Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Who just made Bethlehem City Council history this week?

Happening soon: Wildlands Conservancy - Winter Birding Walk on the Bethlehem Patch calendar

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Wednesday January 7th Patch AM
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Morning Bethlehem! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Who just made Bethlehem City Council history this week?
  • Which new Bethlehem projects could change your neighborhood in 2026?
  • What Bethlehem shoppers should know about Unclaimed Freight’s final closing sale

Also on today's calendar: Wildlands Conservancy - Winter Birding Walk and 2 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did the hammer say after getting an A on a test? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Wednesday: Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a high of 49 and low of 32 degrees.
  • Thursday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 50, low: 35.
  • Friday: Periods of rain, with a high of 52 and low of 42 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Bethlehem welcomes newest edition of City Council, 1st-ever elected African American member (lehighvalleynews.com) — Bethlehem residents have a newly seated all-Democratic City Council, including Jo Daniels, the first-ever elected African American member, and fellow newcomer Justin Amann. Incumbents Rachel Leon and Hillary Kwiatek begin new terms, while outgoing members reflect on service and decorum. Council salaries are set to rise for current and future members, potentially affecting city leadership for years.
   

2. Most anticipated Bethlehem development projects in 2026 include arts, medicine, business (mcall.com) — Major construction and redevelopment projects are reshaping Bethlehem in 2026, from a new $32 million arts and cultural center on South Side to expanded emergency services at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Muhlenberg. Residents can also expect new affordable housing on East Fourth Street, a seven-story hotel near SteelStacks, and fresh retail, restaurant, and manufacturing investments that promise jobs, services, and neighborhood revitalization.
   

3. Pennsylvania retailer set to wrap up six-decade run (furnituretoday.com) — A long-time Bethlehem fixture, Unclaimed Freight is holding a retirement-driven going-out-of-business sale and plans to close its doors by late February or early March. After more than 50 years serving local customers, the family-owned furniture retailer is winding down operations as owner Angela Colabella retires, marking the end of a well-known community business started by her father in 1972.
   

4. Bethlehem Township man creates WOA! (World of art!) (mcall.com) — A Bethlehem Township resident is turning small art tiles into traveling bursts of color and kindness. Dave Jacoby’s WOA! (World of art!) project encourages people to place his experimental tile pieces in public spots, then share photos online, spreading a bit of hope from right here in Bethlehem Township to wherever the tiles wander.
   

📸 Around Bethlehem

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Bethlehem

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📣 Bethlehem Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Wednesday January 7
  • Gentle Yoga
    Bethlehem Area Public Library , 11 W Church Street , Bethlehem
    12:00 pm
  • Line Dancing with Aleah
    Seven Sirens Brewing Company , 327 Broadway , Bethlehem
    7:00 pm
    • Saturday January 10
  • Hurlock & Hinton â A New Duo from Heather Hurlock & Brad Hinton, Blending Cinematic Dream Folk, Harmonies, and Songcraft | with our guest Emme Drago
    Godfrey Daniels , 7 E. Fourth Street , Bethlehem
    8:00 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
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Food was spotted at the Bethlehem Co-Op Boondoggle, but no it isn’t open:
    https://lehigh-valley-news-briefs.media/2026/01/05/news-flash-food-seen-at-bethlehem-co-op-boondoggle-and-tonight-a-meeting/ (Nextdoor East Hills)
  • Any body recommend a good foundation water proofing company or person?
    Have a leaky foundation which is only 3 feet deep. Message me at repairinfo@juno.com. Thanks (Nextdoor East Hills)
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for eCom Seasonal Warehouse Worker Equip Op in Bethlehem. Apply here.
  • Capstone Logistics posted a job opening for Warehouse Sanitation 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 nailed it!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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