🌱 How PFAS settlement money will change Allentown’s drinking water
Hello again Allentown! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How PFAS settlement money will change Allentown’s drinking water
- How much new affordable housing money is headed to Allentown?
- Planning your 2026 camping trips? See what’s coming to Allentown.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Allentown? Post it to Allentown photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: Cold with clouds and sun, with a high of 29 and low of 18 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy and not as cold, temps: high: 43, low: 22.
- Thursday: An afternoon shower in spots, with a high of 45 and low of 40 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Allentown set to bank $3M from 3M, DuPont after PFAS settlements (lehighvalleynews.com) — Allentown is set to receive more than $3 million from 3M and DuPont settlements to help build a $20 million treatment facility for Crystal Spring, one of the city’s main water sources. Tests found PFAS “forever chemicals” above new federal limits, and city officials expect annual payments through 2033 to support the project, targeted for completion by 2027. 
2. Affordable housing projects get boost from state funding (lvb.com) — New state tax credits are steering hundreds of thousands of dollars into Allentown, including upgrades around Franklin Park, new affordable housing on West Gordon Street, and planning for a teen center hub. Additional funding will support Allentown students’ healthcare career pathways and regional youth, STEAM, and food access programs across the Lehigh Valley.
3. PCOA to Release 2026 Pennsylvania Campground Directory (moderncampground.com) — Allentown-area campers and RVers can mark their calendars for the Lehigh Valley RV Show at the Allentown Fairgrounds Agri-Plex on January 9–11, 2026, featuring new RVs, vendors, games, and prizes. The show coincides with the statewide release of PCOA’s free 2026 Pennsylvania Campground Directory, packed with maps, campground listings, and campfire-ready “Revolutionary Recipes.”
4. Musikfest announces rock act as headliner; its first LV show in 12 years (lehighvalleynews.com) — Taking Back Sunday will return to the Lehigh Valley as a Musikfest headliner in Bethlehem on August 8, with Yellowcard also on the bill. The band has a history of big Allentown shows, including headlining Allentown Fair in 2006 and playing Crocodile Rock Café in 2009 and 2011, plus Yellowcard’s 2014 Maingate Nightclub stop.
5. The MAGA Marijuana Split (notus.org) — JD Vance is slated to visit Allentown on Tuesday to give a speech focused on the economy, putting the city briefly in the national political spotlight. The broader piece explores Republican debates over marijuana policy, health care, SNAP benefits, and congressional gridlock, but for local readers the key takeaway is a high-profile campaign stop happening in town.
📸 Around Allentown
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Allentown
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
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Agnostic Front
Archer Music Hall, 939 Hamilton St, Allentown
6:00 pm
Sunday December 21
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Committee-of-the-Whole School Board Meeting & Regular Board Meetings
Allentown City SD , 31 S Penn St , Allentown
6:00 pm
Thursday December 18
📣 Allentown Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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SES 2nd grade Winter Concert
Salisbury Township SD Allentown, PA 18103
9:15 am -
SES 3rd & 4th grade Winter & 4th grade band Concert
Salisbury Township SD Allentown, PA 18103
10:15 am -
Boys Basketball Practice
Eyer Middle School , 5616 Buckeye Rd #1739 , Macungie
2:45 pm -
Girls Basketball @ Faith Christian
Faith Christian Academy , 2255 Allentown Rd , Quakertown
4:00 pm -
Emmaus Public Library Board Meeting
Emmaus Borough, PA Calendar , 11 E. Main Street , Emmaus
4:00 pm -
Health, Sanitation, & Codes Committee Meeting
Emmaus Borough, PA Calendar Emmaus, PA 18049
4:45 pm -
A Good Yarn
Whitehall Township Public Library , 3700 Mechanicsville Road , Whitehall
6:00 pm -
General Administration Meeting
Emmaus Borough, PA Calendar Emmaus, PA 18049
9:00 am -
Field Day Open Play
St.Luke's Sports Center [Rink] , 3323 7th St , Hokendauqua
1:00 pm -
Boys Basketball vs Nazareth
Eyer Middle School , 5616 Buckeye Rd #1739 , Macungie
4:00 pm
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- To whomever cleared my sidewalk this morning, thank you!
I am so grateful for the reminder that there is still kindness in the world. Blessings to you and your loved ones this holiday season! (Nextdoor Pennsylvania Turnpike) - Lost dog sighting Northampton.
Medium sized dog dark grey brown hard to tell. Spotted 2:45 Am next to Redners quick shoppe Northampton . Went to go chase for a better look possible… (Nextdoor NW Allentown)
- McDonald's posted a job opening for Shift Manager Up to $20/per hour to start in Allentown. Apply here.
- Spectra Experiences posted a job opening for Premium Suite Runner | Part Time | PPL Center in Allentown. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Allentown here.
Ok Allentown! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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