October 14, 2015
Martin Tower’s zoning reviewed
City officials took time to thoroughly explain a proposed zoning change at the Martin Tower site at a meeting Oct. 6, while members of the public waited for their turn to weigh in on the proposal at a public hearing at the Bethlehem City Council regular meeting. The proposal would change the zoning to office mixed use (OMU) from a CM-LTN Landmark conservation and traditional neighborhood overlay district. Photo: Martin Tower is a 21-story vacant building that once served as Bethlehem Steel’s HQ. Built in 1971, it was the workplace for 1,800 Steel employees. It is actually part of a 53-acre tract located near Route 378. In 2003, it was assessed at $15.8 million. Last year, that assessment had dropped to $4.6 million. City taxes on the property have dropped from $178,000 in 2003 to $25,000 this year.
By Michelle Meeh
NEWS ANALYSIS
Can Bethlehem merchants survive CRIZ?
By Bernie O’Hare
COMMUNITY
Open Gate farm tour sites welcome visitors
A swinging good time is had by best friends Reilly Wuertele and Bailey Orth, both of Bethlehem, in a hay pit at Amore Farms along Route 512, south of Bath and just north of Hanover Township. Bailey was the birthday girl at an Amore Farms Fall Party. “She loves it,” said Amy Wuertele, who has booked the venue several times for her children. Amore was one of 16 farms in Northampton County participating in the free Open Gate Farm Tour. The Penn State Extension self-guided countryside activity is popular with local families and individuals who can continue the rustic adventure by visiting farms throughout Lehigh County Oct. 17 and 18, 1-5 p.m. Burnside Plantation in Bethlehem is also participating in the family-friendly event and offers a historical twist to visitors. For additional information, call 610-391-9840.
By Tim Gilman
COMMUNITY
Russian days celebrated in Bethlehem
What began as a fundraiser to help pay off a mortgage has grown into the Russian Days Festival that celebrated its 34th year this September. Sponsored by the 99-year-old St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, the first festival was held after the church moved from Southside Bethlehem to its current north Bethlehem location on Bridle Path Road. Photo: Church President Sandi Keysock takes her turn on the serving line, dishing up halupkies, a cabbage roll stuffed with meat and other fillings.It is a favorite of ethnic cuisines in the Balkans, central, northern and eastern Europe.
By Carole Gorney
WAFFLES
Simplicity Itself with Raegan Pechar
Raegan Pechar had rejected dozens of dresses by the time she decided to try one on. She had already plowed through the selection at the Lehigh Valley Mall, and now she was scrutinizing the inventory at the King of Prussia Shopping Center. Raegan, a senior at Freedom HS, was on a mission: she had to purchase a suitably stylish dress for Freedom’s Homecoming Dance.
By Ross Sonnenblick
BETHLEHEM SPORTS
Liberty shocks Parkland
It wasn’t a great start, but it certainly was a tremendous finish last Friday night when Liberty hosted Parkland in the biggest season matchup of East Penn Conference powers. After falling behind early, Liberty scored 27 unanswered points en route to a 41-34 victory over the previously unbeaten Trojans (5-1) to mark a significant victory for the Hurricanes (5-1).
By Peter Car
LV FOCUS
Brian Wilson – No Pier PressureThe title of “No Pier Pressure,” Brian Wilson’s latest album, is a pun. And a good one. “My daughter Daria came up with that title,” says Wilson in a recent phone interview from his home in California. Longtime fans of Wilson, co-founder and main songwriter, arranger and producer for The Beach Boys, may wonder if there isn’t a bit of irony in the title. If there is, Wilson isn’t letting on. Brian Wilson, regarded as one of the most influential composers of the 20th century, performs at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23, State Theatre Center for the Arts, Easton, with Al Jardine, an original member of The Beach Boys.
By Paul Willistein
OTHER STORIES
Bethlehem: Recent library sale nets $10,000 plusBethlehem: Stadiums, wireless upgrades coming to district
Bethlehem: Faccinetto concerned about tax brief bill
Bethlehem: NAACP talks education
Lehigh Valley: Via walk goes the distance
Northampton Counting: Gaming Board says income on target
Saucon Valley: Administrator to get pay raise
South Bethlehem: PPL WLVT naming rights sponsor
South Bethlehem: Task force talks park and parking
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