🌱 Patch AM: Could speed cameras finally come to Bethlehem’s most dangerous corridors?

What's up Bethlehem! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Could speed cameras finally come to Bethlehem’s most dangerous corridors?
• Why Bethlehem’s Applebutter Road power plant must be sold again
• What’s next for Fountain Hill Elementary and BASD building safety?

Also on today's calendar: Wildlands Conservancy - Winter Birding Walk and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: My dog used to chase people on a bike a lot. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 48 and low of 36 degrees.
• Wednesday: A bit of rain in the morning, temps: high: 48, low: 32.
• Thursday: Snow and rain in the morning, with a high of 34 and low of 16 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. State report urges caution as lawmakers consider expanding speed cameras across Pa. (lehighvalleynews.com) — Bethlehem drivers and pedestrians could be directly affected as state lawmakers weigh expanding speed cameras and radar authority, with a new report urging caution and tight safeguards. Bethlehem’s police captain highlights dangerous corridors like Stefko Boulevard, Route 412, and Route 378, saying current tools leave officers with “almost no recourse” to address neighborhood speeding complaints.
   

2. Bethlehem power plant officially under new ownership (wfmz.com) — A major Bethlehem power plant on Applebutter Road has a new owner after Constellation completed its multibillion‑dollar acquisition of Calpine, though federal regulators are requiring the plant be sold again later this year. The U.S. Department of Justice ordered divestiture of six plants, including Bethlehem Energy Center, to prevent potential electricity price impacts on PJM grid customers. Operations at the Bethlehem facility continue unchanged for now.
   

3. BASD reviews next phase of Fountain Hill Elementary construction (wfmz.com) — Bethlehem Area School District is moving into a new $20 million phase to replace Fountain Hill Elementary, planning an 85,000‑square‑foot K‑5 building serving about 500 students. Board members also reviewed districtwide building capacities and heard that recent air quality and radon tests show all facilities performing well, with some ventilation tweaks still under review for maintenance and transportation buildings.
   

4. Liberty's Ava Kopetskie reflects on record-breaking career (wfmz.com) — Bethlehem readers can celebrate Liberty High’s own Ava Kopetskie, who has become the girls’ all-time scoring leader and is closing in on the school’s overall record. The senior reflects on years of hard work, sacrifices like giving up volleyball, and a breakout junior season that earned her a Division I spot at Loyola. Teammates and coaches praise her relentless drive and on-court chemistry.
   

5. Programs eyed to boost youth hunting (timesobserver.com) — A Pennsylvania Game Commission commissioner from Bethlehem is backing new efforts to make it easier for kids to start hunting without costing their adult mentors valuable tags. State lawmakers are also floating bills and programs to give young hunters special deer tags and dedicated hunting days, aiming to manage deer populations and keep the state’s outdoor traditions strong.
   

📸 Around Bethlehem

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Bethlehem

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Wednesday January 14

• Gentle Yoga
  Bethlehem Area Public Library , 11 W Church Street , Bethlehem
  12:00 pm
• SG dine & donate @Panera
  Panera Bread , 3301 Bath Pike , Bethlehem
  4:00 pm
• Line Dancing with Aleah
  Seven Sirens Brewing Company , 327 Broadway , Bethlehem
  7:00 pm

Friday January 16

• Friday Night Trivia at Colony Meadery
  Colony Meadery South Bethlehem , 211 E 3rd St , Bethlehem
  7:15 pm
• Big Lazy â Mid-Century Americana NYC Trio with Cinematic Sweep, Blending Experimental Guitar Instrumentals with a Death-Surf-Jazz-Noir Twang Sound
  Godfrey Daniels , 7 E. Fourth Street , Bethlehem
  8:00 pm

Saturday January 17

• Professor Louie & the Crowmatix â Rockinâ Americana, Roots & Blues
  Godfrey Daniels , 7 E. Fourth Street , Bethlehem
  8:00 pm

Sunday January 18

• Wildlands Conservancy - Winter Birding Walk
  Louise Moore Park, 151 Country Club Road, Easton, PA 18045
  1:00 pm
• Over the Mountain Lecture
  National Museum of Industrial History , 602 E 2nd Street , Bethlehem
  1:00 pm
• 3rd Sunday Open Mike Night
  Godfrey Daniels , 7 E. Fourth Street , Bethlehem
  7:00 pm

📣 Bethlehem Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday January 13

• Pre School Fun @ Hellertown Library
  Hellertown Area Library , 409 Constitution Ave , Hellertown
  1:30 pm

Wednesday January 14

• SG dine & donate @Panera
  Panera Bread , 3301 Bath Pike , Bethlehem
  4:00 pm
• Line Dancing with Aleah
  Seven Sirens Brewing Company , 327 Broadway , Bethlehem
  7:00 pm

Friday January 16

• Friday Night Trivia at Colony Meadery
  Colony Meadery South Bethlehem , 211 E 3rd St , Bethlehem
  7:15 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Bethlehem PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Hi I’m Toni
  Recently became a resident of Bethlehem with my significant other. His name is Scott. We moved in February of last year. It is a far cry from the… (Nextdoor Bethlehem West)
• Remember the client who hired me to help her make meaningful change in her life and we organized her bedroom?
  I just worked with her to organize her office, which she had been unable to use in years. What do you think? (Nextdoor Emerald Hills)

• The Cleaning Authority, LLC posted a job opening for House Cleaner $12 hour + Sign on Bonus in Bethlehem. Apply here.
• Restaurant Depot LLC posted a job opening for Stocker - Perishables in Bethlehem. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bethlehem here.

Ok Bethlehem! 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 took its bike away.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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