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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 ...

Pitch perfect night

An all-male professional a capella group, “Straight No Chaser” is known for their tight harmonies and a mix of humor and pop covers, bringing their summer tour, this year titled “Beach Bash,” to Struthers Library Theatre on Tuesday. The nine-member group will perform songs of summer ...

Business groups push back on digital ad tax

Business officials are pushing back against a digital advertising tax passed recently by the state House of Representatives. House Bill 1678 would impose a new 5% gross receipts tax on digital advertising services tied to ads viewed or accessed in Pennsylvania. While the proposal has been framed as a tax on large technology companies, business groups are warning that the cost could ripple through Pennsylvania’s economy by increasing advertising costs for employers, small businesses, retailers, manufacturers, nonprofits, and other organizations that rely on digital ...

Nursing grads offer a commitment for care

The Venango Technology Center's Hi-Ed Campus Practical Nursing Program celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2026 last month at the Warren State Hospital Interfaith Chapel. Family, friends, faculty, and staff gathered to recognize the accomplishments of the 24 graduates, who successfully ...

Warren County School District expands Summer Food Service Program to Pittsfield

The Warren County School District (WCSD) is pleased to announce the expansion of its 2026 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) with the addition of a new meal site at the Pittsfield Otterbein Global Methodist Church. This federally funded program provides free, healthy meals and snacks to children and teens 18 years and younger throughout the summer. The addition of the Pittsfield site further supports the district's ongoing commitment to ensuring children have access to nutritious food when school is not in session. The Pittsfield Otterbein GMC will offer a bagged lunch meal service ...