Author: Staff Reports

HAGERSTOWN, Md. – Ongoing concerns regarding public safety in Hagerstown and Washington County will be the topic of a town hall meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16., sponsored by the Washington County Commission and Sen. Paul Corderman (R-Hagerstown). The meeting will be held in the Community Room (308/309) of the Washington County Free Library, 100 S. Potomac St., and will be live-streamed on the Washington County Government Facebook page. While a variety of city, county and state officials have been invited, organizers said, the five members of the Hagerstown City Council have indicated they will not be attending.…

HARRISBURG – Moves by GOP members of six Pennsylvania House committees to repeal outdated regulations were announced Wednesday, Sept. 11, after the Independent Regulatory Review Commission adopted plans to remove the unneeded regulations. This action follows a coordinated effort by House Republicans in September of 2022 to request that IRRC review scores of regulations under what is known as the Regulatory Review Act.  “In some cases, our research uncovered regulations that existed in the books before IRRC was created in 1982 and had never been reviewed,” House Republican Appropriations Chairman Seth Grove (R-York) said.  “The formal requests made by the House…

Dear Editor, The Franklin County Agricultural Land Preservation Board’s mission to preserve and protect prime farmland and the rich agricultural history of Franklin County is under threat from the growing development of grid-scale solar. Over the past five years, Franklin County has seen an influx of this type of development, with roughly 4,100 acres of land impacted by solar arrays. In roughly the same period, we have seen a nearly 10 percent decrease of farms in operation. Concern over losing scenic viewsheds is high, but there is also cause for concern over solar impacts generally, including its direct effect on…

WAYNESBORO – A shift in the way the Franklin County Probation Office deals with parolees was explained to Rotarians at this week’s meeting. Douglas Wilburne, chief adult probation officer for the county, explained the new parole system has shifted from the old rigid one-size-fits-all system to a newer one based upon evidence. While older coercive methods still are available as needed, the newer practice offers more flexibility to better fit the individual. It also stresses positive reinforcement. He noted the County Parole Office has a staff of 28 and deals with up to 400 individuals. Additional information can be found…

CHAMBERSBURG – A contract to improve support services for county jail inmates is to be considered by Franklin County Commissioners when they meet at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, in Room 824 of the Administration Building, 272 N. Second St. The $14,000 agreement between the county and Peerstar, LLC, will provide peer support servicesto participants of the county’s Case Assistance Responsive Program. The program goal is toimprove treatment options for making a positive outcome for inmates and CARE Program participants. The funds will be paid by the General Fund. This meeting will also will include a proclamation recognizing National…

CHAMBERSBURG – Younsters from ages 8 to 14 are invited to make stick bombs and work to create intricate chain reactions at the Grove Family Library from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12. This Science, Technology, Education and Math program titled “Chain Reactions” will focus on the exciting world of chain reactions. Participants will use craft sticks, dominoes, stacking cups and more. This hands-on STEAM program is designed to inspire creativity and teamwork among young attendees. Interested participants can sign up by visiting the library located at 101 Ragged Edge Rd. S., or by calling 717-264-9663.

Carlisle – Volunteers from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Rehabilitation Institute and local vendors will be on site at UPMC Carlisle to wash wheelchairs, perform minor repairs and evaluate potential future problems with those wheelchairs on Saturday, Sept. 21. Attendees of all ages are invited to bring their wheelchairs to this event. In addition, there will be an obstacle course and games for wheelchair users. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and wheelchair users must register here by Sept. 13. The event will be held at 361 Alexander Spring Road, Carlisle. A wheelchair is…

HAGERSTOWN, Md.- Chef Opal Poullard will host tryouts on Sept. 21at the Culinary Incubator at Hagerstown Community College for a commis chef to join her in the Inaugural U.S. Culinary Open. The deadline for applying is Saturday, Sept. 14. Commis chefs are typically novice chefs who work to support a master chef in a commercial kitchen. They may perform cooking, cleaning, delivery and other support duties as instructed to ensure that a kitchen runs smoothly.   Chef Opal is a two-time Food Network “Chopped” champion and White House guest chef. She has been selected as one of the top 12…

HAGERSTOWN, Md. – An author who traversed America to document what he calls “America’s back row” will be featured at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, at Hagerstown Community College. Author Chris Arnade will appear in the Kepler Theater to discuss his book, “Dignity: Seeking Respect in Back Row America.” His book is HCC’s campus Big Read book selection for 2024. In his book, Arnade writes about the people he got to know, from Alabama and California to Maine and Nevada, which gave him a new respect for the dignity and resilience of what he calls “America’s back row” –…

CHAMBERSBURG – Controversy is brewing over proposed plans to turn the former Scotland School for Veterans Children into a transitional housing facility for unaccompanied immigrant children. On Tuesday, Franklin County Commissioners said they “have heard from many residents who have concerns” about the proposed plans. They noted, “The county was not involved in the sale of this property, nor does it have any involvement in the operations of its new owners.” For background, the Scotland School, in southern Franklin County, was established in 1895 as a school for orphans whose fathers were lost in the Civil War. It was administered…