• Rep. Donna Oberlander announces two grants for recreational projects. 2.4 million dollars for the development of the Armstrong Trail in Brady Township to help with the rehabilitation of the Brady Tunnel; ADA access, landscaping, project sign, and other related site improvements. And the 2nd project was Cowanshannock Township, which that received$50,000 for the rehabilitation of the NuMine Playground.
• Hovis Truck Service Suffers a Major Fire. An intense fire erupted at Hovis Truck Service at 6010 Emlenton-Clintonville Road just off I-80 exit 42 and near the Emlenton Truck Plaza in the early hours of Sunday morning, January 9, 2022. The fire of undetermined origin roared through and destroyed the main building which included offices, service and repair garage, and parts sales. Since the fire companies were able to keep the fire from spreading to other parts of the grounds, the Hovis family was able to keep the business running strong.
• The “Final Call” was held for local firefighter, Dennis P. Sloan. The Emlenton Fire Department
Station 55, laid to rest, Dennis P. Sloan, one of the senior members of the Volunteer Fire Department on Wednesday, January 19, 2022.
• Amy’s Closet and Sassy’s Gifts celebrated their one-year birthday by moving into a new location at 313 Thirteenth Street in downtown Franklin.
• French Creek was voted on and named 2022, “River of the Year.”
• Moniteau Competitive Cheer Team placed 3rd in the PIAA State Championship. The state championships were held on January 28th at the GIANT Center in Hershey, PA. The Moniteau Competitive
The cheer Team returned from Hershey, PA. In the finals, the Warriors knocked it out of the park with a zero deduction, perfect routine, and a final score of 85.3667, only to be edged out by Landsdale Catholic who took 1st place, and Richland with 2nd place. The ACV Varsity Cheerleading Squad also competed and made it to the semi-finals in the co-ed division and took 7th place. This was a fine showing for ACV as well.
• Hudson Lutz of Emlenton competed in the Punxsutawney wrestling tournament. At the tournament, he captured a 1st place trophy that was almost as big as him. Hudson wrestles in Keystone Wrestling Club.
• A new column was introduced for the Progress News readers. Town Talk – The “Bread” of the Community, by Lara Andreykovich. She calls herself a “newbie” in Emlenton, and a PhD student at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education. We hope you have enjoyed her occasional columns that set out with the hope of brightening your day!
• The City of Parker organization, PASCO reaches out to encourage new membership. PASCO meets the first Wednesday of each month at the Parker House meeting room. Join them if you can.
• Bernard and Deborah Berteotti of Karns City celebrated 50 years of marriage on February 19, 2022.
• Alex and Bonnie Elder, of the Parker area, celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on February 4th.
• Karns City Regional Ambulance Service received a $2,500 donation from their next-door neighbors, Sonneborn, LLC. Sonneborn, LLC has been a great supporter of KCRAS since its incorporation.
• Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, the famed Notre Dame walk-on football player, inspirational speaker, neighbor, and subject of the 1993 film “Rudy” which has inspired millions ever since, made a special visit to Clarion County, in March. The “Rudy Events” were held at Clarion Area and Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and then at Redbank Valley H.S.
• Emlenton’s new Splash Park Project reached phase III. Phase III was the construction part of the project.
• Rich Hewlett Purchases Lou Berteotti’s Insurance and Financial Services in Shippenville, PA. Lou had been operating his business for 48 years. Lou moved his business office to its present location in 2000. Rich started working for the firm in Oct. 2021 and finalized the purchase on Jan. 1, 2022.
• Bernadette Francisco of Chicora on recording her first ever hole-in-one. Bernadette aced hole #4 at Kings Ridge Golf Club in Clermont, Florida.
• James and Patricia Fleeger of Chicora celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Sunday, March 13 with family and close friends. James and Patricia were married on March 15, 1952, in Fairview.
• The 12th Annual Forsythe Snowball Kickball charity event raises $43,000. The charity event has grown from $300 in the first year to a record $43,000 in 2022. The event raises money each year for individuals and families that are facing major medical bills. The charity event is hosted by Vince & Carrie Forsythe.
• The Immaculate Conception Parish of Clarion held a three-day mission on Discipleship featuring Everett Fritz, founder, and Executive Director of Andrew Ministries. The mission was free and open to the public.
• Grove City College Gallery Show Featured Civil War Photos, Soldier’s Letters. Grove City College highlighted the Civil War with a new exhibit in The Pew Fine Arts Center Gallery.
• Farmers National Banc Corp. of Canfield Ohio and Emclaire Financial Corp., the holding company for the Farmers National Bank of Emlenton Announce a Merger Agreement had been reached as of March 23, 2022. After a few delays, the completion of the merger is expected to take place in early January 2023.
• The Foxburg Golf Preservation, Inc. has announced a major preservation and restoration effort for the Foxburg golf course which opened for play in 1887. The course, the oldest continually operated golf course in America.
• These items of review are through March 2022. Part II of this feature will be published in the January 10, 2023, issue of The Progress News.