Proceeds from this year's annual Lehighton Bike Night are being dispensed.

Lehighton Downtown Initiative Committee President Frank Potoczak, of Red Castle Brewery and Castle Grill, on Tuesday presented a pair of checks.Potoczak presented checks for $1,500 each to the Lehighton Fire Department and Lehighton Police Department.Police Chief Brian Biechy said the police department appreciates all the hard work that event organizers put into the event and said the borough looks forward to keeping the event going.All told, Potoczak said $4,572 was raised during the 16th annual event, held in August at the Grove, as well as the surrounding areas of Seventh Street, Eighth Street, Iron and Alum streets.In the past, the event sponsored by the LDIC was staged from the lower and upper park.Potoczak said the Franklin Township Fire Department will receive $500, with the remainder going back to the LDIC.However, Potoczak said a new group is being sought to run next year's Bike Night, as he will soon step down.Councilman Scott Rehrig said the borough is grateful to Potoczak for all of the work he put into the event throughout the years.Borough Manager Nicole Beckett said the borough eventually plans to restructure and reorganize the LDIC, and hopes to receive interest in the business community to be part of the group.Beckett said any group that is interested in running next year's event may contact the borough office at 610-377-4002.She has been instructed by borough council to talk to the Young Professionals Council of the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corporation to see if they would want to run the event.The organization held the "Christmas in the Park" event in the borough last Friday, which included the borough's Christmas tree lighting.