The commuter tax is no longer in place in Easton thanks to the approval of the city's 2025 budget.

The commuter tax imposed a 1.95% income tax rate on non-residents who traveled to Easton for work. 9,000 non-residents who work in the city will save 0.95% year in income taxes by having the tax removed.

The city can no longer maintain the non-resident commuter tax because its overall pension plan has improved from a somewhat distressed level to a minimally distressed level. The city has budgeted $70.9 million for total expenses, which is $1.1 million less than in 2024. The city will not raise taxes for the 18th consecutive year. At 24.95 mills, the millage rate stays constant. For tax purposes, a mill is $1 in taxes for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value. A $50,000 tax-assessed property would result in a $1,247.50 city tax bill the following year.

Some changes have been made to the budget since it was first presented in October. The city council that the city will utilize American Rescue Plan Act monies for the remainder of this year. The $250,000 that was initially allotted to the general fund budget will be covered by the funds.

The budget for the general fund is $38.5 million. The city is almost ready to fill the position that Valor Insurance had held at city hall. The government would ask for a budget modification if the vacancy were to be filled. The municipal hall budgeted $60,000 for two more security officers.

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The tax rate that Bethlehem residents paid last year will likely remain the same in 2025.

The Bethlehem City Council approved its $112.49 million budget without raising taxes at its final meeting of the year on Tuesday. The 2025 budget was made achievable with no increase thanks to the 2024 tax rate, which increased by 2.6% over the previous year. The 2024 tax increase made it possible to increase salaries for firefighters and police officers, as well as to purchase new radios for emergency services and police bodies and dash cameras. The percentage of emergency calls handled in the city will also rise with the addition of more city emergency medical technicians.

The City Council approved ten spending plans in all. They contained capital budgets for non-utilities, water utilities, and sewer utilities; a community development block grant budget; a measure that fixed the 2025 tax rate for all city purposes; and budgets for the water fund, sewer fund, golf course enterprise fund, stormwater fund, and liquid fuel fund.

The $26 million non-utility capital budget was allocated to a wide range of projects. For example, $818,000 is set aside for public works related to traffic, while $315,000 is set aside for the replacement of police vehicles. Public works for street projects will total more than $17 million, including $2 million for the two-way conversion of Linden and Center streets, approximately $4.2 million for street overlays, almost $400,000 for two Mack heavy-duty dump trucks, $1.1 million for the East Broad Street Active Transportation Plan, and $10 million for improvements to the West Broad Street corridor. Residents and community members who attended budget sessions and provided feedback were praised by Councilmember Rachel Leon.

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Emmaus Borough residents turned out in force Monday to protest a 25.6% hike to their municipal tax payments.

Despite more than two hours' worth of public comment from residents mostly opposing the tax rate-raising measure, the borough council voted to accept the measure 6-1 after its second reading Monday. The ordinance was first introduced at the body's Dec. 2 meeting. The measure called for taxes levied at a combined tax rate of 10.4455 mills, up from 8.3155. The rate is comprised of the general fund tax rate of 8.1204 mills, the fire fund tax of 1.8461 mills, a special roads fund tax of .32 mills, and a streetlight fund tax at a rate of .159 mills. Officials reported that the borough experienced financial difficulties in several areas. For example, pension costs increased by $54,000; health care costs increased by 11%, or $124,995. Workers' compensation increased by $54,780, or 34%. Electricity costs increased by 30%, or more than $40,000. Similarly, natural gas increased by more than $13,000, and refuse costs increased by $518,628. Officials also expect a revenue drop of more than $1 million, partially because construction is down. Thus, permitting revenues are expected to decrease by more than $30,000.

The first on the list was $150,000 for roof repairs for the Emmaus Public Library, whose roof is completely rotted and badly leaking into the building. Other large expenses included $104,500 for a police car and $66,646 for pool repairs. As it stands, the crack causes the pool to lose 55,000 gallons per day. Another area of high costs relates to sewer upgrades from Lehigh County Authority, starting in 2026. LCA is a nonprofit municipal authority whose mission is to protect public health and the environment by providing high-quality, safe, and reliable water and wastewater services.

The upgrades are projected to cost the borough $18.7 million. The budget also includes $4 million the borough must spend on sewer line upgrades, officials said. Remediation of city wells 1 and 2 is another large project, with a cost of $13 million for which the borough anticipates a 50% grant. According to a February 2024 notice from borough manager Shane Pepe, the aquifer that feeds the wells is directly adjacent to the borough's fire training facility. Over the years, activities included firefighting foam, which was often used in training and practice. Unbeknownst to those involved, the foam contained harmful PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. PFAS is a large, complex group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in consumer products around the world since about the 1950s.

A large number of budget cuts are also included in the 2025 plan. Those cuts include the following: eliminating three current full-time employees, including the assistant borough manager, parks director, and full-time ambulance positions; eliminating three other full-time positions, including a police officer, the replacement of a retiring public works employee; and creating a management position in the fire/ambulance department. Further cuts include eliminating a second ambulance during the day, Monday through Friday. The original proposed tax increase was just over 50%, which would have helped maintain the positions as well as other capital items that were cut from the budget. The borough's current millage rate is 8.3155, which includes a general tax fund tax of 6.4404 mills, a fire fund tax of 1.3961 mills, a special roads fund tax of 0.32 mills, and a street light fund tax of 0.159 mills. The proposed rate for 2025 would represent an increase of 25.6%. For a property assessed at $100,000, the proposed tax bill for 2025 would equal $1,044.55, compared to $831.55 this year. Local developer Jonathan Wilhite supported the measure.

Emmaus residents have the benefit of a paid fire department—one of the only in the area. Additionally, they have a police department and ambulance service, among other services. Chris DeFrain offered advice to the current council and stated the borough would benefit from conversations for the short- and long-term health of the borough. Michael Felegy, a resident who is also a member of the East Penn School District board of directors, called the increases "outrageous." Many people are giving push back to the increase taxses. Overall, the borough council thanked residents for making their opinions known and encouraged more participation in the future. For their part, residents encouraged better communication between themselves and councilmembers.

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LV Korean BBQ & Hot Pot, offering all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue and hot pot, is expected to open in late December or early January at the Village West shopping center!

The new full-service restaurant will occupy a roughly 6,500-square-foot space, a couple of doors down from Ninja Ramen. LV Korean BBQ & Hot Pot will offer a very similar menu to the one offered at 88 Pot, with guests able to choose from all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue, hot pot or both.

Hot pots are simmering pots of broth with various meats, seafood, vegetables and other ingredients. 88 Pot guests can choose from bases such as Japanese miso, Korean seafood tofu, Szechuan spicy and Thai tom yum; sliced meats such as lamb, pork, chicken and prime brisket; seafood selections such as mussels, blue crab, jumbo shrimp and swai fish; noodles such as ramen, mei fun, vermicelli and udon; and vegetables and other options such such as bok choy, broccoli, lotus root, shiitake mushrooms, sliced pumpkin, fried tofu, quail eggs, shumai, gyoza, seaweed knots and watercress.

Around three dozen barbecue selections include beef varieties such as prime brisket, beef bulgogi, premium ribeye steak and short rib; chicken and pork options such as smoke garlic pork belly, signature pork cheek and spicy chicken bulgogi; seafood such as clams, garlic scallops, spicy salmon and spicy baby octopus; and fruits and vegetables such as eggplant, pineapple, sweet potato and onion. Like 88 Pot, LV Korean BBQ & Hot Pot will allow guests to prepare their custom meals at their tables.

It also will feature a new self-serve buffet option, where customers can choose exactly which ingredients that they want included in their dishes before then watching chefs prepare the dishes in front of them in an open kitchen.

The main dining room will seat approximately 180 diners, and a private party room will accommodate around 20 more.

LV Korean BBQ & Hot Pot will join around 20 other Village West tenants, including Giant, CVS, Dollar Tree, Sumo Sushi & Japanese Fusion, Manhattan Bagel, Panera Bread, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Ninja Ramen.

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The restaurant and miniature golf course Mountain View Family Drive-In, located at 602 Jacobsburg Road in Bushkill Township, will have a grand reopening featuring a new owner and a revised menu.

In late October, Mountain View temporarily shuttered in preparation for its sale to Sammy Baurkot, the new owner, and planned renovations to the facility and menu. The Mountain View team is prepared to unveil the company's improvements, which include additional ice cream and savory food options, as well as new paint and other cosmetic touches, now that the sale to Baurkot, who also owns Bushkill Park in Forks Township, has been finalized.

The manager of the miniature golf course expressed their excitement for the reopening! They made the place more cheerful, and we can not wait to visit all of our clients and make some new ones. In addition to its well-liked burgers and cheesesteaks, Mountain View will now provide standard and gluten-free pizza from Matey's American Pizza Company, cheesesteak egg rolls, and a vegan patty melt wrap. The menu will also include new sides like sweet potato fries and tater tots, as well as additional salad selections, including chicken Caesar and Cobb. Pineapple Dole Whip soft serve and black raspberry are two of the company's best-selling options. Also added two vegan ice cream flavors, two sugar-free flavors, and Italian ice.

With prices of $8 for adults, $7 for senior citizens and active and former military personnel, $6 for children aged 5 to 12, and free for children aged 4 and under, Mountain View's miniature golf will remain open all year round.

There will also be more family-friendly activities, such as the forthcoming Dinner with Santa and Mrs. Claus on December 14 from 5-7 p.m. and the Lunch with Santa and Mrs. Claus on December 21 from noon to 2 p.m.

During the winter, Mountain View will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. Saturdays and Fridays.

With origins dating back to the 1950s, the original Mountain View restaurant was much smaller and offered ice cream and quick cuisine. In 1962, a minigolf course was added. After it closed in 2004, the site deteriorated. The new 3,000-square-foot restaurant was completely constructed by Bushkill Township residents Lanie and John Yaswinski, who also added a covered porch, an outdoor seating space, and a party pavilion. The redesigned course included elements from the old mini-golf course.  In the spring of 2023, the Yaswinkis sold the property to two couples: Nicole and Jeff Caulfield of Nazareth and Patrick and Shea Missmer of Danielsville.

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Blended, a full-service restaurant featuring handcrafted meals, beverages, and more, has had its last day of business  at 27 N. Seventh St. in downtown Allentown.

A "steep fall in foot traffic that began in the spring" is a key reason for the restaurant's closure.  The business started out great in the first half of the year, but then drastically decreased during the late spring/early summer months. Unfortunately, the lease is up at the end of the year, and business hasn't been the best. 

The owner, DeGruccio, also mentioned the country's broader economic condition and fewer events happening in downtown Allentown as factors for the restaurant's closing.

He claimed to have noticed a decrease in foot traffic, particularly during the evening hours, since the Downtown Allentown Market implemented shorter hours on April 1.

DeGruccio added that he originally served as the restaurant’s executive chef before he and his partner, Eric Cutting, took over operations in 2022.

Blended’s menu features a diverse selection of made-to-order dishes, including snacks and shareables such as traditional and boneless wings, cheesesteak empanadas and truffle parm fries; cast-iron mac and cheeses such as broccoli cheddar and Buffalo chicken; and burgers and handhelds such as the “McBrayer’s Cowboy” burger (8-ounce Angus patty, shredded lettuce, jalapenos, cheddar cheese, candied bacon, bourbon BBQ sauce, and onion rings on a brioche roll) and a Cali salmon cheesesteak wrap. Popular items include the burgers, classic mac and cheese, Brussels sprouts and Buffalo cauliflower bites, DeGruccio added.

Additionally, the restaurant offers a wide variety of craft beers. 

DeGruccio intends to join the management team at Brü Daddy's, located at 732 Hamilton St., after Blended closes. The owner plans to continue presenting Blended's weekly activities, which included bingo, karaoke, and trivia at Brü Daddy's.

The owner wants everyone to know that he will be at Bru Daddy, along with many of the previous staff members. On its last weekend, Blended will be open as usual from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday and from noon to midnight (or later, depending on the audience). On Sunday, there will be offers on food and beverages.

They feel fortunate to have some of the best clients and employees in Center City Allentown, if not the entire Lehigh Valley. Without them, we could not have progressed this far. Queen City BBQ and Shula's Steak House, among other eateries, previously occupied the ArtsWalk location of Blended. After Blended closes, DeGruccio is uncertain about what will happen to the corner location. Jeff Vaughan, a spokesperson for City Center, said the building's owner, City Center Investment Corp., is in negotiations with a potential tenant who wants to use the space.

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The ordinance authorizes borrowing $2.5 million to acquire development rights on or along Steuben Road with Jaindl Land Co. where the latter has proposed 102 homes. The township also will attempt to acquire from Jaindl the property associated with Meadow Park Estates, a proposed 16-acre development with 10 homes off Hanoversville Road.

The Local Government Unit Debt Act is the official act that received approval Tuesday night. The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development administers the act, which outlines the procedure for Pennsylvania's local government units to issue debt and tax anticipation notes. The document also provides for the borrowing limits. The township previously implemented a tax to acquire funds for land preservation, and that money will be used as a down payment should the township's offers receive acceptance.

The acquisitions will maintain the town's unique character and energy, which will characterize the deal at the board's Oct. 17 meeting. Lower Nazareth has received significant funding from the open space tax levy, but it may require borrowing to cover both costs.

Township officials assured property owners in Lower Nazareth that should the purchases occur, they would not result in higher taxes. Rather, the township would use a portion of the funds collected from the taxes for land preservation and, as noted previously, borrow the rest. Officials announced the interest rate will be 4.7%.

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Breakfast on Broadway, a full-service restaurant offering made-to-order specialties for breakfast and lunch daily, held a soft opening at 15 Broadway in Bangor.

The restaurant, with seating for around 50 diners, occupies one of the ground-floor spaces of the former Bangor Trust Co. building, which dates to the early 1900s. Breakfast on Broadway owner Eddie Getz, of Bangor, has worked in the food service industry for more than 20 years—including stints at a variety of New Jersey restaurants—and is excited to tap his experience in opening his own dining establishment.

The owner is excited to open the doors to everyone! The owner, who has always had a passion for food, saw the opportunity to open a breakfast and lunch dining establishment. 

Breakfast on Broadway offers breakfast selections such as create-your-own breakfast quesadillas, apple cinnamon pancakes or waffles, creamed chipped beef or sausage gravy over biscuits or toast and three-egg omelets such as “The Big Ed” (eggs, cherry tomatoes, garlic, spinach, ham, bacon jelly and mozzarella cheese). A highlight of the menu is a customizable “Slater Potater,” featuring a seasoned baked potato with your choice of toppings. Signature varieties include chili and cheese, barbecue pulled pork and “Breakfast Spud” (cheese, scrambled eggs, bacon jelly, sausage and gravy), among others.

Breakfast on Broadway is open 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. during its soft opening week. Everyone is super excited to open their doors!

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My Tequila House, a full-service restaurant offering authentic Mexican cuisine, is coming soon to 4558 Crackersport Road in South Whitehall Township.

The site previously housed other dining establishments, including La Cucina Italian Restaurant, Chianti, and Vivo Italian Kitchen, with the latter closing in 2023. The new Mexican restaurant will be a second location of My Tequila House, which owner Alejandro Ramirez opened in 2010 at a former Pizza Hut building on MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township.

An opening date for the South Whitehall restaurant has not yet been determined, but the hope is for it to debut sometime in December. The management team has been busy renovating the former Vivo property with new wall paint and other cosmetic upgrades. Exterior signage for the new My Tequila House location has also recently been installed. The new location will feature My Tequila House’s full menu. Customers can enjoy a variety of tacos, more than a dozen main courses, fajitas, and specialties. Other menu highlights include a wide array of burritos and enchiladas.

The new My Tequila House location in South Whitehall will feature dining rooms on two floors, an outdoor dining patio, and a full bar.

My Tequila House customers can choose from a wide array of beers, wines, and classic and signature cocktails, Nearly 30 margaritas include on-the-rocks selections. There are also roughly 50 kinds of tequilas, including various silver, reposado and extra anejo varieties. My Tequila House has a goal of celebrating Mexican culture, flavor, and tradition!

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At the administration office, the Upper Macungie Township Planning Commission approved the preliminary/final minor land development plan for a proposed bank.

The design proposes for the construction of a 3,370-square-foot Chase Bank facility within Trexlertown Plaza, located at 7150 Hamilton Blvd., and the destruction of a former Yocco's restaurant structure. 

Within the proposed leasing area, the application calls for minor adjustments to the current utilities, landscaping, parking, and lighting.

Chase has locations in Bethlehem, Easton, and Allentown in the Lehigh Valley. Last December, Yocco's restaurant in Trexlertown closed.

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