Lebanon County Commissioners provide grant funding for 10 countywide improvement projects, issue a proclamation, and agree to send a letter of support for an environmental project during a busy March 19 meeting.
James Mentzer
James Mentzer is a freelance writer and lifelong resident of Pennsylvania. He 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 whose hobbies include hunting, Ultimate frisbee, disc golf, spikeball and pickleball, biking, traveling and attending live concerts for a number of bands, including moe., String Cheese Incident and Widespread Panic.
His 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; Lancaster Development, Inc.: An American Story of Family and Infrastructure, and several other titles. He has also had business profiles published in Central Pennsylvania: Our Time Has Come, and an article in 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. Another book is currently in production for Morris Country Club in Morris, Illinois.
Posted inNews
Lebanon County Republican Committee endorses 2026 party candidates
The Republican party in Lebanon County announced its endorsed candidates for the 2026 election cycle.
Posted inNews
County commissioners asked to change notification process for mail-in ballots
Lebanon County Commissioners were asked Thursday to change timing of notification process for mail-in ballots containing errors on the envelope.
Posted inNews
Planned broiler houses for Beagle Road approved by Bethel planning commission
Bethel Township’s Planning Commission voted on Tuesday to send a land development plan for a broiler operation on Beagle Road to the township supervisors for their consideration.
Posted inNews
Road closure, fire company needs highlight N. Londonderry Twp. actions
North Londonderry supervisors agree to close a portion of road during a Saturday in May for a countywide active shooter training scenario at Palmyra Area High School.
Posted inNews
Lebanon County’s 4-H Week honors youth development programs
Lebanon County’s 4-H program is marking 4-H Week with a county commissioners proclamation March 19 and social media celebrations, as the program’s nearly 460 youth members and 91 adult volunteers continue to expand with new clubs in shooting sports, livestock and horseback riding.
Posted inPeople & Places
Swatara Twp. farmer receives award for lifetime land stewardship excellence
Producing while preserving the land earns Lebanon County farmer the inaugural Steward of the Land Lifetime Award as presented recently by the Lebanon County Conservation District.
Posted inNews
Land development plans for Bell & Evans’ cold storage, tray pack facilities approved
A land development plan for construction of a cold storage facility at 241 Blue Mountain Road was approved March 12 by Bethel Township supervisors.
Posted inBusiness & Nonprofits
Groundbreaking held for Agape Safe Haven
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday to mark the beginning of construction of the $8.5 million Agape Safe Haven shelter at the Lebanon Rescue Mission in the city.
Posted inNews
Congressman Meuser issues statements backing Iran bombings, PA ICE facilities
Congressman Dan Meuser voiced support for U.S. bombings in Iran and addressed community concerns about two ICE detention facilities planned for his district in Berks and Schuylkill counties.
Posted inNews
North Annville Township officials hire firm to enforce zoning ordinances
With the number of zoning ordinance complaints rising, North Annville Township supervisors unanimously agreed Monday to hire a company to conduct violation investigations.
Posted inNews
Drug overdose deaths, suicides fall by nearly half in Lebanon County in 2025
Lebanon County saw drug overdose deaths and suicides drop by nearly 48% and 40%, respectively, in 2025, with officials crediting increased public outreach, expanded Medically Assisted Treatment services, and Narcan distribution.
Posted inNews
County Commissioners told local Red Cross volunteers are vital to success
American Red Cross officials provided an update on local activities at the March 5 meeting of the Lebanon County Commissioners.
Posted inNews
County commissioners table resolution on ICE cooperation amid public debate
Lebanon County commissioners took no action Thursday on a citizen resolution asking county agencies to stop cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Posted inHistory
Tragic N. Annville Twp. explosion & fire 50 years ago remembered by eyewitness
Tragic event that claimed two lives, injured four, recalled 50 years later.
