Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why are Bethlehem-area 5K races suddenly so expensive?

Be sure to catch Gift Basket Bingo on the Bethlehem Patch calendar

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Sunday September 20th Patch AM
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Hi there, Bethlehem! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why are Bethlehem-area 5K races suddenly so expensive?
  • Could Bethlehem land new EV chargers with this $32 million fund?
  • How did Easton stun Bethlehem Catholic on the game's final play?

Also on today's calendar: Gift Basket Bingo and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do an island and the letter "t" have in common? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Heavy rain, thunderstorm, with a high of 70 and low of 59 degrees.
  • Monday: Cloudy with a shower in spots, temps: high: 71, low: 53.
  • Tuesday: Rain and drizzle possible, with a high of 63 and low of 48 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Why Does Your Local 5K Cost So Much? (runnersworld.com) — If you've balked at 5K prices around Bethlehem, this breakdown shows why local race fees keep climbing. City data on police, EMS, and traffic costs, plus tariffs on shirts and medals, reveal how municipal rates and inflation push organizers to charge more, even for small charity runs families enjoy together.
   

2. Pennsylvania Opens $32 Million Eastern EV Charging Round (mychesco.com) — Bethlehem is the launch point for a new $32 million federal funding round to build public EV chargers across 18 eastern Pennsylvania counties, including Lehigh and Northampton. Local governments, nonprofits, and businesses can apply by March 12, 2027, to place chargers where residents already shop, work, and play, expanding options far beyond highway corridors.
   

3. Walk-off Rovers: Easton football sinks Becahi with TD on game's final play (lehighvalleylive.com) — Easton edged Bethlehem Catholic 20-14 on a walk-off touchdown at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium, handing the Golden Hawks their first loss of the season. Bethlehem Catholic, now 3-1 and 0-1 in the EPC Northampton Division, saw strong rushing from Justin Martinez but couldn't stop Easton's final drive, while local fans can already look ahead to the Hawks' home game against Allen on September 26.
   

4. The 10 most charming Christmas markets in the U.S. to visit in 2026, ranked (qz.com) — Bethlehem's Christkindlmarkt is spotlighted as a top U.S. Christmas market, running weekends from November 13 through December 20, 2026, and drawing on the city's Moravian "Christmas City" heritage. The piece explains how the former Bethlehem Steel plant backdrop, historic architecture and long-running traditions give local residents and visitors a distinctly European-style holiday experience without leaving town.
   

5. Gov. Josh Shapiro spent more than $2.4 million on ads this week. His GOP opponent Stacy Garrity spent $672. (inquirer.com) — Bethlehem recently hosted a campaign rally as Gov. Josh Shapiro pours more than $24 million into TV and digital ads, vastly outspending GOP challenger Stacy Garrity. The governor is using this media blitz to defend his record, attack Garrity on data centers, and boost Democrats downballot, while Garrity struggles to fundraise and relies on low-budget online attacks.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I was up last night about 2 AM and heard something outside that I've never heard before.
    I don't know what kind of animal it was but a neighbor's dog started barking. It wasn't a fox or fisher cat but it screamed even louder than that… (Nextdoor Northdale)
  • Babki posted a job opening for Part-Time Game Tester in Bethlehem. Apply here.
  • Aramark posted a job opening for Bartender - Bethlehem Barrel & Drafthouse in Bethlehem. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bethlehem here.

Ok Bethlehem! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: They are both in the middle of water. (Thank you Curt K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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