Larry McGuire, The Punxsutawney Spirit Journalist Profile

Articles

Firemen’s Parade to roll through town Saturday

2 days ago | punxsutawneyspirit.com | Larry McGuire

PUNXSUTAWNEY — One of the biggest events of the year is scheduled for Saturday as the Punxsutawney Fire Department will celebrate Punxsutawney’s 175th anniversary with their Firemen’s Parade. Jessica Vrobel Smith, parade marshal, said that the parade route will be the same as in years past. “The parade will travel through the heart of downtown Punxsutawney, beginning in the west end of town,” Smith said, adding that registration and check-in will take place at the Punxy Plaza, 573 W.
Setup underway for Festival in the Park

3 days ago | punxsutawneyspirit.com | Larry McGuire

PUNXSUTAWNEY — The excitement is beginning to build as the Punxsutawney Festival in the Park will get underway on Friday. Katie Laska, Punxsutawney Area Chamber of Commerce president, said they are excited for opening night, which for the second year in a row is on Friday. Tim Krise, TDK Entertainment, will open the festival at half price with a cost of $10 per person to ride all rides all night. Krise said that active and retired military and first responders ride for free.
Punxsy pool family night to feature movie screening

3 days ago | punxsutawneyspirit.com | Larry McGuire

PUNXSUTAWNEY — The George C. Brown Community Pool has benefited from the hot and sticky weather this week, as the pool has been a beehive of activity with the first two days bringing in over 200 swimmers for the chance to cool off. They are holding Family Swim Nights Friday, the first one of which is showing a movie as well, called “Luca.” There is a $3 entry fee. Gates open at 7:15 and movie starts at 7:30 p.m.
Ribbon cut at Totally Caked in Punxsutawney

4 days ago | punxsutawneyspirit.com | Larry McGuire

PUNXSUTAWNEY — The Punxsutawney Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday at a new business called Totally Caked, located at 105 N. Findley Street. Kayla Cameron, owner, said Totally Caked has cake, cheesecake and cookies. Lori Roney, assistant manager, said they now have breakfast sandwiches and luncheon sandwiches. Roney said they’ve been doing cakes on the side for friends and relatives for a very long time and it grew, so they decided to make it a business.
Jeff Tech adds new administrators

5 days ago | punxsutawneyspirit.com | Larry McGuire

WINSLOW TWP. — Dr. Barry Fillman, Jeff Tech administrative director, announced the hiring of a new administrator, Thomas Grierson, who was approved by the Jeff Tech Joint Operating Committee as the supervisor of curriculum, instruction and assessment at $100,000, effective June 24. Grierson’s contract runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029 and is paid at the 2025-2026 per diem rate of pay effective June 24 through June 30, with insurance benefits.
Summer’s first Garden of the Month announced

6 days ago | punxsutawneyspirit.com | Larry McGuire

PUNXSUTAWNEY — With the official arrival of summer, along with it comes the Punxsutawney Garden Club’s first Garden of the Month for June, located at 115 Foundry St., Punxsutawney. Elizabeth (Ann) and Lester Villella were excited and proud to be chosen as the Garden of the Month. Ann said she and her husband were thrilled when they were informed by Kerri Stebbins of the Garden Club that they were chosen as the June Garden of the Month.
1 injured in motorcycle crash in Punxsutawney

1 week ago | punxsutawneyspirit.com | Larry McGuire

PUNXSUTAWNEY — All three Punxsutawney fire companies were dispatched to a motor vehicle crash at 2:36 p.m. Friday on East Mahoning Street involving a motorcycle and a Dodge Ram pickup truck. Elk Run’s Squad-30 and Brush-30, Central’s Rescue-20 and Lindsey’s Rescue-40 all responded, with Rescue-40 being canceled. The damage to the vehicles was minimal. The driver of the motorcycle was transported for treatment of unknown injuries.
Punxsy celebrates Rusty Johnston Day

1 week ago | punxsutawneyspirit.com | Larry McGuire

PUNXSUTAWNEY — There are certain milestones that reach in our lives: ages 21, 40, 60 and 70, but this week a Punxsy area resident celebrated a milestone that many of us will not reach: 99. Dr. Paul “Rusty” Johnston celebrated his 99th with an open house at the VFW building on Maple Avenue, which brought the community out to wish him well for his years of public service, which began as he was sent overseas during World War II.
Weather Center’s Hot Dog Days return next week

1 week ago | punxsutawneyspirit.com | Larry McGuire

PUNXSUTAWNEY — Now that summer has officially arrived, it’s time to partake in one of America’s favorite summertime foods: hot dogs. The Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center board and staff are bringing back the well-known Hot Dog Days event again this year from Wednesday, June 25, through Friday, June 27. The hot dog cart will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and patrons can purchase a hot dog meal for $4 — or they can pay $11 to get admission to the Weather Center as well.
Bell Township’s new dump truck in the works

1 week ago | punxsutawneyspirit.com | Larry McGuire

BELL TWP. — The new Bell Township International dump truck is in a shop working its way up the ladder. Jeff Kromer, Bell Township supervisors chair, said they just began working on it last week. “If everything works out, it could be here in the second week of July,’” Kromer said. “Once we do get it back, it has to go back for one final inspection.”He said that they’ll have a temporary license plate; once given approval, they’ll receive a municipal plate to put on the new truck.

Journalists covering the same region

Matthew Triponey

Matthew Triponey primarily covers news in the Pittsburgh region, Pennsylvania, United States and surrounding areas including Westmoreland and Allegheny counties.