Mayor to Announce New Plans for Weller Center

Easton Mayor Sal Panto will announce new plans this week for the city's Weller Health Education Center, a large and very visible downtown space that's been vacant for five years.

Panto, joined by Weller President Melissa Lee and representatives of the Greater Easton Development Partnership, will make the announcement at a news conference Tuesday at 3 p.m. at the center.

The Weller Center opened in 1982 as a place for health education, and spent the next 26 years operating a facility for visitors. In 2008, the center stopped offering programs for visitors, and switched to running in-school programs.

In 2009, the Victory Brewing Co. announced plans to move into the building and open a brew pub/restaurant, but those plans fell through in 2010.

Also happening this week:

• The mayor will also announce a "major event" for the city Monday afternoon at 3 p.m. We'll tell you what it is as soon as we know.
• Thursday is Fourth of July, so city hall—and all other government offices—will be closed. If you're looking for fireworks in Easton on the 4th, you'll need to wait. The annual city display happens Sunday, for Heritage Day.
• Also Thursday: The Family YMCA of Easton, Phillipsburg and Vicinity holds its 15th annual Firecracker 4 mile race at Fairview Park in Palmer Township. Registration begins at 7 a.m., with the race starting at 8 p.m. There's a walk that starts at 8:30 a.m., followed by a "fun run" for kids at 9:30 a.m.
• The Sigal Museum continues its series of World War II films with "War in the Pacific," Wednesday. The movie runs continually during the museum hours of 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• The Sarah Ayers Band performs Friday at 7 p.m. at Riverside Park.