Live Work and Play Fayette County,PA

11/01/2023

10/29/2023

07/18/2023

Redrange Farm is located in New Salem, PA with a mission to preserve our agricultural legacy through heirloom produce, heritage breed livestock, and sustainable agriculture; thus preserving the land, air, water and biodiversity for future generations.

04/09/2023

Public meeting scheduled to discuss Layton Bridge replacement project
Herald-Standard Staff
Apr 08, 2023 12:41 PM
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is holding a public meeting to review and accept comment on the proposed Layton Bridge replacement project on Thursday, April 20.

Representatives from PennDOT and the project team will be available to answer questions and take comments regarding the project from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department, 206 Liberty St., Perryopolis.

The current project includes the proposed replacement of the bridge, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as replacement of the single-span, single-lane bridge carrying Layton Road over Washington Run, and improvements to the associated roadway connecting the two structures. Both bridges were originally designed and used by a railroad.

Because the proposed project involves constructing a new bridge just to the east of the existing Layton Bridge, traffic will be maintained in both directions on the existing bridge during construction.

02/17/2023

Gans residents upset by rezoning vote for industrial park
By Mark Hofmann [email protected]
Feb 17, 2023 2:00 AM
Residents in the Gans area of Springhill Township expressed their disapproval of a vote Thursday by the Fayette County Commissioners to grant a rezoning request for an industrial park in the area.

Commissioners vote unanimously to grant Fay-Penn Economic Development Council’s request to rezone 71 acres from A-1 Agricultural-Rural to M-1 Light Industrial.

Brandon Miller of Gans was one of about 20 people who attended the meeting to object to the move. Miller said the vote was rushed through with little to no idea what would be developed at the site.

“How could they vote on something if they don’t have the information of what’s going in there?” Miller said following the meeting.

Miller said he and others were told that no one knew how the space was going to be developed, and that no companies were interested in building there. But he said he also learned that Amazon had reached out to Fay-Penn expressing interest in the site as well as a business that can bring 700 jobs to the area.

Jim Gray, economic development manager with Fay-Penn, said later Thursday that the company has contracted with the H.F. Lenz Co. to determine the best use for the Springhill site, as numerous infrastructure issues need to first be addressed at the site.

“It’s an oversimplification to a complex issue to say what is or what isn’t going to go in there,” Gray said, adding there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.

He added that Fay-Penn expects to receive the study from the H.F. Lenz by early spring.

Gray added that Fay-Penn has received interest in all of its properties from the state, corporate real estate firms and other sources, and the Springhill property is one of the sites that has received interest; however, due to confidentiality and the proprietary nature of economic development prospects, he could not comment on the status of any prospect.

“Apparently, they rushed through with a half-baked plan,” Miller said of the county, adding that he’s suspicious that the application for rezoning was entered prior to 2023, before Springhill Township could enact its own zoning authority.

“So what we have to assume is, the county wanted to tell Springhill what was going to be developed in it without the input from its residents, and they wanted to keep it that way,” said Rachael Alderson, who neighbors the property in question.

“I think they made up their minds before meeting, and it didn’t matter what we said, and they didn’t care what we said,” Miller said.

“The proposed development on the property dates to 2008,” said Commissioner Scott Dunn, who added that Fay-Penn has owned the property since 1996. “The property was included in the 2019 County Comprehensive Plan as a place for future development.”

Dunn said he has no knowledge of any pending development in that area and weighed his decision on the rezoning request of the property owner versus the legitimate concerns of the neighbors.

“I based my decision on information and testimony at the (January) public hearing, my research and what’s legal under the Fayette County Zoning Ordinance,” Dunn said.

“Everything for rezoning that I do, I check testimony and the county’s comprehensive land use plan,” said Commissioner Vince Vicites, who said he did the same prior to Thursday’s vote.

Vicites said over 600 acres of that land owned by Fay-Penn is already zoned M-1 and with the land being close to the Route 43 interchange, it’s deemed for development.

During the meeting, Vicites said he hopes that Fay-Penn works with the residents moving forward.

“There’s concern of what’s going to be built there, and that’s understandable,” Commissioner Dave Lohr said.

Lohr said there are no concrete plans for the land in question, but he said those details are for the planning phase, as rezoning was a very early step in a rather long process.

Lohr explained that Fay-Penn would have to deal with multiple government agencies every step of the way that’s going to take a considerable amount of time before a shovel is even ready to break the ground.

01/16/2023

“Laurel Highlands region named top scenic road trip destination”
By Mark Hofmann [email protected]
Jan 16, 2023 2:00 AM
A national publication’s website has named the Laurel Highlands region the top destination for a scenic road trip.
Recently, Good Housekeeping announced that the area was named the top Scenic Road Trip in the 137-year-old magazine’s inaugural Best Family Travel Awards section on their website.

“We are thrilled to be recognized as one of Good Housekeeping’s Best Family Travel Destinations,” said Laura Argenbright, director of creative strategy and marketing for GO Laurel Highlands, the region’s official destination marketing organization. “Our road trips offer spectacular scenery in all four seasons, especially in the fall when foliage is at its peak.”

More importantly, Argenbright said, the road trips lead to awesome family attractions like Idlewild Park, Ohiopyle State Park and the Great Allegheny Passage Biking Trail.

“In the winter, snow sports rule at our four ski resorts and numerous state parks,” she said. “The Laurel Highlands is truly a destination where generations can come together for a fun and meaningful getaway.”

In the GoodHousekeeping.com story, it stated that the Laurel Highlands “is a fantastic destination for families thanks to its activities that appeal to kids and adults.”

The story specifically mentions Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, the outdoor activities at Ohiopyle, Seven Springs Mountain Resort and Nemacolin.

The Good Housekeeping Institute reviewed hundreds of submissions before selecting the winners, according to the article.

Judges considered attributes such as convenience, value, quality, safety, innovation and inclusion as well as firsthand feedback from travel experts and real families for each of those recommendations.

The Laurel Highlands has also been named in USA Today’s 10 Best as one of the top fall foliage destinations in the country each of the past three years, finishing seventh in September 2022.
To view the Good Housekeeping’s 2023 Best Family Travel Awards, visit goodhousekeeping.com

12/20/2022

Firewood has been delivered, to all of the LHHT shelter areas, for the winter! Please take note of firewood etiquette for all trail users.

12/19/2022

Herald-Standard

DCNR finalizes e-bike policy for state parks and forests
By Dept. of Conservation and National Resources
Dec 18, 2022 12:00 AM
HARRISBURG — Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn recently announced an internal policy on the use of electric bicycles (e-bikes) on DCNR lands is now final and effective immediately in state parks and forests.

An e-bike is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor that assists the rider when they are pedaling.

“DCNR received more than 640 comments from the public on the draft policy,” Dunn said. “Based on the review of the comments we have made some minor adjustments and will now move forward allowing e-bikes on trails already open to traditional bicycle usage on the lands managed by the department, as long as users follow some guidelines.”

Dunn noted the guidelines that are consistent with the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code are that e-bikes:

n Weigh no more than 100 pounds;

n Do not exceed 20 miles-per-hour using the motor;

n Have motors that do not exceed 750 watts; and

n Have fully functional, operable pedals.

Public comments are summarized and addressed in an e-bike comment response document.

Related to concerns about the speed of e-bikes the language was changed to note that all operators shall always adhere to safe speeds and advised speed limits along trails, and e-bike operators should never use the electric assistance to exceed 20 miles per hour while using the electric motor. All users should travel at safe speeds.

“We ask all riders — traditional and e-bikes — to practice trail etiquette and ride safely, including adhering to safe speeds,” Dunn said.

E-bikes make Pennsylvania state parks and forests accessible to more people, such as older individuals and those with physical limitations or medical conditions. The policy expands such opportunities for healthful outdoor recreation activity while at the same time managing impacts on other visitors and on natural places.

Other lands open to the public in Pennsylvania (such as federal lands, local parks, gamelands, and preserves) have different requirements related to e-bikes. E-bike users should check the guidelines for their destination before they go.

The policy allows e-bikes to be used on DCNR-managed trails where traditional bikes are allowed. State forest roads and trails that are not open to biking which would also prohibit e-bikes include:

n Natural areas;

n Designated hiking trails (blazed with yellow or orange); and

n Trails or roads specifically marked closed to biking.

E-bike users must propel their e-bikes by pedaling on non-motorized trails; the use of the throttle-only functionality is not permitted on non-motorized trails managed by DCNR.

E-bikes will be allowed on DCNR-managed motorized trails and public-use roads unless they are marked as prohibited to bikes. Riders under the age of 16 are not permitted to ride e-bikes on state or local highways.

Bike trails found in state parks feature a variety of sizes, terrain and scenic views. An added bonus is that you can take advantage of the many resources, facilities and activities found within each park. Approximately 3,800 miles of state forest trails are open to mountain biking and of those, 447 miles within 11 state forests are specifically designated and maintained for mountain biking.

DCNR is sharing a printable fact sheet on biking in state parks and forests with bike shops and riding organizations, and with state park and forest visitors.

Safety and courtesy should always be a priority when biking:

n Know the type and specifications of the device you’re riding and where you can ride it

n Maintain safe speeds at all times, consider trail and weather conditions, and always be cognizant of other users along the trail

n Stay to the right, pass on the left

n Let other trail users know you are coming – give a friendly greeting

n Limit distractions, don’t impair your hearing (i.e., by wearing headphones or ear buds).

n Obey all trail and road signs

n Slow down in congested areas

n If you’re on wheels, yield to pedestrians

n Use special care when passing horses

n Helmets are required by law for persons under the age of 12 and are recommended for bicyclists of all ages

n Maintain single file when passing or being passed

n It is important for users to be aware of battery storage capacity of their e-bike and available charging options. Users should not assume that trails open to e-bikes include e-bike charging stations

n Stay on the trail. Do not go off the trail (even to pass), create new trails, or cut switchbacks

n Don’t block the trail. When taking a break, move to the side of the trail to allow others to pass safely

n Expect the unexpected. Humans and animals can be unpredictable.

A Frequently Asked Questions document has more information about the e-bike policy. More information about biking and mountain biking is on the DCNR website.

11/21/2022