Author: Staff Reports

CHAMBERSBURG – Historian and author Jeff Shaara will be speaking and signing books at the Franklin County Visitors Bureau in downtown Chambersburg on the evening of Nov. 11 from 7-9 p.m. The event is hosted by the Franklin County Historical Society-Kittochtinny and moderated by Dr. Steve Burg, of the Shippensburg University history department. Shaara is The New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of “Gods and Generals.” He recently released his 20th book, “The Shadow of War.” Guests will have the opportunity to pose questions to the moderator, and Shaara will be available to sign books after the discussion. Tickets…

HAGERSTOWN – The Washington County Division of Planning & Zoning has announced the preservation of the historic, 40-acre Hogmire-Berryman Farm, adding to the more than 41,000 acres of permanently preserved land within the county. The conservation easement, located on Spielman Road in Fairplay, was secured through the Rural Legacy Program. The property is owned and maintained by Jim and Linda Clement, and its preservation marks another milestone in Washington County’s commitment to land conservation, county planning officials said. The Hogmire-Berryman Farm, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, features a brick house, barn and several outbuildings dating back to…

WAYNESBORO – The program, “From Bricks to Books  – All About Waynesboro Area Schools” will be presented by Jeff Mace at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, in Waynesboro Theatre, 75 W. Main St. The free program is sponsored by Waynesboro Industrial Museum in partnership with Main Street Waynesboro and the Waynesboro Theatre. Mace will offer stories and display photos on the theater’s screen about the history of the schools. Those attending the program will be invited to share their own memories. Waynesboro area schools have changed significantly through the years. New buildings and consolidations have played a role in the…

A $2 million loan to improve the Mercersburg drinking water system has been approved by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority. The $2 million loan will be used toward a water storage tank and 500-gallons-per-minute booster pump station, among other systems. The loans are competitive and require legislative support, said state Rep. Paul Schemel (R) Waynesboro, who noted he happy to enthusiastically support Commonwealth financing for this worthy and much-needed project.

CHAMBERSBURG- Keystone Health, a prominent healthcare provider in Franklin County, has unveiled plans for a significant expansion in Chambersburg. The organization is set to construct a new medical facility on Catherine Street in the Southgate area, marking a substantial growth in its service offerings to the community. The new building, slated to open in the summer of 2025, will house an array of essential health services: Additionally, the facility will introduce a Family Medicine Residency Program, further enhancing medical education in the region.

HAGERSTOWN – A presentation on farming, the $168 million annual “backbone” of the Washington County economy, and a $189,500 grant proposal to address childhood poverty in the county will be among items on the County Board of Commissioners meeting agenda on Tuesday, Oct. 22. The 9 a.m. meeting will be held at 100 W. Washington St., Suite 1101, and a citizen comment period is included at the start of the meeting. The public is welcome. The presentation on farming will concentrate on the 900 operating family farms in the county, with a total market value of $167,907,000 in market value…

CHAMBERSBURG – Shalom Christian Academy has announced its annual Great Pie Sale, a beloved event that promises to bring homemade goodness to your Thanksgiving table. Located at 126 Social Island Rd., the academy collaborates with the renowned Bird-in-Hand Bake Shop in Lancaster County to offer a delightful selection of pies. This year’s pie flavors include: These options are perfect for sharing with family and friends during the Thanksgiving holiday. For general orders, pies must be picked up on Tuesday, Nov. 26, between 3:30 and 7 p.m. at Antrim Brethren in Christ Church, located at 24 Kauffman Rd E, Chambersburg. Businesses…

GREENCASTLE –  The Heritage Christmas season is just around the corner, and that includes the lighting of the Christmas Tree with Lights of Love on Nov. 22. The Greencastle-Antrim Chamber of Commerce and West Penn Power, a FirstEnergy Corp. company, are proud to offer community members the opportunity to purchase a light on the tree and dedicate it to a loved one.  The Lights of Love are acknowledged during the Tree Lighting Ceremony. The names are also scripted on decorative scrolls that hang in the windows of the CVSM Growing With Music store and Fran Kenawell State Farm office located…

HARRISBURG – Treasurer Stacy Garrity celebrated another record for returning unclaimed property: For the first time ever, the Pennsylvania Treasury Department returned more than $500 million over two consecutive years. The Treasury also set records for the number of claims paid in a single year and the amount of unclaimed property collected from holders in a single year. “Returning more than half a billion dollars in just two years is tremendous,” Garrity said. “Every dollar we return to Pennsylvania families is money they can use to buy groceries, fill up their cars with gas or pay their rent or mortgage.…

SHIPPENSBURG – The third annual Shippensburg Pumpkin Festival is set to take place on Oct. 26-27 at the Shippensburg Fairgrounds, offering a fun-filled weekend for families and pumpkin enthusiasts alike. The Shippensburg Pumpkin Festival will take place Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 3 p.m. This free event, presented by Cumberland Valley Community Connections, promises an array of activities that celebrate the fall season. The festival will feature live pumpkin carving, where talented artists will showcase their skills in transforming ordinary pumpkins into extraordinary works of art. Attendees can also explore a variety of fall craft…