Week of January 16, 2025
Week of January 16, 2025
JULY Bedford County native Leah Shackley came up short in the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium.Shackley began Saturday night June 15 by competing in the women’s 100-meter butterfly. She finished sixth in her semi-final heat in 58.44 out of the eight competitors and did not qualify for Sunday night’s final. Shackley, swam in the qualifier for the 100 backstroke Monday morning June, 16. She finished ninth out of 16 swimmers with a time of 59.63.On Monday night in the semi-finals, she finished seventh out of 16 swimmers with a...
A previous edition of the Herald featured a story about a group from the Cove who delivered donated hay, feed, fencing supplies, food, and other goods to needy families recovering from Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. Since that trip, organizer Lila Sollenberger has continued to work toward their next trek south, which is slated for February 13. In addition, her husband Wes assisted with plumbing and electrical work when he revisited North Carolina last month. The bank account under Hurricane Relief/Lila Sollenberger at Hometown Bank in...
Paula Aigner has declared her candidacy for Blair County Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. “Today, I stand before you fully aware of the complex legal challenges facing both Blair County and Pennsylvania,” Aigner said in a news release following her announcement. “I pledge to every family and citizen in Blair County that justice will be applied impartially and that victims will have the voice they deserve.” Aigner expressed her desire to use her extensive experience to safeguard Blair County families and uphold the rights and...
Many who drive through McKee in Woodbury Pike have probably noticed the work being done at 8493 Woodbury Pike. Thomas Frick, the real estate investor, said the project started about two years ago, and construction officially started in 2024. Everything is about finished and they will begin pre-leasing the spaces available in the building on March 1. "We picked the location because Woodbury Pike is very busy, and we liked the area of Roaring Spring," he said. Frick said the second floor has...
A Williamsburg woman has been charged following a lengthy investigation into the death of her mother, who was under her care. Colleen Rose Sayegh, 37, was arraigned Wednesday by Magisterial District Judge Paula M. Aigner on felony charges of neglect of a care-dependent person and aggravated assault. She also faces misdemeanor charges of involuntary manslaughter and simple assault. Sayegh was sent to Blair County Prison in lieu of 10% of $100,000 bail. The investigation began in July 2022 after hospital staff at Conemaugh Nason Medical Center...
The highlight of the Spring Cove School District Board of Directors Committee of the Whole meeting for January was the discussion over Policy 109 - Resource Materials. Superintendent Betsy Baker explained books would be purchased and shipped to the administration office, where board members would have 30 days to review them. She explained if parents have a concern over a book, there is a protocol in place for them to follow up on their concern. Parents express their concerns, then the book is reviewed by a committee which renders a decision....
Roaring Spring Community Library's board members attended Monday's borough council meeting to express concern about the borough's decision to eliminate library funding in 2025. In a letter presented to the council, the library board emphasized the critical role borough funding plays in sustaining the library's services and programs. The loss of funding, which constitutes more than 10% of the library's operating budget, could lead to a significant shortfall, further compounded by a decrease in...
Siblings Drew and Danielle Heltzel of Martinsburg had the opportunity to exhibit market turkey projects at the 2025 PA Farm Show last week. This was the first time that market birds were featured in the show line-up. The market turkey project was part of an effort to still feature the poultry industry at the PA Farm Show this year, despite the challenges brought forth by the spread of avian influenza in other parts of the United States. The project began 18 weeks prior to the Farm Show when 4-H...
Superintendent Brian Helsel reported at the Clayburg-Kimmel School District Board of Directors Regular January Voting/Working meeting held on January 8, that their Safety and Security Grant for $114,103 had been approved with direct payment from the state. Two Security Resource Officers (SRO’s) will be paid from the grant. The Peer Buddy Club Grant for students in grade 11 and 12 who are interested in working with special education students would be part of this. Helsel spoke on the META lawsuit and the impact social media has had on the...
The Morrison’s Cove Rotary Club announced their November Student of the Month for Williamsburg. This month’s recipient was Samantha England. England is the daughter of Bradley and Julie England, of Williamsburg. In school, England is involved in WHS Lady Pirate Volleyball, FFA, Careers in Health Club, Creative Compassion and the National Honor Society. Upon graduation, England wants to attend Penn State Hazelton to get an Associate’s Degree in Physical...
This is the last part of a series recognizing the Veterans in our town and communities. There have been three special veterans in my family – my Uncle John who fought in Germany for the US Army, and my two grandfathers – Peter Speck who was in the Navy for World War II, and Carl Eugene Gorsuch, who was in the Army for World War II participating in D-Day. Shirley Kurtz-Flaugh: My father, Daniel Aurandt, served in the Calvary in the early 1900s. My husband, William Kurtz, served during the Korea Conflict. My brother, Ken Aurandt, served...
Hometown Banners The Williamsburg Civic Club is once again sponsoring the Williamsburg Hometown Hero Banners. The applications are available in the borough office. The cost of a banner is $200. Please take original photos to the borough office to be scanned with application and payment. The deadline for applications and payment is Friday, February 28. Banners will not be ordered unless payment is received by the deadline. Farm Show Activities The Williamsburg Community Farm Show will be having a Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, January 18 from...
After having it's game against Glendale postponed on Monday due to the winter storm, the Williamsburg Lady Pirates basketball team had just one contest for the week. On Thursday, Jan. 5, Juniata Valley rolled into town and the Lady Blue Pirates used a strong second half showing to come away with a 49-31 victory. Williamsburg was ahead by just one (18-17) at the half before an 18-6 showing in the third quarter allowing them to pull away. Levada Gorsuch led all scorers with 18 points, while...
During their meeting last Monday evening, January 6, Williamsburg Borough Council announced that no letters of interest were received to fill the vacant council seat left by the resignation of Mike Biddle. Interested residents are encouraged to contact the borough for more information. Mayor Ted Hyle, during his report, praised borough employees for snow removal. Hyle also said the fire company will be getting two new trucks; a new tanker and a used truck from Saxton. Following a meeting with PennDOT last month, it was announced that the...
On January 6 at 9 a.m. South Woodbury Township Supervisors met for their 2025 Organizational Meeting. All previously filled positions were voted back in as the permanent positions for 2025 with no changes. Changes for 2025 were an increase in vacation time for secretary-treasurer and mileage reimbursement rate increasing to $.70. Fort Bedford Honor Guard will be given a donation. Tina Walter will be the Emergency Management director and Norman Reiff will be the alternate. John Hileman will be the emergency contact for wastewater operations...
Mayor Richard A. Brantner and Chief of Police Kerry L. Hoover gave special recognition to Katelyn M. Hoover. On February 26, 2024, she took the oath before the chief justice and associate justices and officially became a member of the highest court in the United States. Both the mayor and the chief of police expressed their congratulations to Hoover on being admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States of America in Washington D.C. Pictured above from left, Chief Kerry L....
Isn’t it interesting how quickly the newness of a new year wears off? There’s always excitement leading up to December 31st, but January is the kind of month that is usually cold and dark in our area; and before long the new year kind of loses its shine. Thankfully we can keep looking to the Lord and recognizing that our hope is in him not in how we are feeling or how the weather is. Although the year isn’t so new anymore, I will begin a new series today going through highlights from the gospel of Mark. The four gospels have different...
State Representative Lou Schmitt officially launched his campaign for Blair County Court of Common Pleas Judge on Thursday, January 9. Blair County residents have urged Schmitt to return from his role in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in Harrisburg to serve as their judge. “I want to assure you that I have heard your requests and taken them to heart,” Schmitt said. “I am running for Blair County Judge, and I humbly ask for your support as I return home to serve all of Blair County.” Schmitt, a lifelong resident of Blair...
The Claysburg-Kimmel boys basketball team had a good week as it doubled the win total on the year and had a memorable individual milestone reached. Entering the week, the Bulldogs had just two wins, but after a 2-1 mark in three contests, their record now sits at 4-9. The wins came against Northern Bedford (44-41) on Tuesday, Jan. 8 and Fannett-Metal (62-48) on Friday, Jan. 10, while C-K lost to Williamsburg (75-48) on Wednesday, Jan. 9). Brayden Haney reached the 1,000-point mark for his...
The Claysburg-Kimmel girls got a hard-fought 33-32 win over Northern Bedford on Tuesday, Jan. 7 and then suffered a setback to Everett, 53-21, on Wedneday, Jan. 8 to finish the week 1-1. Tuesday's matchup with NBC was a doubleheader as part of the annual Sideline Cancer event where money is raised to help families financially while they're going through serious health-related issues. The two communities came together to raise $5,700 that will go to benefit the Hadley Reed and Anita Martin...
Augusta Stern, newly forced into retirement at age 80, does not know what to do with her life. At the urging of her niece, she moves to Rallentando Springs, an active senior living community in Florida. She knows her life is going to change, moving from her beloved home of Brooklyn to warm and sunny Florida, but the last thing she expected was a blast from the past! One morning, while swimming her regular laps at the pool, she is astounded to find her first love (and only major heartbreak)...
During my early childhood, my entire family used the word “pookers.” Later, “passing gas” was the preferred terminology for the natural release of methane from one’s intestinal tract. Because of the fear of being murdered by our mom, no one ever thought of using the term “fart” in our home. Today, my apologies go out to her, because I’m sure she would not appreciate that I even typed and used that gross term in this story. Sugar alcohols: Also known as polyols Because my younger sister was a diabetic, the use of artificial...
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Margaret M. "Peg" Walason of Williamsburg, Jan. 8, 2025, at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Richard B. Walason. Peg raised four children: Marie Sciulli (Giuseppe) of Pittsburgh, Shirley Saylor of Williamsburg, Judy Walason of Level Green and Jeffrey Walason (Angelique) of Alum Bank; 12 grandchildren: Anna Cassidy (Brian), Anthony Sciulli (Rosa), Veronica Boehm (Patrick), Julia Manfredi (Leon), Larry...
Gladys D. Hoffner, 93, of Williamsburg, passed away Sunday morning Jan. 12, 2025. She was born Nov. 14, 1931, along Clover Creek, in rural Williamsburg, daughter of the late James and Ruth C. (Marick) Laznik. On Sept. 9, 1974 she married Thomas J. Hoffner in Winchester, Va. He preceded her in death Aug. 8, 1987. She is survived by a sister, Ann (Laznik) Benitez; a sister-in-law, Janet (Domitrovich) Laznik; a niece, Sue Hetrick (Brad); four nephews: James LaPorta (Pam), Joe Laznik (Kerry),...
Jill Ann Clapper, 63, of Martinsburg, formerly of Hopewell Township, passed away Jan. 10, 2025, at Conemaugh Nason Medical Center, Roaring Spring. She was born Sept. 3, 1961, in Roaring Spring, daughter of Joseph H. Jr. and Dolores Marie (Batzel) Clapper. She is survived by her mother, Dolores M. Clapper of Martinsburg; brother, Eric J. Clapper (Maggie) of Hopewell Township; brother, Joseph H. Clapper, III (Christy) of Boalsburg; nephews, Seth Clapper (Allie) and Bronson Clapper (Hannah);...
Chester Paul Gochnour, 87, of Martinsburg, passed away Jan. 12, 2025, at his home. He was born Jan. 28, 1937, in Roaring Spring, son of the late Chester and Gladys (Steele) Gochnour. On Oct. 22, 1958, in Hollywood, Md., he was united in marriage to Marilyn A. (Walsh) Gochnour, who survives. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; son, Daniel Gochnour (Carol); son, Stephen Gochnour; daughter, Tammy Hess (Tony); daughter, Cynthia Cook; son, Matthew Gochnour; daughter, Paulette Iskos (Billy);...
I don’t know, of course, if you have ‘money troubles’. I hope you don’t and hope you won’t. I’m not a financial counselor but Scriptures do have things to say about money trouble. A primary teaching on the subject comes from Jesus’ words in His ‘Sermon on the Mount’, particularly St. Matthew 6:19-34. He tells us not to store up treasures on earth but rather to store them up in Heaven. He also encourages His listeners not to worry but rather to trust God. At least one reason...
Before Elon Musk made his presence felt in politics I started listening to his biography. One thing that struck me was his willingness to take risks. According to the biographer, Musk has been known to do things such as climb to great heights without so much as a safety helmet when visiting a SpaceX facility, eliminate redundant safety mechanisms on Tesla vehicles in order to eliminate expense, or spend $44 billion to buy a troubled Twitter. The people with whom he has surrounded himself often reflect the same philosophy of life. One night...
For Sale 2014 Ford Explorer The Board of Supervisors of Greenfield Township hereby notifies all interested parties they are selling a 2014 Ford Explorer. The Explorer will be sold on the Municibid (www.municibid.com) site starting Monday, January 20, 2025 & ends Monday, February 3, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. Bids will only be entertained on the Municibid website. We will review the results of the auction at our next public meeting Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at the Greenfield Township Building located at 477 Ski Gap Road, Claysburg, PA...
