Hopewell Joins Regional Shift to Online Public Notices | The Locally Times
Hopewell’s 2026 online notice mandate follows a regional trend, with records showing South Fayette posting job deadlines and Monroeville hosting mobile tax services online.
A Hopewell Township notice mandates that beginning March 1, 2026, public entities must publish legal notices on their websites instead of in newspapers. While the change prompts questions about digital access, a review of public records reveals Hopewell and its neighbors already use websites for a spectrum of public communications, from meeting agendas to community events. ## Municipal Websites Already Serve as Information Hubs Public records show local governments across the region actively use their websites for resident communication. Hopewell Township, for example, posts agendas for its Planning Board and Deer Management Re Org meetings and announces events like its April 11, 2026, Tree Seedling Giveaway. Neighboring municipalities follow suit. Robinson Township’s website lists office closures for Memorial Day on May 25, 2026, and Juneteenth on June 19, 2026. South Fayette Township’s site functions as a civic bulletin board, publicizing summer job openings with a March 9, 2026, deadline and schedules for community blood drives. ## Schools and Authorities Build Online Information Hubs The digital-first trend includes school districts and public authorities. The Mt. Lebanon School District website, for instance, outlines its 2026-2027 budget timeline, including an April 6 public forum and a final adoption vote on May 18, 2026. Keystone Oaks School District uses its site for transparency on student data privacy, publishing a list of approved digital tools to meet an April 22, 2026, compliance deadline for the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule. In another example, the Beaver County Transit Authority website announced new fixed route fares effective March 2, 2026. ## Digital Tools Promote Community Engagement and Services Local entities also use digital platforms to offer services and engagement opportunities directly to residents. A notice on Monroeville’s website, for example, announced that the Allegheny County Treasurer’s office would hold mobile office hours at the municipal building on March 20, 2026, to help residents with real estate taxes and licensing. A municipal announcement stated the goal was to improve access for those who cannot easily travel downtown. Similarly, Peters Township’s website recruits for its Citizen’s Police Academy, a nine-week program set to begin March 10, 2026, facilitating direct community participation.