Mifflin News

Dan Cummings, a retired horticulturist from West Mifflin, isn't the least bit surprised the Pennsylvania General Assembly has squirreled away a $200 million surplus while state government faces a $3.25 billion deficit.

It seems there's one in every crowd, at least, on the Fourth of July. You know, the guy who bought a small cache of fireworks and can't wait to woo the children and others at a party by launching them into the night sky.

Two local malls are on U.S. News and World Report's most-endangered list. About 30 of the 120 stores at Century III Mall in West Mifflin have recently closed.

Pittsburgh city officials are pressing Pittsburgh Hilton Hotel owner Shubh Hotels LLC for answers about when renovation work on the exterior of the Gateway Center hotel might resume, and if not, when construction equipment would be removed.

Higher prices, shorter hours and fewer employees have marked the 2009 season at Idlewild & SoakZone parks.

Tourism generates revenue for local businesses, annual festivals and area attractions such as state parks - all of which are in danger of taking a financial hit if the state budget negotiations lead to significant cuts.

No matter how you slice it, Pennsylvania's agricultural community is looking at taking a substantial hit from proposed cuts in the 2009-2010 state budget.

Kenneth P. Fisher, president and chief executive officer of MCS Bank will retire as CEO effective June 30, according to a press release from Robert G. Shoff, MCS Bank chairman of the board.

Anticipated funding cuts could hinder the efforts of area social service agencies and programs to assist needy members of the community, some local officials say regarding the state's 2009-2010 budget debate.

The Emerald ash borer beetle has been discovered in Westmoreland County. Emerald ash borer beetles, an insect that can destroy an ash tree within three years of the initial infestation, have been found in Allegheny Township, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said today.

People who have lived in other states think Pennsylvania has a crazy liquor system.

As Pennsylvania's budget debate in Harrisburg continues to rage on, the Mifflin County Commissioners are planning to join their brethren across the commonwealth to urge state legislators to adopt a responsible 2009-10 budget that maintains funding for core government services and does not shift costs to the local level.

Talk about a food perk. You soon could be able to buy two of life's staples - bread and beer - at the same place in Western Pennsylvania.

The Gov. Mifflin School District has asked teachers to give up next year's salary increase to help balance the 2009-10 budget.

The theme for this year's Mifflin-Juniata Relay For Life was "Fighting back against cancer," and the participants did just that.

With summer vacations at hand, our interests range from the depths of the ocean floor to the surface of the moon, with a gentle reminder that there is always time to go exploring with a book.

Everyone has their own story to tell about past experiences with ice-cream trucks.

A barn built in the 1960s owned by brothers Larry and Delmar Zimmerman caught fire Tuesday morning in Walnut, displacing 85 cows.

Plum High School's Air Force JROTC has been honored with the Air Force's Distinguished Unit Award for the third time in its three years of existence.

Addiction is not only an individual problem, but also a family problem, a community problem, and a national problem.