Jim Deegan

Easton

Managing Editor at PBS39

Executive Editor at LehighValleyNews.com

Articles

Bethlehem Area School District principal charged with drunken driving was 4 times over legal limit, police say

1 week ago | lehighvalleynews.com | Jim Deegan

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A Bethlehem Area School District principal placed on a leave of absence was charged with drunken driving after crashing into three cars in a shopping center parking lot, according to court records. Erin Hines, principal at Hanover Elementary School, had a blood-alcohol content of .326 percent — four times over the legal limit — after being arrested outside Valley Farm Market at the Stefko Shopping Center on Saturday, March 29, police said.
Is Ireland really suffering a tourism collapse?

2 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Jim Deegan

Ireland’s tourism data has been a focus of debate in recent days across numerous media platforms. In essence, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) data that reports international trips to Ireland registered a decline of 30 per cent for February 2025 compared with 2024. This came on top of a decline of 25 per cent that was reported for January.
Hanover Elementary School principal on leave of absence due to weekend 'incident'

3 weeks ago | lehighvalleynews.com | Jim Deegan

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The principal of Hanover Elementary School is on a leave of absence until further notice because of “an incident that transpired this weekend,” according to Bethlehem Area School District. Principal Erin Hines has led the school in Hanover Township, Northampton County, since 2019. A notice of her leave was posted on the school district’s and the school’s website. “We are unable to provide additional details as the investigation is ongoing,” the posts say.
Democrats are only ones on ballot for Allentown mayor in primary election

3 weeks ago | lehighvalleynews.com | Jim Deegan

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The primary election has taken on greater stakes in the city mayor’s race. Republican Solomon Tembo withdrew his nomination petition this week, leaving Democrats Ed Zucal and Matt Tuerk as the only ones on the ballot. That means the winner of the Democratic primary has a clear path to winning the mayor’s office — as voter registration in Allentown heavily favors Democrats and any other candidate would have to mount a write-in campaign.
The Road Ahead: A bumper-to-bumper inspection of Lehigh Valley traffic and drivers

1 month ago | lehighvalleynews.com | Jim Deegan

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - If it feels like there’s more traffic on the roads these days, that’s because there is. Lots more. This week our project The Road Ahead kicks into overdrive with a series of stories focused on traffic, transportation issues, and why we drive like we do – distracted, impaired, stressed-out and the like. We’ve covered road projects and transportation in the Lehigh Valley regularly.
Former state Rep. Justin Simmons withdraws from Lehigh County executive race

1 month ago | lehighvalleynews.com | Jim Deegan

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The field of candidates for Lehigh County executive has thinned. A little more than a week after filing a nomination petition, former state Rep. Justin Simmons has withdrawn from seeking the Republican nomination. Armchair Lehigh Valley was first to report the move. Simmons told the news outlet he decided to run for the seat earlier this year when he thought there would be no Republican candidates to challenge state Rep. Josh Siegel, who is seeking the Democratic nomination.
Lehigh Valley Health Network CEO taking new role with Jefferson Health

1 month ago | lehighvalleynews.com | Jim Deegan

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Lehigh Valley Health Network’s longtime CEO is taking on a new role with Jefferson Health immediately. Jefferson Health acquired LVHN last year to form a health system with 32 hospitals and 65,000 employees. Dr. Brian Nester, who has led LVHN since 2014, is taking on an expanded role as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Jefferson, according to a statement from the health system.
Gunman dead in armed confrontation with police in Wind Gap, state police say

1 month ago | lehighvalleynews.com | Jim Deegan

WIND GAP, Pa. - A 65-year-old Easton man died in an armed confrontation with police that occurred after a vehicle pursuit that ended in this Slate Belt borough, Pennsylvania State Police said. The shooting occurred about 7:30 p.m. Saturday at North Broadway and Tribe Lane in Wind Gap after the vehicle drove over spikes placed on the road by authorities, Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta said.
This Lehigh Valley mayor is 95 and about to compete for his 12th term in office

1 month ago | lehighvalleynews.com | Jim Deegan

FREEMANSBURG, Pa. — Of the hundreds of candidates who filed petitions last week to run for public office in the Lehigh Valley, none has the track record of Gerald C. Yob. Yob has served 56 years as an elected official in Freemansburg — 44 as mayor and 12 before that on borough council. Now the 95-year-old Democrat plans to seek an unprecedented 12th term as mayor. "I know most of the people in town," he said. "Most of us get along pretty good. I like it. “I’m getting things done.
Who's running for elected office in Northampton County in 2025?

1 month ago | lehighvalleynews.com | Jim Deegan

EASTON, Pa. — Democrats will have contested primary elections this spring for Bethlehem mayor and Northampton County executive — two of the marquee races in 2025. Tuesday was the deadline for political candidates to file nominating petitions to appear on the May 20 primary ballot. Only registered Democrats and Republicans will be able to vote in their party’s primary elections. Winners then move on to the Nov. 4 general municipal election.