ELECTION POLICY: As we approach the Nov. 4 municipal election, the Northwestern Press, in the interest of fairness, has halted the publication of columns by local government officials. Our election preview will appear in the Oct. 23 edition. A list of candidates, as they appear on the ballot, for local races will be printed.

We invite all listed candidates in contested races to send a 150-word response to this question:

What do you believe to be the No. 1 issue for your voters?

Your response could help voters decide which candidates fully understand both the job and the community they hope to represent.

Email responses to gtaylor@tnonline.com. Responses will be included in the candidates list.

The deadline for candidates’ responses is 5 p.m. Oct. 19. Late responses will not be accepted because of ur publication deadline. Responses that exceed the maximum length will be cut at 150 words.

Letters to the editor, written by members of the community in support of a candidate, need to be received no later than 5 p.m. Oct. 17.

Rebuttal letters need to be received by 5 p.m. Oct. 26.

KU HOMECOMING: Kutztown University is celebrating the return of its annual Homecoming week on campus, Oct. 17-19. A full list of week-long student events can be found on KU’s homecoming website. The Kutztown University Foundation is also hosting events this week. Full details and registration information can be found on the KUF website.

ParkingKU advises visitors to park in recommended lots and prepare additional travel time for weekend events. A campus map can be found online and printed for convenience.

FLU VACCINES: The Lehigh County Coroner’s Office and Forensic Center, 4350 Broadway, Allentown, is hosting its third annual flu shot clinic 2-6 p.m. Oct. 16. They will be giving flu vaccines for children six months and older and adults. They will also be offering tours of the Forensic Center. Hot dogs and light refreshments will be served.

JOB FAIR: Job seekers in the Tamaqua and Allentown areas are invited to Lehigh Carbon Community College’s Fall 2025 Job Fairs at its sites:

LCCC Allentown at the Donley Center, 718 West Hamilton St., – 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Oct. 23, lower level student lounge.

This fair is free and open to the public and will provide students, alumni and surrounding community members with opportunities to network and apply for various open positions with registered employers. LCCC’s Career Development Center helps to bridge the gap between employers and prospective applicants. Remember to bring multiple copies of your resume and be prepared to network.

For more information, call the LCCC Career Development Center at 610-799-1090 or email careerservices@LCCC.edu.

GOTR EVENTS: Girls on the Run Lehigh Valley and Pocono will be hosting a Cheers to Strong Girls Bingo Night 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 16 at Stone Farm Cellars and Vineyard, 5831 Vera Cruz Road, Center Valley. Participants must be 21 and older. For more information on Girls on the Run Lehigh Valley and Pocono, visit http://www.gotrlehighpocono.org.

SAUERKRAUT DINNER: Pork and sauerkraut dinner, 4 to 7 p.m., Oct. 18, Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, 1343 Long Lane Road, Kutztown. For more information, call 610-756-6210. Take-out is available.

HALLOWEEN EVENT: Kempton Community Center, 83 Community Center Drive, Kempton, will be holding its eighth annual Trunk or Treat on Oct. 18. Trunk set up starts at 5 p.m. No need to register for the event. Costume parade starts at 6:30 p.m. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Admission is free.

CROP WALK: The Greater Allentown CROP Hunger Walk is scheduled for Oct. 19. Event day registration begins 1 p.m. at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 140 S. Ott St., Allentown. The walk begins 1:30 p.m. Walkers may choose either a 10K route or a “Golden Mile” route. Walkers who raise $150 or more by Oct. 19 earn a free T-shirt. T-shirts also will be available for purchase on the day of the event. The CROP Hunger Walk is an intergenerational fellowship and service event that benefits those who are struggling in the aftermath of floods, fires, droughts and other disasters throughout the United States and the world. For details and to register, visit the website www.crophungerwalk.org/allentownpa.

SPAGHETTI DINNER: Morgenland Church, 3120 Weidasville Road, Orefield, will be holding its legendary all-you-can-eat spaghetti and meatball dinner 4-7 p.m. Nov. 1. The meal includes two huge homemade meatballs, a salad, drink and homemade dessert. Take out is also available. Tickets are available at the door. There is a cost for adults and children 5-12 years old. Children under 4 are free. Handicap accessible if needed at end of church, lower level. They will also be having a basket raffle. For more information, call the church at 610-395-0067.

HAWK MOUNTAIN

AUTUMN HAWKWATCH: Counters and interpreters will tally migrant raptors daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 15.

Autumn Lectures: Join Hawk Mountain Sanctuary President Sean Grace as he shares the ongoing story of Hawk Mountain’s powerful role in worldwide raptor conservation at its free lecture: “The Past, Present, and Future of Global Raptor Conservation” from 5–6 p.m. Oct. 18.

Dan Arcadia will discuss the broader and local impacts of forest fragmentation on wildlife, plus a summary of research conducted at Hawk Mountain and across southeastern PA on forest wildlife at his lecture “Conservation and Landscape Fragmentation: The View from Hawk Mountain and Southeastern PA” from 5-6 p.m. on Oct. 25.

Trick or Treat Trail: Put on your costume and join Hawk Mountain staff for a festive day of fall fun with a transformed trail, live animal encounters, a costume contest, and photo opportunities at the South Lookout and Wings of Wonder Gallery 1-3:30 p.m. Oct. 19. There is a fee to participate and registration is required.

YOGA ON THE MOUNTAIN: Hawk Mountain is partnering with local studio YOGA-B-YOGA to bring you yoga with an inspirational view that has to be seen to be believed 9-10 a.m. Oct. 26 at the Acopian Center. Additional dates are Nov. 30 and Dec. 28. Come and clear your mind and open up your senses to nature with this wonderful packaged get away! All levels are welcome — no yoga experience necessary. Classes are limited to 15 participants. For more information or to register for any of these programs, go to https://www.hawkmountain.org.

LEHIGH GAP

SENIORS GROUP: Lehigh Gap Nature Center, 8844 Paint Mill Road, Slatington, has formed a new group for nature-minded seniors. They seek to bring together LGNC members for fellowship and conversations about nature, conservation, and other topics. Each session will include coffee/tea, refreshments, and a time for socializing. This will be followed by a brief presentation about a topic of interest and an open forum discussion among the group members. The sessions will be held in the Great Hall at the Osprey House on the second Monday of each month from 9-10:30 a.m. This month’s topic on Oct. 13 is “Enjoying Nature Nearby.” If you have any questions regarding this new event, email Dan Kunkle at dkunkle@ptd.net.

ECOLOGY CLUB: LGNC’s Ecology Club is back for the 2025-2026 school year! Children ages 9 and older are invited to meet from 4:15-5:15 p.m. at the Osprey House on the first Wednesday of every month until June 3 for fun, hands-on nature adventures. Participation is free to all LGNC members and their families, and no registration is required. Email riley.davenport@lgnc.org if you have any questions.

HAZARDOUS WASTE: Lehigh County will be holding a household hazardous waste collection event Nov. 1 in the Coca-Cola stadium parking lot. This county-wide event is for residential use only, no commercial entities will be accepted. There is a mandatory preregistration form residents must fill out if they wish to participate in the collection event. The link for preregistration is available on the home page of Lehigh County’s website, at lehighcounty.org. All pertinent information, including acceptable materials, directions on safely transporting materials, and appointment times will be included on the website.