Laurel: To trying new things. The Westmoreland County Airport Authority is pondering a proposal from Kilocharge, a Rostraver-based company, that would designate up to 16 parking spots at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport to a specific purpose.

The idea is to have eight charging stations at the airport, allowing people to recharge electric cars. The airport wouldn’t have any up-front costs, but after the installation was covered by the charging revenue, the authority would see a 25% commission when people top off their batteries.

The airport seems like a great place to try this out. It could benefit drivers and flyers alike, but additionally could augment the authority’s budget, which would benefit all county taxpayers.

Lance: To having to say it again. On Monday morning, Transportation Security Administration officers at Pittsburgh International made a frustratingly frequent announcement. Once again, they found a gun in a bag.

A 54-year-old Peters man was caught attempting to go through a security checkpoint with a 9mm handgun in his backpack.

Seriously? Again? Know where your weapons are and don’t try to take them on planes unless you check them appropriately.

Laurel: To a new officer on the job. Lower Burrell has a fresh face on its police force — and he’s a very good boy.

His name is Buc and he is a 17-month-old German shepherd. His handler is K-9 Officer Aaron Rodgers.

Buc’s presence was made possible by a $15,000 grant from the Officer Brian Shaw Foundation. He was named for the Buccaneers, the mascot at Shaw’s alma mater, Burrell School District.

Shaw was a Lower Burrell resident and a New Kensington police officer killed in a traffic stop in 2017. The foundation that bears his name has put money back into the communities and causes that mattered to him.

Funding a police dog in Shaw’s own backyard is a poignant way for his presence to be felt.

Lance: To a low blow. Fire departments across the area are taking to social media to contact their supporters about a fundraiser.

That’s nothing new. Volunteer departments depend on fundraising to be able to supply a needed service to their communities. What is different about this one? They are telling people not to participate.

A T-shirt selling scam is being used ostensibly to generate money for the first responders. Instead, it’s going into someone else’s pocket.

This is a pathetic example of criminals preying on people’s good intentions at the expense of those who actually need the support.

It provides a sad lesson to would-be givers. If you have any questions about a fundraiser, check it out with the organization itself to make sure it is legitimate.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)