One of the great features of Butler's first Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival last summer was the Jeep sculptures that decorated the city.

Most people undoubtedly were pleased to learn that the decorated Jeeps will be part of this year's festival, scheduled for Aug. 10 to 12. Unlike last year, which celebrated the Jeep's 71 years — there were 71 sculptures on display during that festival — this year will feature 72 sculptures. In addition, there's the possibility of a trailer being available this year to be added to the basic sculpture.

“We are working on creating a Bantam trailer you can purchase, either as an accessory to (last year's) Jeep, or for a new one this year,” said Chelynne Curci, Butler Main Street Manager.

The art project will be sponsored by Butler Downtown in conjunction with the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau. The tourisn bureau operates the festival.

Individuals, businesses or groups interested in a sculpture can contact Butler Downtown at 724-256-5769 or online at www.butlerdowntown.org.

What better decoration for the upcoming festival than 72 new Jeep sculptures expressing the imagination and talents of the people who live here and/or work here.

Financial checks and balances are important for any entity handling money. Recent years have exposed a number of cases in and around Butler County where somone handled money and succumbed to the temptation to embezzle.Headlining Thursday's Butler Eagle was an article about an embezzlement scheme carried out from 2004 to 2010 that resulted in the liquidation of the Lawrence County School Employee Federal Credit Union and its eventual sale.The credit union had only two employees, both of whom allegedly were involved in the scheme, and apparently little or no system in place to oversee the work of those two employees, one of whom was a Portersville area woman.A lawsuit tied to the scheme alleges that the credit union lost more than $912,000 as a result of the women's actions.It would seem that all entities, having read about these criminal cases, would have taken action to protect against insider theft. However, each new case confirms that too many people have a “it can't happen to us” attitude.As long as that attitude prevails, the only question is: Who will be the next victim?

While some of his constituents were no doubt saddened by his conviction and now prison sentence, Bill DeWeese of Greene County did violate the public trust and deserves the penalties he faces.Judge Todd Hoover of Dauphin County merits praise for not giving DeWeese a light sentence because of what good work the former lawmaker might have done while in office.DeWeese resigned on April 24 from the state House, where he had served for 35 years. His downfall was persuading or forcing legislative employees to perform campaign work illegally while on state time.“There's no question you were the leader and the instigator,” Hoover told DeWeese, before imposing the sentence, which includes up to five years in prison, a $25,000 fine and payment of nearly $117,000 in restitution.The sentence closes another chapter in a saga that has embarrassed state government and diminished what confidence commonwealth residents might have had in it.That unconscionable saga has resulted in charges and convictions of other former lawmakers and key staff members.If state government hasn't learned a lesson from the criminal proceedings of the past several years, state government is in even worse shape than anyone can imagine.DeWeese worked hard in Harrisburg. Few would argue that. However, at some point arrogance and an attitude that he was above the law overtook him and skewed his judgment.Now he will pay a big price for not keeping the public's best interests first and foremost.DeWeese deserves the sentence that was handed down to him.

A new business is more likely to succeed with support and guidance from established business operators and owners. That idea, or just simply being friendly, was behind the meet-and-greet session held last month at the Chop Shop restaurant on Main Street in Butler welcoming two new small businesses that plan to open in the same downtown block.Having found success with their popular restaurant in the year or so since it opened, Chop Shop owners Bill and Desiree Atkinson hosted the event to welcome a new ice cream shop and a brunch and baked goods seller to the 100 block of North Main Street.Starting a new business is a challenge and budding entrepreneurs can surely benefit from the experience of people who have been in their shoes.Aaron Hicks plans to open a small ice cream shop on the block and Amy Zielinski will be featuring baked goods during the workday hours inside Haser's bar at 118 N. Main St. In a creative move, her baked goods will be featured during the day, but the bar will continue to function in the evenings.Hicks and Zielinski should benefit from the experience of the Chop Shop owners since opening their restaurant.It was encouraging to see that Butler city council members Cheri Scott and Lisa Guard also attended the informal session at the Chop Shop. As Butler business owners themselves, Guard and Scott can offer encouragement and guidance to the new, young entrepreneurs planning to set up shop on Main Street.Butler's Main Street has seen some encouraging developments in recent months: the Chop Shop, the recent opening of Elements Cafe and the planned summer launch of the Butler Brew Works taproom on the corner of Main and Jefferson streets, as well as the opening of Focus Fitness on East Cunningham Street.The positive energy of young people opening new businesses can be contagious, leading more entrepreneurs to decide to start a new venture and bring more life to downtown Butler.