Good morning, Bethlehem.

Bethlehem was named the 2025 Best Main Street by USA Today on Wednesday morning, beating nine other streets and drawing praise for its walkability and dining options.

Officials said the honor boosts the city's national spotlight by further showcasing its unique character.

On Tuesday afternoon, a disabled car on the right shoulder caused a New Jersey driver to brake hard at mile marker 51.7 on the Pennsylvania Turnpike near Emmaus, leading to a collision with another rig where both trucks caught fire at 1:40 p.m.—the crash closed the northbound lanes for more than two hours.

Debbie Merisca, a 49-year-old pre-kindergarten teacher at Bethlehem Christian, competed in America’s Favorite Teacher contest and was in second place in the quarter-finals as voting closed yesterday.

If she wins the contest, which offers a $25,000 prize + a trip to Hawaii and a feature in Reader’s Digest, she will use the funds to buy a house for her family and create more learning opportunities for her students.

Pre-K through 12th grade teachers in licensed schools within 75 miles of the Crayola Experience in Easton can enter a contest running from April 17 to April 24—three educators will have 64 seconds to collect Crayola products—and each winning school will receive a $5,000 prize pack.

At an eight-hour meeting, Lower Saucon Township Council voted three to two to join a lawsuit against Bethlehem Landfill’s expansion which critics say will raise taxes and endanger conservation land.

In separate news, the council named John Jay Finnigan Jr.—formerly of Hanover Township—as acting manager after Cathy Gorman left and approved a future increase in council pay.

South Whitehall Township commissioners advanced a transportation plan on April 17 that identified six dangerous corridors based on crash records and poor roadway conditions.

The plan will use federal funds from the Safe Streets for All program to reduce high injury crashes (six corridors targeted) (additional studies on freight and congestion planned).

AAUW Bethlehem Book Fair

2-6 p.m. — Bethlehem Municipal Ice Rink — Free entry — Discover thousands of books at the annual AAUW Book Fair benefiting local education initiatives.

Melissa Etheridge Live Concert

7:30 PM – 1:30 AM — Wind Creek Event Center — Check website for pricing — Experience the soulful sounds of Melissa Etheridge in a vibrant live performance.

Historic Downtown Campus Preview Day

10 AM — Moravian Academy — Free entry — Discover the unique offerings of Moravian Academy campuses with an immersive experience for prospective families.

Lehigh University Jazz Orchestra Concert

3-6 p.m. — Zoellner Arts Center — Enjoy a spring concert featuring contemporary jazz works performed by Lehigh University students and faculty under the direction of Bill Warfield.

Live Jazz with Joe Mixon

8-11 p.m. — Riegelsville Inn — Cost not specified — Enjoy a night of smooth jazz, blues, and fusion music performed by guitarist and vocalist Joe Mixon.

Downtown Bethlehem Fine Art and Craft Show

May 10-11 — Downtown Bethlehem Association — Free entry — Celebrate local artistry with awards, receptions, and exceptional crafts.

Mother's Day Brunch

10 AM – 1 PM — ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks — Ticketed event — Celebrate Mother's Day with delicious food and live music by Joe Lazorik.

Celtic Herbology Workshop

6:00-8:30 p.m. — Celtic Cultural Alliance — Workshop fee applies — Explore the uses of Celtic herbs and create your own healing products.

2025 Levitt Pavilion Concert Season

May 16-17 — Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks — Free entry — Enjoy free live music at the iconic Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces.

The Doo Wop Project

7:30-9 p.m. — Zoellner Arts Center — Check venue for ticket prices — Experience the evolution of Doo Wop from classic harmonies to contemporary hits.