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Conneaut Valley Post
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Affects Here · Decisions in Crawford County that affect life in the valley.
The Conneaut Lake Spooktacular returns to Fireman's Beach Pavilion on Saturday, Oct. 31, from noon to 2 p.m., with a costume contest, trunk-or-treat, an Ice House Park walk and food.
Meadville City Council's first discussion of the 2027 budget brought a proposal to raise taxes 2 to 4 mills — up to about $132 a year for the average homeowner — after the city's $1.9 million rainy-day fund ran out.
Rising River Brewing in Conneaut Lake hosts the Lakeside Spooktacular on Friday, Oct. 30, from 5 to 9 p.m., one of three Halloween events in the valley that weekend.
Roads, Weather & Public Safety
Meadville police seized about 35 skill-game machines from four businesses last week after a court-imposed Oct. 13 deadline passed. No charges are expected; the machines face forfeiture to the state.
The 12th Annual Linesville Lighted Tractor Parade rolls through downtown Linesville on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 6 to 9 p.m., with lawnmowers, antique and farm tractors and floats decked out in lights.
Senior Judge Oliver J. Lobaugh of Venango County ordered Crawford County to complete its first countywide reassessment since 1969 by April 30, 2030. The county has until Nov. 15 to appeal; the process is expected to cost $6 million and up.
Patients and visitors who used Meadville Medical Center's emergency department on Oct. 13 may have been exposed to measles, the hospital says. Anyone who was there should watch for symptoms until Nov. 3.
Join the park naturalist for an evening of listening and searching for owls at Pymatuning State Park on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 7 to 8 p.m. Registration is required.
Rep. Mike Kelly and challenger Justin Wagner answered the same three questions on costs, Social Security and tariffs ahead of the Nov. 3 election in the 16th District, the only congressional race touching Crawford County.
Pennsylvania's measles outbreak has reached Crawford County, the state Department of Health reported Oct. 21 — the county's first case since 2019. No details about the local case have been released.
John and Amy Bridger's 185-acre Cambridge Springs farm launched Farmstead Scattering Garden in 2024, scattering cremated remains for customers in 19 states as more families choose cremation.
The Senate voted 47-3 Wednesday to send a bell-to-bell student cellphone ban to Gov. Shapiro's desk. If signed, Conneaut, PENNCREST, Crawford Central and other Pa. districts must have phone-free school days in place by fall 2027.
The Borough of Linesville has received a $3,565,200 PENNVEST grant to replace about 7,000 feet of water main along Penn and Mercer streets — including roughly 90 service connections and 14 fire hydrants — and to remove an old 4-inch line that may contain lead.
Roads, Weather & Public Safety
PennDOT says the new Route 6 bridge over French Creek is expected to open and the detour lift on Nov. 25, 2026, after schedule challenges pushed back the earlier late-October target. The overall project should finish in December.
NoticeRoads, Weather & Public Safety
A section of Route 285 just west of Canal Road is closed to through traffic while the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad performs crossing maintenance. A detour via Route 6 and Hartstown Road is posted; the work is expected to finish Oct. 23.
National School Bus Safety Week is Oct. 19-23. Anderson Coach & Travel buses Conneaut-area students daily. In Pennsylvania, passing a stopped school bus means a $250 fine, five points, and a 60-day license suspension.
Andrew Brown and Kevin Langdon, grandsons of the Sperry Farms family, accepted $250,000 for 55% of their AI-powered toy ball company from MrBeast on the Sept. 30 Shark Tank season premiere.
Sen. Michele Brooks' Oct. 8 release lists $90,300 in state C2P2 money for Tamarack Wildlife Center to acquire about 70 acres in Hayfield Township for open space and passive recreation.
NoticeGovernment & Civic Life
The Register and Recorder's office offers free property fraud monitoring through its Landex system, alerting owners when a document is recorded under their name.
Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a $50.8 billion budget with more than $565 million in adequacy funding; unlike last year's five-month impasse, schools won't need to borrow to cover missing state payments.
Machines still in place Oct. 14 can be seized along with their proceeds. Unplugging a machine does not count as removal, and the state Supreme Court refused Oct. 9 to extend the deadline.
The money will pay for a new 4,000-gallon aboveground tank. It is one of seven Crawford County awards totaling $1,426,116; none went to a Conneaut Valley municipality.
Mail-ballot applications are due to the county by 5 p.m. Oct. 27, and completed ballots must be in county hands by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Roads, Weather & Public Safety
PennDOT now expects the Route 6 detour near Saegertown to end Nov. 25, 2026, when the new bridge over French Creek opens. The date replaces the Oct. 23 target in the agency's earlier announcements.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission rule covers hikers, birders, dog walkers and riders on game lands through Jan. 31, Sundays included, and again April 20 to May 31.
The Conneaut School Board and two committees meet Wednesday, Oct. 7, starting at 5:30 p.m. in Linesville. Agendas are due out by Oct. 6, and the Post will report on the items most likely to affect students, families and taxpayers.
Crawford County has posted official sample ballots for the Nov. 3 general election. Conneaut Valley voters will choose a governor, a congressman and two state lawmakers, and can check their polling place and mail ballot deadlines now.
Low-interest SBA loans cover damage from the Sept. 2-3 storms. Crawford County is not included in the current state disaster-grant area.
Roads, Weather & Public Safety
PennDOT is resurfacing more than 6 miles of the road in Blooming Valley and Richmond Township. Expect flaggers and lane restrictions.
Pennsylvania's Agriculture and Youth Grant Program is accepting applications through 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2. Youth agriculture groups, schools and similar organizations can seek direct grants of up to $7,500 or matching grants of up to $25,000 for capital projects.
