The Butler Soapbox

10/15/2025

Looks like they are destined to suffer the fate of every mildly corrosive Butler page since the beginning of time- initial success, a cascade of complaints, a series of “new” or “backup” pages that eventually also get shutdown, rinse and repeat.

10/15/2025

You know it’s bad when the County GOP won’t even support the guy who made light of the school shooting in Uvalde…

As Seneca Valley School District continues to make public details of a proposed nine-figure high school renovation, supporters and critics have become increasingly vocal. With a price tag of roughly…

10/15/2025

Looks like Butler’s 2nd most famous (probably 3rd now) page operator has moved south and is running for political office?

Would have thought his history of impersonating public safety officials and hiring out teens to do BB gun drivebys on the homes of rivals would preclude him from public office…

10/15/2025

Trouble for the “Once and Future Mayor”…

10/14/2025

Going to be a few people in the local and state Republican apparatus looking over their shoulder.

Let’s not forget these are the same people who had admitted N**i sympathizer and Hi**er admirer Luke Meyer working for them for months during the last presidential campaign.

“Leaders of Young Republican groups throughout the country worried what would happen if their Telegram chat ever got leaked, but they kept typing anyway.”

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/14/private-chat-among-young-gop-club-members-00592146

10/14/2025

On Nov. 4, you may be asked to consider candidates who can decide local taxes, public safety, and more in your community. Here’s what you need to know.

10/14/2025

Bernstine thinks you need more state oversight to operate a little outboard than operate a firearm…

HB 1418. Adds exemption from required boating education for operators of motorboat with motor of 25 or less horsepower, requires Fish and Boat Commission to issue a certificate to people who pay the required fees, pass a commission approved course, and request a replacement or duplicate certificate. Pass 190-13. Moves to Senate.

Bernstine: No

HARRISBURG — Here’s a look at how Lawrence County’s legislators voted last week in the state Capitol.

10/14/2025

DJT Week 38- Drop it low!

After registering a 10 cent bump up in price to $3.59 last week, the price of a gallon of regular at our benchmark station outside of Butler, PA took a sudden nosedive down to $3.29 this week.

The drop actually took place late last week and was large enough to match the lowest reading since the Soapbox started reporting in January. The June 2nd log entry price was also $3.29.

For Pennsylvania AAA reports an average of almost $3.27. That is even with last week, down about 7 cents from last month and down about 11 cents from last year.

For the Pittsburgh region AAA shows an average of $3.46 which is down almost 6 cents from last Monday, down a little more than 4 cents from September and down almost 7 cents from 2024.

Butler County returns an average of $3.46.

10/13/2025

If Callery Borough is so worried about taxation- particularly unfair taxation- they should instead be writing a letter to the County Commissioners demanding a reassessment.

The change in taxes likely to result from such an effort would be far larger than the 6% increase represented by the 11 mills proposed for this project.

Here is a quick, real world example from within Callery of the perverse effect of old 1969 assessments on taxes and relative tax bills between properties-

157 Main Street, Callery
Sold price: $185,000
Assessed value: $6,540 (1969 dollars)
Total taxes: $1,246

214 Kline Avenue, Callery
Sold price: $308,500
Assessed value: $6,150 (1969 dollars)
Total taxes: $1,172

Two properties both located in Callery Borough sold within about 6 months of one another with similar assessed values but dramatically different actual market values today.

Kline Ave sold for 67% more than Main St and yet the Main St property is assessed higher and is paying about 6% more in taxes.

Why should the Main St owner be paying 6% more in taxes than a property a few hundred feet away that is objectively worth 67% more?

At least one municipality located within the Seneca Valley School district is raising the alarm about the district’s proposed construction project for the intermediate high school. Callery Borough…

10/12/2025

“Becoming Monroeville!!!”

Penn State fired the longtime head coach on Sunday, less than 24 hours after a 22-21 home loss to Northwestern. Aliquippa native and former Gateway High School head coach and football star Terry Smith will serve as the interim head coach for the rest of the season.

10/12/2025

Penn State cans Franklin!

10/11/2025

He got the Jab! In 2025?!?