While this week is busy with another storm forecast for Thursday, it appears that the coming weeks and months will continue a weather pattern that’s been present since the fall for Lebanon County — drier-than-normal conditions.
James Mentzer
James Mentzer is a freelance writer whose published works include the books Pennsylvania Manufacturing: Alive and Well; Bucks County: A Snapshot in Time; United States Merchant Marine Academy: In Service to the Nation 1943-2018; A Century of Excellence: Spring Brook Country Club 1921-2021; and Lancaster Development, Inc.: An American Story of Family and Infrastructure. He has also had business profiles published in Central Pennsylvania: Our Time Has Come, and an article in the The Columbiad, a scholarly publication of Civil War Times Illustrated, concerning a little-known African American fort and battle along the James River in Virginia. Two other books are currently in production for Tavistock Country Club in Tavistock, N.J., and Leewood Golf Club in Eastchester, N.Y.
A lifelong resident of Pennsylvania, James has spent his professional career writing about agriculture, economic development, manufacturing and the energy and real estate industries, and is the county reporter and a features writer for LebTown.
James is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys turkey and whitetail deer hunting, playing Ultimate frisbee, disc golf, spikeball and pickleball, biking, traveling and attending live concerts for a number of bands, including Widespread Panic, String Cheese Incident, and more.
Posted inNews
Is Lebanon County’s current water supply adequate?
For now, water levels for the City of Lebanon Authority, which provides water to 20,000 customers in central Lebanon County, are at normal levels, according to Jon Beers, Executive Director, City of Lebanon Authority.
Posted inNews
The tolls of a global pandemic: COVID-19 impacts county residents both physically and mentally
The county commissioners learned Thursday how severely the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted both the mental health and physical well being of local residents, with suicides and overdoses both up in 2020.
Posted inNews
Commissioners discuss Annville child abuse case, planned 911 center in North Cornwall Township
The Thursday meeting discussed the recent Annville child abuse case, the construction of the 911 Call Center in North Cornwall, and the retirement of county prison warden Robert Karnes.
Posted inNews
Commissioners hire new prison warden, vote for salary study
The Thursday meeting of the Lebanon County Commissioners saw the hiring of Tina Litz to the position of county prison warden.
Posted inNews
County commissioners discuss plans for $36 million 911 center in North Cornwall
County commissioners received their first look Thursday at the proposed designs for the county’s new $36.8 million 911 Emergency Services Center to be built in North Cornwall Township.
Posted inNews
County commissioners pass 2021 budget, no new tax increases
The Lebanon County Commissioners approved the 2021 budget, which decreased by one-half of a percent over 2020’s budget.
Posted inNews
Commissioners vote to spend remainder of CARES funding, discuss year’s disbursement of funds
In mentioning that all of the money must be allocated and spent by Dec. 30, County Administrator Jamie Wolgemuth reminded the commissioners that the county has disbursed $9.1 million in grants to Lebanon County businesses in just over 3.5 months.
Posted inNews
County commissioners reveal proposed 2021 budget
Lebanon County Commissioners revealed Thursday the tentative 2021 fiscal year budget, which contains no tax increase and a decrease in spending of nearly $500,000.
Posted inBusiness & Nonprofits
Coronavirus puts $1 million dent in local EMS provider FASP’s finances
If First and Safety Patrol’s (FASP) finances were compared to a hospitalized patient’s health, its diagnosis would be in satisfactory but guarded condition.
Posted inNews
Commissioners certify election results, laud “impeccable & above reproach” work by county elections bureau
Approving the election results was one of numerous actions taken Thursday on a loaded agenda during the Lebanon County Commissioners’ biweekly meeting.
Posted inNews
Commissioners address timing issue regarding salaries for two row offices
Pennsylvania law requires county commissioners to set salaries for their own positions, as well as row offices, prior to the commencement of a position’s respective election year.
Posted inBusiness & Nonprofits
4th annual Saturday MarketPlace to be held Nov. 14 at Lebanon Valley Mall
The 4th annual Saturday MarketPlace vendor and craft show is the proverbial win-win – for all of Lebanon County.
Posted inNews
Commissioners learn election went smoothly; address handling legal challenge
The Lebanon County Commissioners approved Thursday changes to three polling locations and several other election-related items pertaining to the upcoming general election on Nov. 3.
Posted inBusiness & Nonprofits
FASP signs agreement with Cornwall Borough & Community Fire Company to expand area ambulance coverage
Beginning Sunday, Cornwall Borough and residents who live in Lebanon County’s “Southern Tier” will begin to experience shorter response times thanks to an agreement between FASP, Cornwall Borough, and the Community Fire Company of Cornwall Borough.