Almost one month into the school year, Mercer County schools continue to provide in-person instruction, in spite of COVID case increases creeping toward the pandemic’s peak in December and January.

The Mercer County Critical Incident Response Team responded Friday morning to a residence at 1112 Beechwood Ave., Farrell. Police departments present at the scene included Farrell, Hempfield and Hermitage.

SHARON — Even though he works with a Jewish organization, Jesse McClain doesn’t believe learning about the Holocaust is strictly for followers of that faith.

SHARPSVILLE — As he started his presentation to the group of eighth-graders, Dr. Anthony Jones included a quote: “Understanding of others is rooted in the understanding of one’s self.”

MERCER – Even though a high school coach stood up for Deshawn Coleman’s character Thursday, that did not stop a judge from sentencing him to 7 to 16 years in a state prison for shooting at an ice cream truck that had two adults and a 9-year-old in it.

HERMITAGE — Parents on both sides of the state’s school mask mandate made their feelings known at Monday’s meeting of the Hermitage school board.

HERMITAGE — Wednesday morning was quiet at Buhl Park, aside from the tapping of hammers on wooden posts and small talk between employee volunteers from FirstEnergy.

FARRELL, HERMITAGE – A local ministry is holding two events focusing on appealing to the area’s youth.

POLICE NEWS

When someone calls in to the crisis hotline at the Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission, the emergency could range from a lost pet to a full blown mental health crisis.

HERMITAGE — As Dollar General prepares to break ground for its fourth general-merchandise store in Hermitage, the city’s commissioners looked into whether they could limit chain stores from over-saturating the city.