Greg Vaitl, owner of Christman’s Funeral Home, was honored Wednesday as the Community of Lebanon Association’s Business Person of the Year.
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 commissioners consider courtroom dog for stress relief
Officials in Lebanon County’s Probation Department are going to explore the purchase of a facility canine to serve in the county court system.
Posted inNews
Local voters return mail-in, absentee ballots on 1st day of new satellite office
The county’s new drive-by mail-in and absentee ballot satellite office was busy on its first day of operation.
Posted inEducation
Would-be student, graduate discuss end of local adult nursing education program
After a long career in other industries, 50-year-old Brian Raub of Lebanon was motivated to pursue nursing, only to face the abrupt cancellation of his LPN class due to a board decision, amidst a broader termination of adult education programs.
Posted inEducation
Cedar Crest High School’s broadcast program wins six national awards
Cedar Crest High School’s broadcast program is gaining the attention of its peers nationwide after students won six awards at the recent Student Television Network’s national convention in California.
Posted inNews
County officials raise concerns of Gov. Dick park ranger’s enforcement authority
Dr. David Eichler, the park ranger at Clarence Schock Memorial Park, has been asked to return a county-issued weapon and cease enforcement activities following a review of county policies and potential liability concerns.
Posted inNews
County commissioners approve state grant request for new rail trail project
Working with a packed agenda, the county commissioners voted on 15 different items during its March 21 meeting at the county municipal building.
Posted inBusiness & Nonprofits
State study shows tourism in Lebanon County rebounded in 2022
Tourists are traveling again following the pandemic, according to a new study.
Posted inNews
Annville company outfits Lebanon County’s new 911 mobile comms ops unit
Lebanon County’s Department of Emergency Services is set to have a mobile command center, converted from a recreational vehicle by Annville-based 911 Rapid Response, operational later this year.
Posted inNews
140-year-old sentry statue to be renovated during restoration project
A local cemetery association seeks financial support from the public for restoration of its Civil War Sentry monument. The project is expected to cost $120,000 with the work to be performed later this year.
Posted inNews
Lebanon County prepares to send mail-in ballots next week for April primary
County election officials are nearly prepared for Pennsylvania’s Primary Election on April 23.
Posted inBusiness & Nonprofits
Lights, camera, action: International film festival to debut at Mt. Gretna art show
An international film festival featuring short flicks will debut at the 50th Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show this August.
Posted inEducation
Student filmmakers from Cedar Crest HS enter flicks in national competition
Sixteen Cedar Crest High School students will compete at the Student Television Network convention for honors in numerous judging events, including three award-winning student filmmakers.
Posted inNews
Lebanon County officials to create residence for transition-aged youth
Lebanon County officials plan to open a home on North 12th Street in the city to house transition-aged youths 18-24 with mental health disabilities and who have a history of substance abuse.
Posted inNews
Lebanon County commissioners receive report on local Red Cross activities
County commissioners issued several proclamations and took a total of 14 different actions during its most recent meeting on Thursday, March 7.
