Home Care In Bethlehem, PA

LOWER SAUCON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) -- A Norfolk Southern freight train has derailed near Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in the Lehigh Valley on Saturday morning, according to a local fire company and Northampton County authorities.

Images from the Nancy Run Fire Company's Facebook page show a train off its tracks on Riverside Drive in Lower Saucon Township, Pennsylvania. The train was hauling boxcars and tanker cars, the photos show.

The tracks are next to the Lehigh River. The photos also show at least one train car partially submerged in the river.

Nancy Run Fire Company says no one was injured in the derailment.

Norfolk Southern sent the following statement to CBS News Philadelphia:

"Norfolk Southern has responded to an incident near Bethlehem, PA. At this time, there are no reports of injuries. We appreciate the quick, professional response by local emergency agencies. Our crews and contractors are on-scene and developing a clean-up plan."

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure said no one is being evacuated from the area and nothing appears to be leaking from the containers on the train.

Emergency responders from Northampton and Lehigh counties are at the scene, McClure wrote on Facebook.

"Norfolk Southern is on site and is doing an assessment. The most important thing we can do for our first responders is stay away from the site!" the post says.

Norfolk Southern has come under fire in the past year over multiple train derailments, the most notable in East Palestine, Ohio, when 38 cars of a 151-car train carrying hazardous materials derailed and 12 others caught fire. Since then, residents of the eastern Ohio town have reported health problems and there have also been wildlife deaths.

Norfolk Southern had multiple derailments last year including one on April 8 in Pittsburgh and another on May 10 in New Castle, Ohio.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Joe Brandt

Joe Brandt has been a digital content producer for CBS News Philadelphia since 2022. He is a Temple University graduate and was born and raised in Pitman, NJ.

The first Orthodox Christians to arrive from Greece in hopes of a new life in the Lehigh Valley came to Bethlehem in 1911, opening restaurants or working at Bethlehem Steel. By 1916 these immigrants, realizing the need and importance of maintaining their faith and culture, purchased the former St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church at 1224 East Fourth Street, on the South Side of Bethlehem. From its founding in 1916 until 1955, this church served the Greek Orthodox population.

In 1955, realizing that the church on East Fourth Street could no longer meet the needs of the community, the present site at 1607 West Union Boulevard was purchased. In December 1958 it was unanimously voted that a new church, school and social auditorium be built, and ground breaking ceremonies were held in March 1959. Construction of the new St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral was begun in 1960, lasting for two years, with the opening of the doors service (thyranoixia) observed in April 1962.

The new location, the new church, the abundance of space, and the extra facilities were a dream come true. The new church was a symbol of the faith, as well as the courage and the endurance of the Greek Orthodox people. Rev. Fr. Steven Sarigiannis was the proistamenos for most of the 1960’s. He was the beneficiary of this new beginning and his task was to take advantage of the great progress and to begin actualizing the religious dreams and aspirations of the Greek Orthodox people of the Lehigh Valley.

In the next two decades under the spiritual leadership of Rev. Fr. Theodore Sideris, the community continued its sacred mission. The Sunday School and Greek School programs along with a special emphasis on the religious services of the Church brought the community to a deeper realization of its significant purpose and character.

The beginning of the 1990’s marked the arrival of Rev. Fr. Michael Varvarelis. Various new programs were added in the life of the community which necessitated the decision of the General Assembly in 1990 to have a second full time priest to deal with the overwhelming needs of the parish as it grew to over 700 families.

He was succeeded by Rev. Fr. Nicholas Palis in 2005, and a new era of spiritual focus began. Bringing a deep love of worship, the 2000’s are marked by an increase in the focus of spirituality at St. Nicholas. This χ?ρισμα was complimented by the hard work of his predecessor who started the iconography project in the sanctuary. The church’s iconography was finally completed in 2016, in time to celebrate the parish’s centennial.

In January 2024, the Rev. Fr. Alexandros Petrides was named proistamenos, tasked with caring for the 500 families St. Nicholas Cathedral currently serves. He inherited a flourishing parish, one with an abundance of youth, educational programs, community life, and worship, all products of the last decade of Fr. Nicholas Palis’ retirement.

St. Nicholas Cathedral is one of the 15 largest parishes in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and has an active parish life year round. During the school year more than 80 preschoolers attend St. Nicholas Academy, over 120 attend Sunday School and at least 60 come on Monday evenings for Greek School. Fr. Alexandros and the parish council are supported in their work by youth director and lay assistant Isaac Lampart, parish secretary Despina Kotsatos, and custodian Abe Sabbagh. Fr. Alexandros benefits from the council and camaraderie of his two retired clergymen, Fr. Nicholas Palis and his father-in-law, Fr. Michael Kon.

His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh with the acolytes of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

The Sunday School children of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral honored Father Nicholas Palis with hymns and poems and a thank you card. Sunday School teachers also presented Fr. Nicholas with an icon of Extreme Humility in gratefulness to his work over the past 18 years as proistamenos of St. Nicholas Cathedral.

Agiasmos for the 2023-2024 Greek School Year

Visit St. Nicholas | Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral- Bethlehem PA (stnicholas.org) for more information.

Follow St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral - Bethlehem, PA on Facebook

Photos Courtesy of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral

BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. — A popular chain, known for serving "warm, delicious, made-to-order doughnuts," will expand its footprint in the Lehigh Valley this weekend.

Duck Donuts, offering doughnuts that are "customized before your eyes," will hold a grand opening of its second Lehigh Valley location at 7 a.m. Saturday, March 23, at 4403 Southmont Way, Suite 2, in Bethlehem Township, Northampton County, according to a news release.

The shop, dubbed "Duck Donuts Easton," is locally owned and operated by husband-and-wife duo, Juan and Kelly Gonsalves.

To celebrate the grand opening, the first guest in line on Saturday will receive one free dozen donuts per month for a year. The next 50 guests will receive a dozen donuts and a free latte or espresso drink for a future visit.

"We are excited about opening the new store in Easton as we call the Lehigh Valley home," Kelly Gonsalves said.

"The area has such a rich history and strong sense of community that allows us to bring new job opportunities to support the local economy. We are looking forward to sprinkling happiness with our warm, delicious and made-to-order donuts in Easton!"

The 1,200-square-foot retail shop reflects the franchise's iconic beach theme and family-friendly atmosphere with indoor seating.

In addition to doughnuts, the Easton-area location will serve Duck Donuts' signature coffee blends, espresso beverages, donut breakfast sandwiches, donut sundaes, frozen beverages, milkshakes, select retail items, and more.

The Gonsalves are the current owners of the popular Duck Donuts locations in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, and Levittown, Bucks County.

Kelly has been managing the Duck Donuts store in South Whitehall since January 2019, and Juan has worked in the healthcare industry for more than 25 years.

Duck Donuts Easton has selected the Fightin' Foran's Foundation, whose mission is to find a cure for pancreatic cancer, to receive its inaugural Quack Gives Back donation.

Duck Donuts Easton is supporting the organization's mission by donating 10% of sales from the grand opening day to the foundation. The Quack Gives Back program promotes partnering with community groups to raise awareness and funds for their causes.

Doughnuts at this location will be made fresh to order from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

For grand opening details, specials and donut topping updates, visit the Duck Donuts Easton Facebook page, connect on the web, or register for the company's new QuackChat text messaging program.

Available on all mobile carriers, guests can text DOZEN to 50282 to join. A welcome offer for a free donut will be sent to each new subscriber. Offers can be saved directly to the user's mobile wallet for convenient use during checkout.

Duck Donuts, based in Cumberland County, originated in 2007 with locations in Duck and Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Founder Russ DiGilio and his family would enjoy relaxing and fun vacations in the Outer Banks.

"But something was missing, there was no place to get that sweet staple of happiness, a warm, fresh donut!" a message on the business' website reads. "So, they decided to create their own which led to the first Duck Donuts opening in 2007."

Today, the chain has more than 145 locations worldwide, including other regional locations in Manheim Township, Lancaster County; and Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County.

Duck Donuts' first Berks County location opened a few weeks ago at the Village Square Shopping Center in Spring Township.

The chain serves up vanilla cake doughnuts, which are fried in a soy-based shortening.

A wide assortment of combinations are available, and customers begin the customization process by selecting a coating: bare, cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, glazed or an icing (chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, peanut butter, maple, lemon or blueberry).

Next, they choose a topping: chocolate or rainbow sprinkles, chopped bacon, chopped peanuts, graham cracker crumbs, shredded coconut, Oreo cookie pieces or streusel.

Lastly, customers pick a drizzle: hot fudge, marshmallow, salted caramel, raspberry or any icing from above.

If you're unsure of what combination you'd like to try, Duck Donuts also features about two dozen "fan favorites," including "Bacon in the Sun" (maple icing, chopped bacon and salted caramel drizzle), "Coconut Island Bliss" (chocolate icing, peanuts and coconut), "S'mores" (chocolate icing, graham cracker crumbs and marshmallow drizzle), "Sunrise" (lemon icing and raspberry drizzle) and "The Boardwalk" (glazed icing, Oreo crumbles, powdered sugar, and vanilla drizzle).

There are also seasonal offerings.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Pennsylvania landed in the ‘yearly declines’ column in a recent report highlighting the greatest changes in rental prices, but it's not reflected in the Lehigh Valley market.

According to the latest Rent Report from Rent.com, Pennsylvania saw rent drop 2.07% year-over-year to a median of $1,640 monthly.

But in the Lehigh Valley — specifically in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton — trends for one and two-bedroom apartments are above that figure.

According to the latest market trends, a studio apartment in Allentown saw a 3% decrease annually to $1,628, but a one-bedroom jumped 4% to $1,828. That’s more than a two-bedroom, which dropped 6% to $1,794.

In Bethlehem, studio apartments saw a slight increase to $1,300, while the one-bedroom rate was flat at $1,690. Rent for a two-bedroom apartment jumped 7% to $2,097.

The trends in Easton were most favorable for those looking for studio accommodations. Prices there plunged 35% annually, with rates at $872, according to the report.

Reversing the trend were one-bedroom prices, which jumped 4% to $1,762, while annual prices for a two-bedroom apartment were up 16% to $2,080.

Overall, the national rental market trended upward in January, with median asking rents rising 1.1% since January 2023.

January’s jump marks the largest rent increase since March 2023 and the first time rents have climbed above one percentage point in as much time, the report said.

The largest increases, decreases

In a broader look at rental prices, Missouri, New Hampshire, Michigan, Minnesota and Mississippi saw double-digit increases.

Oregon, Florida, Idaho, Tennessee and New Mexico saw the steepest declines, according to Rent.com.

Pennsylvania was ninth among the Top 10 states with decreases, with North Carolina, Washington, Nevada and Oklahoma also in the mix.

Regionally, rents saw the largest gains in the Midwest and Northeast, according to the report. Year-over-year, rents in the Midwest rose from $1,373 to $1,437, or 4.6%. It was the largest regional increase in the study and a record-breaking rent price for the Midwest.

“Nevertheless, the region remains the most affordable in the country, at $921 cheaper than the West and $990 cheaper than rents in the Northeast,” the report said.

The Northeast remained the most expensive region in the U.S., with average rents climbing 2.3% to $2,427 compared to one year ago.

These Lehigh Valley apartments are making a splash

A gateway property recently opened its doors in Easton, with 38 luxury one and two-bedroom apartments, atop of which sits Thyme Rooftop Grille.

The Commodore, situated directly on the Delaware River, also has Agamon Bakery & Cafe and Clever Girl Winery in two of three retail spaces on the ground floor.

According to Rent.com, prices there start at $1,850.

Meanwhile in Bethlehem, the number of residential unit applications that have come before planning and zoning has been notable.

More than 200 apartments are coming to the old Boyd Theatre property on West Broad Street, in addition to residential developments popping up along both the eastern and western gateways of the city.

Last fall, the city cut the ribbon on Six10 Flats, a $20 million project with a mix of one-and two-bedroom apartments at 610 E. Third St.

Prices there start at $1,700, according to Rent.com, and on Feb. 26 a “look and lease” special advertised the application fee being waived upon approval.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — "I adopted her a few days ago on my own with no partner," says Mary Ann in the opening of a trailer for a new movie putting a big spotlight on Bethlehem.

Even though it wasn't filmed locally, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries finally is giving a first look at what's to come this holiday season when "Miracle in Bethlehem, Pa" premieres.

The trailer shows Mary Ann (Laura Vandervoort) arriving at the fictitious Bethlehem Star Inn with newborn daughter Natalie after they are stranded due to bad weather.

The inn is full, of course, but the innkeeper has a solution — her brother Joe (Benjamin Ayres) has a spare room in his home that Mary Ann and Natalie can use.

Described in a synopsis as "the quintessential bachelor," Joe’s place is "less than tidy but he welcomes Mary Ann and Natalie and tries to make them comfortable. The weather forecast isn’t cooperating so Mary Ann extends her stay, giving her time to become part of his family’s pre-holiday celebrations, including Christmas activities at their church.”

Watch the preview below.

The extended synopsis continues: “As the two spend more time together, it’s becoming clear to them — and everyone around them — that an attraction is growing. Each of them opens up to the other about personal challenges weighing on them — Mary Ann is hesitant to let her mother, who struggled as a single parent, know that she adopted a baby on her own, while Joe shares that life for him hasn’t been the same since the passing of his father, who was his best friend.

“As Mary Ann and Joe connect through their shared faith and become close, they could just be the unexpected blessing in each other’s life in surprising ways.”

The film premieres Dec. 21 on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, a cable network associated with the Hallmark Channel.

Principal photography for the film took place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, in late September. The movie will not feature any Bethlehem-based locations, but the sequences in the movie show a street fairly similar to the real Main Street in the Christmas City.

The flick is from DaySpring, known for its faith-based storytelling. It’s among 42 movies premiering across Hallmark’s two networks this holiday season.