Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
23 issues in public safety
Online Sheriff Sales via RealAuction.com
The tax claim bureau will run 2026 tax sales through GovEase's online auction platform at no cost to the county, ending in-person registration lines, 12-hour sale days, and 80 manual refund checks. Bidders pay a $35 registration fee and a 3% premium on winning bids.
Leadership transition in Emergency Management/Public Safety
Rich Hoover, a 22-year county employee and interim director since Chad Strobel left last month, is now the permanent Director of EMA/Department of Public Safety at $65,000 a year — the office that runs 911 and never shuts down.
Public Safety non-emergency phone system replacement
Verizon is discontinuing the line service the county's non-emergency phones run on, so the county is switching to fiber-based ZITO equipment housed at the Public Safety department with a redundant line to keep things running 24/7.
District Attorney DEA-funded overtime
The DA's office got $20,000 in DEA money and will spend it on overtime — funding prosecution work without touching general tax dollars.
Isaiah 117 House housing for children in CYS custody
The county will hire a contractor — someone with lived experience in the child welfare system — to mentor parents working toward reunification with their children, paid for with state Act 148 funds.
County Assistance Office relocation
The Lawrence County Assistance Office has moved from Cascade Galleria in New Castle to Shenango Commons Plaza at 2656 Ellwood Road, Suite 103, effective September 28. Residents needing state benefits services should note the new address.
Passing of K-9 Baki
The Sheriff's Office lost its first K-9, Baki, an 8-year-old explosives detection dog, after a four-month battle with cancer. A memorial service is being planned, and the courthouse flag flew at half-staff in his honor.
911 Quality Assurance Software Agreement (QEMS)
The county plans to spend up to $28,500 in 2027 on software that monitors and evaluates its 911 system's performance. The vote was pushed to October 6 because the Public Safety Director couldn't attend.
Jail Captains Return to 40-Hour Workweek
Corrections captains asked to go back to five 8-hour days after a 12-hour-shift experiment that only paid overtime after 80 hours over two weeks. The county approved the change, and shifted $38,100 into jail overtime lines to cover it.
Juvenile services contract renewals
Five contracts covering drug testing, adoption/foster placement, investigations, back-up foster care and court-ordered parenting assessments were renewed or established — the safety net for kids in the county's child welfare system.
Jail Vivitrol substance-abuse treatment program extension
The county is putting up to $94,523 of its opioid settlement money into Growing Wellness LLC's 'Succulents & Self-Care' program — a holistic prevention and recovery service that will serve Lawrence County residents.
GIS server project for Public Safety
A GIS server at the 911 center has been unpatchable since September; the county is paying Michael Baker International up to $41,906 to migrate and replace it, covered by non-general-fund sources.
ICORRS regional radio system contract amendment
BearCom keeps the county's P25 radio network running — towers, dispatch consoles, and the portable radios used by every fire department and police agency in the county. The one-year contract keeps that 'one-stop shop' repair and maintenance service going.
MHDS State Operating Agreement
The county renewed its agreement making MHDS the administrative lead for state mental health and developmental services, including the block grant. Commissioners discussed how block grant flexibility lets dollars move to where local needs are greatest.
Passing of retired Judge Glenn McCracken Jr.
The board honored retired President Judge McCracken, who took office in 1980, ordering the courthouse flag lowered in his memory.
Jail officer terminations settled
Two corrections officers fired for cause in October 2025 get their terminations converted to resignations plus $25,000 each in back pay, settling grievances before arbitration. The county says settling was cheaper than fighting it out.
Online access to county court records
Justin Byers wants to search court filings and orders online instead of trekking to the courthouse during work hours. Commissioners can't order the independently elected Prothonotary to build such a system, but could help with funding — they pointed Byers to Jodi Klabon-Esoldo's office.
Red Cross emergency blood shortage
The American Red Cross has declared an emergency blood shortage, down 25% in June. Commissioner Sainato urged residents to donate.
Election office transparency complaint
A New Castle resident told commissioners he believes the county's election director is stonewalling right-to-know requests for officials' financial interest statements and made troubling remarks about mail ballot counts. Commissioners promised to review his documents with the county solicitor and respond in writing.
Courthouse security upgrades
Commissioners quietly moved $14,477.86 to buy metal detectors, mostly for the courthouse front door, after noting Central Court screening isn't functioning.
LumenServe tower-lighting contract
The county signed a five-year deal to keep the lights on at two emergency-communication towers. Rates go up 8% now but are locked through 2030.
Nuclear-plant and hazmat emergency grants
The county's hazmat responder suddenly tripled its annual fee to $7,500, so the county switched to Butler County's certified team for $2,500 — paid from grants, not the general fund — with plans to train local first responders to assist.
Byrne JAG Grant and County Law Enforcement Equipment
This year the county is passing its $10,484 federal justice grant to New Castle for a municipal gun range, but the DA announced he plans to apply for the money for county law enforcement next year instead.