Week In Review

Supervisor Primary Race, Daytime Burglary Top Local News

Also, reader opinions on what type of stores and businesses should go in the Weis Markets shopping center and a fraudulent ransom demand from a local woman made headlines this week.

Two candidates—one incumbent and one challenger—are vying for the Republican nomination in the May 21 primary election. Upper Macungie Police say an iPad and Play Station were among items reported stolen Monday from a home in the 6600 block of Fugazotto Drive. Upper Macungie Police said a woman received a phone call Monday stating that her father was being held captive. The caller demanded a $2,500 ransom. However, she later found out her father was safe. Upper Macungie Patch wants to know what types of stores and businesses you'd like to see in the new Weis Markets shopping center. As part of our new Smart Spending series, Patch wants to uncover the true going rate for various goods and services in town, so you'll know exactly how much …

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200-Unit Townhouse Development Proposed on Blue Barn Road

South Whitehall Planning Commission approved a higher density rezoning for Blue Barn Meadows. Thirty-two acres of the development are in South Whitehall, the remainder are in Upper Macungie Township.

Blue Barn Meadows, a 200-unit townhouse development, has been proposed for the 1500 block of Blue Barn Road. Owner Posocco Equities successfully petitioned the South Whitehall Planning Commission Thursday to rezone 11 of the 40-acre development to allow higher density housing. The land had been zoned R4 medium density, which permits only single-family detached houses. Frank Posocco paid $1.3 million for 40 acres on Blue Barn Road, between Chapmans and Crackersport roads, which includes a horse farm. Thirty-two acres of the development are in South Whitehall, the remainder are in Upper Macungie Township. The land abuts an industrial zone. Posocco said he plans to build high-end garden apartments or condominiums with first-floor master …

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Alleged Cigarette-Throwing Hotel Manager Case Dropped

A district judge dismisses a citation against a Best Western Hotel manager accused of throwing a cigarette in a guest's face over a room rate dispute.

A former Best Western hotel manager had a harasment citation formally dropped Thursday by District Judge Michael Faulkner after the alleged victim failed to file charges. Jessenia Mateo, 35, of Allentown was cited for harassment in March after Upper Macungie Police responded to a call about a disturbance at the Best Western Hotel at 5650 Tilghman St.  At the time, police said Mateo threw a cigarette at a female guest during an argument in the hotel lobby over room rates. Upper Macungie Police officer Matt Gardner told Faulkner that the woman was living at the hotel at the time and was "adamant about filing charges." However, Gardner told Faulkner that despite numerous attempts by phone and subpoena, the woman failed to respond. Faulkner …

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What’s the Going Rate For a Lawn Service in Upper Macungie?

As part of our new Smart Spending series, Patch wants to uncover the true going rate for various goods and services in town, so you'll know exactly how much you should pay for what you need. Help us out by replying in the comments.

This week: How much do lawn services cost? How much do you pay for your lawn service? And what does that cover - just mowing, or does it cover weeding, pruning, planting? Please share in the comments below - we promise we won't judge you! And if you've got a lawn service you love, tell us that too.  Here is a listing of some Upper Macungie area lawn services: This is the first of an ongoing series, "What's the Going Rate for..." where Patch seeks to uncover how much things cost so you never have to ask again. 

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One-Time Curbside Yard Waste Pickup Wednesday

The Upper Macungie Public Works Department will hold a one-time curbside spring yard waste pickup for all township residents on May 15.