Latest news with #Langerholc
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial Day ceremony marks 'solemn' remembrance for military fallen
Gathered beneath a large tent Monday, dozens of area residents marked Memorial Day at Sandyvale Memorial Gardens and Conservancy continuing a generations-long tradition in the city of Johnstown. 'I ask you to find meaning in your life for those who gave all in service of our country,' retired U.S. Army Col. Jeff Pounding said. He served as this year's keynote speaker on the hallowed grounds which previously served as a cemetery and had Revolutionary and Civil War-era soldiers interred there. Pounding is a decorated service member who told the crowd that Memorial Day is a 'solemn' occasion for him in which communities come together to commemorate the valor of those who gave their lives for their country. Dozens of people attended the event on the cool May morning, including several veterans from nearly every branch of the military. James A. Clark was one of those people. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and said after the ceremony that Memorial Day is a reminder to him that people of all races and creeds have allied in defense of the United States and paid the ultimate price in doing so. Clark has attended the Johnstown event for decades, having started when he was a boy and his father, James. F. Clark, a U.S. Merchant Marine, would take him. 'Very inspirational,' he said. James Dudley, who served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1968 to 1981, arrived shortly after the ceremony concluded but still wanted to pay his respects. 'These are all my brothers,' he said. 'The ones who didn't come home.' Memorial Day is an emotional day for Dudley, who said he always pays tribute to the fallen. Other speakers during the day including state Sen. Wayne Langerholc, R-Richland Township, and Jason Minor, Junior Vice Commander of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. 'We can truly never thank those that died in the line of duty so that we can remain free,' Langerholc said. He also told the crowd the story of U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Phillip Langerholc, his great uncle, who served during World War II. The elder Langerholc died in combat while fighting in the Pacific Theater, and the senator has the last letter his relative sent home before perishing. Wayne Langerholc said reading that letter and speaking Monday were earnest reminders of the price of freedom. Minor read Gen. John A. Logan's General Orders No. 11, otherwise known as the Memorial Day Order. Logan issued the directive on May 5, 1868, writing that the end of May would be reserved for 'the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.' 'In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit,' Minor read. Diana Kabo, president of the Sandyvale Cemetery Association Inc. and memorial gardens, said the Johnstown community has gathered at Sandyvale since 1886 when the holiday was formerly known as Decoration Day. Joshua Byers is a reporter for The Tribune- Democrat. Follow him on Twitter @Journo_Josh.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State College, Cambria Heights schools awarded over $800k from Solar for School funds
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — Cambria Heights and State College schools will receive more than $800,000 in state funding to help pay for solar energy projects, Senator Wayne Langerholc Jr. announced Tuesday. A total of $836,810 will be awarded from the Solar for School funds — $437,522 to The Cambria Heights School District and $399,288 to the State College School District. Cambria Heights will be installing a 358-kilowatt roof-mounted system at Cambria Heights Elementary. The funds will be used to purchase and install, as well as engineering, administrative operations and maintenance costs. Langerholc said the total price of the project is $875,044 and will result in an average annual savings of $58,989. State College will use its $300,000 towards the installation of a 630-kilowatt photovoltaic system on the roof of Park Forest Middle School. The total project is expected to cost $1.1 million with average annual savings of $79,095. Another $99,288 will be used for Mount Nittany Elementary School, according to the full list of approved projects. 'Solar energy can help school districts reduce their energy costs and save taxpayer dollars,' Langerholc said. 'I'm pleased to help secure funding that will allow schools to cover upfront costs for projects that will provide long-term savings.' The grants were awarded through the Solar for Schools Grant Program, created in 2024 and funded by the 2024-25 funding was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development that administers many of Pennsylvania's economic development and community improvement programs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania Senate passes bills aimed at eliminating car emissions testing
(WTAJ)– The state Senate on Monday approved two bills sponsored by Senator Wayne Langerholc aimed at reforming Pennsylvania's vehicle emissions testing program. Senate Bill 35 would remove Blair, Cambria, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer and Westmoreland counties from the annual emissions testing program. Senate Bill 149 would exempt all vehicles within the five most recent model years from the tests as well, but statewide. 'Quick and convenient' Pa. bill could change beer, wine delivery services In an interview with WTAJ News on Thursday Langerholc said these bills are common sense and would help save Pennsylvanians money. 'Emissions testing is the most outdated, unnecessary, and nonsensical way to address this,' Langerholc said. 'It has no impact. If you look at the cars that are tested the pass rates are ridiculously high. I think this is completely unneeded.' Both bills will now head to the state house of representatives for approval. Langerholc said that he will continue to lobby house lawmakers to consider the bills and is optimistic that they will pass. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
