‘They’re on notice’: Upper Mount Bethel board gives supervisors 60 days to take action on data center regulation

Upper Mount Bethel's zoning board postponed its consideration of developer Slate Belt Holdings’ validity challenge until Dec. 17, voting to give supervisors 60 days to take action on data center regulation.

Slate Belt Holdings, a partnership between Talen Energy and River Pointe Logistics, included this map as part of its preliminary land development plans sent to Upper Mount Bethel Township on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. This proposed hyperscale campus layout includes 29 data center buildings and reflects previous plans sent to the township as part of two validity challenges filed against its zoning ordinance. (Slate Belt Holdings)

1 of 2

Expand

Zack Robidas, a Reading native, joins an effort in Harrisburg on Monday calling on lawmakers to enact Marnie’s Law, named after his late wife, Marnie Schulenburg. The law would decrease the chances of missing a rare and serious form of breast cancer. Schulenburg died in 2022 at 37 years old of inflammatory breast cancer. (Courtesy of PA House Democratic Caucus)

Pa. law named after ‘As the World Turns’ actress, DeSales grad seeks to stop misdiagnosis of rare breast cancer type

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts yells before the game against the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 4, 2026, in Philadelphia. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Eagles facing intense scrutiny after Hurts diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs

Bob Brooks stands for a photo after he discusses his campaign Thursday, July 30, 2026, and the competitive election during an interview at the United Steel Workers of America hall in Bethlehem. Brooks, a Democrat and former Bethlehem firefighter, is challenging Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie to represent the Lehigh Valley’s 7th District. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)

Bob Brooks drops out of only planned debate in PA 7 race for Congress, citing ‘deranged’ attacks from Ryan Mackenzie

A store displays a sign accepting Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purchases for groceries on Oct. 30, 2025, in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images/TNS)

Employee stole EBT cards from Lehigh County recipients, exchanged $20,000 in benefits for drugs and cash, DA says

Latest Headlines

Another stretch of I-80 in Poconos set to be widened. Plans would also improve a major bottleneck

19 hours ago
Election 2026: In 135th, 14-term Democrat faces Republican who ran for Bethlehem City Council

2 hours ago
Another brewpub closes in Lehigh Valley: ‘No regrets’

22 hours ago
Bob Brooks’ campaign cease-and-desist over Ryan Mackenzie ad; drops out of debate after GOP says ad not going anywhere

22 hours ago
Vote for Astound Athlete of the Week: Here are nominees for week of Oct. 18

19 hours ago
Man, 20, dies days after being shot in Bethlehem, coroner says

21 hours ago
Have a fall cold? Blame the weather, doctor says

1 day ago
Sign up for email newsletters
Sign Up

Sports

Tanner Traub and the rest of the Southern Lehigh defense came up big in the second half of last week’s 48-27 win at Notre Dame-GP. (David Garrett/Special to The Morning Call)

First change of the season at the top of Colonial-Schuylkill football rankings

Southern Lehigh takes over the top spot after beating Notre Dame-GP

Things to Do

With intricate props, realistic sets, and professional special effects, accompanied by live actors and actresses enhancing the scenes, The Bates Motel, Haunted Hayride, and Haunted Trail remain among the best Halloween attractions in the nation, year after year. People travel from all over to get scared out of their wits there. (COURTESY OF ARASAPHA FARM)

Lehigh Valley Ghost Guide: Haunted houses, corn mazes and more Halloween fun

From haunted houses to not-so-scary family festivals, find all the ways to celebrate Halloween in our annual Ghost Guide.

Data center

Slate Belt Holdings, a partnership between Talen Energy and River Pointe Logistics, included this map as part of its preliminary land development plan submitted to Upper Mount Bethel Township on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. This is an alternate layout design for the proposed hyperscale data center campus that includes fewer, smaller buildings. (Slate Belt Holdings)

Here’s how a Lehigh Valley town could get $50 million if it approves updated data center plans

New plans submitted in Upper Mount Bethel detail what developers want in a deal that would give the township $50 million for approving data center plans.

Annual Nazareth Halloween Parade | PHOTOS

The Annual Nazareth Halloween Parade sponsored by the Vigilance Hose Company No. 1, started at Belvidere and Liberty Streets and ended at Nazareth Senior High School.
Nazareth vs. Bethlehem Catholic in high school football | PHOTOS
Barktoberfest at Promenade Saucon Valley | PHOTOS
Spirit of Children’s annual Spooktacular Halloween Party | PHOTOS
Isaias remnants bring Lehigh Valley drenching rain | PHOTOS
Allentown rowhome fire aftermath | PHOTOS
Students build guitars at Northampton Community College’s Fowler Campus | PHOTOS

Opinion

Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski speaks Wednesday, June 24, 2026, during her first State of the County address at the National Museum of Industrial History in Bethlehem. Zrinski unveiled a plan for a Gracedale nursing home campus, with a new 700-bed skilled nursing facility, dialysis center, workforce housing and retail area. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Opinion: Northampton County needs stronger leadership before higher taxes

Opinion: Northampton can become an example other counties follow, but its leaders must earn that...

Local News

View of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex in Harrisburg, Pa. Monday, June 25, 2024. (Jose F. Moreno/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)

The Pa. House voted to ban cell phones in schools, bringing the bill one step closer to law

A ban on cellphones in Pennsylvania schools is one step closer to becoming law, after...

Crime and Public Safety

Police investigating early Sunday shooting in Salisbury Township

According to township police, officers responded at 12:37 a.m. to the former La Cabinitas Restaurant...

Best Reviews

Best motorcycle helmet

Safely riding a motorcycle requires a few pieces of safety gear and the most important...

Business

A 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum in Ruby Flare Pearl

Edmunds ranks the best used SUVs for your family

The best used family SUV depends entirely on your needs, interests and budget.

Pennsylvania News

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) attends a press conference after an NFL football game against Jacksonville Jaguars in London, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Jalen Hurts has blood clots in lungs, Eagles QB expected to miss rest of season

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will remain sidelined indefinitely with blood clots in his lungs...

National News

FILE – This photo provided by NASA shows a meteor from the Orionid shower on Oct. 13, 2015. (Jet Propulsion Laboratory/NASA via AP, File)

The Orionid meteor shower is coming. Here’s how and when to watch

The Orionids are one of two major meteor showers caused by remnants from Halley’s comet.

Allentown

Allentown School District works to restore technology services after 3 days of outages

The Allentown School District said a data center power fluctuation disrupted email, student logins, network...

Breaking News

Featured

PROMOTIONS & SPECIALS

Latest Headlines

Most Popular

Bob Brooks drops out of only planned debate in PA 7 race for Congress, citing ‘deranged’ attacks from Ryan Mackenzie

Lehigh Valley food safety report: Moldy produce, rodent activity, employees not wearing hair nets

Man, 20, dies days after being shot in Bethlehem, coroner says

Employee stole EBT cards from Lehigh County recipients, exchanged $20,000 in benefits for drugs and cash, DA says

Bob Brooks’ campaign cease-and-desist over Ryan Mackenzie ad; drops out of debate after GOP says ad not going anywhere

Eagles facing intense scrutiny after Hurts diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs

Another brewpub closes in Lehigh Valley: ‘No regrets’

Jalen Hurts has blood clots in lungs, Eagles QB expected to miss rest of season

Vote for Astound Athlete of the Week: Here are nominees for week of Oct. 18

Another stretch of I-80 in Poconos set to be widened. Plans would also improve a major bottleneck

FREE FUN & GAMES

MORNING CALL STORE

Events