climbing to Pay Back PA’s Unemployment Debt

Does it violate Corbett’s ‘no-tax’ pledge?

Education Secretary: School Districts Have to Deal with Cuts

Secretary of Education Ronald Tomalis said districts should have planned better with stimulus funds.