The Daily Press
Greyson Meyer helps Pennsylvania Blue win Men’s Freestyle Championship at 2026 USA Wrestling 16U National Duals
FARMINGTON, UTAH – Last weekend was a monumental one for local wrestler Greyson Meyer, who will be entering his sophomore year at St. Marys Area High School this fall. Meyer competed as a member of the Pennsylvania Blue team in the Men’s Freestyle...
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Plenty of opportunities available this summer for community members to learn about pickleball
ST. MARYS – In conjunction with the City of St. Marys Parks and Recreation Department, the St. Marys Pickleball Association is offering a variety of opportunities for individuals of all ages to grow their love of the sport this summer. On Mondays,...
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St. Marys City Council passes resolution accepting the resignation of City Manager Joe Fleming, Mayor Garner recognizes his service to the city
ST. MARYS- The St. Marys City Council passed resolution No.26-14, accepting the resignation of City Manager Joe Fleming and approving his separation agreement at Monday’s council meeting. Fleming said he has had the distinct honor of serving as the...
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ECCOTA Summer Theater Camp brings magic of ‘Seussical, Jr.’ to the stage
ST. MARYS – The Elk County Council on the Arts’ Summer Theater Camp performed “Seussical, Jr.” on Friday evening at St. Marys Area High School’s Carpin Auditorium, drawing in a sizable crowd for the show. The performance wrapped up the weeklong camp...
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SMAHS Music Department held annual awards night
ST. MARYS – Prior to the end of the school year, the SMAHS Music Department held their Annual Music Department Banquet and Awards Night. During this event, the department honored students in grades 6-12 who were members of the Marching Band, Indoor...
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ECCOTA Summer Theater Camp performing ‘Seussical, JR.’ tonight
ST. MARYS – Imagine having one week to make an entire theatrical production come together. That is the challenge participants in the Elk County Council on the Arts’ (ECCOTA) Summer Theater Camp faced this week, and all of their hard work culminates...
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Community holds 181st Annual Corpus Christi Procession
ST. MARYS – St. Marys held its 181st Annual Corpus Christi Procession on Sunday afternoon, with warm temperatures and abundant sunshine prevailing for the event. St. Marys was founded in 1842, and the rst Corpus Christi process was held just three...
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Joseph Geci served as Cadet Class Speaker as he joined PSP ranks
MANHEIM – Last month, the Pennsylvania State Police held a graduation ceremony for 69 new troopers who were members of the 175th Cadet Class at LCBC Manheim. As part of that ceremony, the graduates chose a speaker from amongst their ranks to represent...
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The U.S. Flag Coin celebrates 250 years of the signing of the Declaration of Independence
Photo by Becky Polaski
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April School of Dance ‘Taking It Back To The 80’s’ Friday and Saturday
ST. MARYS – April School of Dance is “Taking It Back To The 80’s” this weekend with their annual show at St. Marys Area High School’s Carpin Auditorium. Performances will be held on Friday and Saturday, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and the curtain at 7...
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SMAHS students recognized for accomplishments, post-graduation pathways
ST. MARYS – St. Marys Area High School Assistant Principal Amanda Vollmer addressed members of the Class of 2026 during their Commencement Program on Friday evening at St. Marys Area High School’s Dutch Country Stadium, recognizing students for what...
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Library holds Summer Reading Program Kickoff
ST. MARYS – The St. Marys Public Library held its Summer Reading Program Kickoff on Saturday, offering activities for all ages from 9:30 a.m. until noon. R. E. Kurz, author of “The Fall of Linda Waters” was on hand for the event, and there were also...
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Dangerous Hunts: Elk county native’s experience hunting turkeys, other game worldwide
Elk County native Scott Gnan has had a proli c experience in the hunting world, harvesting game in a wide variety of places world wide, some in less than safe circumstances. Gnan said he has Elk county roots, growing up in Johnsonburg, his father...
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Arson charges filed in relation to Cameron County fire
CAMERON COUNTY – Arson charges have been led in relation to a cabin re that occurred in Cameron County earlier this month. According to a criminal complaint led at the of ce of Magisterial District Judge Barry D. Brown in Emporium, Michael David Post,...
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Pope Leo XIV receives Saint Vincent College leaders at the Vatican
LATROBE – Saint Vincent College President Rev. Paul R. Taylor, O.S.B., C’87, S’91, PhD, and Saint Vincent Seminary Rector Very Rev. Edward Mazich, O.S.B., S’98, were personally received by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on May 13, 2026, at the Vatican. The...
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Honorees recognized during Memorial Day Program
ST. MARYS – The Grand Marshal, Honorary Grand Marshal, and Of cer of the Day for Monday’s Memorial Day Program held at Shawmut Park in St. Marys all received special recognition from Stephen Bagley, who served as master of ceremonies for the...
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Elk County Catholic High School celebrates Class of 2026
ST. MARYS – Elk County Catholic High School celebrated the 41 members of its senior class on Sunday afternoon, with a Baccalaureate Mass and followed by a graduation ceremony. Elk County Catholic School System President Ted Hanes welcomed attendees to...
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LOOK FOR MORE INSIDE
State Sen. Cris Dush hosted local students at Pennsylvania Capitol
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Memorial Day plans finalized
ST. MARYS – The American Legion Post 103 Memorial Day Committee has announced completed plans for the annual observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, 2026. The day’s activities will begin with graveside services by St. Marys American Legion Post...
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SMAHS holds Senior Class Award Ceremony
ST. MARYS – St. Marys Area High School held its annual Senior Class Award Ceremony on Monday evening, recognizing students who received scholarships or awards as they wrap up their high school careers and head off to post-secondary education. St....
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Eric Wolfe honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
ST. MARYS – St. Marys Area School District Superintendent Dr. Harley Ramsey described the resume of Eric Wolfe as being a “How to become an Elk County legend” starter course during the St. Marys Area School District’s Community Impact Awards, where...
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Police honored at Awakening Alliance Church, local law enforcement observe National Police Week
RIDGWAY – The State and town police departments of Elk County gathered at Awakening Alliance Church on Friday for a service commemorating their dedication in the line of duty. Peace Of cers Memorial Day occurs every May 15 during National Police Week....
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Elk County Junior Envirothon provides a learning experience for middle school students
BENEZETTE – The Elk County Junior Envirothon was held at the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette on Wednesday with six teams made up of roughly 30 middle school students from St. Marys Area and ECC participating in the 12th annual event. Elk...
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ECCSS students hold Spring Band Concert
ST. MARYS – The Elk County Catholic School System held its Spring Band Concert on Wednesday evening in the Elk County Catholic High School auditorium, with members of both the Elementary Concert Band and HS/ MS Concert Band showcasing their...
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SMASD support staff honored with Golden Key Award
ST. MARYS – Members of the St. Marys Area School District’s support staff were honored with the Golden Key Award during the district’s Community Impact Awards. St. Marys Area School District Assistant Superintendent Chrissy Kuhar presented the award to...
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Elementary Art Show highlights students’ work
ST. MARYS – Over 100 students in third through fth grade at St. Marys Catholic Elementary School had their artwork featured in the St. Marys Catholic Elementary Art Show, which was held at Gallery 29 in downtown St. Marys on Thursday evening. St....
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Community partners celebrated through Stronger Together Education Award
ST. MARYS – The St. Marys Area School District’s second annual Community Impact Awards celebrated individuals and entities from throughout the community that have a positive impact on the St. Marys Area School District. The second award presented...
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SMASD Music Departments hold A Spring Choral Celebration
Photo by Becky Polaski St. Marys Area High School Choir member Jacob Pociask is shown performing “The Music of the Night” from “Phantom of the Opera” during A Spring Choral Celebration on Wednesday evening. By Becky Polaski Staff Writer ST. MARYS –...
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SMASD Board hears about Dutch Sports Performance during short workshop meeting
ST. MARYS – The St. Marys Area School District’s Board of Directors held a brief workshop meeting on Tuesday evening, with the bulk of the time being taken up by a presentation by Mike Kunes on the Dutch Sports Performance program he wants the district...
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All-state honors a worthy accolade for ECC junior Chase Simbeck
ST. MARYS – The Elk County Catholic Crusaders ended their 2025-2026 campaign in the PIAA Class 1A Western Final with a loss to District 7 champion The Neighborhood Academy. A big part of ECC’s 27-3 run was junior Chase Simbeck, and he was recently...
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SMA dance team adds another banner to collection
ST. MARYS – The sound of sirens and honking horns lled the area around 6:30 p.m. Sunday evening as members of St. Marys Area’s dance team, drumline, and color guard were welcomed home with a parade from area emergency responders to celebrate the dance...
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Diabetic senior cat seeking new home
ST. MARYS – While Bootsie, a 12-year-old tortoiseshell cat, has not been at the Elk County Humane Society as long as some of the other animals that currently call the shelter home, she has special health needs that make her harder to place than her...
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St. Marys Area team wins 23rd Annual Elk County Envirothon
BENEZETTE – Over 50 high school students from throughout the county descended upon the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette on Wednesday for the 23rd Annual Elk County Envirothon. Students from three out of the four area high schools made up the 11...
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SMA drumline making use of “The Do Over Button”
ST. MARYS – “The Do Over Button” is the name of the St. Marys Area drumline’s 2026 routine, and it has made for a fun and creative concept for members of the team to consider. “It is based on the idea that we all have times that we wish we could go...
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SMA color guard living in a Barbie world
ST. MARYS – The St. Marys Area color guard is living in a Barbie world this season with their “Hi Barbie” routine. “My inspiration came from a song called ‘Barbie World,’” said St. Marys Area color guard director Autumn Brouse. “I rst heard this song...
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SMA Dance Team Red ready to ‘Drop the Puck’
ST. MARYS – St. Marys Area Dance Team Red is ready to “Drop the Puck” at the 54th TIA Atlantic Coast Championships in Wildwood, NJ later this week with speci c goals on their to-do list. “We are aiming to break a score of 90 and defend our title as...
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ECCHS inducts 11 students into National Honor Society
ST. MARYS – Elk County Catholic High School recently inducted 11 students into the National Honor Society during a ceremony celebrating scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Students are evaluated through an application process that includes...
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DDCC Wins Big At Starquest
DDCC, the competitive company of April School of Dance in St. Mary’s attended their third regional of season 15, StarQuest, in Buffalo April 10-12. Twenty ve dancers raging from ages 6 to 18 from St. Mary’s, Ridgway, Wilcox, and Kane comprise the...
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Annual cleanup helps beautify downtown St. Marys on Earth Day
ST. MARYS – The St. Marys Heritage Preservation Group held its annual Downtown Cleanup on Wednesday morning, with individuals from throughout the community joining in to help make the event another success. Volunteers gathered in the municipal parking...
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St. Marys Police Chief K. Michael Shaffer announces officer promotions at City Council meeting
ST.MARYS-St. Marys Police Chief K.Michael Shaffer announced several of cer promotions at Monday night’s city council meeting. Chief Shaffer the goal of the police department is to be a force of positive growth in the community, making it a place...
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Fishing Derby draws young anglers to Benzinger Park
ST. MARYS – The City of St. Marys Parks and Recreation Department held its 3rd Annual Fishing Derby at Benzinger Park on Sunday morning. While temperatures dropped into the 30s and 40s for the event, the sh were biting and numerous youngsters were on...
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SMAHS holds annual participatory budgeting election
Staff Writer ST. MARYS – St. Marys Area High School’s Student Government held their annual participatory budgeting election on Friday, with Elk County Director of Elections and Voter Registration Kimberly Frey once again on hand to assist with the...
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SMAHS hosts FFA CDE Competition
ST. MARYS – St. Marys Area High School hosted the area FFA CDE Competition on Thursday, with FFA students from St. Marys Area, Brockway, and Redbank Valley competing in a variety of events. St. Marys Area FFA Advisor Gage McCabe explained that it was...
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Community volunteers help clean up Jackson Road
Over twenty participants helped clean up Jackson Road and a portion of West Creek Road in St. Marys on April 11. The group was represented by students from both St. Marys Area Schools and Elk County Catholic Schools, parents, friends of Jackson Road,...
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SMAHS students hear about Thumbs Down to Bullying endeavor
ST. MARYS – Freshmen and sophomores at St. Marys Area High School heard about the Thumbs Down to Bullying initiative on Tuesday morning during a presentation by local author and artist John Schlimm, the Community Education Center of Elk and Cameron...
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St. Marys Servicemen’s Detail holds annual banquet
ST. MARYS – The St. Marys Servicemen’s Detail held their annual banquet on Sunday evening at Dream View in St. Marys. St. Marys Servicement’s Detail Honorary President Thomas Jesberger acted as the master of ceremonies for the evening and noted that...
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SMAMS eighth graders learn about career opportunities
ST. MARYS – Eighth graders at St. Marys Area Middle School learned about potential career opportunities in their areas of interest during the school’s annual career day event on Thursday afternoon. St. Marys Area Middle School guidance counselor Molly...
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Straub Brewery’s Trout Tagging Program still going strong
ST. MARYS – With shing season underway, as anglers take to area waterways, they once again have the opportunity to reel in more than just a nice sh. Straub Brewery’s Trout Tagging Program has returned for another year, giving anglers age 21 or older a...
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$1.50 St. Marys Area’s production of “Bye Bye Birdie” was well attended
Photo by Becky Polaski Photo by Becky Polaski
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SMCES students take community Walking with Jesus
ST. MARYS – In the leadup to Easter, students in third through fth grade at St. Marys Catholic Elementary School invited the community to Queen of the World Church for a presentation of Walking with Jesus, an event that consisted of Stations of the...
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Former Spirit reporter takes over as editor in Ridgway and St. Marys
ST. MARYS — The Punxsutawney Spirit bided farewell to their Brookville reporter, Justin Felgar, last week as he has accepted the position as the managing editor of the Ridgway Record and St. Mary’s Daily Press and began work there this week. The...
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Workforce Solutions of North Central Pennsylvania and St. Marys Chamber of Commerce hold ribbon cutting for Mobile Pa Careerlink
ST. MARYS - Workforce Solutions for North Central Pennsylvania and the St. Marys Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting today for the Mobile Pa Careerlink Unit on Wednesday at the Red Fern in St. Marys. Pam Streich, Executive Director for...
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Mini THON exceeds $30,000 fundraising goal
ST. MARYS – The results are in, and St. Marys Area Middle School students surpassed their $30,000 fundraising goal at Tuesday’s Mini THON, raising a total of $36,635.45 for Four Diamonds to support the ght against pediatric cancer. St. Marys Area...
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Inaugural Community Night Kick-Off draws a crowd to St. Marys Area Middle School
ST. MARYS – The inaugural Community Night Kick-Off for St. Marys Area Middle School’s Mini THON was well attended on Monday evening, drawing in a sizable crowd of community members to see more about what Mini THON is all about. St. Marys Area Middle...
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PGC details plans for elk management in Benezette area
BENEZETTE – State Representative Mike Armanini hosted a public meeting related to the elk population in the Benezette area on Thursday evening in the Clemens Outdoor Classroom at the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette. The meeting drew well over a...
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Mini-THON Community Kick-Off happening Monday at SMAMS
ST. MARYS – While Mini-THON has taken place at St. Marys Area Middle School for several years to support the ght against childhood cancer, a new event will be held in conjunction with this year’s fundraiser. On Monday, March 30, St. Marys Area Middle...
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‘Bye Bye Birdie’ opens tonight at SMAHS
ST. MARYS – The cast and crew of St. Marys Area High School’s spring musical, “Bye Bye Birdie,” are set to transport audiences back to the late 1950s during a series of performances that open tonight and will continue through Saturday in the St. Marys...
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‘Thumbs Down to Bullying’ tour kicks off
ST. MARYS – Tuesday morning was the kickoff of the “Thumbs Down to Bullying” tour, which is the latest collaborative effort between students in St. Marys Area High School’s Dutch Manufacturing Program, local artist and author John Schlimm, and the...
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Elk County native Kara Dornisch raises awareness of bleeding disorders at commissioners meeting
RIDGWAY - At the March 19 meeting of the Elk County Commissioners, Elk County native Kara Dornisch, executive director of the Western PA Bleeding Disorders Foundation (WPBDF), joined the meeting via Zoom. She explained that March is dedicated to...
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Penultimate session of Lunch with the Lord held Thursday
ST. MARYS – The penultimate session of Lunch with the Lord was held on Thursday afternoon at Sacred Heart Parish Center with Fr. Ignatius Camello, O.S.B., parochial vicar at Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s Partnered Parishes of St. Marys, as the guest...
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City of St. Marys Parks and Recreation Department unveils 2026 Activity Guide
ST. MARYS – The City of St. Marys Parks and Recreation Department unveiled its 2026 Activity Guide earlier this week, with the document making its debut on Tuesday to inform community members about all that is planned between April and August. “The...
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Councilman Schneider pleased with the progress made by the pool committee
ST. MARYS - At the March 16, 2026 meeting of the City Council of St. Marys, Councilman Shane Schneider reported that the pool committee held their second meeting on March 3. He said, “I am pleased to report that the meeting went well. We had a special...
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Community donations help Kentucky teens shine on prom night
ST. MARYS — Later this week, Laura Kuntz will deliver a collection of donated prom dresses to underprivileged teenagers in Beattyville, Kentucky, as part of her ongoing charity project in the Appalachian region. Anyone looking to pass along a favorite...
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Local teams assist area groups through Pass With Purpose
ST. MARYS – Ahead of the start of the 2025-2026 high school winter sports season, Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. announced a new endeavor called Pass With Purpose, pledging to donate $1 for each assist made during regular...
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Fr. Ananias Buccicone addresses largest Lunch with the Lord crowd yet about joy during Lent
ST. MARYS – Lunch with the Lord returned for its fourth week on Thursday with its biggest crowd yet as community members packed the Sacred Heart Parish Center to hear from former pastor Fr. Ananias Buccicone, O.S.B., who was the guest speaker. Over...
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SMASD board asked to support efforts to reestablish EMT program at high school
ST. MARYS – Tyler Bender, founder of Bender Safety & Training Corporation, addressed the St. Marys Area School District’s Board of Directors during their monthly meeting on Monday evening regarding reestablishing an EMT program at St. Marys Area High...
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First Solo Singing Day held at SMAHS
ST. MARYS – On the nal Friday in February, the rst Solo Singing Day was held at St. Marys Area High School! It was a great day of singing, fellowship, activities, judging feedback, performances, and inspiration to carry everyone through the school...
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Fifth graders at Fox Township Elementary School bring famous people to life in their Wax Museum
KERSEY - On Mar. 5th, the halls of Fox Township Elementary School were busy as parents, grandparents and friends came to see fth graders portraying such famous gures as Anne Frank, President John F. Kennedy, Marie Antoinette, Malala Yousafzai,...
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Lunch with the Lord attendance tops 200
ST. MARYS – Lunch with the Lord drew its biggest crowd yet on Thursday as the Sacred Heart Social Committee set spots for 230 people in the Sacred Heart Parish Center for this week’s meal and talk by guest speaker Fr. Justin Pino, pastor of St. Leo...
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SMASD board considering 1.55 mill tax increase for 26-27 budget
ST. MARYS – The St. Marys Area School District’s Board of Directors heard their rst presentation on the 2026-2027 budget during their workshop meeting on Tuesday evening and gave indication that they would be willing to increase taxes 1.55 mills as...
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ECC Industrial Technology students visit SGL Carbon
Elk County Catholic High School Industrial Technology students recently toured SGL Carbon, gaining valuable insight into how the electrical and mechanical maintenance skills they are developing in class translate directly into real-world industry...
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Elk County Community Fund awards $18,000 in grants
The Elk County Community Fund has been awarding grants to enhance projects and programs in our community since the Elk County Community Foundation’s rst granting year 25 years ago. During its latest granting cycle, the Elk County Community Fund awarded...
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SMAHS highlights opportunities for students during Scheduling Information Night
ST. MARYS – St. Marys Area High School held a Scheduling Information Night on Thursday evening geared toward current eighth graders, but other students and their families were able to attend as well. In addition to learning about the requirements that...
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