Author: Staff Reports

Buttonwood Nature Center, home of The Institute, invites area families to take a free, guided hike along the Appalachian Trail on Sunday, April 28 from 1 to 3 p.m. as part of Buttonwood’s Naturalist Discovery Series of programs. Led by a Buttonwood naturalist, hikers will explore some of the wonders to be found in the woods and along the byways. “We are fortunate to live in an area that the legendary Appalachian Trail crosses through in several nearby locations,” said Pam Rowland, Buttonwood education director and program organizer. “We enjoy exploring various sections of the trail.” The hike is geared…

WILLIAMSPORT, Md. – The Education Foundation of WCPS is inviting the public to an unforgettable evening of giving back to the community on Saturday, April 27 from 6:30-10:30 p.m. at Elmwood Farm in Williamsport, Maryland. “An Evening with the Ed Foundation” is a highly anticipated annual gala that brings together local residents, business leaders, and educators to support educational initiatives in Washington County Public Schools (WCPS). This year’s event promises an exciting lineup of entertainment, dining, and fundraising opportunities. Attendees can look forward to an evening filled with dancing, a cash bar, local cuisine, a silent auction, games, and live…

WAYNESBORO- The Rotary Club of Waynesboro submitted the following club news: Last Meeting’s Program (4.16.24 bulletin) Rotary member Frank Conway gave an entertaining classification talk on his life experiences. Frank grew up in Bloomfield, N.J., where he said he developed a lifelong interest in “tinkering” — taking things apart and putting them together. After graduating from high school in 1966, he went to Bloomfield College for two years. A low draft number led to him joining the Army in 1969. That led to him being assigned to the White House Communications Agency with eventual top secret clearance. He then was…

BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT- The Blue Ridge Summit Free Library will hold its fourth annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale on the Plaza on Saturday, May 11 from 8 a.m. to noon. “The sale, which is a fundraiser for the library, features a large assortment of annuals, perennials, native plants, hanging baskets, vegetable plants, herbs, and houseplants. These make perfect gifts for Mother’s Day,” said library board member, Megan Warner. In advance of the sale, plant donations of all kinds are wanted. The library can provide pots for those willing to pot up their donated plants. “Or, people can bring their bare…

HAGERSTOWN, MD – In a proactive effort to enhance emergency preparedness and interagency collaboration, multiple local and state agencies are set to conduct a joint Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) Drill along the C&O Canal between Dam 3 and the town of Brunswick. The drill, scheduled for April 18, 2024, aims to simulate response procedures in the event of a hypothetical emergency scenario. There will be the presence of helicopters, both State and Military, in the area from approximately 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. All participating agencies play critical roles in ensuring public safety and managing emergencies within the region.…

Kyrene Zack isn’t only a physician assistant who treats patients with allergies at WellSpan ENT & Hearing Services in Franklin County. She’s also a longtime allergy sufferer herself. And the mom of a 5-year-old son who also has allergies. So, when her patients of all ages come to her with similar problems – seasonal allergies impact one in four adults and one in five children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control – Zack can draw on her medical training and her personal knowledge to help them. Here are her tips and tricks for surviving the itchy eyes, sneezing,…

CHAMBERSBURG – The Franklin County Commissioners have proclaimed April 14-20, to be National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Franklin County. In doing so, they are highlighting the role these individuals play as a critical link between citizens and emergency services. When emergencies occur, public safety telecommunicators are the first and most critical contact callers have with emergency responders. These dispatchers must correctly gather and relay accurate information directly to police officers, firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) to ensure their prompt response to the scene of an emergency. Telecommunicators also serve as a vital resource for those responding agencies by…

HARRISBURG- The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Office of Public-Private Partnerships (P3) announced that it is accepting unsolicited proposals for transportation projects from the private sector through April 30. The submission period applies to PennDOT-owned projects, infrastructure, and services. During this period, the private sector can submit proposals offering innovative ways to deliver transportation projects across a variety of modes including roads, bridges, rail, aviation, and ports. Proposals can also include more efficient models to manage existing transportation-related services and programs. Unsolicited proposals are being accepted through 11:59 PM on April 30. Instructions on how to submit a project and…

HARRISBURG- The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), and Associated Pennsylvania Constructors (APC) gathered at Soldier’s Grove to honor roadway workers and urge motorists to slow down and pay attention in work zones as part of National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW). The week, which runs April 15-19, is designated to highlight the critical importance of safe driving through work zones. The theme of this year’s NWZAW is “Work Zones are temporary. Actions behind the wheel can last forever.””We are beginning another construction season,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “This means improved…

Looking for a new friend? The Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter is featuring these Pets of the Week. For more information, visit http://www.cvas-pets.org/ or call 717-263-5791. Sky is a 7-year-old terrier mix who came into the shelter as a stray, so we don’t have a lot of information about her, but we do know that she is one loving girl! Sky loves attention and enjoys getting all the pets and rubs she can! She is the sweetest girl you will ever meet! Sky did test positive for Lyme and Anaplasmosis which are both tick borne diseases and is currently on medication to treat them. She also…