Bethlehem Press

In October, Northampton County's Emergency Management Center was the command post for local emergency response to Hurricane Sandy. As Humvees raced in and out of the lot, Emergency Management Services Director Bob Mateff kept in contact with local municipalities and their residents. But the scene was much more tranquil at the Upper Nazareth facility Nov. 14, when Mateff announced the formation a task force to provide $40,000 in financial assistance to low-income and elderly homeowners who suffered damages during the hurricane.

After one year as Gracedale's management company, Premier Healthcare Resources reports that progress is being made. Northampton County Councilman Bob Werner, who serves as a liaison to council on the new Gracedale Advisory Board, shared the good news with council that Gracedale is currently at 90 percent of its 650-bed goal. There were 63 new admissions and a 30 percent increase in referrals at the county-owned nursing home, according to Premier's progress update at a Nov. 8 GAB meeting.

"Remember always how important you are to us," said Beverly A. Bradley from the Cops 'n' Kids Children's Literacy Program as she and Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent Dr. Joseph J. Roy welcomed more than 130 children from Miller Heights and St. Anne's elementary schools in Bethlehem.

Bethlehem City Council unanimously approved the 2013 Community Development Block Grant and HOME Program budget for 2013 at its Nov. 7 meeting.

The budget, which featured amendments by council members William Reynolds and Karen Dolan, will provide $10,000 to the Southside branch of the Bethlehem Public Library, $15,000 to drug surveillance overtime for city police officers and $15,000 toward the Employer Assisted Housing Program as part the roughly $1 million budget.

Dennis Scholl started several years ago creating a curriculum, putting together a website and developing field trips for what he thought would be just a dream. But recently that dream became a reality when the Freemansburg canal lock was designated a one-of-a-kind classroom.

When Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan unveiled his proposed 2013 budget Friday afternoon, he said it will, among other things, raise property taxes 8.5 percent and save each resident $50 per year.

Those seemingly contradictory elements are contingent on the passage of both the budget and the mayor's plan to institute a single citywide trash hauler.

Much like Hurricane Sandy, several elements came together to give Charlie Dent an easy path to re-election as the U.S. Representative from the 15th Congressional District of Pennsylvania.

The popular Republican had the advantage of incumbency heading into the election.

First elected in 2004, Dent has held onto his seat in Congress with wide margins in recent years.