Cost of attending Westminster going up

It's official. Tuition, room and board at Westminster will go up by 4% for the 2012-2013 school year. Administrators say the "sticker price" for the institution will increase to $41,080.  However, the real cost for almost all students is much less because of financial aid packages. 

Media's appeal denied- local boy's murder trial remains closed

The Pennsylvania Superior Court says the juvenile court trial for a Lawrence County boy who was just 11 when he allegedly killed his father's pregnant fiancee and unborn son will remain closed to the public, despite appeals by the New Castle News and two other publications.

Theatre Westminster delves into dark Irish comedy

Show opens this week

Theatre Westminster presents a show that is a blend of black comedy, melodrama, horror and bleak tragedy. 

The search for the fracking truth

VIDEO COVERAGE

The natural gas industry sees Pennsylvania in a new light after discovering large quantities of fuel statewide. Hidden deep in a layer of Marcellus Shale, the gas requires a process called "fracking" to extract it. A group of concerned citizens from Mercer and Lawrence county came together to share information on this controversial procedure. Known as "The Fracking Truth Alliance" recently sponsor a panel of experts for and against fracking to promote greater understanding of the situation. The County Line's Joe Ligo shows us what happens when experts present their sides to people in the Wilmington area where gas drillers are now looking to begin fracking.

Marcellus Shale gas drillers recycling more waste

Last summer, Advanced Waste Services, a wastewater treatment firm with a plant in New Castle, Pa., noted that a senior DEP official confirmed that the moratorium "does not extend to wastewater from shallow well (aka non Marcellus wells) drilling and fracturing nor does it extend to spent drilling mud and other sludge disposal."

Meet a super quilter

Westminstesr alumnus transforms passion for quilting into home-based business

Linda Bauman is a quilter and business owner.  She knows her way around so many stitches and patterns when it comes to traditional hand-made techniques passed down from generations.  She is now a super quilter-- able to create customized quality quilts faster than any quilting circle.  Watch our video.

Go jump in the lake and raise money for Habitat

Slideshow- Pictures & video

Lawrence County's Habitat for Humanity staged its 2nd annual Douse for the House Polar Plunge on Saturday at Moraine State Park.  Hundreds of people gathered on the South Shore of Lake Arthur to witness 90 brave volunteers rush into the frigid water.  

Still waiting for progress on Valley View Downs project

State officials warn reports on Tuesday were incorrect

It's been a few months since the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission issued a racing license for the Valley View Downs project.  However, there is no decision yet on a casino gaming license application by American Harness Tracks.  The developers of the proposed project for Mahoning Township area want a license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) before they advance plans to create a racetrack and casino resort complex.

Ghost Rider 2 Unfortunately Fails to Meet Hopeful Expectations

Movie Review

Columbia Pictures' Ghost Rider 2: Spirit of Vengeance is the sequel to 2007's Ghost Rider film. Nicholas Cage's Johnny Blaze returns in Eastern Europe to fight inner and outer demons in this superhero action film, but with such poor reception of the first film, can Ghost Rider 2 pull through and show that it can be better than its predecessor? Read my review and find out.

People seek info before fracking begins in our communities

See more about "Fracking in Our Community: A Panel Discussion"

Hear from the experts in extended interviews from a gathering of citizens seeking more information about Macellus Shale drilling.  Some 200 people came out to hear from five experts addressing the complexity and issues associated with the drilling technique referred to as fracking.  Many wanted information about leasing property, local and state regulation, the impact on air and water and the rush by energy companies to put out big dollars for access and drilling rights.