Latest news with #Meadville
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Warren drops out of PENNCREST race
Following accusations of patronizing prostitutes, PENNCREST school board candidate Matthew Warren has withdrawn from the ballot. He was one of 52 charged in connection with the Totally You Fitness Spa criminal investigation in which the fitness center was alleged to have acted as a front for commercial sex to buyers over a decade. Warren has maintained his innocence, but the state has said it can track his credit card and phone statements back to the facility from 2020 to 2024, and the criminal complaint included a confession to police in 2024 that he engaged in massages with sexual acts. After the charges were filed, there was an increase of scrutiny that Warren said ultimately drove him to stop campaigning. 'This decision was not made lightly, I've been unfairly targeted, and I refuse to allow those attacks to continue hurting the other candidates and the people I care about most,' Warren told The Meadville Tribune. 'I love my family, my friends and this community too much to let this continue.' Warren ran on Christian and family-centric values, saying that he became a Christian a few years ago. 'After becoming a Christian a few years ago, I developed a strong calling to serve — whether through public office, community involvement or simply being a light in people's lives,' he said. 'That calling hasn't changed. I still intend to serve God, serve others and give back to the community I love — but I will find other ways to do so.' Director of Elections Jessalyn McFarland confirmed that Warren submitted the required paperwork on Tuesday to be withdrawn from the ballot. Now, the Crawford County Republican Party must nominate someone to take his place on the ballot. McFarland said the party must decide by Sept. 15. Requests for comment to Mike Forbes, chairman of the party, went unreturned. Other Crawford County residents charged with patronizing prostitutes in the Totally You case include Steven Robert Test, 44, of Saegertown; Jamie Michael Bilich, 52, of Meadville; Garrett Robert Leech, 39, of Cambridge Springs; and Michael Thomas Stroud, 67, of Conneaut Lake. The preliminary hearings are set for Aug. 13 and 14 at Magisterial Judge Timothy Beveridge's office in Erie.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Gas prices fall across state, stay same in Meadville area
Average gasoline prices in Pennsylvania dipped by 3.4 cents per gallon over the past week to average $3.20 Monday while prices in Meadville remained unchanged at $3.50. According to GasBuddy's survey of 5,269 stations in Pennsylvania, prices are 8 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and 46.3 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The station in Pennsylvania with the cheapest gas had it priced at $2.69 Monday while the most expensive was $4.39. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 1.8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.07. The national average is down 5.2 cents per gallon from a month ago and is 32.8 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. 'Average gas prices declined in nearly all states over the last week as refineries ramped up output and gasoline supplies surged,' said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. 'While a few states experienced price cycling — a pattern where prices drop sharply and then spike every couple of weeks — the overall gentle downward trend is typical as summer progresses. If oil prices continue to rise gradually, it could eventually impact gas prices, but for now, we likely won't see any major shifts at the pump in most areas this week.' Prices from around the region: • Andover, Ohio: Average price is $2.98 per gallon. • Ashtabula, Ohio: Prices as low as $3.04 per gallon. • Conneaut Lake: Average price is $3.49 per gallon. • Edinboro: Average price is $3.49 per gallon. • Erie: Average price is $3.11 per gallon, with prices as low as $2.89. • Mercer: Average price is $3.41 per gallon. • New Castle: Average price is $3.28 per gallon. • Oil City: Average price is $3.43 per gallon. • Pittsburgh: Average price is $3.42 per gallon. • Warren: Average price is $3.70 per gallon. • Waterford: Prices as low as $3.09 per gallon.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Onward and upward — 35th annual Thurston Classic takes off in Crawford Co.
The 35th Annual Thurston Classic, a free hot air balloon event, is captivating the skies over Crawford County this weekend. The event, named after a Meadville family with a rich history in ballooning, features 22 balloons flown by some of the country's most skilled pilots. PI Boat Tours offers update on Lady Kate absence 'I've been flying for 39 years and as you witnessed here, I still get excited watching these balloons fly, it's just magical,' said Alex Jonard, the Balloonmeister of the Thurston Classic. Crowds from near and far are gathering in Crawford County to witness the spectacle of the Thurston Classic. The festival has been a staple in the community since 1988, drawing large audiences to enjoy the vibrant display of balloons. Pilots convened early Friday morning to discuss weather conditions and ensure safe flights. 'It's much different than flying a fixed wing; we can't really power through things,' Jonard explained, emphasizing the importance of clear visibility and favorable wind speeds. Among the balloons is 'Tiny the Fire Dog' from Virginia, piloted by Henry Rosenbaum. 'You'll see us lay it out on the ground here now, the basket gets hooked up, and we stretch the fabric out,' Rosenbaum described the preparation process. The balloon, weighing 400 pounds due to extra fabric, offers a unique flying experience. Lake City Fire Company welcomes community for annual carnival Rosenbaum, who has been flying for over 30 years, likens the experience to a magic carpet ride, offering a 360-degree view from heights of up to 1,000 feet. The Thurston Classic continues to enchant visitors with its colorful displays and skilled pilots, maintaining its status as a beloved community event in Meadville. For more information about the event, click here. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tail-wagging time: Tiny the Fire Dog fires up the Thurston Classic crowd
Tiny the Fire Dog was no foe to the flame on Thursday as the 105,000-cubic foot Dalmatian stood at attention in the sky for the 35th Annual Thurston Classic Joyce Stevens Memorial Night Glow. The floppy-eared puppy was full of fire, rightfully so as he symbolizes fire service and public safety. Tiny was front and center of the nine balloons for the night glow at Allegheny College's Robertson Athletic Complex, and he had quite a few admirers. The Anderson family was in the sea of hundreds who lined the field. In its 35 years, the Thurston Classic has gained a loyal following. Traveling all the way from Pittsburgh, Erin Anderson recalled her time watching the event as a child. 'I grew up on Doughty (Avenue) and we used to watch and enjoy it,' she said, remembering how she could see the balloons float over her house as she relaxed in the pool. Now, adorned in her Meadville sweatshirt, she brought her own children to see it. 'They were really excited to come down and see it,' she said, noting that they haven't really been old enough to remember it until now. Eliza, 6, said she was looking forward to seeing all the balloons: '100 percent — I love them.' She was on the lookout for her favorite colors — pink, purple and yellow — and twirled around, blowing bubbles with her little brother before the big event. 'She was telling — before we left Pittsburgh — everyone about how she was going to see hot air balloons,' Erin said. 'She was bragging because people were like, 'Where are the hot air balloons?' 'You have to go to Meadville to see it,'' she would reply. Each balloon takes a small crew of around four or five members to help the pilot, who inflates the balloon with cold air, then blasts hot air to make the balloon stand up. The process takes about 15 minutes and is a craft for balloon pilots. Coming from all over the country, the Thurston Classic is a favorite for pilots from all over. One balloon was left standing after the rest though: Daydreamer. Standing with its black bottom bellowing into a rainbow top, the balloon is the late Roger Miller's. Miller died just three weeks before the Thurston Classic, and as 'a special sendoff,' his balloon was kept inflated for about five minutes longer than the others, Balloonmeister Alex Jonard II said. Although the wind gave some of the balloons trouble, it was no match for the Daydreamer, which glowed above them all. 'There's not a dry eye, and there's an empty box of Kleenex here,' Jonard said. 'We appreciate the family letting us have the balloon here for a special tribute.' The weekend continues with a total of 21 balloons, taking an evening flight scheduled today, followed by morning and evening sanctioned races on Saturday and another race on Sunday morning.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Yahoo
Gas & groceries: community reacts to Memorial Day prices
Many people choose to spend Memorial Day the same way, firing up the grill for a cookout with friends and family. Over at Presque Isle, dozens of families found a spot to set up a picnic, but first, they paid the grocery bill for the holiday food essentials. 'Over $100. Over $100,' said Armyani Thompson, Presque Isle picnicker. 'Is that good or bad in your eyes?' asked reporter Tyler Gallagher. Meadville residents commemorate Memorial Day with parade, ceremony 'It was pretty good, you know, inflation, but it's alright. It was alright,' replied Thompson. 'I would say $35 to $40. We got some hamburgers, cheeseburgers, got some chips, some mini pops, and some deviled eggs,' said Keith Gebhardt, another picnicker. Gebhardt said the eggs were definitely the most expensive during his grocery trip, but all in all the final price was pretty good. After speaking with people at Presque Isle, we went to a grocery store to see exactly how much some popular holiday picnic items would cost. Erie families celebrate Memorial Day remembering loved ones For eight burgers and 10 hotdogs, the final price comes out to around $37, including ketchup, mustard and buns, and that's from buying the cheapest option for each grocery prices play a role in Memorial Day picnics, gas prices also have an impact on holiday travelers visiting their families. 'I spend about 100 bucks a week on gas, and I go through a whole tank of gas once a week. It's gotten a lot worse. I used to spend maybe like $70, and now it's like $100, so it's pretty bad,' said Malaki Swanson. But at least for the month of May, gas prices have been staying steady for Memorial Day travelers. Cans for Wishes remembers wish kid in record breaking drop-off AAA reports that the current average price of regular gas in Erie County is $3.351, which is about 50 cents less than the average last year at $3.864. That average for Erie County is only a little bit above the state average, which sits at $3.294. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
