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

Catasauqua man accused in explosive incident turns himself in [UPDATE]

Jack Pletz, 24, turned himself in to Pennsylvania State Police Thursday, hours after a news conference on the charges against him.

A photograph of Jack Pletz, 24, is displayed during a news conference Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Allentown. Pletz is accused of throwing an explosive device outside a Catasauqua polling place during the primary election. (Chris Dornblaser / The Morning Call)

A farmer harvests alfalfa hay July 29, 2010, in Plainfield Township. The township was one of two in the Lehigh Valley to drop municipal property tax rates this year.

Lehigh Valley property taxes: Which towns have the highest? Where are they increasing fastest?

K-9 Nevie, the retired Lehigh County sheriff's dog, is pictured with the new bulletproof vest outside the Lehigh County Courthouse in 2018. Nevie has died after declining health. (Harry Fisher / The Morning Call)

Nevie, Lehigh County sheriff’s first ever K-9, has died

Raindrops gather on a window as drivers navigate wet roads along Route 329 on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in Northampton. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)

It’ll be a cool and rainy Memorial Day weekend in the Lehigh Valley

Traffic is backed up Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Hill to Hill Bridge on Route 378 in Bethlehem. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Improvements coming soon to Bethlehem’s Hill to Hill Bridge. Find out when work will start, how long it will last

Latest Headlines

A developer’s plan to build a drive-thru convenience store near I-78, Route 100 draws traffic concerns

5 hours ago
Here’s why public health experts in the Lehigh Valley are paying attention to the new Ebola outbreak in Africa

29 minutes ago
Gasoline prices won’t stall Memorial Day travelers, AAA says

10 hours ago
State Rep. Ana Tiburcio concedes in Allentown Pa. House seat primary

7 hours ago
Shankweiler’s named nation’s best drive-in by USA Today

6 hours ago
Allentown apartment fire during storm displaces 5 residents; cause under investigation

18 hours ago
Storms bring high winds, thousands of power outages to Lehigh Valley

11 hours ago
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Bethlehem man dead after scooter crash in Allentown
Bethlehem man dead after scooter crash in Allentown
Two charged with throwing explosive device near Lehigh County polling place
Two charged with throwing explosive device near Lehigh County polling place
Storms bring high winds, thousands of power outages to Lehigh Valley
Storms bring high winds, thousands of power outages to Lehigh Valley
Moravian Book Shop, the country’s oldest bookstore, is getting new management. What you need to know
Moravian Book Shop, the country’s oldest bookstore, is getting new management. What you need to know
Lehigh Valley and PA election results: May 2026 primary
Lehigh Valley and PA election results: May 2026 primary
2 people die from heat in Lehigh County, coroner says
2 people die from heat in Lehigh County, coroner says
Lehigh Valley property taxes: Which towns have the highest? Where are they increasing fastest?
Lehigh Valley property taxes: Which towns have the highest? Where are they increasing fastest?
Man killed in shooting at Allentown McDonald’s is identified
Man killed in shooting at Allentown McDonald’s is identified
Notre Dame High School Prom | PHOTOS
Notre Dame High School Prom | PHOTOS
Improvements coming soon to Bethlehem’s Hill to Hill Bridge. Find out when work will start, how long it will last
Improvements coming soon to Bethlehem’s Hill to Hill Bridge. Find out when work will start, how long it will last

Local News

Lehigh Valley high school drama students perform the opening number during the 2024 Freddy Awards on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at the State Theatre in Easton. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Freddy Awards 2026: Live updates as winners are announced

Did your favorite high school musical make it? See the list of 2026 Freddy Award winners.

Sports

Lehigh Valley’s professional indoor soccer team unveils its name and coaching staff

The Lehigh Valley Spirits will play their first home game Dec. 5 at the PPL Center in Allentown

Things to Do

Patrick, 7, bounces on a jumper ride Saturday, May 24, 2025, during Mayfair at Cedar Crest College in Allentown. The festival of the arts continues until Sunday evening with a 9 pm drone show. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Things to do in the Lehigh Valley this weekend: Ringling Bros. at the PPL Center, ballet in Bethlehem and Mayfair Festival returns

Enjoy the long weekend at one of these events in the Lehigh Valley.

History of African American dance | PHOTOS

Students participate in an Advanced Placement African American studies dance workshop.
Bob Brooks attends his election party on Primary Day | PHOTOS
Best of Lehigh Valley proms 2026 Part 1 | PHOTOS
Salisbury High School Prom | PHOTOS
Notre Dame High School Prom | PHOTOS
Easton Area High School Prom | PHOTOS
Fiesta on Hamilton 2026 | PHOTOS

Opinion

Main Street in Bethlehem bustles with people Monday, March 9, 2026, after a news conference in the city announcing the area was nominated in USA Today’s 10Best Main Street competition for 2026. The downside of such recognition is pressure to overdevelop putting environmental and economic pressures on the city, the author asserts. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Opinion: Bethlehem is a city worth saving from uncontrolled development

Opinion: Bethlehem will always be a desirable location, the question is what kind of growth...

Crime and Public Safety

lehigh-county-coroner-webstock-police

2 people die from heat in Lehigh County, coroner says

Two heat-related deaths were reported Tuesday in Lehigh County as high temperatures reached the mid-90s.

Best Reviews

<p>Adobe Stock</p>

Bosch Dishwasher Vs Whirlpool Dishwasher

Bosch and Whirlpool are two high-end brands that offer high-quality dishwashers with state-of-the-art technology.

Business

mcall default image

Air France flight to US diverted to Montreal due to Ebola travel restrictions

Passenger from the Congo boarded a flight in Paris “in error” amid flight restriction.

Pennsylvania News

Gov. Josh Shapiro, left, and state Treasurer Stacy Garrity. (Commonwealth Media Services)

Stacy Garrity and Josh Shapiro’s quiet primary for Pennsylvania governor is over

Incumbent Shapiro and Republican Garrity were both uncontested in the primary, which allowed them both...

National News

This image provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation’s NOIRLab on Thursday, May 21, 2026, shows the Crystal Ball Nebula. (NSF NOIRLab via AP)

Dying star resembles a billowing crystal ball in new telescope photo

A dying star has never looked so lovely.

Allentown

Ce-Ce Gerlach, Allentown councilwoman

Pa. House 22nd District primary election results: Ce-Ce Gerlach declares victory

Democratic state Rep. Ana Tiburcio — seeking to hold onto her seat in the 22nd...

Bethlehem Area

Bethlehem Catholic High School held its prom Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Hotel Bethlehem. Students and their guests arrive to the big night. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Bethlehem Catholic High School Prom | PHOTOS

Check out photos from the Bethlehem Catholic High School prom as students dress up for...