Community Corner

🌱 Where you’ll spot Allentown students’ giant quilt at the 2026 Fair

Make time for Jay's Local- Story Time on the Allentown Patch calendar

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Thursday December 18th Patch AM
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Cheers Allentown! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Where you’ll spot Allentown students’ giant quilt at the 2026 Fair
  • Why a former Allentown HR worker is taking the city to court
  • How Allentown’s new budget skips a tax hike but raises trash fees

Also on today's calendar: Allentown Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows and 4 more events.

Find out what's happening in Allentownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Allentownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Freezing fog in the morning, with a high of 42 and low of 38 degrees.
  • Friday: Windy; rain in the morning, temps: high: 57, low: 25.
  • Saturday: Some sun, then clouds; colder, with a high of 37 and low of 33 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Student-Made Red, White & Blue Quilts to Shine at the 2026 Fair (townandcountrygazette.com) — Fourth-graders from several Allentown School District elementary schools created red, white, and blue paper quilt squares that will be displayed as a giant quilt at the 2026 Great Allentown Fair in the Agri~Plex. The project capped an agricultural education day at the fairgrounds and ties into both the fair’s 174th year and the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
   

2. Third Allentown employee sues city in federal court, alleging illegal discrimination and retaliation (mcall.com) — A former Allentown human resources employee has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the city of discrimination and retaliation after she spoke publicly about her treatment at City Hall and was later fired. The suit details her work history with Allentown, alleged hostile conditions, demotion after filing complaints, and claims about Mayor Matt Tuerk’s role, while the city says it does not comment on pending litigation.
   

3. Allentown City Council adopts 2026 budget without tax increase (wfmz.com) — Allentown’s 2026 city budget is moving forward without the 3.96% property tax increase originally proposed by Mayor Matt Tuerk, but residents will still see a $140 hike in their annual trash bill. Council narrowly rejected a compromise to pair a smaller solid waste fee with the tax hike, meaning the city may now tap its fund balance and potentially affect future borrowing for major projects.
   

4. Allentown to receive more than $3M from DuPont, 3M in class action lawsuit (wfmz.com) — Allentown is set to receive about $3.12 million from 3M and DuPont as part of a class action settlement over PFAS “forever chemicals” found in local water supplies. City Council has already amended the 2025 capital budget so the money can help pay for a required water remediation system, with payments arriving in installments through 2033.
   

5. Allentown 4th graders inspired by firefighter's visit for hands-on Career Day (wfmz.com) — Allentown fourth graders got an up-close look at firefighting when city Captain Jonathan Hammel visited their classroom for a new hands-on Career Day speaker series. Students peppered him with questions, heard dramatic rescue stories, and learned there are currently no female firefighters in the Allentown Fire Department, inspiring many girls in the class to imagine joining the ranks themselves.
   

📸 Around Allentown

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Allentown

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📣 Allentown Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday December 18
  • Holiday Family Story Time: Kwanzaa
    Whitehall Township Public Library , 3700 Mechanicsville Road , Whitehall
    11:00 am
  • Adult Coloring Club
    Whitehall Township Public Library , 3700 Mechanicsville Road , Whitehall
    11:00 am
  • Boys Basketball Practice
    Eyer Middle School , 5616 Buckeye Rd #1739 , Macungie
    2:45 pm
  • Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting
    Emmaus Borough, PA Calendar Emmaus, PA 18049
    4:45 pm
  • Holiday Happy Hour + Fundraiser
    1812 Piano Lounge , 1812 W Allen St , Allentown
    5:00 pm

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

  • Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts, whichever neighbor snow plowed and cleared away the last snow for us.
    ( In the West end) When we came back from our event we were pleasantly surprised. I just had a total hip replacement and am not allowed to bend… (Nextdoor The West Watch)
  • Good morning everyone.
    I'm thinking about having a game night every other week or once a month at my house. The first would be wednesday, jan 7, 6-9. (Nextdoor Cetronia)
  • Southerly winds increase Thursday night with gusts of 40-45mph possible. There may be a lull in the wind midday Friday before it picks back up Friday... (X: CStiverWFMZ)
  • Crash on US 422 westbound at Exit: I-176 SOUTH - MORGANTOWN. There is a lane restriction.... (X: 511PAAllentown)
  • McDonald's posted a job opening for Shift Manager Up to $20/per hour to start in Allentown. Apply here.
  • Sharp Services posted a job opening for Manager, Warehouse Operations & Material Handling 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. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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