And, none of the stories was more read than the Warren County School District’s reconfiguration plan.

As parents know full well, the district has moved high schoolers from Youngsville Middle High School to Eisenhower Middle High School and Sheffield Area Middle High School to Warren Area High School. That decision was much-debated and discussed, with the repercussions still reverberating through the county.

The school district won a lawsuit seeking to overturn the school closures. Representing the plaintiffs, attorney Thomas Pendleton of McDonald Illig and Save WCSD member Elizabeth Feronti argued in court last week that the district is violating students’ rights under the Pennsylvania Constitution’s Education Clause. That clause mandates a “thorough and efficient” public education system, ensuring each student “a meaningful opportunity to succeed academically, socially, and civically.”

“We believe the board acted in an arbitrary and egregious manner, ignoring the input of the communities most affected,” said Pendleton during his remarks to the judge.

Shown is Hodak’s casket being taken to the hearse in Pittsburgh, PA. The hearse will be taken by motorcade to Youngsville, PA.

The plaintiffs also alleged that four of the five school board members who voted in favor of the closures do not reside in the Sheffield or Youngsville attendance areas.

In defense, Superintendent Gary Weber and school board attorney Michael Musone cited declining enrollment, teacher shortages, and financial constraints as justification for the closures.

“We are facing significant challenges that require difficult decisions,” said Weber. “Our goal is to continue offering a quality education, even if that means consolidating resources.”

In the wake of the closure of Youngsville Middle-High School, Warren County has signed a lease for the building that is opposed by many new members of the Warren County School District Board of Education and some community members.

OLD ORDER AMISH WIN FEDERAL LAWSUIT

Times Observer file photo Copies of Old Order Amish legal filings challenging Sugar Grove Township’s attempts to force the Amish to hook up to sewer lines are pictured.

After years of legal wrangling, Sugar Grove’s Old Order Amish residents will legally be allowed to use their outdoor privies rather than be required to use Sugar Grove’s municipal sewage system.

The dispute between Sugar Grove and its Old Order Amish population goes back more than a decade. The Old Order Amish objected to the use of the municipal sewer system because the system uses electricity. In 2004 Sugar Grove approved a Sewage Connection Ordinance that requires every structure within 150 feet of the municipal sewer system to connect to it When construction of the sewer system was completed in 2011-12, 14 Old Order Amish properties had structures within 150 feet of the sewer system with fines of between $300 and $600 for noncompliance, with each week a homeowner didn’t comply constituting a new offense that could bring a new fine or eventually jail time.

In August 2006 Joseph and Barbara Yoder were required to connect to the municipal sewer system and refused, citing their religious beliefs and practices. The Yoders eventually agreed to keep using their privy and not connect to the sewer system in exchange for paying a one-time, $1,000 tap-in fee, past due charges of $864 and ongoing monthly payments to the Sugar Grove Area Sewage Authority.

An additional 13 Old Order Amish properties came within 150 feet of the sewer lines during future phases of construction, with the sewer authority offering a similar deal to each Old Order Amish property owner as was reached with the Yoders. The Old Order Amish rejected that proposal in November 2009, with the Yoders ending their agreement with the township in 2010. Fines followed, with the township increasing the fines in 2010. Negotiations with the Old Order Amish stalled in 2015 when the sewer authority said it would allow the Amish to continue using privies in exchange for a $1,350 tap-in fee and a $50 a month payment dating back to when they would have first been required to hook up to the sewer.

At the same time Sugar Grove officials changed the township’s privy ordinance, something the Justice Department said only affected the Old Order Amish.

Scott Foster explained that his dismissal was unfair and unjust.

There are currently 14 Old Order Amish who live within 150 feet of the municipal sewer.

“The defendants have imposed municipal liens and fines and obtained judgements against Sugar Grove Old Order Amish property owners totaling more than $200,000 because the property owners did not comply with the township’s Sewage Connection Ordinance,” the Justice Department’s filing states. “The defendants conducted a sheriff’s sale of the Yoders’ home on Sept. 23, 2021, because the Yoders did not comply with the township’s Sewage Connection Ordinance. The sale was only set aside because the Yoders were not provided proper notice.”

The U.S. Justice Department announced an agreement with Sugar Grove Township and the Sugar Grove Area Sewage Authority to resolve claims from Old Order Amish in Sugar Grove that Sugar Grove’s attempts to force Old Order Amish to hook up to the sewage system, pay hook-up fees, fines and fees associated with the sewer system violate the Old Order Amish residents’ religious rights.

“No one should have to choose between keeping their home or practicing their faith,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti for the Western District of Pennsylvania. “This office will continue to defend religious communities against zoning ordinances that penalize them for adhering to their religious beliefs.”

GLENN HODAK RETURNS HOME

Hundreds turned out to greet the remains of Cpl. Glenn H. Hodak as the Youngsville native returned to Warren County. Hodak, a World War II veteran, was a prisoner of war in World War II whose remains were identified in September 2024.

Following the end of World War II, American Graves Registration Service and the US Army Quartermaster Corps searched for and disinterred 65 sets of remains. AGRS identified 25 sets of U.S. remains in 1949 and 1950, leaving 40 unknowns. One of those 40 was identified as a Japanese national, leaving 39 people whose identities remained unknown. Investigations associated Hodak with the Tokyo Prison Fire based on multiple pieces of evidence. At the end of the AGRS identification efforts, the 39 unknown soldiers’ remains were buried in Fort McKinley Cemetery, now Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Republic of the Philippines.

In March and April 2022, all associated unknowns were exhumed. Hodak was identified on Sept. 25, 2024. His remains are the first to be identified of the unknowns interred in Manila. On March 19, 2025, James Bell, mortuary affairs officer – identification specialist, Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Division, and Sgt. Katrina Hood, SFC/Operations NCO, held a full briefing of the events that lead to the death and finally the identification of Hodak.

On Friday, May 17, Hodak’s remains were escorted back to Youngsville from Pittsburgh International Airport in a moving motorcade that passed through numerous towns in western Pennsylvania. The procession was led by the Pennsylvania State Police Troop E, with marked patrol units and motorcycles, and flanked by an estimated 50 to 300 Patriot Guard Riders, providing a hero’s welcome for the returning veteran.

Members of the Youngsville American Legion Honor Guard Post 658 held a ceremonial tribute following the service, honoring Hodak’s service and sacrifice. The honor guard also served as pallbearers. Interment will take place at Spring Creek Cemetery in Spring Creek, Pa., where the U.S. Military Funeral Detail provided full military honors.

Hodak was born on March 17, 1922, in Cambridge Springs, Pa., to Peter Hodak and Queenie Jewell Hodak. He was one of ten children and proudly served his country during World War II, alongside three of his brothers – Park, Victor, and Arnold – each stationed in different parts of the world. Miraculously, all four brothers returned home safely from the war. Another brother, Donald, later served during the Korean War.

All of Glenn’s siblings have preceded him in death, including Lucille, Anna, Park, Victor, Arnold, Stanley (infant), Everett (infant), Dorothy, and Donald. However, he is survived by two sisters-in-law, Sylvia (Arnold) Hodak and Pamela (Donald) Hodak, and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and generations of great-nieces and nephews who cherish his memory.

“Welcome home Uncle Glenn,” said Denny Hodak, during his speech at the memorial service. “No one alive today even knew Glenn. We are honoring a man only known by his family members. We are so very grateful for all of the people who have worked with us to ensure this whole homecoming was made possible. There are too many names, but know that we are eternally grateful to everyone who has been involved in welcoming a true hero home to his final resting place.”

FORMER TEACHER, FAMILY PLEADS CASE

The Warren County School District issued a formal public statement in response to repeated concerns raised by local resident Julia Foster, who has accused district officials of dishonesty and a lack of transparency regarding a past personnel matter.

Foster has spoken at board meetings often this year and brought similar concerns to the board’s attention over the past several months. Her continued allegations have prompted the board to address the issue publicly, an uncommon move driven by the ongoing nature of her complaints.

“Because she has repeatedly raised these issues and now has attracted media attention, the Board is taking the unusual step of issuing a public response,” the statement reads.

The board emphasized that its response is constrained by legal obligations to protect employee confidentiality.

According to the statement, the original matter cited by Foster involved a personnel issue that was handled “in accordance with district policy and legal guidance.” A complete internal investigation was conducted with labor counsel’s assistance, and the matter proceeded to arbitration, where the employee was represented by union officials and legal counsel.

The independent arbitrator concluded that the district acted appropriately.

In addition, Foster filed a separate complaint involving current Superintendent Gary Weber, alleging misconduct in relation to the initial personnel matter and arbitration process. However, the district clarified that Weber was not serving as superintendent at the time of the relevant events.

While details of the board’s review cannot be disclosed due to personnel confidentiality rules, the statement affirms that “the review was conducted thoroughly and in good faith,” and that Foster “received the most complete response that the law allows.”

“Many of Mrs. Foster’s concerns involve personnel matters,” the board said in its statement. “The district is legally required to maintain the confidentiality of employee records, and as such cannot disclose all details.”

Officials acknowledged that this lack of access to protected information may have contributed to what they described as “misunderstandings or misstatements about the facts.”

The board concluded its statement by reaffirming its commitment to fairness, transparency within legal limits, and respect for all individuals involved.

“We understand that Mrs. Foster is dissatisfied with these outcomes,” the statement noted. “However, the District has been as transparent as permitted by law, and the conclusions reached have been supported by independent review.”

SOCIAL MEDIA POST DRAWS ATTENTION

A social media statement made by an employee of the Warren County School District that was shared by a Facebook Donald Trump for President site has caught the attention of the nation — and local Republicans.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, the Republican Committee of Warren County, Pa., said it “does not condone this behavior over any elected official. This is not how we are supposed to act here. Especially adults who work with children.”

The online post by the individual that stirred up troubles stated she was “hoping the Mexican cartel would take care of (Trump).” At one point, the post had 710 shares and 1,900 comments and was considered “popular” in a Facebook search.