The next North Catasauqua Police Department Community Crime Watch meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 1 at borough hall, 1066 Fourth St. Use the side entrance.

This is a great opportunity to meet North Catasauqua police officers and to voice some of your concerns. Chief Chris Wolfer will share crime statistics, trends and patterns.

Cpl. Santiago will provide the attendees with an overview on the Project Lifesaver International program, which will include a demonstration on how an officer would locate a person who has wandered off, is lost or missing and has been diagnosed with Down syndrome, autism, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

All of the department’s police officers have been trained to use this lifesaving equipment. North Catasauqua is one of the few police departments in Northampton County to have this capability. The police department has also been given the authority to assist our mutual aid partners - Northampton, Catasauqua and Coplay boroughs and Whitehall and South Whitehall townships.

If you plan on attending, RSVP by contacting Officer Hazim at nhazim@ncatapd.org or Santiago at ssantiago@ncatapd.org or call 610-264-1504.

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The next North Catasauqua Borough Council meeting will take place 7 p.m. Feb. 5 in the basement-level meeting room at borough hall.

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Traffic alert! Willowbrook Road will be closed Feb. 5-March 7 for the Willowbrook Road bridge replacement project. All traffic will be detoured. Dates are subject to change.

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The Catasauqua Area School District is currently seeking a qualified varsity football head coach. The ideal candidate will possess prior experience coaching varsity football as a head coach or as an assistant.

For more information or to apply, contact Eric Dauberman at daubermane@cattysd.org or send your resume and other related items to 201 N. 14th St., Catasauqua, 18032.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 11.

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St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 122 Union St., Catasauqua, is holding an Ash Wednesday grab-and-go baked ziti dinner Feb. 14. Choose from either cheese ziti or cheese and vegetable ziti.

Individual-size meals will be cold and in a foil tray for your oven. Entrees come with a side salad with your choice of ranch, creamy Caesar or Italian dressing.

Orders and payment are due no later than Feb. 11 and may be picked up following Ash Wednesday services - 8 a.m., noon and 7 p.m. You can also pick up your dinners 3-5 p.m.

Email orders, specifying preferences and quantity, to kim.stmarys122@gmail.com. For more information, call 610-264-0332.

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St. Mary’s Catholic Church is holding a winter cash bingo Feb. 25. The kitchen and doors will open 11:30 a.m., and bingo begins 1 p.m.

Bingo includes 15 games, six specials and a jackpot round for a cost. Additional game sheets and specials will be available for purchase. Bring your daubers but no hard boards.

The kitchen will be selling snacks, your bingo favorites and soda/water/iced tea. Other than BYOB, no outside food or beverages are permitted.

Seating is first come, first served, but tables may be reserved in advance by contacting the parish office at 610-264-0332 or email kim.stmarys122@gmail.com.

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The 2024 garbage assessment and trash invoices have been sent out by the borough office. The due date is March 31.

There is a discount if paid by Feb. 28. Payments made be made online at diversifiedbillpay.com/v1/northcatasauqua. Visit the borough office during regular office hours to pay in person.

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Catasauqua Garden Club will have a charter bus trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show, set for March 7.

The bus will leave Catasauqua 10 a.m. and depart the show in Philadelphia 5:30 p.m.

There is a cost.

For more information or to make a reservation, call Cathy at 610-657-1437 and/or send a check to B. Verba at 5170 McKinley Ave., Whitehall, 18052. Be sure to include your contact information.

Catasauqua Garden Club is welcoming new members, especially those with a love of flowers. The club usually meets 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at Slovak Center Social Club, 1233 Fifth St.

For more information or details on joining the club, email debmellish@gmail.com.

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Join the teachers and students of the FAST program (Fun After School at Trinity) this spring for interesting and fun opportunities.

Students in grades 1-4 have the opportunity to participate in classes such as STEM, music, dance, art, drama and social emotional learning at Holy Trinity Lutheran Memorial Church, 604 Fourth St.

Classes are held Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, starting Jan. 29.

For more information or any questions, call 610-264-2641 or email fasthtmlcatasauqua@gmail.com.

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Visit Catasauqua Community Thrift Shop, 113 Bridge St., for an array of winter clothing and accessories.

Thrift shop staff are happy to accept donations of good, used, clean clothing, household items and toys during regular store hours. Proceeds from the shop are returned to the community through contributions that support youth and adult programs and services.

The thrift shop’s hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays.

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State Rep. Zach Mako, R-183rd, is making residents aware the expanded property tax/rent rebate program is now open.

The application period for the state’s 2023 property tax/rent rebate program is now open for eligible Pennsylvanians to begin claiming rebates on property taxes or rent paid last year.

Income limits increased this year to $45,000 annually for both homeowners and renters, so if you were earning too much to qualify before, you might be eligible now. Remember to exclude 50% of Social Security when determining your income. The maximum rebate has increased to $1,000.

The program is open to residents age 65 years and older; widows and widowers 50 years and older; and people with disabilities 18 years and older.

You do not need to pay anyone for assistance to apply for the rebates. Apply online at mypath.pa.gov, or contact a district office for help.

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The borough office is making residents aware of the Best Buy electronics recycling program currently being offered.

Best Buy stores in Pennsylvania are currently accepting televisions for recycling. Fees apply. Customers will receive a $30 Best Buy gift card for reimbursement of the store drop-off fee.

Questions should be directed to these Best Buy stores - Bethlehem: 610-250-2689; Whitehall: 610-432-6956.

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Remember to shop local. Support our community businesses, especially during the winter months.

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Don’t forget, Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching. Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone! Have a great week ahead.

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If you would like something to be included in the North Catasauqua column, submit it to me at least two weeks in advance, especially if a certain date is involved with your submission. I can be reached by email at ncatacentennial@aol.com.