Leader Times

10/16/2025

ACCF lights the way during its annual grant awards dinner

Entity awards a record $575,070.96 to 56 nonprofit organizations

By DENNIS PHILLIPS
Associate Editor

Area nonprofit organizations that “Light the Way” to provide services and support in the community were in the spotlight during the Armstrong County Community Foundation’s (ACCF) annual grant awards dinner held at Harvest Church this week.

During Tuesday’s grant awards dinner, ACCF awarded a record $575,070.96 to 56 nonprofit organizations.

Guests were welcomed by foundation board members and staff before enjoying raffles, fellowship and a beautifully prepared dinner by The Chef and I Catering and specialty mini pies from Oakmont Bakery.

The evening’s program was led by Master of Ceremonies Tom Scherf.

During the event, the foundation recognized its current board of directors who were in attendance: Christine Moss (chair), Lance Whiteman (vice chair), Autumn Vorpe-Seyler (secretary), Karen Waugaman (treasurer), Richard Snyder (director emeritus), Frank Baker, Dina Blake, Sandy Bradigan, Matt Curci and John Strate.

Special recognition was given to founding board members in attendance, including Frank Baker and Jeff Mantini.

A highlight of the evening was hearing directly from nonprofit leaders as each grant recipient was announced.

Their heartfelt stories of service and impact make it clear how meaningful these grants are for the communities they serve.

ACCF officials extend their sincere gratitude to the donors and community partners who make this work possible.

For a complete listing of winners, details about their awarded projects, or additional information, visit the foundation’s website at servingtheheart.org, call 724-548-5897, or email ACCF Executive Director Jodi Beers at [email protected] or ACCF Programs and Administration Director Samantha Cribbs at [email protected].

Read more: leadertimes.com

10/15/2025

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10/15/2025

TACT celebrates its 50th anniversary, as extensive history of county transit is detailed

Agency celebrates occasion with food, treats, and swag bags

By BILL BLOSE For The Leader Times

Town & Country Transit (TACT) recently hosted a celebration at 220 N. Grant Ave., Kittanning, in honor of its 50th anniversary.

There was complimentary hot dogs, chips, snow cones, popcorn, roasted sweet corn, cookies and drinks.

Also, the first 100 families received a swag bag care package.

Information booths were set up by TACT, ACCAP, Arm/Ind/Clarion D & A Commission and AA on Aging.

Pictured are scenes from the Town & Country Transit’s (TACT) 50th anniversary, including (top left): TACT Staff including (standing, from left): Diana Claypool, Vicki Peat, Jennifer Warmus Kiersten Smith and Anthony Strauser; and (seated) Tiffany O’Neal and Patti Lynn Johnston; (top right): Armstrong County Community Action Partnership (ACCAP) staff; (bottom left): Armstrong/Indiana/Clarion Drug & Alcohol Commission staff; (bottom right) Armstrong County Area Agency on Aging staff.

10/11/2025

AICDAC recognizes first responders

FOR THE LEADER TIMES

In honor of Recovery Month, the Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission (AICDAC) recognized first responders throughout Armstrong, Indiana and Clarion counties who have saved lives from from Opioid Use Disorder but also from other substances that have caused harm or could lead to someone passing, according to a recently issued press release.

Agency members, along with volunteers in recovery, recently presented to each agency, a wall clock and a gift basket filled with a variety of on-the-go snacks to Leechburg EMS, Ford City Borough-based police of the Southern Armstrong Regional Police Dept., Manorville Police, Kittanning Borough Police and Ford Cliff EMS. National Recovery Month, which started in 1989, is a nationwide observance held every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the nation’s strong and proud recovery community and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery in all its forms possible.

Read more: leadertimes.com

10/10/2025

10/10/2025

MUSICAL MARVEL — Talents of well-rounded student manifest on stage and beyond

Freeport Area High School's Abigail Barlow is chosen as the third 2025-26 Leader Times-Rosebud Mining Co. 'Teen of the Week' awardee

By BILL BLOSE
For The Leader Times

Abigail Barlow is an exceptional student and leader whose academic excellence, musical talent and personal character have made her a cornerstone of the Freeport Area High School (FAHS) community.

Those were the words of FAHS Principal Timothy Walters when asked about Abigail, an annual star in the Freeport Area Performing Arts Program as well as the high school’s marching band, symphonic band and choir.

“Abigail has been deeply involved in the musical arts throughout her four years at FAHS,” Walters said.

Such drive to perform helped set the stage, so to speak, for Abigail’s selection as the third 2025-26 Leader Times-Rosebud Mining Co. ‘Teen of the Week’ awardee.

A senior at FAHS, Abigail is the daughter of Mark and Nonthika Barlow of Sarver, Pa. The honoree — who holds a 4.425 GPA — was nominated by Principal Walters.

Read more: leadertimes.com

10/09/2025

ONE COURAGEOUS CAT

Ray Ray's Big Adventure is a 'tail' worth telling

Feline rides roof of family van 100-plus miles, takes part in marathon in New Hampshire and paints the Big Apple red with loved ones

By A.J. PANIAN
Managing Editor

The feline companion of a local family recently took quite a ride.

Armstrong County’s Mara Denardo relayed the big “tail,” or tale, about her cat Ray Ray, who served as quite the unusual stowaway on the first long leg of the clan’s long driving journey north.

“We were taking a trip to New Hampshire and New York City with our daughter (Sophia) and three of her friends,” Mara said.

Her husband, Tony, was going to run marathon in The Granite State and then the family was going down to the Big Apple to see the musical Hamilton on Broadway.

“We left early morning on a Friday the car was jam packed with the kids and all of our luggage and things that we needed,” Mara said.

On what was a super foggy morning, the family set out from their house in Kittanning up to Interstate 80 in their van before the need to stop off for fuel and restrooms cropped up.

“So we stopped about two hours in tour trip, we had traveled 105 miles!”

Tony got out of the car first to pump the gas when he noticed something extraordinary.

“(He was) like ‘Oh my gosh you have to come over here,’ and I’m like ‘What?,’” Mara said.

As Mara walked to that side of the car, she saw Ray Ray stretching and just looking at the couple from the roof of the van.

“I immediately grabbed him and pulled him down. I just couldn’t believe that he had ridden that far on top of the van and was completely unfazed and unharmed,” she said.

Mara took the fearless feline into the van with the rest of the passengers.

Read more: leadertimes.com

10/08/2025

Town & Country Transit to celebrate 50 years on Oct. 9

Celebration to take place at 220 N. Grant Ave., Kittanning, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

By DENNIS PHILLIPS
Associate Editor

The public is invited to a free event to celebrate 50 years of community transportation.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 9, Town & Country Transit (TACT) will be hosting a celebration at 220 N. Grant Ave., Kittanning, in honor of its 50th anniversary.

There will be complimentary hot dogs, chips, snow cones, popcorn, roasted sweet corn, cookies and drinks. Also, the first 100 families will receive a swag bag care package.

TACT Marketing and Community Outreach Coordinator Anthony Strauser said the free community event is a thank you to everyone for 50 years of transit authority service.

“There will also be vendors like Armstrong County Community Action, the Area Agency on Aging, Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug & Alcohol Commission, along with tables with information about the services TACT provides.

Read more: leadertimes.com

10/07/2025

LTS student awarded with academic honors from College Board National Recognition Programs

Eli Conaway earns academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs

FOR THE LEADER TIMES

Lenape Technical School student Eli Conaway has excelled in College Board assessments and schoolwork and was recently awarded with academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Programs which recognizes under-represented students with academic honors, according to a recently issued press release.

These can be included on college and scholarship applications and connect students with universities across the country, standing out during the admissions process.

Colleges and scholarship programs identify students awarded National African American, Hispanic, Indigenous and/or Rural/Small Town Recognition through College Board’s Student Search Service.

Read more: leadertimes.com

10/06/2025

Major water line break in Ford City shuts down service

By DENNIS PHILLIPS
Associate Editor

A main distribution water line from the water treatment center broke today in Ford City while in the process of being replaced.

Ford City Borough City Manager Charles Stull told the Leader Times shortly after 6 p.m. Monday that the repair was estimated to take three to four hours, with water service hopefully being restored approximately at 7 p.m.

Stull said the "entirety" of downtown Ford City was impacted by the water line break.

Once water is restored, a boil water advisory is in effect, Stull said.

A loss of water pressure can allow contaminants to enter the water system.

Until testing confirms that water quality is safe, all affected customers should boil their water before using it.

Do not drink the water without boiling it first.

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A main distribution water line from the water treatment center broke today in Ford City while in the process of being replaced.

10/04/2025

Ford City Eagles host benefit to raise money for 10-year-old boy battling cancer

FOR THE LEADER TIMES

The Ford City Eagles 606 Aerie and Auxiliary recently hosted a benefit for Ronan Bann.

Ronan is a 10-year-old that was recently diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma Stage IV cancer. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

Although Bann is fighting this terrible disease, he was able to attend the benefit.

The benefit was a huge success, with the community really came together to support the young man.

With the community’s help, the benefit had 77 baskets to raffle, a 50/50 raffle and a dinner.

The benefit raised $12,402 for Bann’s care.