Bethlehem is a city of 75,000 people in eastern Pennsylvania - a city known for its rich colonial and industrial history. Today Bethlehem is experiencing an economic and cultural renaissance promising a future as bright as the city's past.

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October 20, 20178:58 AM

FAHY BRIDGE: REMINDER The Fahy Bridge will be CLOSED this weekend from 7pm Friday 10/20 until 6am Monday 10/23 for an epoxy overlay. Pedestrians will still have access to the sidewalk. HILL TO HILL BRIDGE: For clarification, the reconstruction of the Hill to Hill Bridge is slated to begin in 2024-2025.

October 17, 20178:22 AM

PennDOT’s contractor for the Fahy Bridge Project, J.D. Eckman, will implement a nighttime bridge closure on Wednesday (10/18) night into Thursday morning (10/19) from 7pm – 6am in preparation to saw and seal the roadway on the northbound side of the bridge. Pedestrians will maintain access on the bridge’s sidewalk. The posted truck detour which utilizes the Minsi- Trail Bridge may be utilized as an alternate route.

October 13, 20174:03 PM

FAHY BRIDGE – Closure for this weekend has been cancelled due to rain. The full bridge closure will take place next weekend, October 20-22 from 7pm Friday through 6am Monday morning. The Runner’s World races will continue to have access to the bridge. Fillmore Street – A crane will be placed on Fillmore Street on Thursday, October 19, between 4th Street and Morton Street and will necessitate the closure of Fillmore Street from 7am-2pm.

October 13, 20178:53 AM

On Saturday 10/28/17 from 10 AM till 2 PM the DEA is coordinating a National Take Back event which encourages citizens to properly dispose of unwanted or expired medications by bringing them to collection sites so they can be safely destroyed. Flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash is not an effective way of getting rid of them. The medications are not filtered out through a sewage treatment plant and medications in a landfill or septic system can eventually leach down into a water supply. Officers will be at the Westgate Mall on Saturday 10/28/17 from 10-2 collecting medications; other departments in the Lehigh Valley are also participating in the event. http://bethlehem-pa.gov/pdf/2017/NTBI_Poster.pdf

October 12, 201710:31 AM

NorthSide 2027 Public Meeting Announcement (Bethlehem, PA October 12, 2017) - Bethlehem has always been about neighborhoods. NorthSide 2027 is an initiative designed to invest in and revitalize several north Bethlehem neighborhoods that surround Thomas Jefferson and William Penn Elementary Schools. The unique partnership, involving the City of Bethlehem, Bethlehem Area School District, Moravian College, businesses, and citizens, will be holding the first meeting at Moravian College on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at 4 PM in Room 121 of the brand new Sally Breidegam Miksiewicz Center for Health Sciences, located at 1107 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018. “NorthSide 2027 is about revitalizing and reinvesting in our neighborhoods. It is an exciting initiative that will improve the quality of life for the City of Bethlehem and its residents,” said City Council President J. William Reynolds. “It is a strategy for strengthening the neighborhoods north of the Historic Downtown,” remarked Mayor Bob Donchez. “One focus is to encourage rental properties to convert back into owner occupied residences,” he added. This public meeting will be the first opportunity to hear about some of the investments the City of Bethlehem hopes to make in the neighborhoods and what is coming next with the North Side 2027 initiative. Please invite your neighbors and share this information.

October 11, 20172:24 PM

Comprehensive Review and Evaluation of Public Parking in the City of Bethlehem (Bethlehem, PA October 11, 2017) - At the request of the City of Bethlehem and the Bethlehem Parking Authority, DESMAN was retained to perform a comprehensive review and evaluation of public parking in the city. The Bethlehem Parking Authority invites you to attend DESMAN’s presentation on October 24th at 12pm at NCC Fowler Campus Classroom 623 and later on the same day at 6pm in Town Hall. DESMAN will provide an update on the status of the study, initial findings from their data collection and outreach and timeline for completion of this engagement. Bethlehem needs your input! As part of the study, as many people as possible are encouraged to log on to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/bethlehemparking and share their opinions on the state of public parking in Bethlehem. “The Authority will be incorporating your thoughts and comments into the analyses, which will assist them in making informed future decisions on managing and operating public parking in the City of Bethlehem.” Said Mayor Bob Donchez.

October 6, 20174:12 PM

Road Work in Bethlehem Week of October 9, 2017 Fahy Bridge PennDOT’s contractor for the Fahy Bridge Project, J.D. Eckman, will implement a nighttime bridge closure in order to construct the median barrier on the southbound side of the bridge. The bridge will be closed Monday night (10/9) and into Tuesday morning from 7pm – 6am. Pedestrians will maintain access on the bridge’s sidewalk. The posted truck detour which utilizes the Minsi- Trail Bridge may be utilized as an alternate route. In addition, the contractor will need to implement a full bridge closure the weekend of October 13-15 in order to install an epoxy bonded overlay. The closure will begin at 7pm Friday, October 13 and remain closed until Monday, October 16th at 6am. In case of inclement weather, this closure would be pushed to the following weekend from 7pm Friday October 20th to 6am Monday October 23rd. SR378 PennDOT will be conducting drainage work on SR378 / Wyandotte Street between Broadway and Black River Road on Thursday, October 12 from 9am – 2pm and will need to close lanes at times with flaggers. Two-way traffic will be maintained. Linden Street / SR191 A contractor will be conducting roadwork on 191 between Johnston Dr and Macada Rd beginning Monday, October 9th through Friday, October 13th between the hours of 9am and 3pm. Laurel Street, Fairview Street, Main Street, etc: UGI will begin work in this area on Laurel Street on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. Traffic is proposed to be kept open with flaggers; however parking will be restricted at times. UGI will then move to Main Street (after Oct 22) and then to other roads in that area. Fillmore Street: The contractor for the Greenway Commons project at 3rd and Fillmore Streets will be working on the waterline on Fillmore Street on Monday and will need to close the road to through traffic from 7am-3pm. 5th Ave: Paving operations will take place on Wednesday, October 11 from 7am-3pm between Broad St and Union Blvd. 9th Ave: Paving operations will take place on Wednesday, October 11 from 7am-3pm between Lehigh St and Market St. Union Boulevard: Paving operations will take place between Center St and Main St on Thursday, October 12th and Monday October 16th. Macada Road: Paving operations will take place on Friday, October 13th through Wednesday, October 18th between Linden St and Center St.

October 5, 20174:18 PM

The Citizens’ Christmas City Committee is seeking donations of tall trees for the Christmas holiday season. The trees need to be nicely shaped, 40-50 feet in height, must be accessible to the roadway, and within no more than 7 miles of center city. City Electrician Greg Cryder, will come out to the location and inspect the tree for acceptability. We are also seeking the donation of a nicely shaped 18 – 25 foot tree. Donation of these trees will be recognized at the annual Christmas City Tree Lighting Ceremony, which will take place on Friday, November 24, 2017, at 4:30PM on Payrow Plaza. Anyone wishing to donate a tree should call Greg Cryder or Chris Lenhart at 610-865-7108. Please provide a return number and address in your message so we can find the tree.

October 4, 201711:10 AM

There will be no Open Door Day on October 9, 2017. The next Open Door Day will be on November 13, 2017, with the first session from 9:00-11:00 a.m., and the second session from 1:00-3:00 p.m. The discussions will be 15 minutes in length and will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Interested individuals will be asked to sign in and wait in the 2nd Floor Lobby until their allotted time. Residents may only sign-in once per month, and are invited to return each month if they wish.

October 2, 20173:55 PM

PennDOT’s contractor for the Fahy Bridge Project, J.D. Eckman, will implement a nighttime bridge closure in order to remove the temporary concrete median barrier on the southbound side of the bridge. The bridge will be closed on Tuesday night from 7:00pm – 12:00am. Pedestrians will maintain access on the bridge’s sidewalk. The posted truck detour which utilizes the Minsi- Trail Bridge may be utilized as an alternate route.

September 28, 20178:18 AM

The contractor for the New Street Parking Garage will be conducting paving operations today and Friday on 4th Street at Vine Street, Vine Street, and Rink Street. They will begin with 4th Street and will have traffic reduced to one lane with flaggers. On Friday, the work will move to Vine Street, Rink St, etc. Please use caution through the work zones.

September 28, 20178:14 AM

Anyone interested in donating supplies to Puerto Rico can drop off items at the Hispanic Center located at 520 E. 4th Street, Bethlehem between 9am and 4pm. The center will be collecting items until October 5, 2017. Items needed: Towels, blankets, bug repellent, flashlights, batteries, soaps, diapers, baby food, medicine, power converters, snack bars, plastic eating utencils, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminie products, toilet paper, wipes, first aid kits, non perishable food and clothing.

September 27, 201710:11 AM

Mayor Donchez Announces Additional Bond Rate Increase (Bethlehem, PA—September 27, 2017)—Mayor Bob Donchez announced today that S&P has again upgraded the City’s bond rating an additional notch from A to A+, with a stable outlook. According to S&P, “The upgrade reflects our view of the City’s improved budgetary flexibility to a level we now consider very strong as a result of the recent strong budgetary performance as part of the management’s recent plan to maintain a certain level of available reserves as well as an improvement in the City’s per capita effective buying income which improved its economy score.” “The stable outlook reflects our opinion that the City will maintain its very strong budgetary flexibility and liquidity as well as sustain its strong budgetary performance.” “Our continued focus on all aspects of our operations has resulted in the increased bond rating” said Mayor Donchez. “These efforts, with the support of City Council, have resulted in a more effective and efficient government.” Additional factors impacting the increase in the City’s rating include: • Strong management with good financial policies and practices • Very strong budgetary flexibility • Very strong liquidity • Adoption of a long term financial plan • Fund balance of the General Fund now exceeds the Government Finance Officers Association recommendation. “The unprecedented improvement is an indication of my team’s focus on the task of improving the City’s financial stability” the Mayor also said. The City finished 2016 with a $3.2 million surplus and an unassigned fund balance of $12.5 million.

September 21, 20171:04 PM

The Fall Yard Waste pick up will be October 2 to October 13, 2017. Your pick up day will be the week opposite of your recycling day. Recycling Date - Yard Waste Pick Up Date October 2 - October 9 October 3 - October 10 October 4 - October 11 October 5 - October 12 October 6 - October 13 October 9 - October 2 October 10 - October 3 October 11 - October 4 October 12 - October 5 October 13 - October 6

September 20, 20171:52 PM

The City of Bethlehem and the Bethlehem Area School District chosen by the Kennedy Center to be a part of the Any Given Chid program. A special thank you to the Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University.

September 18, 20179:52 AM

Declaring today Mary Pappalardo Day in Bethlehem. Congratulations on 100 years!

September 7, 201710:09 AM

Northampton County Electronics Collection Event Sept. 9, 2017 ● 345 Illicks Mill Rd., Bethlehem 18017 Collection Events are 9am-12pm Payment: cash or check payable to AERC Accepted Items: LAMPS Fluorescent Lamps ........................................ $0.25/each Specialty Lamps ............................................. $2.00/each (Metal Halide, High Intensity Discharge, High Pressure Sodium) MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRONICS 35 mm Slide Projectors ................ $1/each Joy Sticks ......................... $1/each Alarm Clock .................................... $1/each Microphone ..................... $1/each Answering Machine ...................... $1/each Modem ............................. $1/each Calculator ........................................ $1/each Movie Projector .............. $1/each Camera ............................................ $1/each Pager ................................. $1/each CD Players/Recorder ..................... $1/each Power Tool ....................... $1/each Dictation Equipment ..................... $1/each Radio ................................. $1/each Electric Pencil ................................ $1/each Record Player .................. $1/each Electric Razors ............................... $1/each Stereo/Walkman ............. $1/each Electronics Typewriter ................. $1/each Stereo Speaker ................ $1/each Fax Machine .................................. $1/each Tape Recorder/Deck ....... $1/each Hand Held Game .......................... $1/each VCR .................................... $1/each COMPUTER EQUIPMENT Computers/Laptops/Servers .................... No Charge Media- Audio/Visual Tapes ................... $0.50/each Printers/ Scanners .................................... $5/each OFFICE EQUIPMENT Photocopiers ....................................................... $20/each Multifunctional Printers .................................... $20/each Plotters ................................................................ $20/each TELEVISIONS & MONITORS -Must be intact LCD Televisions & LCD/Plasma Monitors ....... $10/each CRT TVs & Monitors - 20" or smaller ............... $20/each CRT TVs & Monitors - 21" or larger ................. $40/each Projection Televisions ....................................... $50/each HOUSEHOLD ITEMS Microwave ..................................................... $5/each BATTERIES Lead Acid Batteries .................................... No Charge Household Batteries .................................. $0.75/lb. (Alkaline Batteries)

September 1, 20173:39 PM

Broad Street The contractor for the City who is reconstructing the crosswalks on Broad Street between Long Street and Guetter Street will continue to work in the westbound lane through Tuesday, September 5th. On or about Wednesday, the closure will be switched to the eastbound lanes and will require a full closure again with a posted detour. This work is expected to last approximately 2 weeks. Broadway PennDOT will have pothole patching crews on Broadway on Thursday, September 7th between SR378 and Fiot from 9am-2pm and will need to close lanes at times.

August 31, 201710:50 AM

Congratulations to the Bethlehem Area School District and the students on the opening of the state of the art Nitschmann Middle School.

August 29, 201712:37 PM

St. Paul Baptist Church is spearheading a drive to contribute towards the victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas. Collections will be accepted Sunday Morning September 3, 2017 at the church. Persons are asked to send contributions checks/money orders to 925 East Goepp Street, Bethlehem, PA 18017. Envelopes should be addressed to St. Paul Baptist Church, attention "TEXAS HURRICANE." For more information contact Missionary Servant Leader Esther Lee @emlanelee@gmail.com

August 29, 20179:21 AM

Yesterday was the third and final Dare to Care community walk of 2017. In the morning it was the neighborhood around Madison Park and in the afternoon it was Ravena Street. There will be more in 2018.

August 25, 20173:31 PM

Main Street: Beginning Monday, August 28th, The City’s Streets Bureau will be reinstalling the speed humps on Main Street between Taurus Street and Illick’s Mill Road. The road will be closed from 8:30am – 2:30pm. Broad Street: A contractor for the City will be reconstructing three crosswalks on Broad Street between Guetter Street and Long Street in the next few weeks. On Monday, August 28th, westbound Broad Street will be closed between Long Street and Guetter Street for the first part of this work. A detour will be posted at Center Street and at New Street to utilize Union Boulevard. The road will be closed for 24 hours a day for approximately 2 weeks as the crosswalks are reconstructed. Parking will be prohibited during this time. After about 2 weeks, they will switch to the eastbound direction and close the road eastbound between Guetter Street and Long Street. A detour will be posted at Main Street again using Union Boulevard as an official detour. Contractors have been instructed to work with deliveries and garbage / recycling. Laurel Street: The City’s Streets Bureau will be working on Laurel Street between Mauch Chunk Road and Monocacy Street on Friday, September 1 from 8:30am – 2:30pm and will need to close the road during this work.

August 25, 20172:59 PM

Students, as part of the Sister City Commission present gifts from Mayor Tada of Tondabayashi, Japan and discuss their trip to Japan.

August 18, 20173:02 PM

New Street UGI will be working on N. New Street beginning Monday between Garrison Street and Union Boulevard. This work will require a road closure with detour between North Street and Union Boulevard. The road closure will take place between 8am and 3pm and will last for approximately one week. After the above work is complete, UGI will continue working on N. New Street in the area with daily lane closures (no full closures) for approximately 3 additional weeks. Broadway PennDOT will have pothole patching crews on Broadway on Thursday, August 24th between SR378 and Fiot from 9am-2pm and will need to close lanes at times. Linden Street PennDOT will have paving crews on Linden Street on Wednesday, August 23rd Elizabeth Ave and Washington Ave from 9am-2pm for road widening / shoulder work. Lane shifts and closures are expected.
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