Residents are reminded that children are returning to school this month.

This is a friendly reminder about the Pennsylvania School Bus Stopping Law, which states motorists must stop at least 10 feet away from school buses with their red lights flashing and stop arm extended.

Motorists must stop when they are behind a bus, meeting a bus or approaching an intersection where a bus has stopped. Vehicles should remain stopped until the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm is withdrawn. Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety.

Penalties for failure to obey school bus safety laws can result in a $250 fine, five points on a driving record and a 60-day license suspension. Parents are reminded to ensure their children are at a bus stop early to avoid rushing. Students should stay where the bus driver can see them while boarding or exiting the bus.

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Catasauqua Community Thrift Shop, 113 Bridge St., is holding a back-to-school half-price sale on items now through Aug. 31.

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

The shop accepts 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.

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Because of the Labor Day holiday Sept. 2, garbage and recycling collection in the borough will take place the following day — Sept. 3.

Residents should put their garbage and recycling out for collection Monday night.

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The next North Catasauqua Borough Council meeting will be 7 p.m. Sept. 3 in the basement-level meeting room at borough hall, 1066 Fourth St.

Note: This meeting will be on a Tuesday because of the Labor Day holiday.

This meeting is subject to cancellation. Check the borough website at northcatasauqua.org for any changes. The meeting will be hybrid, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit northcatasauqua.org for the access code to view the meeting virtually.

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North Catasauqua Police Department would like to make residents aware a Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program seminar is set for 10 a.m.-noon Sept. 7 at Suburban North Family YMCA, 880 Walnut St., Catasauqua.

Participants will be provided with an overview on the legalities and criminal law pertaining to the transportation, packaging and consumption of medical marijuana. A drug recognition expert will discuss some of the benefits from procuring medical marijuana from a dispensary and how to apply for a medical marijuana card.

There is no cost to attend this educational seminar. To register, contact Cpl. Steven Santiago, community affairs officer, no later than Aug. 30 at ssantiago@ncatapd.org or 610-264-1504.

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State Rep. Zach Mako, R-183rd, is making residents aware a senior expo will be held 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 12 at Bethany Wesleyan Church, 675 Blue Mountain Drive, Cherryville.

Exhibitors from state and local agencies, businesses and other organizations will be on hand to provide information and answer questions important to senior citizens. Free health screenings, including vision, balance and blood pressure, will be offered. Flu shots will be available pending manufacturing.

CarFit, an educational program for seniors to learn how well their personal vehicles “fit” them, will also be on hand. To register for CarFit, contact Mildred Ozoa at 610-865-7083.

The expo is free to attend, and light refreshments will be available.

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Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, 604 Fourth St., Catasauqua, is holding a mystery dinner theater event 5:30 p.m. Sept. 14. Enjoy an evening of crime and nourishment with “Murder at the Moulin.”

The menu includes herb-roasted chicken breast, roasted herb potatoes, salad, dessert and beverages. Come out for a night of murder, mystery and mayhem.

For more information or tickets, call Brenda at 484-634-6484.

Proceeds from the event go to the Children’s Home of Easton.

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The borough zoning board will hold a hearing 6 p.m. Sept. 17 in the basement-level meeting room at borough hall, 1066 Fourth St. The hearing will be about 1096 Milton St. — Mosaic Home and Garden Center.

The hearing is subject to cancellation, so check the borough website at northcatasauqua.org for any changes and for more information.

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St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 122 Union St., Catasauqua, will be celebrating Oktoberfest Sept. 21, rain or shine. There will be a German-themed Mass with Robbie Lawrence 4 p.m. Robbie Lawrence and the Steelworkers band performs 5-9 p.m.

The church is in search of vendors for the outdoor craft, vendor and flea market, set for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. There is a cost, and vendors brings their own tables and/or canopies. The church will be selling German-themed food and drinks, so no food vendors need apply.

For more information, email the parish office at kim.stmarys122@gmail.com or call 610-264-0332.

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Catasauqua Club, 226 Pine St., will be holding a basket social 5-8 p.m. Sept. 27 and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 28. There will be food available for purchase, a bake sale and an additional 50/50 raffle.

Tickets are available at the door.

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The police department will be holding a Stop the Bleed campaign meeting 10 a.m.-noon Sept. 28 at borough hall, 1066 Fourth St.

The Stop the Bleed campaign was created in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, which highlighted the need for the public to learn how to control bleeding before professional help arrives. The average time for someone to bleed out is two to five minutes, while the average emergency medical services response time is seven to 10 minutes.

The American College of Surgeons, the Hartford Consensus and federal agencies like the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security collaborated to create the campaign. By learning how to Stop the Bleed, you will gain the ability to recognize life-threatening bleeding and act quickly and effectively to control bleeding once you learn three quick techniques.

The Stop the Bleed campaign teaches people how to apply pressure to wounds, pack wounds with gauze and use tourniquets to stop bleeding. The person next to a bleeding victim may very well be the one who is mostly likely to save him or her from bleeding to death.

Take the Stop the Bleed training course and become empowered to make a life or death difference when a bleeding emergency happens.

For more information or to register, call Cpl. Santiago at the police department at 610-264-1504 or you may review a flier on the North Catasauqua Police Department Facebook page for specific information.

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Northampton County will hold a household hazardous waste residential collection event Sept. 28 at Northampton Community College, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem. This event is for Northampton County residents only, and proof of residence will be required at check-in.

Drop-off is by appointment only with online preregistration required on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration will close when time slots are filled.

This event is for resident waste only and acceptable waste must be generated in a home in Northampton County and not affiliated with any commercial business, contractor, institution, nonprofit organization or out-of-county residence. Staff has the right to determine and refuse unauthorized material with a maximum amount allowed of 50 gallons and 90 pounds of solid material. Containers larger than five gallons will not be accepted.

A list of accepted and restricted materials is available online by visiting northamptoncounty.org and clicking on the registration link.

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If you would like something to be included in the North Catasauqua column, submit it 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.

Use caution, and look out for children as you drive around the borough streets. Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend and holiday.