Phil Gianficaro

1 week ago | lehighvalleynews.com | Phil Gianficaro

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — As the Juneteenth flag was raised toward the heavens, so, too, were the hopes of Salina Martinez. “Someday … someday,” Martinez, of Allentown whispered to herself outside City Hall on Thursday afternoon. “Someday, Juneteenth will mean what it is intended to mean: That all of us — Black, brown — will truly be equal and free. Not just with the words of law, but actually free.

1 week ago | lehighvalleynews.com | Phil Gianficaro

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Deploying electric vehicle charging stations throughout the Lehigh Valley has passed another mile marker. Lehigh Valley Transportation Study Committee on Wednesday released a priority list of locations throughout the region where EV infrastructure is most needed. Feedback included placing charging stations anywhere and everywhere: street charging locations, public parking lots, parks, event venues, hotels, schools, medical facilities, retail spaces, public buildings and more.

1 week ago | lehighvalleynews.com | Phil Gianficaro

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Bicycle safety and education programs, school safety route improvements and a walking trails expansion are among six Lehigh Valley projects to benefit from a $2.6 million federal grant. The Transportation Alternative SetAside Program, or TASA, grant was announced by the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study during a Joint Technical and Coordinating Committee meeting Wednesday.

1 week ago | lehighvalleynews.com | Phil Gianficaro

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A major concern was assuaged during the Lehigh Valley Transportation Forum on Tuesday morning. While a series of multi-modal transportation challenges furiously thumped on the region’s front door, its agencies and state legislators are inviting them in to view potential solutions. The event consisted of a panel discussion about the funding and challenges of road and highway projects, transportation services and safety strategies and the needs of the region's residents.

2 weeks ago | lehighvalleynews.com | Phil Gianficaro

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Just how incredibly talented is artist Fernando DeJesus, one might ask? The virtuoso repaired the vandalized right arm of the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue at St. Luke’s University Health Network’s Sacred Heart campus. And, in the process, 90-year-old Jean Kurtz’s soul. There Kurtz stood with a large crowd outside St. Luke’s on Friday morning during a rededication ceremony of the 100-year-old-plus statue, the right arm of which was torn off with a large chain by vandals in 2023.