Leif Greiss

What is a micro-hospital, and could it be the future of health care in the Lehigh Valley?

When it opens next year, Lehigh Valley Health Network’s newest hospital will have many of the most widely used amenities patients come to expect when seeking emergency care — but on a much smaller scale. Lehigh Valley Hospital–Macungie will be the…

LVHN to end relationship with insurance giant Aetna, tens of thousands expected to be impacted

Lehigh Valley Health Network will stop accepting Aetna insurance next year, a move that could lead to higher out-of-pocket costs for thousands of patients suddenly out of network with their doctors, according to a source familiar with the…

While most of Pa. shrunk, the Lehigh Valley grew, census data shows. The area’s Hispanic population had a lot to do with it.

Though many parts of Pennsylvania lost residents since 2010, the population of the Lehigh Valley grew by nearly 40,000 people over the last decade, with increasing numbers of Hispanic residents driving the change, the 2020 decennial census data…

Thousands With Disabilities Have Lost the Right to Vote

Photo credit: rockinpaddy / Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) Though an estimated 113 million US citizens got to vote in the midterms, thousands more were left out — unable to vote or even register because of laws that consider them mentally incapable of…

Northern Berks police might start issuing parking tickets

The move would require action by the three municipalities that the department serves. The Northern Berks Regional Police department is looking to get permission to give out tickets for parking violations in its jurisdiction. Chief Brian Horner told …

Tulpehocken School District hires new Bethel elementary principal

Derek Stehr is currently a fifth-grade teacher in the Tri-Valley School District. A fifth-grade teacher from the Tri-Valley School District in Schuylkill County has been hired as principal of the Tulpehocken School District's Bethel Elementary …

Budget approved for Berks Career and Technology Center

Anticipated revenues exceed expenditures. The BCTC Joint Operating Committee approved a continuing education budget for the 2018-19 school year with revenue greater than expenditures. The committee unanimously approved a budget with expenditures of …

Schuylkill Valley School Board approves 2018-19 budget

Property tax rate is unchanged. The Schuylkill Valley School Board has passed a 2018-19 budget that doesn't require a real estate tax increase. The $38.96 million budget keeps the tax rate at 27.07 mills. The annual tax bill on a property assessed at …

Upper Tulpehocken zoners grant variance, permit

A building in Strausstown will be turned into a duplex, and a couple won a permit for a grain mill. Upper Tulpehocken Township, PA — In separate hearings, the Upper Tulpehocken Zoning Hearing Board approved a variance and a permit for two different …

Leesport's approval sought for water line

Ontelaunee Township seeks permission to extend service to a proposed Rutter's convenience store on New Enterprise Road. Leesport, PA — Ontelaunee Township would like Leesport to allow the township to put a water line across Route 61 to service a …

BCIU board to honor hospital executive

John R. Morahan to receive the Outstanding Community Partner Award. — BCIU Executive Director Jill Hackman has recommended that the board select John R. Morahan, president and CEO of Penn State Health Saint Joseph, for BCIU's Outstanding Community …

Schuylkill Valley set to adopt budget that won't change tax rate

A vote is set for the school board's meeting Monday. — The Schuylkill Valley School District is poised to pass a final budget for the 2018-19 school year with no property tax increase. The budget the board ... To read the full story, choose an option …

Tulpehocken School Board approves budget, slight tax cut

The annual tax bill on a property assessed at $100,000 will decrease $50. — Property owners in the Tulpehocken School District will see a slight decrease in their property taxes. The school board has unanimously approved a $31. ... To read the full …

Kutztown School Board approves budget

To avoid a tax increase, the district will dip into reserve funds Kutztown, PA — The Kutztown School Board has adopted a 2018-19 budget of $33.26 million with no real estate tax increase. Board President Carl Ziegler and members ... To read the full …

Lenhartsville restricts parking along Route 143

The area has been a concern for years, officials say. Lenhartsville, PA — Addressing a long-standing concern, Lenhartsville Borough Council has prohibited parking at the intersection of Old Route 22 and Route 143. The no-parking area is ... To read …

Supporters defend Tulpehocken Junior High soccer coach

The school board is likely to decide on Melvin Fansler's contract on June 19. — Numerous members of the Tulpehocken School District sports community have urged the school board not to drop Melvin Fansler as junior high boys soccer coach.

Greenwich zoners grant approval for limited winery

Plans call for a family-run operation on a 9.8-acre property on Robin Hill Road. Greenwich Township, PA — The Greenwich Township Zoning Hearing Board has granted a request from Than J. Wright and Teresa McCarthy-Wright to operate a limited winery at …

Richmond zoners grant relief for carport

Accessory structure will be placed in couple's front yard to afford easy access. Richmond Township, PA — The Richmond Township Zoning Hearing Board has granted Leon and Julieta Humer's request for zoning relief to construct a carport in front their …

Hamburg School Board OKs proposed final budget with no tax hike

Nearly $700,000 has been shaved from an earlier spending plan that featured a increase in the millage rate. Hamburg, PA — The Hamburg School Board unanimously approved a proposed final budget that will not feature a property tax increase. The $41.8 …

Contract for waterline work may have to wait in Leesport

Borough Engineer Jason Newhard informed council that the borough had received bids for the project, but all of them had exceeded $500,000. Leesport, PA — Leesport Borough may have to wait another month before it can award a contract for the Main …