Laurels & lances: Football and fumbles

Laurel: To the best return in football. After two seasons away, the Pittsburgh Steelers gave fans a return to normalcy with an announcement Wednesday. The team plans to return to its longtime training camp location at Saint Vincent College near Latrobe.

It was welcome news for the community, too. For two years, the Steelers have held training camp at Heinz Field because of restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic. This prompted more than just lowered morale for the fans. It had a real effect on businesses, too.

“The economic impact is significant to our restaurants and retail spaces,” said Briana Tomack, president of the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce. “I think the excitement that this will generate will probably have us seeing bigger crowds than ever before.”

The team has called Saint Vincent College its summer home for more than 50 years. The location has led to a kind of summer camp vibe and traditions among both team and fans. We’re not saying being away had an impact on the way the team played in 2020 and 2021 — but, hey, sports can be a superstitious endeavor.

Lance: To summary dismissal. West Leechburg is not going to pursue a possible merger with Allegheny Township.

The idea has been on the table for more than a year and a half. That’s how long it took for a study on the impact of the idea to be researched and compiled by the state Department of Economic and Community Development. Residents raised the issue over property tax concerns with Leechburg Area School District.

“It was very nonspecific and it didn’t show it would be worth merging into Allegheny Township,” said West Leechburg Councilman Matt Grantz.

Council received the study April 13, reviewed it that day and decided the same day to drop the idea. Allegheny Township is still reviewing the information. The people of the communities, however, won’t get to see it for a week or two.

If West Leechburg wants to walk away from the table, that is the municipality’s call, but to take a report that took 18 months to compile, glance at it and dismiss the idea the same day almost implies the idea was never really on the table at all. To do so without first presenting the information to the residents who brought up the idea dismisses the people from the process.