Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 3rd of October.
Good morning, Bethlehem.
🏘️ Community
Volunteers from The Costume Project are hosting a free carnival at Bethlehem YMCA (430 E Broad Street) today from 10 a.m. to noon, offering over 600 costumes, 500 accessories, and 1,000 books to help families celebrate Halloween.
The event will feature games, a book corner, temporary tattoos, and a raffle.
💼 Business
Hotel Bethlehem is investing in over 200 employees for improved customer service as part of its REAL People Promise, emphasizing genuine human contact over AI use.
The hotel honors its century-old community roots with personalized interactions that keep service real.
🎭 Culture
Oktoberfest returns at SteelStacks in Bethlehem with expanded events that include live music, German food, and family competitions such as wiener dog races.
The celebration starts today and continues into next weekend (Oct. 9-11).
📰 Economy
About 30,000 visitors will attend the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic in Lower Macungie Township this weekend, boosting local hotels and restaurants as the golf tournament continues through Sunday (with SpringHill Suites sold out and local dining busy).
🏛️ Government
The Pennsylvania Game Commission announced updated chronic wasting disease rules for deer hunters in the 2026 to 2027 season.
The rules will require hunters to discard high risk deer parts via commercial trash services — a change prompted by four recent detections meant to curb the spread.
🏥 Health
State health officials confirmed 977 measles cases in 39 counties after an outbreak began in late April, with five deaths and nearly 20% of patients sent to the hospital.
They urge all residents (especially those with one or no MMR dose) to get fully vaccinated.
St. Luke's has opened its new Heart Hospital at its Anderson campus in Bethlehem Township on Friday to offer specialized care to cardiac patients.
The 355,000 sqft facility, the largest in the hospital's history, cost $252 million and supports both emergency and routine heart care.
Inspectors found rodent droppings at Drink Fresh by Djurdjura in the Lehigh Valley Mall on Sept.
16 during a routine food safety inspection. Recent checks at several local establishments also revealed other compliance issues.
🎉 Bethlehem Events
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