• The Redbank Valley Historical Society announced that it had published and now has available to the public a 440-page hardback book, “Voices from the Redbank Valley,” and was released just before Christmas.
• West Freedom Water Association was presented the Pennsylvania Rural Water Association Award for Water System of the Year.
• 30 people participated in the Armstrong Trails first “First Walk” that was held on Friday, January 1, 2021.
• Butler Health System Clarion Hospital developed a Covid vaccination plan with the help of the Clarion County government officials and emergency management team.
• Selina Pedi writes and challenging article to inspire collaboration for community leaders to see potential redevelopment using Ambler, a town in Eastern Pennsylvania as an example of success.
• Veda McGinnis (now deceased), of Boyers, PA, celebrated her 107th birthday on January 31, 2021.
• Bruin Area Veterans‘ Memorial Association [BAVMA] began the Bruin Area Military Banner Project to honor the areas’ United States Military and U.S. Veterans.
• The Butler VA Health Care System reopens family visitations for residents of the Sergeant Joseph George Kusick Community Living Center (CLC) on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. The reopening was limited. Visitations were offered to appropriate residents on a daily basis, with only 4 visits scheduled per day.
• The I-80 Bridge Tolling plan by PennDOT is strongly opposed by local state lawmakers.
• The Musical Cyrano de Burger Shack To Be Performed at Karns City High School
Live performances were cast for parents only, but they have paid for the license to post the musical on, ”Broadway On Demand”. The on demand streaming was available from March 11 – 14th.
• On March 14, 2021, Flora Mellish celebrated her 100th birthday. Quality Live Services, at Sugarcreek hosted a celebration with immediate family members helping her celebrate.
• Congratulations to Chase Beighley who became the all time leading scorer at Karns City High school on Monday, February 21, 2021on his home court. A three point beyond the arc shot at the top of the key against A-C Valley moved Chase past Tyler Callihan who set the mark in 2005 with 1554 career points.
In a special tribute to his performance, Beighley was personally sent a congratulations from Isiah Thomas, 12x NBA All-Star and former guard of the Detroit Pistons. The tribute was a gift from Chase’s father who made the arrangements.
Chase Beighley with coach Chris Bellis.
• On Tuesday, March 2, Levi Orton became A-C Valley’s all-time leading scorer by surpassing Sean Foust’s mark set in 2006 (1632). The 6’0", sr. standout guard / forward entered the contest against Sheffield needing only 16 points to break the record. Orton wasted little time in getting it done as he netted 20 points in the first half alone. On the night he finished with 33 points, 9 rebounds and 5 steals. It was actually a steal off an in-bounds that set the play in motion. Fittingly for Orton, a player that never stops hustling or going to the ball.
Levi with coaches Tony McGarvery
and John Irwin
• North West Consignment Opens: Well now you have a new place to help find what you are looking for at Northwest Consignments. Northwest Consignment is located in the old Cranberry High School at 224 South Main Street, Main St. & Meadow Rd., Seneca PA. It’s easy to find; it’s right across from the Seneca Post Office in the lower level of the school.
• The 5th grade lady Gremlins will compete in the PA Youth State Basketball Championship next weekend, March 19-21st. They qualified to attend last year’s Championship but due to the pandemic it was cancelled. They were ecstatic when offered to return this year as a competitor.
• Julia Miner, 7th grader at Karns City Jr/Sr High School was awarded $250 for a proposal that she was encouraged to write by her grandmother, Nancy Lendyak, for the Hershey Heartwarming Project Action Grant. The grant, made possible through Hershey and We.org is designed to promote kindness, empathy and inclusion. Julia reached out to her 7th grade teachers to see if her classes could participate.
Julia’s project, with the help of her 7th grade teachers and classmates, was to help brighten the day for the residents and staff at QUALITY Life Services Chicora and Sugarcreek.
• Pavers to Honor U.S. Veterans. Plans are proceeding to break ground this spring for phase 2 of the Bruin Area Veterans’ Memorial. High-quality 4" x 8" pavers will compose the Veterans‘ Plaza around the monuments of our memorial. If you would like to recognize an honorably discharged U.S. Veteran, service unit or ship with an engraved paver, now is the time!
• 11th Annual Snowball Kickball Fundraiser: It has happened every year for the past ten years. This year, it almost never happened. As the world shutdown in 2020 many looked for a glimmer of hope in 2021. For two local families, Wesley Forsythe of St. Petersburg and ten month old Dallas Weisenstein of Chicora that hope arrived with the outpouring of support at the 11th Annual Forsythe Snowball Kickball Fundraiser held by Vince and Carrie Forsythe of St. Petersburg.
Impactful would be one word to describe the overall event. Over the last four years alone the event has raised close to $120,000 and has lessened the burden for those in need at a time in need. Part of the proceeds is also given to the Clarion County Shriners.
• The Year in Review will continue in the following week. This week’s was January thru March.