Good morning, Bethlehem.

The South Bethlehem Greenway follows an old rail corridor linking the South Side to Hellertown but remains only partially paved and 12 feet wide, which limits bike and group access.

The City of Bethlehem has finalized a 1 mile expansion to connect to the Saucon Rail Trail—boosting safety and mobility—while experts call for further upgrades in lighting and safer street crossings.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board set a noon deadline Monday for sealed bids on 25 expired restaurant liquor licenses across 14 counties—winning bidders will have six months to submit a license application and must include a surety of $5,000 or 5% of their bid, with bids opened on Oct. 9.

Lehigh Valley Mall lost a major dining anchor on Thursday when Iron Hill Brewery filed for bankruptcy and closed all its locations—adding another vacancy to its evolving dining scene.

Palmer Township will soon install a big metal sign honoring Crayola history—approved by the PHMC—near the site of the first crayon factory on Edgewater Avenue.

The marker is the only PHMC honor in the Lehigh Valley and is part of a state program recognizing nearly 80 years of local heritage.

Today, the 38th Celtic Classic starts in Bethlehem with live Celtic music & Highland games, and the free festival will run through Sunday with a Tartan parade, athletic contests and food vendors.

Attendees can enjoy bagpipes, traditional Celtic food and local culture in the Historic District.

Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation’s 2024 Annual Report won a Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council on September 25th—marking its eighth win in a row and showing the region’s strong economic growth.

Lehigh students moved into the new Marshall Valley Apartments at 117 East Fourth Street after the 76-unit complex opened on August 13 with studios and three-bedroom units.

The building features a gym, outdoor patio with a grill, and secure entry—residents now enjoy a quieter off-campus housing option.

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources debuted a redesigned weekly fall foliage report on Sept.

25 to help residents plan outdoor visits during autumn, and the report will be updated each Thursday throughout peak season. Six regional experts will add tips, photos and advice for exploring state parks and forests.

The Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Board unanimously denied the appeal by property owner Ishtiaq Ali Saaem and Hanover Rauch LLC for a 2½-story townhouse development at 312 Hanover St.—the board ruled the 13,440-square-foot lot does not meet the required size and Saaem may appeal the decision with Northampton County Court.

Lehigh sophomore punter Connor Poole earned Patriot League special teams player of the week after averaging 52.4 yards per punt on five punts, totaling 688 yards so far this season+ he will play against the University of Pennsylvania tomorrow for family weekend as his strong performance helps keep the team undefeated at 4–0.

Bethlehem Oktoberfest 2025

4-11 p.m. — New Street Pub — Ticket required — Celebrate Oktoberfest with a bar crawl featuring beer, food, and live music at multiple venues.

Dan Tepfer – Inventions/Reinventions Dinner Concert & Fundraiser

Evening — Time TBD — ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks — Ticketed event — Experience a journey through Bach’s works infused with modern improvisation by pianist Dan Tepfer.

aGirl & aGuy Band Performance at Oktoberfest

3-4 p.m. — ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks — Entry info unavailable — Enjoy lively music under the beer tent at Oktoberfest.

Pepperwine Concert

3-4 p.m. — ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks — Cost not specified — Enjoy the melodic sounds of Pepperwine and immerse yourself in a remarkable music experience.

Hairball Concert

8:00 – 9:30 PM — The Club at Wind Creek Event Center — Tickets from $44 — Experience an electrifying night of live music with Hairball.

Mark Morris Dance Group Performance

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Zoellner Arts Center — Cost info not provided — Experience the vibrant creativity of the Mark Morris Dance Group, focusing on community, access, and diversity.

Kathleen Edwards Concert

7:30-11:30 p.m. — Musikfest Café — Tickets available — Experience Kathleen Edwards as she performs her holiday hit 'It's Christmastime (Let's Just Survive)'.

Cheap Trick Concert

7:00-9:30 p.m. — The Club at Wind Creek Event Center — Last-minute tickets available — Enjoy a night with the legendary rock band Cheap Trick in a cozy venue.

Bachman Turner Overdrive Concert

7:00-9:30 p.m. — The Club at Wind Creek Event Center — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening with classic rock legends Bachman Turner Overdrive in Bethlehem.

Wycked Night: The Ultimate Halloween Bash

9 p.m.-12 a.m. — Wind Creek Event Center — $10 cover — Dive into a thrilling night of costumes, music, and performances at Bethlehem's spookiest bash.