Morning Call - Lehigh Valley & Allentown PA News, Sports, Weather, Business & Things to Do

Lehigh County commissioners pick familiar face to fill vacant spot

August 13, 2026 at 10:23 am

From fundraising to petitions, here’s how Lehigh Valley communities are pushing back against data center proposals

Nationwide, the opposition movement to the data center boom has seen some impact. Here's what's been happening in the Lehigh Valley.

A No Data Center banner and sign are displayed outside of Heather and Todd Rehrig’s home Friday, June 5, 2026, in Lower Mount Bethel Township. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)

Former Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong Sr. is the newest County Commissioner (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Lehigh County commissioners pick familiar face to fill vacant spot

allentown-police-day-2-webstock-police

Allentown police officer fatally shoots loose dog that was biting people

A property at 228 Ridge Ave. owned by the Allentown Housing Authority stands vacant Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Allentown. The authority recently received $100,000 through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement, which it will use to redevelop the parcel into affordable housing. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

These two projects show how nonprofits are rethinking affordable housing in Allentown

A ‘thermometer’ serves as a gauge of how much money is earned during a fundraiser. (JOHN RAOUX/ORLANDO SENTINEL)

Opinion: Are Lehigh Valley charities changing outcomes, or just raising lots of money?

Latest Headlines

Former Allentown employee’s discrimination lawsuit may go to trial, federal judge rules

2 hours ago
Flock announces changes amid backlash over its license plate reader network

26 minutes ago
Here are the Lehigh County inmates who could be resentenced under second-degree murder ruling

1 day ago
A Supreme Court ruling could free people convicted of 2nd-degree murder. Here’s what that means for the Lehigh Valley

1 day ago
1.2 million people attended Musikfest 2026. See where that ranks all-time

1 day ago
6-time champions: Hotel Bethlehem once again named nation’s best historic hotel

21 hours ago
Upper Mount Bethel sets meeting to consider data center agreement with developers [updated]

3 hours ago
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Old Allentown train station, later Banana Joe’s, has been vacant for 19 years. A developer has plans for site
Old Allentown train station, later Banana Joe’s, has been vacant for 19 years. A developer has plans for site
Lehigh Valley winery to close tasting room: ‘Grateful for the experience’
Lehigh Valley winery to close tasting room: ‘Grateful for the experience’
A Supreme Court ruling could free people convicted of 2nd-degree murder. Here’s what that means for the Lehigh Valley
A Supreme Court ruling could free people convicted of 2nd-degree murder. Here’s what that means for the Lehigh Valley
1.2 million people attended Musikfest 2026. See where that ranks all-time
1.2 million people attended Musikfest 2026. See where that ranks all-time
Northampton firefighter suspended after he is accused of sexual contact with teen girl
Northampton firefighter suspended after he is accused of sexual contact with teen girl
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is leaving the Trump administration
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is leaving the Trump administration
Here are the Lehigh County inmates who could be resentenced under second-degree murder ruling
Here are the Lehigh County inmates who could be resentenced under second-degree murder ruling
Allentown police officer fatally shoots loose dog that was biting people
Allentown police officer fatally shoots loose dog that was biting people
Lehigh County commissioners pick familiar face to fill vacant spot
Lehigh County commissioners pick familiar face to fill vacant spot
Lehigh Valley legislator proposes bike law that may ‘legitimize what really happens out there’
Lehigh Valley legislator proposes bike law that may ‘legitimize what really happens out there’

Local News

Football players run drills Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, during Allen’s football practice in Allentown. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Allen football practice | PHOTOS

Allen football practice

Sports

Palmerton football coach Chris Walkowiak stands with players Jacob Walkowiak, Connor Lawless, Cale Young, Mason Konze on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, during Colonial League Media Day at Pen Argyl high school. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Palmerton football preview: Blue Bombers relying on experience, camaraderie, talented freshmen

After 3-8 season, Blue Bombers look to bounce back

Things to Do

Pearly Baker’s Alehouse, on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Easton. (Jane Therese/Special to The Morning Call)

Lehigh Valley insider’s guide: Where to find late-night eats in the Lehigh Valley

Looking to grab a late-night bite to eat? Check out these Lehigh Valley restaurants that are opened well into the night — or the very early morning, depending on your point of view.

AJR closes out Musikfest 2026 | PHOTOS

AJR was the final headliner of Musikfest 2026. See photos from their performance.
Last day of Musikfest 2026 | PHOTOS
Musikfest 2026 on Saturday, Aug. 8 | PHOTOS
Yellowcard and Taking Back Sunday headline Musikfest | PHOTOS
Puertorrican Culture Preservation Inc’s 9th annual Back To School Event | PHOTOS
Parker McCollum headlines Musikfest show on Aug. 7 | PHOTOS
Rapper T.I. w/ special guest DaBaby perform at Musikfest | PHOTOS

Opinion

Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks during a news conference Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Opinion by former federal prosecutor Ryan Crosswell: I had high hopes for Todd Blanche. Here’s why he is unfit to be attorney general

Opinion by former federal prosecutor Ryan Crosswell: I remember being relieved when Trump picked Blanche...

Crime and Public Safety

police-lights-night-3-webstock-police

Police say two men rented a box truck, stole cooking oil from a Lehigh County restaurant

Cooking oil thefts are on the rise, thanks to its use in biodiesel production.

Best Reviews

<p>Alvina Wang/BestReviews</p>

Which Weber Flavorizer Bars Should I Buy

Flavorizer bars sit between the grates and fuel source and catch dripping fat.

Business

White House trade counselor Peter Navarro speaks with reporters.

Trump White House says it’s losing $19B-$26B a year in revenue as countries dodge tariffs

The report comes ahead of a planned September visit by Chinese Leader Xi Jinping.

Pennsylvania News

Pennsylvania State Capitol building in Harrisburg on July 26, 2023. (Amanda Berg/For Spotlight PA)

Pa. has quietly passed a law undermining a court decision on lucrative mineral rights

The $1B battle over mineral rights is 130 years in the making, and may only...

National News

The gurney in the execution chamber at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary

Tennessee carries out second of 3 executions scheduled for the same day in the US

The last time three executions were held on the same day was Jan. 7, 2010.

Allentown

An artist’s rendering shows the mixed-use complex proposed to be built at Third and Hamilton streets in Allentown, the site of the former train station. (Real Star Properties/Contributed image)

Old Allentown train station, later Banana Joe’s, has been vacant for 19 years. A developer has plans for site

A plan for the former station shows an ambitious development proposal that would convert the...

Bethlehem Area

Riviera Heubach, left, and Isabella Tierney sing and play guitar and bass Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, the last day of Musikfest, as part of the Lesson Center’s Fest Camp summer band program at Plaza Tropical in Bethlehem. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Last day of Musikfest 2026 | PHOTOS

Scenes from the last day of Musikfest 2026 on Sunday, Aug. 9.