New Bethlehem Mayor Robert Donchez Takes Office

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Northampton County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bethlehem’s first new mayor in a decade took office this morning at a swearing-in ceremony in Town Hall.

Mayor Robert J. Donchez won election last November, following a hard-fought primary win against city Councilman J. William Reynolds.

Donchez had been a city councilman, first elected in 1995. Council has 16 candidates to choose from to appoint a successor to Donchez’s now-vacant seat. Applicant interviews are scheduled Jan. 27, with the appointment to be made at a special meeting Jan. 30.

Donchez, 63, succeeds former Mayor John Callahan, who was first elected to a mid-term seat as mayor in 2003.

Read more:  http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf/2014/01/bethlehem_mayor_robert_donchez.html

Crayola Moving Distribution To Majestic Bethlehem Center

Crayola will shift its distribution operations to the Majestic Bethlehem Center next year, becoming the first tenant for the undeveloped property on former Bethlehem Steel land.

The crayon maker will shutter its distribution centers in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Bethlehem Township and Fredericksburg, Lebanon County, next year and move into the 800,000-square-foot Majestic facility straddling Lower Saucon Township and Bethlehem, Crayola officials announced Wednesday.

The company plans to employ 60 to 80 workers at the distribution hub, including workers from existing facilities, Crayola spokesman Eric Zebley said.

Mike Perry, Crayola’s CEO and president, labeled the move in part a way to save money and boost efficiency.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/business/mc-bethlehem-crayola-majestic-bethlehem-center-20120328,0,5754477.story

Sands Bethlehem Event Center’s First Acts: Beach Boys Reunion, Blink 182, Incubus And Alan Jackson

The Beach Boys’50^th anniversary reunion tour, pop-punkers blink 182 and country megastar Alan Jackson lead a hefty lineup of acts that will play the new Sands Bethlehem Event Center in its first months.

They’re names that officials think will draw big enough crowds to help put the center in the Top 10 venues its size in the world.

Representatives from builders Vision Entertainment, the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem and promoter Live Nation announced the lineups at a news conference Friday, then offered media tours of the construction.

Incubus, one of the most popular alternative rock bands of the 2000s, will perform the arena’s first concert on May 16.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/music/mc-sands-bethlehem-events-concerts-20120210,0,3724048.story