Northampton County officials announced a zero interest loan pool during a Thursday morning Virtual Town Hall event with 380 local small business owners.

Gov. Tom Wolf has expanded stay-at-home orders to include Lehigh and Northampton Counties. The announcement comes as the number of positive cases of COVID-19 has grown to 1,127 in 44 counties with 11 deaths in the state, including three deaths in Northampton County.

Pennsylvania has had its first COVID-19 related death and it was in Northampton County. The individual was being treated in a hospital. No further details were given in a release from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Northampton County was reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Health this morning, bringing the statewide total to 21 cases.

Our economy is booming, at least that’s what the economists say, so why then do so many of my constituents tell me they’re struggling to make ends meet?

Northampton County has a population of just under 303,000 and is home to many major and nationally known employers including C. F. Martin & Co in Nazareth, the maker of Martin Guitars; candy maker Just Born Inc. in Bethlehem, and art products manufacturer, Crayola Inc., in Easton.

Lehigh Valley Health Network broke ground Dec. 6 on its new hospital campus along Hecktown Road in Lower Nazareth Township.

Sewer lines aren’t a popular topic of conversation in most circles, but this year they’ve become a hot debate in Upper Mount Bethel Township. Wastewater systems are necessary to protect the environment, water quality and public health. Normally, a utility like this wouldn’t be controversial, but some residents are worried that an updated sewer system might open the door to rampant development.

People looking for a unique way to cool off this summer may want to head over to Hellertown for a scoop of Paradise Island or Mermaid Lagoon ice cream. Those and other flavors are being served up from medieval-style cauldrons at Mystical Treatsss Café, which opened earlier this year.

The Lehigh Valley has professional hockey and baseball teams but no soccer.