Alburtis Fire Department has in effect swapped a 1979 brush truck for a scratch-free 2001 model—all at no cost. The favorable trade was made possible by a bit of wisdom, grants, generous donors and sweat equity on the part of the volunteers. The "new" truck has been in service for a few weeks, but it is only within the last week in which the final striping and lettering were done to put the bow on the present. Firefighters began by looking to replace their 1979 Dodge Powerwagon brush truck. The department received a free 2001 Ford F250 pickup truck from surplus through the state Department of…

The annual fund drive for the Alburtis Fire Department is under way. Letters have been mailed for this year's appeal to those served by the borough fire department. The volunteer fire department relies heavily upon revenues from this annual appeal. All money collected goes directly toward firefighting operations, including purchasing apparatus, equipment, vehicle and building maintenance, insurance and training, according to fire officials. Donations may be sent to the Alburtis Fire Company #1, P.O. Box 904, Alburtis, PA 18011. Those who might have been missed but wish to donate should send …

For those hoping the summer sights and sounds would return to Alburtis Park, we have one word for you: bingo! Bingo will be back. So will the bands. And, hopefully, so will the summer fun. Yes, Alburtis Park will see its 88th season despite some uncertainty, perhaps on the parts of some, after an abrupt closing Sept. 13. Former park operator Jack Stull and the Alburtis Fire Company, which owns the park, had a parting of the ways that shortened the season and left an uncertain future. But John Havassy, a fire company social club member and participant in country band Banned from the Ranch, …

An auction of the contents of Alburtis Park on Oct. 26 advanced the direction of the local music venue and its former operator. Greg Somers, of Somers Auctioneering of Upper Saucon Township, said the three-hour afternoon sale was well attended, with spirited bidding. The sale was on behalf of Jack Stull, the Alburtis businessman who operated the park for four seasons before its abrupt closure on Sept. 13. The well-known country music venue has operated since 1925 and is owned by the Alburtis Fire Company. The park was known for providing free entertainment on weekends during warmer months. …

A vibrant assortment of people came together to give their last respects to Alburtis Mayor Robert Mader.  Mader was active in the Alburtis community and was the former Chief of the Alburtis Fire Department and current member and Captain of the Alburtis Fire Company Fire Police. His visitation ceremony was held the evening of November 7th at the Alburtis Firehouse, and his funeral service was held the morning of November 8th at the Church of the Good Shepard in Alburtis.  His casket was carried through Alburtis one last time via a procession of firetrucks, before finally being interred at …

Kyle Bower, the 19-year-old Alburtis council member who was recently committed to Lehigh County Prison because he violated a parole agreement, has resigned his seat on Alburtis Council, according to a story in The Morning Call. Bower's most recent legal trouble stems from his Oct. 15 arrest on complaints filed by both Pennsylvania State Police and Alburtis police on charges that include agricultural vandalism, agricultural crop destruction, criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. Late Oct. 3 and early Oct. 4, court documents say, Bower drove a gray Toyota …

Taz is a gray-striped cat last seen in Alburtis, according to a post on Craigslist. If you have seen this kitty with the dreamy eyes, you can respond to the post or call the owner at 610-509-1736.

Alburtis Mayor Robert Mader, 77, has died. Emergency crews were called to his home at 225 W. 2nd St., at 7:18 a.m. Monday, according to Alburtis Fire Chief Donald Smith. The former fire chief died in his sleep, Smith said. The cause of death is yet unknown, he said. Smith said he last saw Mader Sunday when the department's official photos were taken. He used the photo when he announced the sad news on Facebook, and gave Patch permission to use the photo -- of Mader sitting on the bumper of a firetruck -- of a man who loved his town. Firefighters and community members, Mader's friends, …

Teen Alburtis Councilman Kyle Avery Bower was committed to Lehigh County Prison Wednesday after he was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Jacob E. Hammond of South Whitehall Township. Bower, who will be 20 on Nov. 7, was jailed because he violated a probation agreement he commenced earlier this year. That sentence was issued in January after Bower answered charges in Lehigh and Berks counties of stalking and repeatedly committing acts to cause fear after he admitted throwing a brick through an ex-girlfriend's window in July 2011, according to court documents. Bower was arrested Oct. 15 …

Any thoughts that there might be a reconcilliation between Alburtis Fire Company and the operator of Alburtis Park seemingly would be dashed by word that the park's contents will be sold at auction on Oct. 26. October 27 and 28 was to be the park's Halloween Weekend, a last hurrah for the 2012 season. Instead, the only trick being played will be a cruel one for those who loved the way the country music venue was being run. The facility's contents, owned by park operator Jack Stull, is scheduled to be auctioned at 3 p.m. Oct. 26. The auction is the result of the abrupt Sept. 13 closure of the …

In honor of Fire Prevention Week, the Alburtis Fire Department presented several demonstrations. This one illustrates the right way -- and the wrong way -- to put out a kitchen or grease fire.

Despite hitting a sour note earlier this week, Alburtis Fire Company officials have announced that the show will go on after all at Alburtis Park. It will just take a while to do so. What has stayed the same?: The park is closed for the rest of this season despite scheduled dates through Oct. 28. What has changed or been clarified?: This is not the end of Alburtis Park, which has operated since 1925. The fire company has announced that it will re-open in 2013. What remains confusing?: Who will operate the park? Will it have a similar format with live country music and primarily food and bingo…

Less than a month ago, contestants were stuffing their faces in a hot-dog eating contest, patrons were tapping their feet to country music and a few couples even twirled on the dance floor. The sun shone on Alburtis Park Aug. 19 and operator Jack Stull proclaimed there would be a 2013 park season. But on Sept. 12, Stull stormed out of a meeting with Alburtis Fire Department officials and said he would no longer run the park. This despite musical bookings on weekends through Oct. 28. Despite the famed adage, the show won't go on. The park's website proclaims in red letters that as of Sept. 13…

Jack Stull made a risky move. Facing financial shortfalls in each of the three years he had operated Alburtis Park, Stull needed to make a decision: Sell, shut down or charge admission for the first time in the facility's 88-year history. With "free entertainment" as the hallmark at this family-friendly, country music venue, Stull knew the thought of charging might seem like blasphemy to some. But he also knew the balance sheets and knew that the park could not survive as things were going. He further knew the park had been financially troubled before he took over as operator. Any way he …

Editor's note: Editor's Note: This story is Part II of a two-part feature on the Iron Horse, a landmark and once bustling hotel which its owner is trying to restore to its former glory in Alburtis. Iron Horse owner Hermann Sulderits knows he must address the 126 code violations before he can hope to re-open his Alburtis hotel and restaurant. After years of unsuccessfully trying to secure a bank loan to bankroll the necessary upgrade, Sulderits was forced to shutter the facility in June of 2011. He next made the bold move of selling the liquor license to pay off some debt and fund capital …

Editor's Note: This story is Part I of a two-part feature on the Iron Horse, a landmark and once bustling hotel which its owner is trying to restore to its former glory in the borough of Alburtis. Look for Part II tomorrow. Owner Hermann Sulderits has the tenacity and work ethic of the machine for which his Alburtis hotel and restaurant was named -- The Iron Horse. Like the spirit of those who built tracks across this nation to help fuel the Industrial Revolution, Sulderits has the determination not to let his closed hotel die. It was that spirit that led him to sell the facility's liquor …

Thomas Luff and Ellen Grow were the top finishers in this year's Alburtis 5K Run/Walk held Aug. 11 in the borough. Luff, 21, finished in 16:11.77. Grow had a time of 20:13.67. Hometowns were not included in the results. Rounding out the top three for each gender were Randy Haas, 50, and Patrick Matsinko, 24. Females were Bernadette DaCosta, 22, and Karen Lehman, 44. Click on the PDF to the right to view winners by age category. Top walkers were William Bonney, 61, and Erin Reede, 40. Second- and third-place winners by gender were Asher Reede, 10, and Patrick Hartman, 17; Nadine Mason, 45, and…

Area temperatures Wednesday and Thursday were in the 90s, with humidity making it feel like the mercury eclipsed 100 degrees. All you had to do was step outside and you likely had the immediate incentive to get on with your business and try to head for a cooler spot. For most, an air-conditioner, a swimming pool or anyplace cool became an instant friend. Temperatures are likely to begin to break on Friday, perhaps with a high of 90, thanks to thunderstorms that could arrive after 1 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Those storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rains at times…

If you were finishing your weekend outdoor chores or just stepping outside and saw the sky about 8:15 Sunday evening, you couldn't have helped but notice the palette off in the distance. This photo -- filled with blues, purples, yellows, oranges, pinks and reds -- was taken at the baseball field just above Alburtis Elementary. With a show like this, who needed fireworks?

A suggestion box hangs on the side of the bingo pavilion at Alburtis Park, an open invitation for patrons to offer ideas. But facing a financial shortfall in each of the three years he has operated the facility, Jack Stull took matters into his hands recently and decided to make a suggestion of his own in time for the fourth season's opening. Beginning Saturday, patrons above the age of 12 will have to pay $3 per visit, replacing the "free entertainment" assertion that has been the park's hallmark. The alternative? As of about a month ago, Stull told WFMZ-TV news that the landmark park was …