Good morning, Allentown.

Upper Macungie Township is offering free fitness, sports, and community events for all ages this week.

Highlights include a free Zumba Gold trial (9:00–9:45 a.m., Aug. 21) and an Intro to Karate workshop (noon–1 p.m., Aug. 22) along with youth sports, tennis lessons, and family festivals through Sept. 14.

A coalition of 14 local churches raised $45,000 on Sunday at a community picnic at Neffs Church Grove to beat their $20,000 goal and clear $6 million in medical debt for local residents in Lehigh and Northampton counties + beyond.

Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra will perform its summer season final, Valley Vivaldi, at 7 p.m. on Aug.

23 at Wesley Church in Bethlehem (2540 Center St.). The concert features a double Bach finale and notable soloists in a historic tribute to classical music.

A new memoir titled What the River Kept by Michael D.

Melillo shares the long-held secret of local veteran Joseph Paul 'Pop' Janscak's World War II experiences and silent struggles with war trauma — the 330-page book is available from Fernling Press.

Northampton Community College recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new Precision Machining and Tool Design Center to launch training programs for machinists, CNC programmers, and toolmakers in response to local industry demand.

The project was funded by a state grant (with help from the Truist Foundation).

Rep. Milou Mackenzie announced $560,000 in PAsmart grants* to support career training for three schools in the 131st Legislative District.

The funds allocate $140,000 for Lehigh Carbon Community College, $140,000 for Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, and $280,000 for Montgomery Community College.

Administrators, educators and board members at Parkland School District celebrated their volunteers at an end of school year luncheon held in the dining hall at Lehigh Carbon Technical Institute in Schnecksville.

Extraordinary Smiles sponsored the event, which marked the close of the 2025—26 school year.

Upper Milford Township's 53-acre County of Lehigh #2 crop farm is set to be preserved permanently from development through Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program — it is one of 34 farms totaling 2,565 acres receiving protection to maintain agricultural production and the area's rural character.

The Lehigh County Authority said that proposals for two data centers are brewing in Allentown and conservation measures are urged amid a drought warning, as lower water levels make filtering harder while the system still moves 26 million gallons a day.

PA Courts InfoShare reminded drivers on Aug.

21 to slow in school zones and to stop for school buses as the new school year nears. In Lehigh County, records show 268 Title 75 violations from 2021 through 2025 — a measure of ongoing efforts to protect student safety.

Insurance expert James L.

Reagle explains that homeowners insurance should cover rebuilding costs, belongings, liability and renovations. Homeowners in Palmer Township (local expert) are advised to review policies regularly as rising construction prices may increase rebuilding expenses.