Author: Staff Reports

CHAMBERSBURG – The Franklin County Commissioners have proclaimed May 1 – May 7, 2022, to be National Correctional Officers and Employees Week in Franklin County in appreciation of the men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep Franklin County communities and citizens safe. The county’s correctional system is designed to protect the public by separating those who have committed offenses from the community, deterring others from committing offenses, and rehabilitating individuals for reentry into the community upon release. Working in correctional facilities is demanding as personnel must maintain a constant state of heightened vigilance and adhere to strict security protocols.…

WAYNESBORO—Two local businesspeople have been recognized for their contributions to the community. Dan DeDona has been named the 2022 Chamber Champion and Matt Gunder has been named the 2022 Roy S.F. Angle Businessperson of the Year by the Greater Waynesboro Chamber of Commerce. Chamber Champion DeDona, a retired colonel from the U.S. Air Force, moved to Waynesboro in 1989. He was instrumental in expanding the Waynesboro Youth Soccer Association program and has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Rotary Club of Waynesboro, Vision 2035, Hearthstone Retirement Community, Monterey Pass Battlefield Museum and Park and the 911 Tribute. He…

HAGERSTOWN, MD—Sterling Financial Management will hold a free Social Security Seminar on Thursday, May 12, at 5:30 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott-Hagerstown located at 17270 Valley Mall Road. This seminar will discuss whether to apply for benefits early or wait until your full retirement age. It will also review when spouses should claim their Social Security and how to maximize survivor benefits. Private wealth manager Dave Neterer from the Sterling Financial Management advisor team will present this topic. “We welcome all of our clients as well as any members of the community to come to our upcoming Social Security…

BY MICHAEL RAY SMITH KLAIPEDA, Lithuania—The sky above campus only recently remembered to unfold into a dramatic blue just in time for the onset of summer classes at LCC International University. Classes, curriculums and credits continue in a country bordered by a Russian satellite, Belarus, that is part of the Russian plan to control Ukraine, the country just to the south. Despite the Russian invasion of Lithuania’s neighbor, life in Klaipeda goes on as normal, with students enrolling in summer classes where I teach at LCC International University — home to 780 students from nearly 60 countries, including Belarus, Ukraine,…

CHAMBERSBURG–This week marked the start of the Franklin County Veterans Affairs MilitaryShare program. Franklin County MilitaryShare provides fresh, nutritious food once a month, free of charge, to Franklin County families with at least one member who has served, or is currently serving, in the armed forces. Distribution occurs on the first Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 425 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg. The program is made possible thanks to a partnership with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and the Franklin County Human Services Block Grant.

BY MATTHEW FOGAL “One Team, One Fight.” That is forever. It steadfastly means something special here and has always meant something in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, particularly within our law enforcement family. It has been my creed literally since day one as District Attorney and when my time comes, I would happily accept that on my grave marker. “One Team One Fight” essentially means that we cannot survive on our own and that we are never fully functional unless we collaborate. We cannot do it alone, and I am very grateful for the special relationships we have maintained as a law…

FAYETTEVILLE—It could be another dry year at Caledonia State Park if swimmers don’t step up to help out. The park is seeking summer lifeguards for the pool. “The is our last chance to get enough guards to run a normal season,” stated a post on the park’s social media page. The pool was closed last year due to lack of guards. The lifeguard positions are available through the state employment website. Contact the park office at 717-352-2161 with questions.

HARRISBURG—Gov. Tom Wolf today issued the following statement on the potential dismantling of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision to protect access to abortion: “A decision by the Supreme Court on Roe v. Wade will not have an immediate impact on Pennsylvania or its current laws. Should this opinion become final, abortion access in Pennsylvania will remain legal and safe as long as I am governor. I will continue to veto any legislation that threatens access to abortion and women’s health care. “Any decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is an assault on the right to access safe, legal abortion…

Franklin County’s local unemployment rate dropped to 4% in the first quarter. The total number of jobs were up 2.4%, or more than 1,400 over the last 12-months as of March. Total jobs reached nearly 60,000. The statewide unemployment rate was reported to be 5.4%. The ever increasingly tight labor market has resulted in positive wage growth for local workers. According to Churma Economics and Analytics, over the last four quarters, average wages in the county grew by nearly 5.5%. U

HARRISBURG – With the one-year countdown beginning today for the federal enforcement of REAL ID for commercial domestic air travel and other federal purposes, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation joined the Transportation Safety Administration and Philadelphia International Airport officials to remind Pennsylvania residents who want REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and photo ID cards and have not yet gotten one to gather the needed documents now to ensure they leave plenty of time to get their REAL ID before the federal enforcement date. To date, PennDOT has issued approximately 1.6 million REAL ID products. REAL ID is a federal law that…