Whitehall-Coplay Press

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported, as of March 31, there are 4,843 positive cases of COVID-19 across 60 counties. The department also reported 63 total deaths in the state.

Lehigh County, as of March 31, has reported 272 positive cases and four deaths.

Northampton County, as of March 31, has reported 245 positive cases and five deaths.

Of the patients who have tested positive to date, the age breakdown is as follows:

Less than 1% are aged 0-4;

Less than 1% are aged 5-12;

1% are aged 13-18;

Nearly 10% are aged 19-24;

Gov. Tom Wolf signed SB 422 March 27, postponing the primary election to June 2 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As we approach the June 2 primary election, the Whitehall-Coplay Press, Northampton Press and Catasauqua Press, in the interest of fairness, will halt publication of columns by local government officials and letters to the editor submitted by those running for office or regarding those running for office.

The last week for publication of columns by local government officials running for office is the April 30 edition.

Emmaus Rotary Club once again celebrated International Women’s Day at its March 5 meeting by honoring Jill Long with the Rotarian Award and Corrine Goodwin with the Community Award.

Rotarian Alicia Ruiz-Orbin is the chair of the International Women’s Day celebration for Emmaus Rotary Club.

Ruiz-Orbin provided a history of women in Rotary, saying, “Female members were not admitted until 1989 when the constitution and bylaws of Rotary International stated that Rotary Club membership was for males only.

The coronavirus has caused the closing of local schools and businesses, which has forced the American Red Cross Lehigh Valley to cancel planned blood drives, according to Peter Brown, executive director.

“We are looking at adding (blood) drives,” Brown said. “The public should still go ahead and make appointments to give blood.”

Brown said potential blood donors can arrange appointments by going to the website, redcrossblood.org, and entering their ZIP code. The Red Cross has implemented new screening measures designed to keep staff and clients safe.

First Presbyterian Church of Hokendauqua hosted its first-ever talent(less) show March 7.

The evening of family-friendly entertainment was open to parishioners and the general public, with an admission charge of $5, which the Rev. Christy Kass said would likely just cover their costs for the night.

Members of Presbyterian Church of Catasauqua were invited and encouraged to participate as well.

Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners held an emergency meeting March 27 with the sole agenda item being a vote on extending the state of emergency declaration Mayor Michael Harakal Jr. had made March 20.

The board voted unanimously to extend the state of emergency indefinitely throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

MARCH 19

Stations 35, 36, 38 and 40 extricated a victim from a vehicle on MacArthur Road.

MARCH 21

A search for a person brought Stations 38 and 40 to 165 Cherry St.

Stations 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and 40 were on the scene of a building fire at 2124 S. First Ave.

A gas leak at 4653 Main St. was addressed by Stations 35, 39 and 40.

MARCH 22

Stations 35, 39 and 40 responded to an outside rubbish fire at 5603 N. Coplay Road.

MARCH 23

A motor vehicle accident with injuries brought Stations 35 and 39 to Main Street.

MARCH 24

APRIL

MONDAY 6

Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners tentatively holds a workshop meeting 7 p.m. at the municipal building, 3219 MacArthur Road.

TUESDAY 7

Coplay Borough Council tentatively holds a workshop meeting 7 p.m. at the municipal building, 98 S. Fourth St.

WEDNESDAY 8

Whitehall Township Legal and Legislative Committee tentatively meets 7 p.m. in the municipal building, 3219 MacArthur Road.

Coplay Borough Hall, 98 S. Fourth St., remains closed to the public.

Borough officials have confirmed they will extend the interval for discounts on real estate taxes and garbage bills.

Coplay has stopped picking up bulk trash items at the end of last month.

This service suspension is for an undetermined amount of time.