July 22, 20191:15 PM

The City of Bethlehem will host Jeffrey Carroll, VBDC Coordinator for Lehigh and Northampton Counties who will discuss the Lehigh/Northampton County Regional Vector Borne Disease Control Program (mosquito borne disease control) and the services associated with that program.

The discussion will take place on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 6:00 p.m. in Bethlehem Town Hall, 10 E Church Street.

This is open to the public.

July 14, 20199:21 AM

Very grateful for the great job the City of Bethlehem’s Police, Fire and EMS teams did regarding the incident at SteelStacks. A special thank you to Artsquest, WindCreek, the City of Allentown’s Police and Fire Departments, Lehigh County Emergency Management, Northampton County Emergency Management, City of Scranton’s Crisis Team, Nancy Run Fire Department, and Montgomery County’s Special Operations Team. This was an example of various organizations working very well together and having a dangerous situation end with no one getting hurt.

July 4, 20199:40 AM

Wishing everyone a happy and safe 4th of July. Please leave the fireworks to the professionals.

July 3, 20199:16 AM

As part of the Northside 2027 initiative, a new Friendship Park playground was dedicated July 2, 2019. Bethlehem invested $100,000 in park improvements and CADC got a $30,000 state grant through DCED Keystone Communities program.

July 1, 201911:51 AM

FIREWORKS AND COMMON SENSE IN BETHLEHEM With Pennsylvania legalizing consumer fireworks, it does not mean you can use fireworks anytime and anywhere you want and in the “wee” hours of the morning. City residents and visitors are reminded to please use fireworks responsively and with consideration and respect to others, their property and pets. Every summer, the Bethlehem Police Department responds to numerous complaints of fireworks being set off late at night, in City Parks, on private property, and adults and kids being injured by fireworks. Remember that fireworks are not toys and every year in the U.S., there are thousands of firework related injuries and incidents of property damage. Fireworks also affect people suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Sudden loud bangs, explosions can cause PTSD symptoms to reoccur in people recovering from a traumatic event or military service. Please consider what you are doing and how it affects others. Police also respond to dozens of reports of firework upsetting people’s pets. Dogs in particular are affected by the loud noise and flashes, causing many to break leashes, panic, become disoriented, frightened and run. Every year, we pick up numerous dogs. Some we are able to identify owners for and some we are not. Residents and visitors are reminded of Bethlehem City Ordinance, Article 746 and Pennsylvania State Law on the use of fireworks in Bethlehem. Here is a quick reminder of the Bethlehem Ordinance on Fireworks: 1-Under Bethlehem City Ordinance, Section 746.03, fireworks cannot be set off between the hours of 9:00 PM and 9:00 AM without a permit….PERIOD. 2-Under Bethlehem City Ordinance, Section 746.04, owners of property in the City or tenants are responsible for unlawful firework activity at the property. 3-Under Bethlehem City Ordinance, Section 746.05, all fireworks are unlawful on any City property or City Parks. NOTE: For violations of Article 746, fines range from $50.00 to $1000.00 or 30 days imprisonment. Here is a quick reminder of the Pennsylvania’s law on Fireworks: 1 -You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase, possess & use consumer fireworks. 2 - Consumer fireworks cannot be used on public or private property without the express permission of the owner. 3- Consumer fireworks or sparkling devices cannot be used within, or thrown from, a motor vehicle or building or at a motor vehicle, building or person, or anyone under influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or another drug. 4 - Consumer fireworks cannot be used within 150 feet of any occupied structure, in the street, on the sidewalk or in Public Parks. NOTE – For violations, you will be arrested for violation of the 72 Pa. C.S.A. 9401, Pennsylvania’s fireworks law and face fines and/or imprisonment as set by a County District judge. Please remember that you may think fireworks are “cool, but your neighbors who have to work the next day, may not. Be respectful of your neighbors and others. Please remember that when you set off fireworks, the noise travels for blocks in a City. Being woken up at 2:00 am by drunks setting off fireworks is “not acceptable.” Use “Common Sense” and if you are going to use fireworks, use them responsibly. If not, and the Police are called, you will be arrested.

June 21, 20194:14 PM

The Air Monitoring Report results, conducted by third-party company Vertex, for the Martin Tower demolition in May are now available for viewing. The report can be found on Bethlehem website's quick links or the Martin Tower website: https://www.martintowerbethlehem.com

June 21, 201911:24 AM

Had a nice conversation with Elias. He is from Germany and is here as a Rotary Exchange Student. He has been here almost a year and his favorite activity was playing percussion in the high school marching band.

June 19, 20199:25 AM

Due to technical issues with the Town Hall video system, YouTube videos will be not be available for the following Bethlehem City Council meetings: June 18, 2019 City Council Meeting; and June 18, 2019 Finance Committee meeting. We are working to correct the problem as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

June 18, 201911:59 AM

City Council Meeting June 18, 2019

Proposed Article 961 / Bill 19-2019 Relating to Special Event Activity Permits, Demonstrations, and Use Permits.

The referenced proposed ordinance was submitted to Council for consideration on April 9, 2019. To be responsive to public and third party comments and concerns about the ordinance, including those of City Council, I am requesting postponement of final consideration of Bill 19-2019 and the related ordinance amendments until the Administration has a full opportunity to review the comments and integrate changes, if any are deemed appropriate.
 
I am requesting postponement indefinitely until such time as the Administration completes its review of the comments and suggestions and submits Bill 19-2019 with any recommended amendments for final consideration.

June 10, 20192:38 PM

Mayor Donchez is here at the Northampton County 911 Communication Center with Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure to announce the consolidation of our 911 centers in accordance with state law. State mandated consolidation has been completed. Bethlehem residents should continue to dial 911 in an emergency.

June 8, 20197:20 PM

Beautiful day for the 40th annual celebration recognizing Portuguese Heritage Day in the City of Bethlehem.

June 7, 20192:51 PM

‪This proclamation declares today to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day in the City of Bethlehem to honor and remember all victims and survivors of gun violence and to declare that we as a country must do more to reduce gun violence. #WearOrange ‬

June 7, 20198:03 AM

The City of Bethlehem offers free smoke detectors and installation for resident homeowners of The City of Bethlehem. If interested, please fill out the attached form and submit it to the Fire Department, email to: fireprevention@bethlehem-pa.gov or please call the office at (610) 865-7140.

June 1, 20194:54 PM

What a moving ceremony for the unveiling of a beautiful monument honoring 35 Bethlehem soldiers who were killed in Vietnam. Most of the men being honored were drafted shortly after graduating from Liberty High School. A special thank you to Beth Masiado for organizing the event and fundraising for the memorial, ensuring that we will “never forget” the sacrifices these men made. We are so grateful to the more than 40,000 veterans of the Lehigh Valley.

May 30, 20199:47 AM

Join the Movement! June 12th 3:30 pm City of Bethlehem Block Party at Broad and New Street Intersection.

May 29, 20196:42 PM

‪Congratulations to the Negrao family on their groundbreaking for Goldfish Swim School, a learn-to-swim facility for children ages 4 months to 12 years. Located next to Lightbridge Academy in Bethlehem, the Goldfish Swim School is projected to open in December 2019. Thank you for investing in our community. ‬

May 29, 20199:49 AM

Richard Stiles, grandson of Bethlehem Mayor Robert Pfeifle (1930-1950), was joined by Mayor Donchez and former mayors Don Cunningham and Ken Smith for the unveiling of a memorial dedicated to the five-term Mayor this morning on the Greenway.

May 20, 20196:40 PM

‪It’s EMS Week 2019 and the City of Bethlehem recognizes the men and women who go #BeyondTheCall every day. Thank you for your dedication and service to our city! #NationalEMSWeek ‬

May 19, 201910:57 AM

Mayor Donchez would like to thank everyone involved in the planning of the implosion of Martin Tower. Special thanks to all City of Bethlehem personnel, the owners of the property, Controlled Demolition Inc., DEP, Superintendent Dr Roy, Principal Peter Mayes, Lehigh County Emergency Management, and Northampton County Emergency Management. A very special thank you to Robert Novatnack, City of Bethlehem’s Director of Emergency Management who has worked tirelessly on this project. Finally, a big thank you to the public for their cooperation leading up to, and while witnessing this historic event.

May 17, 20194:31 PM

Martin Tower: As you are all aware, Martin Tower will be imploded Sunday, May 19th around 7am. Please refer to the website below for road closure information: https://www.martintowerbethlehem.com/ Church Street: A contractor will be utilizing a lift on Church Street between N. New Street West and Main Street on Monday, May 19th and will need to remove parking and shift traffic for the day. Main Street: A contractor will be utilizing a crane on Main Street for tree work between Illicks Mill Road and Moreland Ave on Thursday, May 23. Main Street will need to be closed from 7am – 5pm for this work.

May 15, 20194:14 PM

The Bethlehem Recycling Bureau is currently hiring part time Recycling Attendants to work at the Theis/Cornfeld Drop off Center, located on Illicks Mill Road.  If you enjoy working with people and are looking for part time work, please reach out directly to the Recycling Bureau for details either via phone:  (610) 865-7082 or via email: recycling@bethlehem-pa.gov

May 15, 201910:07 AM

In preparation for the implosion of Martin Tower, contractors will be conducting fire hydrant operations in the area of Eaton and 8th Avenues on Wednesday May 15, 2019.   Due to the increase in the volume of water being used, City of Bethlehem water customers in the area may experience loss of pressure and/or discolored or cloudy water.  This activity will occur again on Sunday May 19, 2019 during the implosion event.
 
If you experience discolored or cloudy water we advise that you do not let your water run continuously.   Rather, run your cold water faucets only for a few minutes at a time until it begins to clear up. Repeat this step every hour or so until the water runs clear.  We recommend that you do not run your hot water while you are experiencing discolored or cloudy water; this will only draw sediment into your hot water tank.   While the water remains safe for consumption, you should consider avoiding activities such as washing clothes.

Any loss of pressure and/or cloudy water should be a short-term condition. If the water does not clear up in a few hours or you have an emergency involving your water service, please contact Water Control at (610) 865-7077. Thank you for your patience in this matter.

May 10, 20199:24 AM

AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHERING FAIR HOUSING COMMUNITY MEETING, MONDAY, MAY 20, 2019 AT 5:00 PM CITY OF BETHLEHEM TOWN HALL The City of Bethlehem, as a federal entitlement community through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Partnerships (HOME) programs is required to affirmatively further fair housing under Section 808 of the Fair Housing Act. To affirmatively further fair housing, the City must conduct an analysis to identify impediments to fair housing choice within the jurisdiction and take appropriate actions to overcome the effects of any impediments identified through the analysis. The cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, in partnership with Northampton County, are preparing a joint Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. The Analysis of Impediments is a planning document that examines any public or private actions that have the effect of restricting housing choice, or the availability of housing, based on an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. “Input from the community is vital to the creation and implementation of the Analysis of Impediments”, said Mayor Donchez. A community meeting will be held at Bethlehem Town Hall, on Monday, May 20, 2019 at 5:00 PM to discuss impediments to fair housing choice, as well as prioritizing actions to overcome the impediments identified. Additionally, a Fair Housing Survey is available at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BEANAI The City of Bethlehem’s Town Hall is accessible to persons with physical disabilities. If special arrangements need to be made for residents to accommodate them in order to participate in the meeting, please contact Allyson Lehr at 610-997-5791 or 711 for the hearing impaired, to make arrangements. If you have any questions or would like to submit written comments concerning the Analysis of Impediments, please contact Allyson Lehr, Housing & Community Development Planner, 10 E. Church Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018 or alehr@bethlehem-pa.gov.