Good morning, Bethlehem.

Local residents and business owners on the South Side shared their views during a neighborhood walk—stylist Ryan Blackburn explained that rising real estate prices pushed him away while he plans to return eventually.

Fashion designer Marla Duran and others described the area as vibrant but called for more activities and better food choices for families.

Former Lehigh student Cyrilstan Nomobon Sowah-Nai, 20, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of stealing more than $127K in financial aid and will be turned over to immigration authorities to be sent back to Ghana — the plea deal dropped charges of theft, forgery, and tampering with records.

Bethlehem Area School District will launch a new pre-apprenticeship program for high school juniors and seniors in the second semester of this school year.

The program—which offers classroom work, hands-on training, site visits to local employers, and a $201,145 schools-to-work grant—is the first of its kind in the region and already has 29 students enrolled.

Bethlehem mayoral candidates held a debate Monday at PBS39 at Steelstacks, where candidate Grace Crampsie Smith and incumbent Mayor J.

William Reynolds discussed city budget growth, affordable housing, and federal funding changes in front of more than 50 residents. They also outlined plans for homelessness outreach and community programs while voters have until May 5 to register and May 13 to request mail-in ballots — key upcoming deadlines for the primary.

Bethlehem Township Planning Commission approved the fieldhouse site plan for Freedom High School on Monday, and developers said the project includes storage space + a press box.

The fieldhouse will be built on the turf field between East Hills Middle School and the high school, and it is set to be reviewed on the township board's May 19 agenda with construction planned to begin this summer if all goes well.

Sen. Bernie Sanders will bring his 'Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here' tour to Lehigh University’s Stabler Arena in Bethlehem on May 3—doors open at 10:30 a.m. with a punk rock band performing at noon and U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio set to appear, while free parking and strict venue rules are in effect.

Dave Chadha, a pre-dental student at Lehigh, founded Dental Care Bridge to honor his late grandfather by improving dental care for blind children in New Delhi.

He raised over $102,000 from benefactors and local networks—he partnered with a Bethlehem dentistry for Lehigh’s Dental Care Day on Feb. 23.

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.

Lehigh Valley Wicked Plant Fest

11 a.m. – 3 p.m. — ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks — Vendor fees apply — Explore a vibrant plant festival with over 100 vendors, artisans, food, and entertainment in the heart of Bethlehem.

Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay

8:45-9:45 p.m. — Vault 634 — Ticket prices vary — Experience Coldplay’s music performed by a string quartet in a stunning candlelit setting.

The Wizard of Oz Ballet

May 24-25 — Zoellner Arts Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience an all-new family-friendly ballet adaptation of the beloved Oz story.