Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 15th of July.
Good morning, Bethlehem.
🏘️ Community
West Side Moravian Church at 402 Third Ave. marked 166 years on May 3 with a Lovefeast and will host a block party on Sept.
5 offering free food, drink + activities. The church also runs Essentials Café with free or donation-based meals that welcome everyone.
Historic Hotel Bethlehem is nominated for USA Today's Best Historic Hotel/Resort contest as managers expect the Road to #6 campaign to build on its winning streak, with voting open until Aug.
3 at votehotelb.com. The nomination marks the hotel's 8th consecutive entry following community partnerships (including IronPigs and St. Luke's).
💼 Business
Pennsylvania was ranked fifth in Technology & Innovation in a CNBC study released July 9, thanks to Lehigh Valley’s ecosystem of universities, tech companies, and incubators.
Local moves such as Nokia's $30 million expansion and Ben Franklin Northeast’s incubator in Bethlehem have boosted our region’s tech success.
Hand Cut Crystal and Bethlehem Christmas Shoppe at 452 Main St. is celebrating 40 years in business.
The anniversary event began on July 12 during Bethlehem’s Block Party and will continue through Saturday, July 25.
🎭 Culture
ArtsQuest unveiled an early look at the Musikfest free stage lineup, which will feature over 300 acts across 15 stages this summer in Bethlehem.
Preview night is set for July 30 and the festival will run from July 31 – Aug. 9, highlighting diverse genres from rock to pop.
Mixed media artist Michael Palladino displays his “Ashland” series at Bethlehem City Hall Rotunda Gallery (10 E.
Church St) through Aug. 10. The exhibit contrasts desert aerial photos with carved wooden reliefs and is sponsored by the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission and PA Council on the Arts.
📰 Economy
Pharmaceutical Technology explained how years of local workforce development and partnerships helped secure Eli Lilly’s $3.5B manufacturing campus in the Lehigh Valley.
The investment shows the region’s manufacturing heritage and strong links with local schools as it builds a skilled future workforce.
🎓 Education
Northampton Community College received a $150,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to launch a two-generation program supporting parenting students.
The initiative, running June 2026 through June 2027, will fund a part-time Parent Navigator, an emergency aid fund, and childcare scholarships for 11 children (NCC Children’s Centers).
Bethlehem Area School District announced that Miller Heights and Asa Packer elementary schools have been certified as Leader in Me Lighthouse Schools by FranklinCovey Education, recognizing their rigorous multiyear process to empower students through leadership.
The schools join a global network of excellence & are set to inspire student initiatives.
🏛️ Government
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled on July 14 that so-called skill games are illegal gambling devices, ending long-running legal disputes.
The ruling will impact thousands of businesses that rely on these machines statewide (including local operators).
Residents in South Whitehall demanded a public hearing after offensive texts surfaced during the July 9 meeting on a revised hyperscale data center proposal near Parkland High School.
Officials will consider community input at a planned meeting on Aug. 13 + further review of Project Atlas.
🏈 Sports
The Lehigh Little League 10U All-Stars won their District 20 championship against Southern Lehigh with a 13-2 score on July 9 — manager Tom Cser credited extra practice for the win.
The team will host the Section 6 tournament starting July 18.
🎉 Bethlehem Events
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Bethlehem Blueberry Festival Performance
2:30-4 p.m. — Burnside Plantation — Free entry — Enjoy a lively 90-minute duo set at the blueberry festival.
Grupo Niche Concert
7-10 p.m. — Wind Creek Steel Stage at PNC Plaza — Tickets available — Celebrate the rhythms of salsa and cumbia with the legendary Colombian group Grupo Niche.
AJR Concert at Musikfest
7 p.m. — Musikfest — Tickets from $94.60 — Experience the energetic performance of AJR in the beautiful setting of Bethlehem Musikfest.
🏠 Bethlehem Real Estate
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💼 Bethlehem Job Board
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📣 Bethlehem Announcements
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