Local News

Long-term options sought for Tidioute water

TIDIOUTE — Residents served by the Southwest Warren County Municipal Authority (SWCMA) will remain under a boil water advisory for at least another month as state environmental officials say the authority's water treatment plant has not yet returned to acceptable operating levels. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) confirmed the advisory has been extended because the treatment plant continues to experience filtration problems despite ongoing maintenance and repairs. "Treatment plant performance has not returned to acceptable levels, despite the actions ...

Annual memorial artisan event benefits veterans

After Barb Matson retired and found herself with extra time, she felt it was time to give back to the community. After some soul searching and prayer in her retirement, Matson said, “Seeking what God would have me do in my retirement years, it was impressed upon me that one does not have ...

True colors for America

Pennsylvania State Police announce arrangements for fallen trooper

ASHLAND – The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) announced the funeral arrangements for Trooper Michael E. Pahira Jr., who lost his life in the line of duty on Wednesday. The services will be held at the North Schuylkill Junior/Senior High School, located at 15 Academy Lane in Ashland. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, from 8 to 10 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. The visitation and funeral service are open to the public. Burial services will be private. There will be heavy traffic volume in the area, including Route 61, with delays expected throughout the day. ...

House passes university funding but has dustup on school choice

The state began its new fiscal year last week with no budget in place and events in the House - a testy faceoff on one education-related bill, but bipartisan passage of another - made it unclear if a deal will occur anytime soon. Closed-door negotiations failed to produce a 2026-27 budget by the Tuesday deadline, the fifth year in a row the June 30 deadline has been missed. On Wednesday, Rep. Jesse Topper of Bedford County, the top Republican in the Democratic-controlled House, raised his voice in irritation after Democrats in a committee scuttled language in a bill related to school ...

Ministry offers hope to inmates keeping faith

Following 50 years as president of the Warren County Prison Ministry, Don Deppen may be handing the baton to Bob Sears as president, but his foot won’t be out the door completely. The same goes for Jim Houghtling, who, after 21 years in the ministry as treasurer is stepping down from his ...