BETHLEHEM PRESS

July 31, 2019

COVER STORY

Making city government more
transparent, accountable

Bethlehem’s former 911 communications center is now its service center and water control center, providing residents with a single point of contact for non-emergency requests, such as reporting potholes, downed tree limbs, water main leaks, and high grass complaints. At a recent rollout, city staff outlined the operation, which allows residents to report their concerns via direct phone line (610-865-7000), email (bethlehemservicecenter@bethlehem-pa.gov), eGov and a BSC App available through the Google Play and Apple App stores. Photo: Safety Center Specialist Judy Harrison is one of 10 employees working to assist Bethlehem residents in the new service center. She is a 12-year veteran with the city, having spent her time in the former 9-1-1 communications center.

By Dana Grubb

 

COMMUNITY

Friendship Park gets a facelift

Bethlehem officials, council members and residents gathered at Northside’s Friendship Park recently to witness the reveal of new playground equipment. The opening was part of the Northside 2027 Neighborhood Plan, aimed to strengthen residential areas north of downtown Bethlehem. Photo: Officials, council members, residents and children crowd around the new playground at Friendship Park.

By Tim Healy

 

32^ND ANNUAL FESITVAL

Everything blueberry

The 32nd annual Blueberry Festival July 20 and 21 offered something for everyone. Visitors could have their faces painted, watch a well-trained dog doing tricks on command, be entertained by band and orchestral music, watch demonstrations of colonial brewing and blacksmithing, and play lawn games, to mention a few of the activities. Photo: Matthew Mikhalkov ate a whole blueberry pie fast enough to take second place out of 15 kids. The use of hands is not allowed in the competition.

By Dorothy and Dennis Glew

 

SPORTS-LIBERTY HS

Athletes of the Year

Harris a class act on and off the field

By Peter Car

Stucky always left it all on the field

By Katie McDonald

 

FOCUS

36^th annual MUSIKFEST

There’s a new platz in town at the 36th annual Musikifest, Aug. 2-11, which kicks off Aug. 1 with “Preview Night.” Zinzenplatz was chosen in a contest held by ArtsQuest, which presents Musikfest, to replace the name of Experienceplatz, Main and Lehigh streets, Bethlehem. Zinzenplatz honors Countess Benigna von Zinzendorf, daughter of Bethlehem founder Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf. Musikfest, named the “Best Music Festival in North America” by USA Today’s 10best.com, is held in Bethlehem’s Historic District on the city’s northside and SteelStacks on the city’s Southside.

By Paul Willistein

 

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: Friendship Park gets a facelift

Bethlehem: Heat, humidity fail to hinder book sale

Bethlehem: YWCA celebrates start of 92^nd year

Bethlehem: HARB approves new murals for Southside

Bethlehem: ArtsQuest announces Marcincin Award honorees

Fountain Hill: Backpack Buddy program boosted

Hellertown: New fgire truck purchase pondered

Lehigh County: Board distributes housing funds

Northampton County: Council ponders jail healthcare

State: Residents need to heed heat warnings

Valley: Fraud examiners on a mission

 

WEEKLY FEATURES

Around town community calendar

Police logs

Area obituaries

Center for Animal Health and Welfare

Volunteers

Student profiles

High school news reports

 

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