Irwin resignations, appointments
Irwin Borough is expected to vote next month to replace a borough representative on the Western Westmoreland Municipal Authority board.
John Slivka submitted his resignation from the municipal authority board at the end of the year. Slivka was elected to a four-year term on Irwin Council last month.
Slivka also resigned from the borough’s zoning hearing board, effective on Dec. 31.
Shari Martino, borough manager, said that a member of council is prohibited from serving on the zoning hearing board. Slivka’s term on council begins Jan. 1.
Chrys Sebula notified borough council she was resigning from the Irwin Civics Board, effective Dec. 10.
Councilwoman Amanda Morrison was appointed by council on Dec. 10 to fill the remainder of Sebula’s term, which expires at the end of 2029.
Councilwoman Fonda Dalbow also applied to fill that vacancy, but then withdrew her name from consideration before putting other council members in the position of voting for or against fellow council members.
The terms for both council members expires at the end of the year. Morrison decided not to run for election and Dalbow lost her bid in the November election for a four-year term.
Council in December also hired Rhonda Balog as the full-time billing, lien and assistant code officer at a rate of $19.38 an hour, plus benefits.
She replaces Stephanie Hughes, who was promoted last month to the position of code enforcement office. Hughes replaced Matt Sever, who resigned as the code enforcement officer in October.
Norwin library book sale underway
The Friends of the Norwin Public Library’s annual Holiday Book Bundle sale continues throughout December at the library at 100 Caruthers Lane, Irwin.
A wide variety of gently used books and gifts will be available. The sale will continue in December until all the books are sold.
Irwin firefighters to buy thermal imaging cameras
The Irwin Volunteer Fire Department will be getting new thermal imaging cameras.
The fire department received a $19,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to purchase the thermal imaging cameras, said Councilman Shawn Stitely, who also serves as Irwin fire department’s deputy fire chief.
Thermal imaging cameras can detect heat coming from objects, which gives firefighters the chance to see through smoke and darkness to find victims of the fire and other firefighters.
Ruth Miller, a spokeswoman for PEMA, could not be reached for comment.
Auditions set for East End Kids
Auditions for East End Kids will take place at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at DeStella Dance Centre, 5800 Kennedy Ave., Export.
Students in grades 6-12 are welcome to try out for the teen song and dance ensemble.
Candidates should prepare 32 bars of a ballad and 32 bars of an up-tempo selection (Broadway-style preferred) and wear comfortable clothing and shoes for a short movement routine. They will need to bring accompaniment on their phones for their vocal auditions or be prepared to sing a cappella.
For details, visit cervi-eastendkids.org or email EastEndKids.Business@gmail.com.
Irwin note card scenes for sale
Irwin Borough is selling blank note cards depicting scenes of the community for $10 a pack.
The cards are available at the borough office, 424 Main St. The scenes are drawn by local artist Bob Weaver, a retired Yough High School art teacher.
The proceeds will benefit the Irwin Business and Professional Association, and will help the organization with the events it hosts in the borough.
The borough office is open from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Buyers can pay cash or write checks payable to “Irwin Business and Professional Association.”
Storage building site plan approved
A new storage facility in North Huntingdon is being planned for the former Express Scripts building at 501 Ronda Court.
Township commissioners recently approved a site plan for a major land development in which Guardian Storage of Pittsburgh is proposing remodeling the 71,185-square-foot building and adding 36,600 square feet of storage space for commercial use. Two proposed loading docks are being built next to the existing structure.
Guardian Storage North Huntingdon II LLC purchased the property from VEREIT OFC Lincoln Hills PA LLC for $3 million in May, according to the deed filed with the Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds.
A spokesman for Guardian Storage could not be reached for comment.
Heating assistance enrollment
The federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, has opened enrollment for the season, offering one-time cash grants to qualifying applicants to help with home heating bills or emergency repairs.
Households can apply through April 10 or until the funds are depleted.
This season’s grants range from $200 to $1,000. The income eligibility limit for the 2025-26 program is 150% of the federal income guidelines. A family of four can earn an income up to $48,225 and qualify.
Residents can apply at www.compass.state.pa.us or by calling 866-857-7095.
Journalism scholarship
The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania is accepting applications for its 20th annual Bob Fryer Memorial Scholarship ($5,000) and the club’s annual $2,500 scholarship for aspiring journalists.
Applications are available at WesternPApressclub.org, by calling 412-281-7778 or emailing 412-600-0606.
Deadline for entries is Feb. 9. Winners will be awarded at the club’s annual Golden Quills Awards Dinner.
American Legion scholarships
The Pennsylvania American Legion is taking entries for its annual essay contest. Winners will receive scholarships of $3,500, $3,000 or $2,500.
The contest is open to students in grades 9-12. Students can be from public, private, parochial, cyber/charter or home-schooled.
Students must submit their essay by mail or hand delivery to their local American Legion post by Jan. 7. Complete rules and regulations are available at PA-legion.com/programs/student-and-youth/essay-program, by calling 412-389-2626 or by emailing wareagles79@hotmail.com.
AARP seeking tax-prep aides
The AARP Foundation is seeking volunteers to be trained for its tax aide program, the nation’s largest free volunteer-based tax preparation program.
Volunteers can be trained as tax return preparers or as client facilitators. Anyone interested in volunteering can call 724-374-3780.
For more, see AARPfoundation.org/taxaide.
Association of University People
The Association of University People invites potential new members to join them at an event.
The association invites singles aged 50 and older, who are four-year college graduates, to join them for activities and to meet new people. Activities include picnics, monthly dinners, a book group and meetups at local concerts and wineries.
For more, call 412-353-9088 or email AUPsingles@gmail.com.