Author: Staff Reports

BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT—Children in kindergarten to fifth grade can experience nature this summer through a series of programs. EXPLORE! Is a series of six outdoor adventure programs held Thursdays, beginning June 23, through July 28, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Pine Hill Recreation Area. Taught by Institute educators, each program includes educational activities related to the season.­­ Space is limited. Pre-register is required by calling 717-762-0373 or via email at [email protected]. Participants may attend all sessions or individual sessions. Single Session: $9.

WAYNESBORO – Mainstreet Waynesboro has been designated as an Affiliate Main Street America™ program for the sixth time in seven years. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of Affiliate programs to recognize their commitment to create meaningful improvements to their downtowns using preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. This is the sixth straight year that Mainstreet Waynesboro has been recognized as an Affiliate Main Street America Program. In 2016, Mainstreet was recognized as an accredited program. “Mainstreet Waynesboro is honored to again be named to this level of recognition,” said…

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.

MONT ALTO–The Mont Alto Fireman’s Carnival wrapped up this weekend with music, games and fireworks!

Enjoy smooth classics—and more! Sussman, Jankura and Hepfer, featuring Andrew Sussman, Ken Jankura, and Sam Hepfer, will play jazz standards, originals and tunes from the Great American Songbook Friday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Music Makers, 46 W. Main St., Waynesboro. On Sunday, downhome bluegrass music will be performed by Waynesboro Bluegrass Hootenanny (led by Johnny Calamari and Brad Munn), from 2 to 5 p.m. FREE. Look to the skies. The Mont Alto Volunteer Fire Company carnival continues this week at the Richard K. Sleicher Event Complex, 603 S. Main St. The event includes rides, games and nightly entertainment…

WAYNESBORO — Music Makers invites the public to come enjoy the area’s top music acts performing live at 46 W. Main St. Friday, June 17 – Sussman, Jankura & Hepfer 5:30 – 8 pm Sussman, Jankura and Hepfer features Andrew Sussman, Ken Jankura, and Sam Hepfer playing jazz standards, originals, and tunes from the Great American Songbook. Sunday, June 19 – Waynesboro Bluegrass Hootenanny 2 – 5 pm Down home bluegrass music led by Johnny Calamari and Brad Munn. Bring your bluegrass instruments and enjoy the pick! This is an event you will not want to miss. The Arts Alliance…

HARRISBURG – The Franklin County Library System and the Video Game Clubs of America will share in a grant for their Public Library STEM Club Initiative. The club will engage 50 public libraries in seven counties to promote computer science, STEM and social-emotional learning programs through gaming clubs for youth in grades 7-12. The Greencastle-Antrim School District will also get a boost for its Building a Rural STEM Ecosystem: Growing Sustainable STEM Capacity in Franklin County and Beyond program. The local programs are among 42 awarded funding. State officials announced nearly $20 million in PAsmart Advancing Grants to expand access to computer…

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that all driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Saturday, June 18, through Monday, June 20, 2022, in observance of Juneteenth National Freedom Day (Juneteenth). Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when union soldiers reached Galveston, Texas – the furthest point in the south – with news of the end of the Civil War. Slaves were previously unaware they had been freed more than two years earlier when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, or that Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered in Virginia…

WAYNESBORO—The Institute is sponsoring a raffle for a grand prize of a private naturalist-guided group hike for five people along the Appalachian Trail, including lunch and a set of professional hiking poles. The raffle is a fundraiser for The Institute. The winner will arrange the summer hike date with naturalist Pam Rowland, The Institute’s director of education. “Pam’s knowledge and expertise will ensure that the group will discover unknown treasures along the trail,” said Jessica Watson, Institute assistant director. “As your guide, she will share a wealth of stories and information about wildflowers, wildlife, trees and other plants and the…

HARRISBURG – Charter school regulations developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education promise to increase transparency, equity, quality and accountability in implementation of the Charter School Law. “These regulations clearly define for the first time charter schools’ responsibilities to the taxpayers who fund them,” said Gov. Tom Wolf. “Parents and taxpayers have a right to know how charter schools used the nearly $3 billion in publicly paid tuition they received in the past school year. With the Legislature’s failure to act on comprehensive reform, we were forced to take this path.” The regulations, which clarify several elements of the state CSL to align public charter school operations and oversight with that of traditional public schools, were approved in March by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) and will now be sent to the Legislative…