Lawnmower+stake+rope=Analog Robotic Lawn Service

[Kirov], a regular reader and one of our most notorious commenters, tipped us off about this lawn mowing hack. On one hand we're wary that this is bait for a huge flame war, but on the other hand it's a hack that brings a smile to our mischievous faces. By pounding a stake into the center of the yard and connecting a mower to it with a piece of rope, [Korey99] has achieve an automated lawn mower. He tied the self-propelled mower's throttle bar down to make the machine run unattended. There's no kill switch or any kind of remote control for the lawn mower so we wonder what happens when the rope gets all wound up?

How Much Does It Cost To Reseed A Lawn?

Photo: depositphotos.Com

Highlights

The typical cost range to reseed a lawn is $436 to $1,689, with homeowners across the country paying an average of $1,038.

The main factors that affect the cost to reseed a lawn include the size of the lawn, the type and brand of seed, the cost of labor, and the home's geographic location.

There are several signs that determine it's time to reseed a lawn, such as brown or yellow patches, puddles or pooling water, thinning grass, a thick thatch layer, insect damage, and turf disease.

Reseeding a lawn can be a DIY project for a homeowner with the right equipment. However, because it can be a labor-intensive job, many people choose to hire a professional to reseed their lawn.

Need to reseed the lawn?

Talk to a lawn and garden pro. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from lawn care services near you.

+

Many homeowners dream of a plush, vibrant lawn surrounding their home. Unfortunately, lawns can suffer from disease, pooling water, insect damage, and unattractive brown or yellow patches. To tackle these common problems, it may be time for a homeowner to consider revamping the lawn. While other methods result in faster growth, some people prefer to avoid the higher cost of hydroseeding or installing sod in favor of reseeding, which is generally a less expensive option.

Reseeding, also called overseeding, is the process of spreading fresh grass seed over the existing lawn either to encourage thicker grass growth or to repair sections that need some attention. Reseeding jump-starts new grass growth and thickens the lawn.

How much does a new lawn cost using the reseeding method? According to Angi and HomeAdvisor, reseeding a lawn costs between $436 and $1,689, with a national average of $1,038. This guide will help homeowners discover the best time to reseed a lawn, the factors that impact the cost of a reseeding project, other budget considerations, and the best type of seed for their location. It will also help homeowners figure out how much seed is needed for a new lawn.

Factors in Calculating the Cost to Reseed a Lawn

Before embarking on a reseeding project to tackle a patchy or brown heat-stressed lawn, homeowners will want to note the factors that can lower or raise the cost. Some considerations that can influence lawn replacement cost include the size of the yard, the type and brand of seed used, the cost of labor, and the geographic location of the home.

Lawn Size

The number one factor influencing the price of reseeding is the size of the lawn. Of course, the larger the lawn, the higher the price. Before making a decision about whether or not to reseed, homeowners will want to get an accurate measurement of the lawn to determine what it will cost to do the job. Lawns can be measured in square feet or acres. First, homeowners will want to determine how much grass seed is needed per acre or square foot. The average cost to reseed a lawn ranges from $0.10 to $0.20 per square foot. Below are the average costs to reseed a lawn based on size.

Lawn Size Average Cost (Labor and Materials Included) 1,000 square feet $100 to $200 2,000 square feet $200 to $400 3,000 square feet $300 to $600 4,000 square feet $400 to $800 5,000 square feet $500 to $1,000 ⅛ acre $545 to $1,100 ⅙ acre $625 to $1,250 ¼ acre $875 to $1,600 ⅓ acre $1,200 to $2,100 ½ acre $1,750 to $3,200 1 acre $3,000 to $5,880 2 acres $6,000 to $11,760 5 acres $15,000 to $17,640 Seed Type

The type of seed used also has a major impact on lawn renovation cost. Each type of grass seed has a different price tag, ranging from $3 per pound for fescue grass seed to $10 per pound for Bahia grass seed, and others in between. Clover, fescue, and Bermuda grass are some of the most cost-effective options, while Bahia seed is toward the high end of the cost range.

Seed Brand

It is no surprise that grass seed prices also depend on the brand. The brand a homeowner chooses can easily change the overall cost of a reseeding project. Seed is sold in bags of 10 to 50 pounds. To get a sense of cost, homeowners can review the general prices per pound based on brand. Of course, these prices can vary depending on the location where the seed is sold, time of year, and special sales. The table below shows the average cost per pound for popular grass seed brands.

Labor

Hiring a professional can ensure that the lawn is seeded and cared for properly. Common tasks include cutting and removing old grass, raking the soil, spreading the seed, mowing the existing grass, fertilizing and watering the lawn, and more as needed. Labor rates will affect the final price of a reseeding project. Landscapers typically charge between $35 and $80 per hour to reseed a lawn, not including the cost of supplies and materials. This comes out to about $250 and $350 to reseed the entire lawn. Homeowners will want to keep in mind that labor can be more expensive if large dead sections of grass need to be removed but cheaper if only a small area needs to be reseeded.

Need a hand?

Some jobs are better left to the pros. Receive free, no-commitment estimate from licensed lawn service professionals near you.

+ Geographic Location

Not only does location matter in real estate, but it also affects grass seeding costs. The cost to purchase seed and to hire a professional to reseed a lawn varies widely depending on where someone lives in the country. For those living in a rural community, the cost of lawn-care services is usually lower than in urban areas. Local taxes and business fees can also influence the cost of lawn services. Climate plays a major role as well, since certain grasses thrive in specific weather conditions. For example, Bahia grass does best in the South but does not do well in the Northeast because it does not handle freezing conditions well. Overall, grasses that thrive in warm areas tend to be more expensive and require more maintenance. Homeowners will want to research the best type of grass for their region and to consult with a local landscaper for recommendations.

Additional Costs and Considerations

Reseeding a lawn successfully involves much more than purchasing the grass seed itself. Lawn installation costs and other considerations include steps like mowing, weeding, landscaping, testing the soil, and aerating. There are also opportunities to save money with lawn-care plans and reseeding over installing sod.

Seed vs. Sod

Before deciding whether overseeding a lawn is the right move, homeowners may want to consider the cost of seed versus sod. While laying sod is a faster way to create a full and lush lawn, it comes with a hefty price tag. Sod installation usually ranges from about $450 to $4,520, and results are immediate. On the other hand, it takes weeks or even months for a new lawn to grow from seed, and the entire process depends on critical factors like weather, water, and sunshine. For those who do not want to wait and deal with all the maintenance from seeding, sod installation could be the better option if the budget is available. Homeowners may want to keep this comparison in mind: For a 5,000-square-foot yard, seeding will cost between $550 and $1,500, whereas installing sod will run between $5,800 and $7,200.

Lawn-Care Plans

In order to save money, homeowners may want to look for vendors who include reseeding in the overall lawn-care cost for an annual plan. Many landscapers will provide packages or plans that include a regular schedule of lawn-maintenance services like fertilization, aeration, weed control, and mowing. Some might also offer a discount of about 20 percent off reseeding if it is part of the routine lawn-care maintenance plan. Homeowners will want to check with multiple companies to find the best rate available.

Aeration

Pairing overseeding with aeration is the best way for homeowners to ensure a healthy, flourishing lawn to show off to neighbors and guests. Aeration removes small cores (or "plugs") of soil throughout the yard and displaces them on the surface. This allows more water, oxygen, and nutrients to penetrate deep into the soil so grass roots can spread out, grow stronger, and develop into a healthier lawn. This process also loosens the soil, which creates favorable conditions for the seed to germinate. Best left to the professionals, lawn aeration costs between $100 and $350, with an average of $140, for a 10,000-square-foot lawn.

Fertilization

A lawn cannot thrive without proper fertilization. After reseeding is complete, it is a good idea for the homeowner to fertilize the lawn with the correct fertilizer for the type of grass seed chosen. The cost to fertilize a lawn is about $225 on average, typically ranging from $80 to $400. The larger the lawn, the higher the price. Healthy lawns can get away with being fertilized once a year, but lawns with poor soil conditions or shallow roots may need lawn seed fertilizer much more frequently—as often as every 6 weeks. Homeowners will want to consult a landscaper for recommendations regarding the type and frequency of fertilization.

Soil Testing

Testing the soil identifies the type of soil in the yard and the best kind of grass seed and fertilizer for that location. Homeowners can cut down on costs by using a soil test kit, which runs about $10 to $40 and measures soil pH and nutrient levels. For a more thorough analysis, soil testing by a professional can be completed for a fee of $700 to $2,100, with an average cost of $1,350.

Yard Cleanup

There may also be some fees related to cleaning up the yard before reseeding can begin. It is recommended that homeowners remove any leaves, dead grass, or other debris that might prevent seeds from germinating. Professional leaf removal runs between $200 and $560, depending on the size of the yard. Another option is for a homeowner to bundle leaf removal with other cleanup services, such as garden-bed cleanup and mulching. Those services cost about $60 to $150 each.

Need to reseed the lawn?

Talk to a lawn and garden pro. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from lawn care services near you.

+ Weeding

If weeds appear in the lawn, it is important for homeowners to address them right away, since they can compete with grass for light, water, and nutrients. This is especially necessary before or soon after seeding begins. Weed control typically costs anywhere from $65 to $325 per treatment.

Mowing

Once the newly seeded lawn starts to grow, it will need to be mowed about every 1 to 2 weeks to keep it trimmed and healthy. While homeowners can mow their own lawn, some may choose to hire a lawn service. The average lawn-mowing cost ranges from $48 to $206 per visit, with $124 as the national average. The factors that affect the price of mowing include size and shape of the lawn, condition of the lawn, accessibility to the yard, length and type of grass, and mowing frequency.

Landscaping

Homeowners will want to keep in mind that there may also be some costs involved in landscaping preparation before seeding can take place. This may include trimming or removing trees or shrubs, removing old or dead grass, resloping or regrading the lawn, and preparing the soil. These services can vary in price, ranging from under $100 to a few thousand dollars each, depending on the extent of the preparation required. For example, removing trees ranges from $400 to $1,100 per tree, while resloping or grading a yard can cost between $1,500 and $2,600.

Cost to Reseed a Lawn by Type of Seed

Reseeding a lawn involves spreading professional grass seed over existing grass to fill out thin areas and to keep the grass healthy and vibrant. Choosing the best type of grass seed for a specific lawn depends on the local climate, sun and rain exposure, and other environmental factors. With so many different types of grass seed available at varying price points ranging from $1 to $50 per pound, it is important for homeowners to evaluate the best option for the property, since seed type will greatly impact the project budget. Centipede, St. Augustine, and Bahia seeds, for example, are at the higher end of the price range, while fescue and clover are the least expensive.

Bahia

At an average price of $9 to $11 per pound, Bahia grass seed is a warm-season grass that grows best in hot, dry conditions. It thrives in full sun and is a drought-tolerant grass. It is popular in the southern United States but is not suitable for colder climates, since it cannot survive freezing temperatures.

Bermuda

Bermuda grass seed costs $5 to $7 per pound. It grows best in warm climates like the southern United States, where it can get a lot of sun and good drainage. It grows quickly and is resistant to heat, drought, disease, salt, and traffic. However, it does require a fair amount of maintenance and will need to be mowed and fertilized frequently to keep it in peak condition.

Buffalo

Buffalo grass seed costs $1 to $7 per pound. As the only native grass that can serve as lawn grass, Buffalo is tough and requires little maintenance. This warm-season seed tolerates extreme heat and droughts and does best in the southern United States. It will need to be planted in the late spring or early summer.

Centipede

As a warm-season grass that is popular in the southeastern United States, centipede grass seed costs approximately $8 to $16 per pound. It is resistant to disease, heat, and drought and does well in shady areas. This species also has a lot of nutrients and is low maintenance when it comes to care.

Need a hand?

Some jobs are better left to the pros. Receive free, no-commitment estimate from licensed lawn service professionals near you.

+ Clover

Although clover is not technically a grass, it is an affordable alternative that does not require much maintenance. The average cost of clover seed is only $4 to $5 per pound. Clover grows best in temperate climates, including shady areas. A bonus is that it easily attracts pollinators. Homeowners will want to keep in mind that some homeowners associations consider clover to be a weed and may not allow it to be planted.

Fescue

Available in both fine and tall varieties, fescue grass seed is one of the most affordable options at $3 to $4 per pound. This deep-green grass thrives in cool, temperate climates and in shady conditions. Known for its durability and resilience, fescue is considered a cool-season grass, since it can survive freezing temperatures. It is also resistant to heat, drought, and disease. However, it does not work well in high-traffic areas and is unable to repair itself easily when damaged.

Kentucky Bluegrass

With an average price tag of $6 per pound and as much as $20 or more per pound in some locations, Kentucky bluegrass is one of the most popular grass options throughout the country. It is a cool-season grass, which means it grows best in temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It is often chosen by homeowners who get a lot of foot traffic in their yard because of children and/or pets. The drawbacks are that it has shallow roots, which keep it from being resistant to heat and drought, and it will go dormant in the summer if not watered consistently.

Ryegrass

Ryegrass is a cool-season grass priced at $3 to $14 per pound. It grows best in cooler temperatures and will not thrive in hot, dry locations. It germinates quickly and can be used for permanent or temporary lawns. Ryegrass is often planted in combination with other grasses to create a strong, dense turf.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine grass seed costs between $3 and $18 per pound. Incredibly resistant to heat and humidity, this type of grass seed is a wonderful choice for coastal locations. However, it will not do well in areas that experience heavy foot traffic.

Timothy

With a price tag of around $4 to $8 per pound, Timothy grass seed is a warm-season grass used mostly for animals to graze on. In addition, the long, narrow seed heads can be harvested for hay. Unfortunately, Timothy grass seed does not grow well in excessive heat or droughtlike conditions.

Zoysia

Zoysia grass seed costs in the range of $4 to $13 per pound. This warm-season grass tolerates heat, drought, and light shade well and does not need much water or maintenance. It can also handle heavy foot traffic.

Do I Need to Reseed My Lawn?

Over time, worn-out lawns can end up with disease, insects, and other problems that damage the grass and ruin the beauty of the landscape. Reseeding a lawn can remedy any damage and ensure that the grass continues to flourish all year long. Knowing the best time to reseed a lawn depends a lot on whether or not the following indicators appear. If the lawn is showing any of these warning signs, it is time for a homeowner to reseed the lawn as soon as possible.

Need to reseed the lawn?

Talk to a lawn and garden pro. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from lawn care services near you.

+ Brown or Yellow Patches

Brown or yellow patches on the lawn are an indication that it is time to aerate and reseed lawn patches. The changes in color are a result of soil compaction, which can make the whole yard look unattractive and untended.

Puddles or Pooling Water

If puddles or pooling water appears on the grass, it may mean that the soil is compacted. Therefore, the soil is not loose enough for air and water to flow through it, which results in the soil not being able to keep nutrients from reaching the roots. This can also attract mosquitoes and other insects to the area. Once this extra water is discovered, it is necessary to reseed the lawn to address the issue.

Thinning Grass

If there is slow growth and there are also signs of barren patches on the lawn, the thinning grass could be a result of soil compaction, which means the grass roots are unable to absorb adequate water and nutrients. The grass will begin to die, but seed will help breathe new life into the turf.

Thick Thatch Layer

Thatch is a thick layer of debris, such as grass stems and roots, that forms when dead and living organic matter accumulates between the root system and the top of the grass. When thatch becomes thicker than half an inch, it can attract pests and disease, which ultimately limits lawn growth.

Insect Damage

Insect damage can also be a clue that it is time to reseed the lawn. White grubs, which feed on grass root systems, lead to large dead patches of lawn up to 20 feet in diameter. Chinch bugs are known to suck moisture out of grass, leaving yellow or brown patches scattered across the lawn. Sod webworms are moths that lay eggs on the lawn and leave ragged brown spots that look like they are cut out. Finally, billbugs lay eggs in the stems of cool-season grasses. The larvae feed on the grass and cause yellow patches to appear.

Turf Diseases

Homeowners will want to look for different types of turf diseases as well. Necrotic ring spot looks like circular or doughnut-shaped rings that can easily spread and take over the lawn. Dry spot appears as patches of brown or dying grass 2 to 4 inches in diameter and spreads in a circular fashion. Homeowners will also want to keep an eye out for circular dead or brown spots a few inches to several feet in diameter due to brown patch. When wet, the grass blades look like cobwebs. Finally, summer patch manifests as scattered light-green patches about 2 to 6 inches long. They fade to tan and then to a light straw color over time. This disease often shows up along driveways and walkways.

Reseeding a Lawn: DIY vs. Hiring a Professional 

Although reseeding a lawn is certainly feasible as a DIY project (especially for those who have landscaping experience and know how to overseed a lawn), results may not work out as hoped. Sure, homeowners can save between $250 and $350 in labor by taking on the project themselves and up to $700 if they are also handling prep work and all the details like the first watering. However, the costs can add up with regard to purchasing materials and renting equipment. A DIY reseeding project costs about $190 to $1,030, including $150 to $950 for a 50-pound bag of seed and $40 to $80 for a push aerator rental at $20 per hour. Some people even end up spending over $1,000 on optional equipment, such as a lawn mower, to achieve the best results possible.

A big issue for DIYers is that they tend not to use professional equipment or top-quality seed like a lawn-care professional would. Grass seed bought in big-box and hardware stores is cheaper and typically not what the pros use. Also, that grass seed often contains a lot of filler, which can be anything from paper to weed seeds, which can be harmful to the lawn. Overall, a lesser-quality seed leads to less than desirable results.

Also, the method by which seeding is done affects the results. Most people just throw the grass seed down without including aeration as a part of the process. This can leave bare spots from the sporadic seed coverage, resulting in a lawn that looks unfinished and not cared for properly.

Hiring one of the best lawn-care services to get the job done right the first time will help homeowners save time, money, and frustration in the long run. It also ensures that the best-quality seed is used for the property so that the lawn flourishes. Professional lawn-care companies know exactly how to plant grass seed and what type of seed is best for the lawn in a certain location for optimal growth. Plus, they will have the right equipment to get the job done effectively.

How to Save Money on the Cost to Reseed a Lawn

With so many factors influencing the cost to reseed a lawn, homeowners will benefit from these tips on keeping their new lawn costs on the lower end so they can save money and stay within their budget.

Take on some of the work. There are several options to do some of the work yourself to save money, such as testing the soil, cleaning up the yard, weeding, and mowing.

Go with the cheapest seed possible. With so many types of grass seed available, choose a type and brand that is less expensive yet still right for your geographic location.

Work in stages. Reseed the lawn in stages, starting with the areas that need it most. Consider doing the rest at a later time to spread out the costs.

Shop around. Find the least expensive lawn service by requesting quotes from several landscaping companies.

Choose a package plan. In order to save money, look for vendors who include reseeding in a larger lawn-care plan. Many landscapers will provide packages or plans that include a regular schedule of lawn-maintenance services, such as fertilization, aeration, weed control, and mowing. Some might also offer a discount of about 20 percent off reseeding if it is part of the routine lawn-care maintenance plan.

Act quickly. Once a concern with the lawn is identified, do not delay in getting started with reseeding. If you reseed right away, it is likely that less work will need to be done. Therefore, the total cost will stay lower than if you wait until the problem gets worse over time.

Consider DIY. If you're an experienced gardener, you may be able to complete the bulk of this project yourself using one of the best DIY lawn-care programs.

Questions to Ask About Reseeding a Lawn

Having all the information about a project up front will help homeowners avoid any confusion or incorrect information when wondering "How much does it cost to reseed a lawn?" from start to finish. To be sure they get all their questions answered up front, they can refer to the following sample questions when speaking with local landscapers who offer reseeding services.

What is your company's experience with reseeding lawns?

What kind of equipment do you use?

Who will be performing the service? Will it be subcontracted out?

How long will the lawn seeding service take?

Do you offer plans and packages at discounted rates?

How much of my lawn should I seed?

Do I need to kill my lawn or fill it in?

What is the cost to kill and reseed a lawn?

What is the quality and brand of the seed you use?

Do you provide starter fertilizer?

What kind of aeration are you offering?

How should I care for my seed after it is applied?

How often will I need to water my new lawn?

How will this process affect my pets?

What are the benefits of hiring you over doing this project myself?

FAQs

For those homeowners who are evaluating the cost and other factors that go into reseeding a lawn, the following questions and answers can be very helpful in explaining how the process works and how they can ensure that their lawn flourishes.

Q. Should I fertilize before or after overseeding?

Fertilizing after overseeding is advised. To do so, first spread the seed evenly around the lawn. Then apply the lawn fertilizer. Finally, lightly water the lawn immediately after overseeding.

Q. When can I mow after overseeding?

It is best to wait 2 to 4 weeks to mow the lawn after overseeding is complete. This gives the seeds time to acclimate, set roots, and grow. The exact time will vary depending on the location and the type of grass planted.

Q. How long after seeding can I fertilize?

Wait about 4 to 6 weeks after seeding to fertilize the lawn in order to allow enough time for the seed to germinate.

Q. Will grass seed grow if it's thrown down?

Just throwing down grass seed on the ground is not the best way to reseed a lawn. For the lawn to grow and thrive, the soil needs to be prepared, the lawn needs to be fertilized, and the area needs to be watered properly.

Q. Is seed better than sod?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Choosing seed versus sod is a personal preference. While some people prefer to plant grass seed because it is less expensive and they have more control over the type of grass, others prefer sod because it grows more quickly.

Q. How much grass seed do I need to seed my lawn?

It is recommended to seed a new lawn at a rate of 4 to 7 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet, which is equivalent to 175 to 250 pounds per acre.

Sources: Angi, HomeAdvisor, Fixr, HomeGuide, LawnStarter, LawnLove, This Old House, Forbes, Caramanico & Sons, Greenview, Albert Lea Seed

Need a hand?

Some jobs are better left to the pros. Receive free, no-commitment estimate from licensed lawn service professionals near you.

+

'Like The Battle Of Mifflintown': How A Deadly Police Shootout Snared Unwitting Neighbors

David Gray drives his golf cart by a memorial he built for Pa. State Trooper Jacques F. Rougeau Jr. Along Swamp Road in Walker Twp. Rougeau was killed in a gunfire exchange with Brandon Stine, 38 on June 17, 2023. Stine was killed in a gun battle with The Pa. State Police a few minutes later. Joe [email protected]

MIFFLINTOWN - Hitting tennis balls. Mowing the lawn. Taking the dogs out.

All the stuff that a normal summer Saturday is made of ... Until it's not.

Juniata County residents know how fast normalcy can flick to tragedy, having just lived through a spasm of violence that left one state trooper and his assailant dead, a state police lieutenant badly injured, and others grieving that mental health issues once again evaded effective help just long enough to unleash a wrecking ball through this patch of rural Pennsylvania.

The extraordinary here on June 17 was supposed to be the local high school softball team's quest for a state championship in nearby State College.

But that game had barely started when - just like that - the world here was pierced by gunshots, sirens and hovering helicopters as the hunt for a man in the throes of a severe mental breakdown turned violent and deadly.

While everyone awaits the results of the formal investigations, PennLive caught up with several residents in the aftermath to find out what one of Pennsylvania's worst days was like for those who were thrust into different parts of it.

David Gray stands on his front porch in Walker Twp. Where he confronted Brandon Stine, 38 who drove up his driveway and then through the yard toward Harshbarger's Sub and Malt Shop on Swamp Road after shooting two troopers, killing one on June 17, 2023. Stine was killed in an exchange of gunfire with The Pa. State Police across the street from the restaurant. Joe [email protected] "Lock the doors. I'm getting the gun."

For many, a blend of curiosity and worry had been building throughout the day.

David Gray knew something big was going on because of the volume of cop cars he had heard coming up U.S. Route 322, "the four-lane" that abuts the east side of his Walker Township property, and what he'd already heard about a shooting in Mifflintown, about three miles away, earlier in the afternoon.

Gray had just sat down about 2:30 p.M. After doing some yard work around the home he and his wife have owned for 26 years when he heard the distinct pop-pop-pop-pop of gunfire. His immediate thought? The neighbor's kids were target shooting again.

Then there was another burst of rapid fire. "I told my wife, 'That's not target shooting. That's too fast.'"

He got up and looked out the front door just in time to see a grey Chevy pickup coming up his dead-end road. The truck turned into the Gray's driveway and then into the yard.

Gray stepped outside and shouted at the driver's open window: "What the hell are you doing?"

"And if you could see this guy looking at me — and we made eye contact," Gray told PennLive this week, "it was one of them: 'This is my final day. I'm going to end it.'"

Seconds later, a female state trooper came on the truck's tail, in hot pursuit.

The truck's driver drove behind Gray's garage and disappeared from view. And then it dawned on Gray that this weird story they'd been monitoring by Facebook through the afternoon had landed at his house.

"I told my wife: 'Lock the doors. I'm getting the gun, and loading it."

Outside, the trooper, who had taken cover in a breezeway behind Gray's house and garage, opened fire on the fleeing truck.

Brandon Stine's final battle was starting.

David Gray drives his golf cart by a memorial he built for Pa. State Trooper Jacques F. Rougeau Jr. Along Swamp Road in Walker Twp. Rougeau was killed in a gunfire exchange with Brandon Stine, 38 on June 17, 2023. Stine was killed in a gun battle with The Pa. State Police a few minutes later. Joe [email protected]

Rich DiLello holds his dog, Martin in his side yard in Walker Twp. DiLello was in his driveway when shots rang out on Swamp Road in the background. Martin ran toward the shooting and Dilello chased after, diving and grabbing the dog just a few dozen yards short of where Pa. State Trooper Jacques F. Rougeau Jrs. Vehicle sat. Rougeau was killed in the gunfire exchange with Brandon Stine, 38 who was just down the road on June 17, 2023. Stine was killed in a gun battle with The Pa. State Police a few minutes later. Joe [email protected]

David Gray stands on his front porch in Walker Twp. Where he confronted Brandon Stine, 38 who drove up his driveway and then through the yard toward Harshbarger's Sub and Malt Shop on Swamp Road after shooting two troopers, killing one on June 17, 2023. Stine was killed in an exchange of gunfire with The Pa. State Police across the street from the restaurant. Joe [email protected]

A Thank You PSP sign sits along Swamp Road near the Harshbarger's Sub and Malt Shop in Walker Twp. On June 22, 2023. Brandon Stine, 38 was killed in an exchange of gunfire with The Pa. State Police across the street after shooting two troopers, killing one on June 17, 2023. Joe [email protected]

A car passes by a circle marking the spot where Pa. State Trooper Jacques F. Rougeau Jr. Was killed in a gun battle with Brandon Stine, 38 on Swamp Road in Walker Twp. On June 17, 2023. A memorial for Rougeau sits on the left. Joe [email protected]

The route Brandon Stine, 38, used after shooting two state troopers leaving one dead. Stine traveled around the backyard of witness David Gray and toward Harshbarger's Sub and Malt Shop on Swamp Road. Jimmie [email protected]

David Gray holds some of the caution tape Pa. State Police put up in his backyard in Walker Twp. A Pa. State trooper stood and fired at Brandon Stine, 38 who drove through the yard toward Harshbarger's Sub and Malt Shop on Swamp Road after shooting two troopers, killing one on June 17, 2023. Stine was killed in an exchange of gunfire with The Pa. State Police across the street from the restaurant. Joe [email protected]

A circle marks the spot on Swamp Road in Walker Twp. Where Brandon Stine, 38 was when he was involved in a gun battle with Pa. State Trooper Jacques F. Rougeau Jr. Who was killed on June 17, 2023. Joe [email protected]

A memorial for Pa. State Trooper Jacques F. Rougeau Jr. Sits along Swamp Road in Walker Twp. Rougeau was killed in a gunfire exchange with Brandon Stine, 38 on June 17, 2023. Stine was killed in a gun battle with The Pa. State Police a few minutes later. Joe [email protected]

The remnants of the car chase where Brandon Stine, 38 drove over a bush and through a garden before crashing into a tree line on the Sperry property at 711 Swamp Road in Walker Twp. Stine was killed in an exchange of gunfire with The Pa. State Police after shooting two troopers, killing one on June 17, 2023. Joe [email protected]

The remnants of the car chase where Brandon Stine, 38 drove over a bush and through a garden before crashing into a tree line on the Sperry property at 711 Swamp Road in Walker Twp. Stine was killed in an exchange of gunfire with The Pa. State Police after shooting two troopers, killing one on June 17, 2023. Joe [email protected]

A memorial for Pa. State Trooper Jacques F. Rougeau Jr. Sits along Swamp Road in Walker Twp. Rougeau was killed in a gunfire exchange with Brandon Stine, 38 on June 17, 2023. Stine was killed in a gun battle with The Pa. State Police a few minutes later. Joe [email protected]

David Gray stands in the spot in his backyard in Walker Twp. Where a Pa. State trooper stood and fired at Brandon Stine, 38 who drove through the yard toward Harshbarger's Sub and Malt Shop on Swamp Road after shooting two troopers, killing one on June 17, 2023. Stine was killed in an exchange of gunfire with The Pa. State Police across the street from the restaurant. Joe [email protected]

The home of witness, David Gray in Walker Twp. Where he confronted Brandon Stine, 38, who drove up his driveway and then through the yard toward Harshbarger's Sub and Malt Shop on Swamp Road after shooting two troopers, killing one on June 17, 2023. Jimmie [email protected]

Brandon Stine, 38, was killed after traveling across the parking lot of Harshbarger's Sub and Malt Shop onto Swamp Road. The shootout ended in the backyard of the Sperry property at 711 Swamp Road in Walker Twp. Directly across from Harshbarger's. Jimmie [email protected].

Harshbarger's Sub and Malt Shop on Swamp Road, where Brandon Stine, 38, crossed before being killed by state troopers on Swamp Road. Jimmie [email protected]

A man in crisis

Stine's sister, Christina Hummel, has said her 38-year-old brother was coming unglued.

Members of his family contacted state police the evening of June 16, citing "erratic behavior" that made them believe he needed to be involuntarily hospitalized for mental health care.

Hummel told PennLive via email this week that Stine had been hospitalized because of a mental health crisis two years ago and was "better" for a while.

But he had recently begun to "unravel," she said, "thinking people were out to get him again."

"He thought the smoky skies from the forest fires was nerve gas from the government, and he believed that his food and water supply was contaminated with poison. He could smell bleach in his water that nobody else could smell," she said.

State troopers responded to the family's call.

"Troopers checked multiple residences for him that evening, but were unable to locate him. They had hoped to make contact with him and, if needed, ensure he received the appropriate care necessary," said Lt. Adam Reed, a spokesman for Pennsylvania State Police.

It's still not clear where Stine was before he arrived at the Lewistown Barracks off Route 322 about 11 a.M. Saturday, June 17, where police said he shot his rifle into several parked and unoccupied patrol cars, setting off the manhunt that swept up central Juniata County.

At 12:43 p.M., things took an even more dangerous turn.

That's when Stine — for the first time that we know so far — turned his gun on someone else, shooting Lt. James Wagner, commanding officer of PSP's Bedford Barracks, as Wagner was driving on Washington Avenue in Mifflintown.

The lieutenant, badly wounded, received first aid at the scene and was eventually flown to Hershey Medical Center, where he remained hospitalized entering the weekend.

And the manhunt intensified.

A car passes by a circle marking the spot where Pa. State Trooper Jacques F. Rougeau Jr. Was killed in a gun battle with Brandon Stine, 38 on Swamp Road in Walker Twp. On June 17, 2023. A memorial for Rougeau sits on the left. Joe [email protected] Sudden death on Swamp Road

Some didn't know anything about the gathering danger until it was happening all around them.

Diane Markel, for example, rode her mower into the middle of a gun battle.

Because a stream crosses her property, Markel, 76, has to ride onto Swamp Road to cross the water and finish off her mowing on the other side. At that point, she said, she's actually closer to her neighbor Larry Guyer's house than her own.

With the mower running and her back to the road, Markel said she didn't hear gunshots and she didn't see the first police cars screaming on the road. But when she shut it down to move some small branches, she started to realize something was up.

It wasn't the first gunshots that caught her attention, necessarily.

"It's not unusual for somebody to shoot a groundhog here," Markel explained. "I mean it's kind of a residential area but not really, you know? Our houses are fairly far apart, and it's a road you don't travel unless you live here."

But then a helicopter appeared overhead, just making tight circles around the area. The sound of gunshots intensified, like fireworks.

"I'm standing out there along the road looking up, trying to figure out what's going on," Markel said.

Then two cops came up the road, parked right by her property and took cover, guns drawn. "And I thought, Oh no. What's going on? And I was closer to the neighbor so I run towards the neighbors' and I'm like: 'Let me in. Let me in!' And they're like: 'Get in here. We've been trying to get your attention!"

Around the same time, Markel's neighbor across the street, Rich DiLello, was getting home from a round of Saturday errands with his wife and their four small dogs, who always love a car ride, he said.

DiLello and his wife knew there was some kind of major incident unfolding, because, as Rich DiLello told PennLive Friday, "everywhere we went, we couldn't get through. We got re-routed."

Getting back to his Swamp Road home sometime after 2:30 p.M., DiLello said, he saw an unmarked police car coming down from the west on Swamp Road, which sort of bends around the north and east sides of his corner property.

"I even said to my wife, 'Oh look, they're on our road now, too'" he recalled. "But we really didn't think too much about it because we saw them everywhere else we were, too."

That changed with a bang.

DiLello said he noticed the trooper in the unmarked car, whom he later learned was Trooper Jacques Rougeau, slam on his brakes alongside his house. Distracted by his dogs, DiLello looked down, then heard two or three shots ring out.

"I said, 'Wow. This is it. It's here,'" DiLello said.

What he heard, Juniata County District Attorney Corey Snook told PennLive Friday, were likely the shots that hit and killed Rougeau, 29, a three-year member of the state police.

Police had just received information that Stine was in the area, Snook said, and were rallying to the area from both directions on Swamp Road.

Stine had in fact, somehow, positioned himself somewhere near the bend by DiLello's property. Rougeau happened to get there first. Sadly, he drove into an ambush. Investigators believe Rougeau never had a chance to return fire.

The DiLellos didn't know that yet. At the sound of gunfire they had started to put their dogs back in the car to get them out of harm's way when a bigger barrage of gunfire erupted, as other police opened fire on Stine's truck, which was on the move again.

The shooting spooked the fourth of the DiLello's dogs, Martin, which started running toward the corner, with DiLello in pursuit. That may sound crazy to some, but "I didn't think twice," DiLello said. "I was like, I love him. And I'm not going to lose him."

Rich DiLello holds his dog, Martin in his side yard in Walker Twp. DiLello was in his driveway when shots rang out on Swamp Road in the background. Martin ran toward the shooting and Dilello c