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Developers propose ‘responsible’ data center in rural Northampton County community. Neighbors are skeptical

Developers are proposing a "responsible" data center in Lower Mount Bethel Township, but residents are concerned.

High-voltage transmission lines provide electricity to data centers in Ashburn in Loudon County, Virginia, on Sunday, July 16, 2023. The centers house the computer servers and hardware required to support modern internet use, including artificial intelligence. (Associated Press)

Quakertown Police Department (Bucks County Courier Times)

Court documents reveal details of clash between Quakertown police, student ICE protesters

An Amazon Web Services data center is situated near single-family homes in Stone Ridge, Va. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images/TNS)

One of the Lehigh Valley’s largest municipalities just passed a law setting limits on data centers

Michael Zangari is near the end of his second term as mayor of Girardville borough. Girardville is a coal town in Schuylkill County.
December 8, 2025.
Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Dying Pa. coal town a ‘blank slate’ for minority newcomers. Can they spur a rebirth?

Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel speaks about his Transition Team Report on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, at the Lehigh County Government Center in Allentown. The report provides strategic guidance and solutions to help shape the next phase of his administration’s work on behalf of Lehigh County residents. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)

Lehigh County executive, commissioner butt heads over budget changes, new hires

Latest Headlines

The Lehigh Valley got a dusting of snow Wednesday. Will we get more soon?

6 hours ago
Pa. House special election results: Democrat Ana Tiburcio becomes first Latina to represent Lehigh Valley in state House

51 minutes ago
What Pennsylvania’s new housing plan means for the Lehigh Valley

9 hours ago
‘All about the conversation’: Teen dating violence tackled at Northampton County forum

5 hours ago
Lehigh County commissioner pushes for separate hearing in drug case, prosecutor says more charges coming

21 hours ago
Popular Lehigh Valley restaurant closes indefinitely following owner’s death

1 day ago
Trump uses longest-ever State of the Union to try to convince voters that US is ‘winning so much’

16 hours ago
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Pa. House special election results: Democrat Ana Tiburcio becomes first Latina to represent Lehigh Valley in state House
Pa. House special election results: Democrat Ana Tiburcio becomes first Latina to represent Lehigh Valley in state House
Popular Lehigh Valley restaurant closes indefinitely following owner’s death
Popular Lehigh Valley restaurant closes indefinitely following owner’s death
Court documents reveal details of clash between Quakertown police, student ICE protesters
Court documents reveal details of clash between Quakertown police, student ICE protesters
Longtime Lehigh Valley borough worker who died in crash was on way to clear roads during snowstorm, mayor says: ‘One of the best’
Longtime Lehigh Valley borough worker who died in crash was on way to clear roads during snowstorm, mayor says: ‘One of the best’
2 men who died in Northampton County crash are identified [Updated]
2 men who died in Northampton County crash are identified [Updated]
Route 512 reopens at Route 22 in Northampton County after steel object gets stuck underneath overpass [Updated]
Route 512 reopens at Route 22 in Northampton County after steel object gets stuck underneath overpass [Updated]
One of the Lehigh Valley’s largest municipalities just passed a law setting limits on data centers
One of the Lehigh Valley’s largest municipalities just passed a law setting limits on data centers
Poconos man who ‘needed to kill the spiders’ sets fire to his house that spread to 3 others, police say
Poconos man who ‘needed to kill the spiders’ sets fire to his house that spread to 3 others, police say
What to know about Tuesday’s Pa. House special election in Lehigh County, which could sway control of chamber
What to know about Tuesday’s Pa. House special election in Lehigh County, which could sway control of chamber
What we know about Quakertown ICE protests that led to clash between police and students [updated]
What we know about Quakertown ICE protests that led to clash between police and students [updated]

Local News

Palmer Township sign.
/// – NEWS – MICHELLE MERLIN / THE MORNING CALL

Plan to allow industrial development on Northampton County farmland near school gets thumbs-down

The petitioner wants to rezone the 41-acre section from rural agricultural to north east business to allow for industrial development.

Sports

Central Catholic's Di'Quiawn Leak shoots the ball over Salisbury's Bryan Gonzalez in Tuesday night's District 11 4A semifinal game at Allen's Sewards Gym. Central won 33-32 on a Leak foul shot late in the game. (Amy Shortell / The Morning Call)

District 11 4A boys basketball: ACCHS, Northwestern Lehigh to play for the title, again

The Vikings needed a last-second block by Yariel Gonzalez to beat Salisbury 33-32 while the Tigers routed North Schuylkill 60-28

Things to Do

The popular marketplace at the Philadelphia Flower Show will bring a taste of spring home. (Photo by Becca Mathias)

Philadelphia Flower Show will be perfect respite for the winter-weary

The 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show, "Rooted: Origins of American Gardening," comes at the right time after the cold, icy winter.

Opinion

US-VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE-HOME

Faith & Values: Placing your trust in God

Trust is a powerful word that reflects positivity and security. But what is it really?

Crime and Public Safety

Sean McDermott, 36, of Pocono Pines is wanted on arson and other charges after police say he set fires inside his townhouse at 616 Uncus Lane that spread to three adjoining units, according to Pocono Mountain Regional Police. According to a witness, McDermott said he “needed to kill the spiders within the residence,” police said.

Poconos man who ‘needed to kill the spiders’ sets fire to his house that spread to 3 others, police say

A Monroe County, Pennsylvania, man who was apparently trying to rid his townhouse of spiders...

Best Reviews

<p>Adobe Stock</p>

Are those expensive vibrating skin brushes worth it?

Vibrating brushes have been all the rage because devotees rave about their ability to exfoliate...

Business

President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Trump’s portrayal of ‘golden age’ is out of sync with how Americans see economy

Trump faces a skeptical public with a much gloomier view of the economy.

Pennsylvania News

Basketball scores

Pennsylvania high school basketball scores from Tuesday, Feb. 24

High school basketball scores from across the state

National News

mcall default image

Cuba says it killed 4 people aboard Florida-registered speedboat that opened fire on soldiers

It was unclear if any U.S. citizens were aboard.

Allentown

Democrat Ana Tiburcio, left, and Republican Robert Smith Jr. are candidates in the Feb. 24, 2026, special election in the 22nd state House district, representing parts of Allentown and Salisbury Township. (Staff and contributed photos)

What to know about Tuesday’s Pa. House special election in Lehigh County, which could sway control of chamber

Two candidates are facing off Tuesday in a highly consequential Pa. state House special election...

Bethlehem Area

Jack Silva, superintendent of schools, speaks as Bethlehem Area School District officials host a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Fountain Hill Elementary School on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Bethlehem. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

Bethlehem Area School District superintendent to retire after 40 years in public education

Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent Jack Silva will retire at the end of the school...