Norwin area: Irwin holds line on taxes, toy drive, journalism scholarships, more

Irwin expects to maintain tax rate

Irwin Borough Council has introduced a $4.4 million general fund budget for 2026 that will maintain the current tax rate for property owners.

The rate will remain 23 mills for the general fund, 3 mills for the Irwin Volunteer Fire Department, and 2 mills for street lighting.

The 2026 general fund budget is about $180,000 more than the 2025 budget. The borough anticipates the taxes will generate about $690,000 for the general fund, $90,000 for the fire department, and $60,000 for the street lighting.

Salaries for borough officials will increase in 2026:

• Borough Manager Shari Martino will receive $68,315, a $2,628 increase.

• Police Chief Dan Wensel will be paid $86,944, a $3,027 increase.

• Solicitor Zachary Kansler will receive $41,740, up from $40,134.

• Assistant Manager Katelind Sartori will receive $49,712, up from $47,798.

Staffing agency holds toy drive

Express Employment in Penn Township is conducting a Christmas toy drive through Dec. 5.

The agency is collecting donations of new, unwrapped toys at its office at 4012 Route 130 in Harrison City, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Express Employment also is accepting monetary donations at www.toysforpittsburghtikes.com.

The toys are distributed throughout the region, according to Cassie Armstrong, a spokeswoman for Express Employment.

Bel Suono Ensemble at Symphony East

Symphony East will host the Bel Suono Ensemble at its Nov. 17 program in Salem.

“Bel suono” means “beautiful sound” in Italian, and the group performs a variety of styles ranging from baroque to ragtime and jazz.

The cost is $15 for adults, and the program will begin at 1 p.m. at The Lamplighter, 6566 William Penn Highway in Salem. It is open to the public.

For more, see SymphonyEast.org/events.

Bel Suono video

Journalism scholarship

The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania is accepting applications for its 20th annual Bob Fryer Memorial Scholarship ($5,000) and the club’s annual $2,500 scholarship for aspiring journalists.

The awards are designed to encourage outstanding undergraduate journalism students in print, broadcasting and multimedia. Candidates must be sophomores or juniors enrolled in an accredited college or university in one of Western Pennsylvania’s 29 counties , including Allegheny, Westmoreland, Armstrong and Butler.

Applications are available at WesternPApressclub.org, by calling 412-281-7778 or emailing 412-600-0606.

Winners will be awarded at the club’s annual Golden Quills Awards Dinner.

American Legion scholarships

The Pennsylvania American Legion is taking entries for its annual essay contest. Winners will receive scholarships of $3,500, $3,000 or $2,500.

The contest is open to students in grades 9-12. Students can be from public, private, parochial, cyber/charter or home-schooled.

Students must submit their essay by mail or hand delivery to their local American Legion post by Jan. 7, 2026. Complete rules and regulations are available at PA-legion.com/programs/student-and-youth/essay-program, by calling 412-389-2626 or by emailing wareagles79@hotmail.com.

The Legion also hosts an oratorical contest with scholarships of $7,500, $5,000 and $4,000. That contest also is open to those in grades 9-12. The deadline to enter is Nov. 30. More information is available at Legion.org/oratorical, by calling 724-681-4995 or emailing jgdrnjevich@aol.com.

Fundraiser for horse farm

The Pleasant Valley Rescue Ranch will host a fundraiser to help collect donations for veterinary care of its horses on Nov. 16.

“Rein In the Magic of Christmas” will take place from 1-4 p.m. Nov. 16 at the ranch, 2205 Pleasant Valley Road in Murrysville. The cost is $20 per car.

All proceeds go to horse veterinary care. The ranch provides a foster home and palliative care for unwanted horses.

For more, or to donate, see PleasantValleyRescueRanch.org.

Laurel Harmony performance

The Laurel Harmony Chorus, a Greensburg-based chapter of Sweet Adelines International, invites the public to its autumn performance, “A Harvest of Harmony,” at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 22.

The performance will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, 3417 Route 130, Harrison City.

Tickets are available at the door for $10 for adults and $5 for ages 12 and under. The ticket price includes light refreshments and a chance for a door prize. Tickets for a separate basket raffle will be sold at the event.

The chorus is actively recruiting new singers. For more information, call 878-295-1142 or email LaurelHarmonyChorus@gmail.com.

AARP seeking tax-prep aides

The AARP Foundation is seeking volunteers to be trained for its tax aide program, the nation’s largest free volunteer-based tax preparation program.

Volunteers can be trained as tax return preparers or as client facilitators. Anyone interested in volunteering can call 724-374-3780.

For more, see AARPfoundation.org/taxaide.

Association of University People

The Association of University People invites potential new members to join them at an event.

The association invites singles aged 50 and older, who are four-year college graduates, to join them for activities and to meet new people. Activities include picnics, monthly dinners, a book group and meetups at local concerts and wineries.

For more, call 412-353-9088 or email AUPsingles@gmail.com.