GOLF TOURNAMENT: Friends of St. Anne’s School in support of the school; Friday, Aug. 8; 8 a.m. at the Bethlehem Public Golf Club. Register at birdease.com/SASgolf2025 or contact Tom Green/ biz555@ptd.net/ or 610-730-3224.

LIVABLE LANDSCAPES: Northampton County Council voted unanimously to approve the 2025 Livable Landscape Grant Award recommendations at the June 18 meeting. Council approved all grant projects presented for a total grant award of $600,000.

The county’s Livable Landscapes Grant Program priorities include land conservation, ecological restoration, education and outreach, municipal park development and rehabilitation, and regional trails. Five eligible projects were recommended for grant award approval from a review committee in the Division of Parks and Recreation, the Parks, Recreation, Open Space Advisory Board, County Council Energy, Environment, and Land Use Committee, and County Council.

The recipients are:

• Borough of Hellertown – Tumminello Park Improvements ($75,000) Municipal Park Development & Rehabilitation

• Borough of Northampton — Fourth Street Playground Refurbishment ($100,000) Municipal Park Development & Rehabilitation

• Palmer Township – Fox Run Park & Open Space Schoeneck Creek Restoration ($50,000) Municipal Park Rehabilitation & Ecological Restoration

• Upper Mount Bethel Township – UMBT Preserve Phase I Construction ($75,000) Municipal Park Development & Ecological Restoration

• City of Bethlehem – Greenway Trail Gap Construction ($300,000) Regional Trail Development

ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN: Valley Youth House is proud to announce the public phase of its Open Doors Endowment Campaign, a strategic initiative to build a permanent endowment fund valued at $25 million to support youth and families across Pennsylvania. The Open Doors Endowment Campaign, which is the most ambitious fundraising effort in the agency’s history, will develop long-term sustainable funding to support:

•Emergency needs of youth and families – food, clothing, transportation, case management and mental health counseling, emergency shelter and housing.

•Quality cutting-edge, research-based programs that deliver life-changing results – general operations, match requirements, infrastructure, quality assurance processes and capacity building programs.

•Capital Improvements – ongoing repairs and general maintenance for properties.

•Flexibility to be innovative and help more youth and families who need it most.

Thanks to early support from philanthropic partners, the Open Doors Endowment Campaign has raised more than $7.9 million, bringing the total endowment value to $15.9 million, or 64% of our overall goal.

For more information, please contact Christina J. Schoemaker, MBA, CFRE, Senior Vice President of Advancement at Valley Youth House: CSchoemaker@ValleyYouthHouse.org or 610-820-0166 ext. 1320

TEXT SCAM: The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts is advising the public to stay vigilant against a recently reported text message scam involving the Pennsylvania court system.

The scam involves text messages that “spoof” or mimic the Pennsylvania Courts and/or Unified Judicial System website. The spoof text advises that “records show that as of today, there is an outstanding traffic ticket” which must be paid via a scam URL.

The text goes on to outline fictitious actions and penalties that will be taken if the ticket is not paid including license and vehicle suspension, criminal prosecution and negative impacts to personal credit scores.

The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts will never place calls or send text messages to anyone soliciting payment by credit card, gift card, or any other means of electronic funds transfer for any reason.

Should you receive a text message from a number or an individual claiming to be involved with or calling from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts requesting money or payment of fines, fees or court costs, please do not provide any sensitive information or forms of payment of any kind.

Anyone receiving texts of this nature is encouraged to hang up immediately and contact state and/or local police as well as the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection at 1-800-441-2555 or scams@attorneygeneral.gov.

SCAM CALLERS: Callers are pretending to represent PBS39 (Lehigh Valley Public Media), using persuasive language and saying things like “your neighbors have already donated” to pressure you into giving. PBS39 is not calling to request donations. Remember, if something feels off it probably is. Hang up and contact PBS39 directly at 610-984-8100 with any concerns.

Think you might have shared personal or payment information with a scammer? Here are some steps you can take:

1. Contact your bank or credit card company to report the issue.

2. Monitor your accounts for any unexpected activity.

3. Report the scam at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

4. Let PBS39 know by email membership@wlvt.org or phone 610-984-8100.