Lebanon County law enforcement officers have access to virtual reality training to experience real life scenarios in a digital world.
James Mentzer
James Mentzer is a freelance writer whose published works include the books Pennsylvania Manufacturing: Alive and Well; Bucks County: A Snapshot in Time; United States Merchant Marine Academy: In Service to the Nation 1943-2018; A Century of Excellence: Spring Brook Country Club 1921-2021; Lancaster Development, Inc.: An American Story of Family and Infrastructure, and several other titles. He has also had business profiles published in Central Pennsylvania: Our Time Has Come, and an article in The Columbiad, a scholarly publication of Civil War Times Illustrated, concerning a little-known African American fort and battle along the James River in Virginia. Another book is currently in production for Morris Country Club in Morris, Illinois.
A lifelong resident of Pennsylvania, James has spent his professional career writing about agriculture, economic development, manufacturing and the energy and real estate industries, and is the county reporter and a features writer for LebTown.
James is an outdoor enthusiast whose hobbies include hunting, Ultimate frisbee, disc golf, spikeball and pickleball, biking, traveling and attending live concerts for a number of bands, including moe., String Cheese Incident and Widespread Panic.
Lebanon County Commissioners discuss ballot drop box controversy
LebTown spoke with county commissioners Bob Phillips, Mike Kuhn, and Jo Ellen Litz about the decision to shutter the county’s drop box for the 2024 election cycle.
Thome lawsuit in fatal shooting involving two state troopers is continued again
The civil lawsuit trial involving the fatal shooting of Richland resident Charity Thome in March 2020 that was to begin Monday, Jan. 29, has been postponed again.
Mount Gretna residents raise water quality concerns with Gov. Dick board
Mount Gretna area residents aired their concerns about issues they believe could impact their water quality to the Governor Dick Park board of directors.
Eclectic collection contains a lifetime of memories for Ono businessman
Classic car dealer Ed Anspach has collected a lifetime of memorabilia that he displays at his Ono-based business.
Kuhn & Phillips nix secure mail-in ballot drop box at county building entrance
Lebanon County residents will no longer be able to deliver their mail-in election ballots to a secure drop box outside the county municipal building in Lebanon, which had been available in the past seven elections since its introduction for the 2020 general election.
The town of Water Works and its connection to the Union Canal
Water Works became an important town in the operation of the Union Canal in the 1800s.
Water Works was once a popular destination in the Lebanon Valley
Local residents and out-of-town guests from as far away as New York state came to this tiny hamlet to enjoy outdoor activities at Water Works Lake, which was created in the 1800s when a dam was built to provide water to the Union Canal.
Bomgardner enjoys incredible ‘ride’ as 2023 Pennsylvania State Fair Queen
Jonestown’s Chloe Bomgardner caps off prolific year promoting agriculture as the 2023 state fair queen.
Lebanon County FFAers rebuild antique tractors for Pennsylvania Farm Show
A 1960 John Deere model 430 S, refurbished by students from ELCO, won Best of Show at the Pennsylvania Farm Show’s antique tractor competition.
Lebanon County well ‘connected’ at Pennsylvania Farm Show this year
On the first day of the 2024 Pennsylvania Farm Show, LebTown toured the annual agricultural extravaganza to capture some of the imagery that showcases the county’s footprint in the largest industry in Pennsylvania and Lebanon County.
Zimmerman brothers keep family tradition alive at PA Farm Show
Noah, Carter, and Ian Zimmerman are keeping a family tradition alive at the 108th edition of the Pennsylvania Farm Show.
$3.5M prison healthcare services explained at commissioner meeting
Public provided a glimpse of healthcare services at the county’s correctional facility during the Jan. 4 commissioner meeting.
Post office officials are in negotiations for a lease for a new post office in Ono
Fourteen months after postal service delivery suddenly ended in Ono, there are signs it may return in the future.
Lebanon Transit to modify nine routes in 2024, following survey and transit study
Lebanon Transit’s 2024 route modifications will include the removal of the Hollywood Casino stop, increased service to popular destinations like Lebanon Walmart and Lebanon Plaza, and adjustments to avoid train delays.