It has been a heavy start to 2026 for the Shenango Valley. Honestly, if you’ve been driving the I-79 corridor lately, you already know how treacherous things have gotten with these sudden lake-effect whiteouts. Just this past Thursday, January 15, the community was hit with the tragic news of a fatal multi-vehicle pileup near the 121-mile marker in Jackson Township.
Austin Golab, a 22-year-old from Erie, lost his life when his vehicle was caught in a chain-reaction crash involving two semi-trailers. The Mercer County Coroner’s Office confirmed the cause was blunt force trauma. It’s the kind of mercer county pa news that makes you hug your family a little tighter before they head out on the highway.
But it’s not all tragedy in the valley. There is a lot of movement—millions of dollars in movement—happening behind the scenes in Sharon, Hermitage, and Greenville that is going to change how the county looks by the time summer rolls around.
The Infrastructure Shift in Mercer County PA News
While we’re talking about the roads, PennDOT isn’t just dealing with snow. State Senator Michele Brooks recently announced nearly $3 million in Multimodal Transportation Fund grants. This is actually a big deal for the Wheatland Industrial Area.
Hermitage is getting over $2 million of that to fix up the roads where more than 30 businesses operate. If you've ever driven through there and hit a pothole that felt like a crater, help is finally on the way. It’s basically about keeping those industrial jobs from moving elsewhere by making the area actually accessible for heavy trucks.
Meanwhile, Sharon is seeing some of that cash—about $700,000—for the East Silver Street riverfront. It's part of a bigger plan to make the river a place people actually want to hang out at, rather than just something you drive over.
What’s Going on with the North Sharon Fire Hall?
One of the cooler stories coming out of the recent Local Share Account (LSA) funding is the $700,000 earmarked for the North Sharon Fire Hall. It’s roughly 75 years old and, frankly, showing its age.
Instead of letting it crumble, the city is flipping it into a community center. They’re adding a fire suppression system (ironic for a fire hall, right?), updating the assembly hall, and fixing the kitchen. It’s supposed to become a hub for local events.
Tragedy and Survival on the Backroads
We also saw a miracle—sorta—in Fairview Township this week. On January 14, a car collided with a horse-drawn buggy on US Route 19. It was a mess. Ten people were injured, including a baby who was trapped under the buggy.
The latest update is that the baby was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital in critical condition. It’s a stark reminder of the unique risks we have here where modern traffic meets our Amish and Mennonite neighbors.
Local police are still investigating, but it highlights a recurring theme in mercer county pa news: our roads weren't exactly designed for this mix of high-speed commuters and slow-moving carriages.
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Fire in Transfer
Just a week prior, on January 6, a massive house fire on Carrier Road in Transfer drew fire departments from two different states. Crews from Pymatuning Township, Greenville, and even Burghill Vernon in Ohio showed up.
Luckily, nobody was inside. The house took a beating, but the fact that multiple departments coordinated that quickly shows how the mutual aid system works out here in the sticks.
Crime and Courtroom Delays
If you’ve been following the Pauly Likens case, there’s a new update. The trial for Dashawn Watkins, the Sharon man accused of the teen’s murder, has been pushed back.
Judge Daniel Wallace moved the jury trial to March 2026. It was supposed to start this month, but the defense needed more time. It's a frustrating delay for a community still reeling from the details of that case, which was easily the most disturbing story to come out of Sharon in years.
On a slightly less grim note, Hermitage police are still holding out hope for a break in a decade-old cold case. They recently reminded everyone about the 2015 shooting of Ralph Kenneth Lloyd. There is still a cash reward out there. Someone knows something, and after ten years, the department is hoping a conscience—or the money—finally talks.
The "WaterFire" Void and What’s Next
It still feels weird that WaterFire Sharon is officially done. After 13 years, the final embers have cooled.
But don't think the arts scene is dead. The city just received a "Green Light Go" grant to modernize intersections, and the downtown revitalization tours led by JCL Development show that investors are still betting on Sharon. They’re looking at old, blighted buildings and seeing lofts and breweries.
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Quick Facts: Mercer County 2026 Snapshot
- Property Taxes: Hermitage residents are looking at a two-mill increase this year. It's about $60 more a year for the average homeowner to fund those pump station projects and city services.
- Greenville Demolition: Three blighted buildings on Main Street (200, 202, and 204) are finally coming down thanks to a $113,000 grant.
- Buhl Park: They just launched a new bike rental program. It’s $5 for the first 15 minutes. Great for a quick loop around the lake once the ice melts.
- Election Deadlines: May 4 is the last day to register for the Municipal Primary. Don't forget.
How to Stay Informed and Stay Safe
With the "brutal cold" predicted for the end of January, the most important mercer county pa news you can use is about the roads. PennDOT has been hammering the "snow squall" warnings for a reason.
These aren't just snow showers. They are whiteout traps. If you’re on I-79 or I-80 and you see a wall of white, the state police are literally begging you to slow down before you enter it, not while you're in it.
Actionable Steps for Locals:
- Check your gas bill: National Fuel rates actually dipped slightly for Mercer County residents recently. If your bill is still skyrocketing, check for leaks—there was a "strong natural gas smell" reported across Sharon in late 2025 that led to several investigations.
- Support the Food Bank: The Mercer County Food Bank has been under serious strain. They recently received a grant for 40,000 meals, but the demand in the valley is still outpacing the supply.
- Update your registration: If you moved recently, get your voter registration sorted for the May 19 primary. You can do it online or at the courthouse in Mercer.
- Watch the weather: The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh is forecasting the coldest air of the season for the last week of January. Check your pipes and your neighbors.
The valley is changing. From the demolition of eyesores in Greenville to the high-tech intersection upgrades in Sharon, it’s a weird mix of progress and small-town struggles. Staying on top of the news isn't just about knowing what happened; it's about knowing what's coming next for the place we call home.