It's official: Part of Route 981 to be renamed for late state Rep. Mike Reese

Jun. 2—Nick Molitor of Norvelt was having a difficult time battling both the county and state to determine who was responsible for fixing an embankment near his home.

"As soon as I told the county I was going to contact my state rep, Mike Reese, they were out there with the state taking care of it," said Molitor, 35. "Whether Mike actually made it happen or not, I don't know. But I'd like to believe he did."

Five months after his sudden death, Reese still is changing things in his hometown.

Gov. Tom Wolf this week signed a bill designating a section of Route 981 in Mt. Pleasant Township as the "Honorable Mike Reese Memorial Highway," according to State Rep. Ryan Warner. Reese, longtime representative of the 59th District, died Jan. 2 at the age of 42 from an apparent brain aneurysm. He had just been elected to a seventh term.

"This is obviously bittersweet, as I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Mike's constituents to deliver on their wishes to honor him, but at the same time it is another reminder that he is no longer with us," said Warner, a Connellsville Republican. "I'd like to thank everyone who worked to advance this legislation so quickly, and I appreciate the governor promptly endorsing it."

An online petition created by Molitor to name a local road after Reese gained traction in mid-March and Warner took it to Harrisburg. The state House transportation committee approved his bill in April.

Honorable Mike Reese Memorial Highway will stretch 3 1/2 miles on Route 981 from from the intersection of Route 819 to Route 2021 south of Norvelt. Reese had represented the 59th District since 2009.

"It went right through the legislature with no issues and I was very proud of the state, for a bipartisan effort to honor same type of bipartisan work he did," Molitor said. "I see signs everywhere saying how much he'll be missed. A lot of people loved him."

The remainder of his term is being filled by Unity Republican Leslie Baum Rossi. She won 65% of the vote during a special election last month for the seat that represents parts of Westmoreland and Somerset counties, beating out Ligonier Councilwoman Mariah Fisher, a Democrat, according to unofficial returns.

Rossi created the Trump House near Youngstown and last year helped register voters and promoted Donald Trump's reelection campaign there. She also served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention.

Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta at 724-837-5374, rsignorini@triblive.com or via Twitter .