Crop officials visit two farms in northern and southern Lebanon County on Wednesday to estimate yield totals for wheat for the 2026 growing season.
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
N. Londonderry Twp. supervisors grant land plans for 55-plus housing project
North Londonderry Township supervisors advance plans for Phases 3 & 4 of 55-plus community housing project at Winding Creek during their June meeting.
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Railroad bridge over Clear Spring Road reopens to traffic after 13 months
The railroad bridge over Clear Spring Road in North Annville Township was reopened Thursday after being closed for 13 months due to structural defects that required repairs.
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Data centers, fire company assets highlight N. Annville Twp. meeting
North Annville Township supervisors considered Monday, June 8, a draft data center ordinance, fire company apparatus replacement plan & the possible sale of the assets for the former Union Water Works Fire Company in Annville.
Posted inPeople & Places
Lebanon man named valedictorian of Virginia Military Institute’s Class of 2026
Lukas Maurer, who graduated as valedictorian at Virginia Military Institute, said a family legacy of military service and his Christian faith inspired his decision to pursue a career in the Army.
Posted inNews
Clear Spring Road in North Annville Twp. will be closed indefinitely, officials say
The railroad bridge on Clear Spring Road in North Annville Township fails inspection, more corrective measures needed, officials announce at Monday’s township meeting.
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Lebanon Valley Rail Trail marks 30 years with celebration and fundraiser
During its 30th year, the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail was celebrated Saturday, June 6, with a special anniversary gathering and fundraiser near the trailhead behind the Lebanon Valley Expo Center & Fairgrounds in North Cornwall Township.
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Fort Indiantown Gap, PA Guard celebrate service with second annual open house
Fort Indiantown Gap showcases itself, celebrates 250th anniversary and honors D-Day veterans during open house festivities on Saturday, June 6.
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County commissioners vote to apply for $5.5 million LVRT funding, set trail regs
Lebanon County Commissioners on Thursday took various actions regarding the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail and separate decisions concerning the redevelopment authority.
Posted inPeople & Places
Award-winning chefs call it a day on their 30-year teaching careers
Two teachers in the nationally recognized culinary and pastry programs at the Lebanon County Career and Technology Center retired at the end of the 2025-26 school year following careers that spanned three decades.
Posted inEducation
Northern Lebanon school board narrowly passes 4.2% budget increase for 2026-27
Northern Lebanon School District directors approved a nearly $55 million 2026-27 budget on a 5-4 vote, raising the millage rate by 4.2%.
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LVRT to open Phase 10A this month, hold 30th anniversary celebration this week
Phase 10A of the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail, which is described as one of the most scenic sections of the nearly 26-mile-long trail, is set to open this month.
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Senior citizen homelessness rising in Lebanon County; mission at capacity
A growing problem of senior homelessness has helped lead to Lebanon Rescue Mission’s shelters being at capacity, according to local officials.
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Protestors gather in 6 counties Monday to demand Meuser hold a town hall
The 64th edition of Mondays with Meuser in Lebanon County marked the first time that simultaneous protests were held in six of the 12 counties within U.S. Congressman Dan Meuser’s entire 9th district, organizers said Monday.
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Data centers, property taxes, and housing highlight 101st District town hall meeting
Rep. John Schlegel (R-101) discusses data centers, property taxes, and housing, among other topics, during a town hall session on Thursday, May 28.
