Somerset County Commissioner Irv Kimmel Jr

09/11/2026

Today, we pause to remember the 40 passengers and crew members of Flight 93 and honor their courage, sacrifice, and selflessness.

Twenty-five years later, their actions continue to remind us of the extraordinary bravery that can emerge in the face of unimaginable circumstances. The passengers and crew of Flight 93 made the ultimate sacrifice, helping prevent even greater loss of life and forever becoming part of our nation’s history.

On this 25th anniversary, we remember those we lost, honor their families and loved ones, and pay tribute to the courage of the heroes of Flight 93.

We will never forget. 🇺🇸

08/24/2026

It’s that time of year again—fair season! 🎡🐄

I hope everyone gets the chance to stop by and enjoy the fair, see all the animals, and support the amazing young people who have dedicated countless hours caring for and preparing their animals for this week.

Be sure to visit the wonderful vendors, enjoy some great food, and take in everything our local fair has to offer. Most importantly, let’s continue to support and celebrate these hardworking young people!

Have a great fair season, everyone!

Our schedule of events for the 2026 Somerset County Fair!

🎟️Saturday & Sunday FREE Gate
🎟️August 24-29: Admission is $12 - includes grandstand and carnival rides! Children 2 & under are free. $2 parking

Carnival arrives Monday! 🎡🍦🐄👑🚜

Plan your visit at somersetcountyfairpa.com

08/19/2026

I had the honor of attending Jude Glover’s Eagle Scout ceremony yesterday. It was a wonderful celebration recognizing an impressive accomplishment and an outstanding young man.

Jude’s dedication, character, and commitment are truly admirable, and his parents should be incredibly proud of the young man they have raised.

Congratulations, Jude, on earning the rank of Eagle Scout! Wishing you continued success in all that lies ahead. 🇺🇸🦅

08/11/2026

Last week, Somerset County celebrated its 250th anniversary, and I had the pleasure and honor of attending several of the events held throughout the County.

These celebrations were organized by an incredible group of dedicated volunteers, led by Henry Cook’s vision and leadership. Their hard work and commitment were truly remarkable, and they did an outstanding job honoring the history, heritage, and spirit of our community.

One of the most inspiring aspects of the celebration was recognizing that Somerset County will soon be home to the Pennsylvania Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial at the Remember Me Rose Garden—the only memorial of its kind in the Commonwealth. It is a deeply fitting location, especially here in “America’s County,” where our community holds such profound respect and gratitude for our first responders and the sacrifices they make to protect and serve us.

It is a tremendous honor to represent all of you in our great County as we celebrate 250 years of our nation’s history, and the 25th anniversary of 9/11—a year that forever changed our nation and helped define Somerset County as “America’s County.”

I am grateful to be part of this historic moment and proud to call Somerset County home. 🇺🇸

07/09/2026

It was a pleasure to attend the grand opening of the new livestock show barn at the Somerset County Fair. What an incredible addition to our fairgrounds and our community!
This beautiful new facility represents so much more than a building. With updated office space, an improved sign-in area, a new speaker system, and a larger show ring conveniently located next to the livestock barns, it will provide a better experience for exhibitors, families, and spectators for years to come.
Most importantly, this project is all about the kids—giving them a first-class space to showcase their hard work and dedication during fair week and our many livestock shows.
A heartfelt thank you to all of the generous donors and contributors whose gracious contributions made this vision a reality. Your support has created a lasting investment in our youth and our agricultural community. Thank you as well to the Somerset County Fair Board for your hard work, leadership, and big vision in bringing this outstanding project to life. Congratulations to everyone involved on this exciting milestone!

And look at this beautiful new pulling sled, also showcased at the Grand Opening, donated by Guy Berkibile.

05/19/2026

This past Saturday, I had the privilege of attending the Eagle Scout ceremony for Mr. Luke Platt, Somerset County's newest Eagle Scout. Luke's project centered on beautifying the Somerset ambulance station through landscaping and the installation of flagpoles. He is an outstanding young individual with a promising future ahead. I offer my sincerest congratulations to Luke and wish him continued success in his future pursuits.

05/08/2026

I was honored to attend a moving ceremony at the Flight 93 memorial today, courtesy of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Frank Siller, chairman and CEO, gave an inspiring speech about his youngest brother, Stephen, and the foundation's history and charitable initiatives. As part of their extensive, over 10,000-mile tribute journey this year, Somerset County was one of the many stops leading up to the 25th anniversary of 9/11. This remarkable tribute provides a touching honor to the heroes lost on that tragic day, while also celebrating the 250th anniversary of our nation.

04/08/2026

I offer my deepest condolences to the Close family and the Confluence Fire Department. You have my thoughts and prayers.

04/05/2026

I wish everyone a happy Easter. May your day be blessed with family and loved ones.

03/21/2026

It was a pleasure hosting the Somerset County 4-H yesterday, as we had the opportunity to learn about their future plans after school and answer their questions about our involvement in local government. It's always rewarding to see young people engaged. This is what makes Somerset County truly exceptional. Somerset County 4-H