Good morning, Allentown.

Concordia Lutheran Church in Macungie hosted a nearly sold-out spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Feb.

6 to support its long-running Latvia mission — a partnership with St. Luke’s that sends missionaries to teach English at Sloka Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Buddhist monks completed a 2,300-mile pilgrimage on Feb.

10 to Washington, D.C. to promote peace and kindness, drawing national attention and inspiring local residents; LEPOCO now hosts weekly peace vigils on Thursdays in Bethlehem (corner of Wyandotte and South Third streets) for community reflection.

Wawa will open a new store at Whitehall Mall on March 12 with festivities starting at 7:55 a.m., offering free hot coffee + t-shirts for the first 100 customers and a hoagie-building contest to benefit local charities.

Wawa opened its new store at 3015 Lehigh St. on Feb.

26, where managers Michael Batey and Christopher Olsson welcomed early customers and handed out T-shirts to the first 150 visitors — marking a festive launch for the community.

On Friday, March 6, Parkland Garden Club presented nine artworks to Mosser Nursing Home (1175 Mosser Road, Trexlertown) as part of the Healing Arts Project; the donations featured paintings and photos by local artists and were celebrated with refreshments for residents.

The JCC hosted a Community Purim Carnival on March 1 at 702 N.

22nd St., where families enjoyed games, crafts, prizes and a festive costume parade (a cherished Purim tradition) before the holiday was celebrated from sundown March 2 to sundown March 3.

Site Selection Magazine ranked Lehigh Valley as the top mid-sized market for economic development in 2025 based on job growth and a GDP over $57 billion.

The ranking considered 49 projects meeting strict criteria + underscoring the region’s balanced, growing economy.

At a Feb. 18 meeting, the Salisbury Township School District board approved a 2026-2027 calendar with an earlier start, a two-week break from Dec.

21 to Jan. 3, and an end on June 9 to standardize schedules across the county.

At a Feb. 17 Parkland School Board meeting, resident Greg Sussman warned that a proposed data center spanning 410 acres plus a 5.1 million sqft complex across from Parkland High School could generate nonstop noise and disrupt students' learning; district officials said they are monitoring its progress.

On Feb. 18, South Whitehall Township honored longtime public servant Don S.

Klein (35 years of service) at a board meeting, and officials praised his leadership. Township staff will also review resident Jay Short’s concerns about Chestnut Drive’s unsafe condition that hindered transit access for disabled commuters.

Treatment Trends facility on 6th Street reopened quietly in December following a $1 million renovation+state opioid settlement funding, offering renewed support for addiction recovery.

It now houses 13 residents with updated bedrooms, lounges, and exam rooms designed to create a family atmosphere.

The Allentown Planning Commission will review four proposals for 1,012 apartments along the waterfront (including a 360-unit high-rise at N.

Front Street and three mixed-use buildings) to help ease a 9,000-unit shortage at a meeting on Tuesday, Mar. 10 at 12:15 p.m. in City Council chambers.

March Hoops Championship Celebration

12:00 AM – 11:30 PM — Sports & Social Allentown — $100 fan gear gift card and food package for winning table — Celebrate March Madness with great food and prizes at your local hotspot.

West End St. Patrick’s 5K

12:00 – 1:20 PM — Brown Hall — Celebrate Irish culture with a festive racing spirit at the Lehigh Valley's fun 5K event.

Community Event: Unlock Your Rebate

10 AM – 1 PM — Allentown YMCA — Free entry — Discover if you qualify for property tax or rent rebates with the help of local organizations.

HARDY's COUNTRY! COUNTRY! TOUR

7-8:30 p.m. — PPL Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience HARDY's blend of grit and heart in his celebrated return to country roots.

Lehigh Valley Phantoms vs. Springfield Thunderbirds

7:05-8:05 p.m. — PPL Center — Ticket prices vary — Watch the thrilling showdown between the Phantoms and Thunderbirds in an exciting ice hockey match.

Tigers Jaw Concert

7-10 p.m. — Archer Music Hall — $52-$53 — Catch Tigers Jaw live in concert with last-minute tickets available.

Music Monday at Allentown Library

10-11 a.m. — Allentown Public Library — Free entry — Bring your littles for a fun music session in the Children’s Department.

Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins at Lehigh Valley Phantoms

7:05-8:05 p.m. — PPL Center — Ticket prices vary — Watch the exciting matchup between local hockey teams in the heart of Allentown.