DANGEROUS ROADS: New research has revealed the most dangerous road type in Pennsylvania, as the state’s “Urban Principal arterial” roads.

The study was conducted by personal injury law firm Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, utilizing National Highway Traffic Administration data on fatal crashes that occurred between 2017 and 2021. The research compared the road type that each crash happened on with the total miles of that type of road within the state to reveal the “miles per crash” and the most dangerous road type in the state.

The analysis identified “Urban Principal arterial” roads as particularly perilous, with a mere 7.46 miles per fatal incident. This is based on a total of 1,121 fatal crashes in Pennsylvania over the five year period that was measured, compared to 8,362 lane miles for the category of road, which is defined as major streets or highways in urban areas that do not fall into the Interstate or freeway categories.

GARDEN CLUB SCHOLARSHIP: Scholarship offered by the Bethlehem Garden Club: GGC announces a $1500 in scholarship funds to a Bethlehem resident studying landscape, floriculture, horticulture, or environmental sciences. Deadline date for applications is April 30. Information and application is on the BGC website: www.bethlehemgardenclub.org

NORCO MUSEUM AWARD: PA Museums has selected NorthamptonCounty’s Sigal Museum’s “Forged by Fire: the Heroism, Honor, and History of Firefighting” exhibition for a 2024 Institutional Achievement Award.

The exhibition traces the roots of local fire prevention back to William Penn and the Great Fire of London in 1666, highlighting Colonial Era town planning, Moravian technological innovations for moving water, and the formation of volunteer firefighting companies. The 19th century brought the advent of Gamewell Fire Alarm call boxes and Victorian parade culture with colorful banners, uniforms, and commemorative objects. Today, firefighting has evolved with modern protective gear and tactics, including the use of drones and thermal imaging that allows firefighters to see through smoke.

Since the 1980s, PA Museums has invited nominations from its membership and chosen to recognize institutions, projects, and individuals of particular merit.

“Forged by Fire” is open to the public through July 7. Sigal Museum hours: Thursday-Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday: 12 – 4 p.m. Contact: www.sigalmuseum.org 610-253-1222

NEW PARTNERSHIP: Connell Funeral Home and CareFlash announced recently having entered into a collaborative agreement that leverages togetherness, empathy and nostalgia in enhancing all sorts of healing journeys. This agreement provides clients, families and the community access to CareFlash’s signature platform, “The Careopolis, a Metropolis of Love and Empathy.” A link is available on the Connell website.

MARCH REALTY REPORT: The Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® (GLVR) reported March data showed homes selling quickly and at above asking price as the spring real estate market officially kicked off.

“A nationwide rebound in home sales comes amid fluctuating mortgage rates and elevated sales prices, indicating there is plenty of buyer demand heading into the spring selling season,” said GLVR CEO Justin Porembo. “While statistics for the Lehigh Valley aren’t showing a year-over-year jump in sales just yet, what’s happening nationwide is a positive sign of things to come.”

Closed Sales dipped 17.0 percent to 429 listings. Inventory slipped 19.6 percent – there were 496 units in March for Lehigh and Northampton counties. With inventory still not at sufficient, comfortable levels, the Median Sales Price increased 9.8 percent to $335,000 – tying the sales price record set in June 2023.

FREE SMOKE DETECTORS: This spring, volunteers and members of the American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter will team up with community partners to install free smoke alarms for local families vulnerable to home fires during Sound the Alarm events. This effort is part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save at least 2,063 lives since launching in October 2014.

Residents are encouraged to schedule an appointment for smoke alarm installations by calling 484-403-4734 or visiting SoundTheAlarm.org/greaterpa. Volunteers will go door-to-door to offer home fire safety visits during each Sound the Alarm event for neighbors who did not make appointments.