Author: Staff Reports

CASCADE, Md. – The Fort Ritchie Community Center will host health-focused events throughout August and September, aimed at providing essential services to local residents. On Aug. 27, from 8 a.m. to noon, free blood pressure and pre-diabetes screenings will be conducted by the Washington County Health Department. This initiative aims to promote health awareness within the community. Also on Aug. 27, The Fort Ritchie Community Center will also host Tabitha’s Table Food Pantry, distributing food items until supplies last. This service typically operates on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, beginning at 11 a.m. Starting Sept. 5, the…

CHAMBERSBURG — The third annual Rally in the Valley Pickleball Tournament has been set for Oct. 4 and 5. Sponsored by the Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce and the Chambersburg Memorial YMCA, the event will be at the YMCA, 570 E. McKinley St. Participants can take advantage of early bird pricing at $40 per person, which includes a T-shirt and swag bag, before Sept. 3. After that the fee will increase to $50 per person. The entry deadline for the tournament is Sept. 27. No refunds will be issued after this date, although extenuating circumstances will be considered. The tournament schedule…

FAYETTEVILLE — The Totem Pole Playhouse in Fayetteville will present “Music in the Pines,” a summer concert series featuring popular local musicians. The series aims to celebrate the playhouse’s rich history and offer entertainment for a variety of musical tastes. On Saturday, Aug. 24, The Buzz Jones Big Band, featuring vocalist Darden Purcell, will take the stage for two performances at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The band, sponsored by The Drager Family, will present a repertoire of Big Band standards. Following this, The Rave-Ons will present their Rock & Roll Radio Review on Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m. and…

For the second time in three years, Meritus Health has been named to the Forbes’ list of America’s Best-in-State Employers for 2024. “That we’ve received this award is a testament to the value that our own team members see in Meritus’ mission, which is to improve the health of the community,” said President and CEO Maulik Joshi. Employers on the list have been identified in an independent survey from a vast sample of more than 160,000 employees working for companies employing at least 500 people within the U.S., according to Forbes. The survey was open to companies from all industry…

Public schools are opening for the fall semester, and that means school buses will be back on the roads. Waynesboro held its first day of classes on Aug. 20, Tuscarora on Aug. 21 and Greencastle-Antrim begins on Aug. 22. State Rep. Paul Schemel (R-Greencastle) notes motorists, parents and children are encouraged to refresh their memories about how to share the road safely. Pennsylvania law requires motorists to stop at least 10 feet away from school buses when their red lights are flashing and their stop arm is activated. This applies to motorists when they are behind or traveling alongside a…

FROSTBURG, Md. — A Frostburg State University administrator has been recognized by a national organization for her dedication to volunteer service and for her impact on giving back to her community. Jamie Winters, assistant director of organizations and community programming at Frostburg State, was recognized Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity with a President’s Volunteer Service Award. “When Phi Sigma Pi announced that alumni members could participate in a service challenge, I wasn’t sure how many hours I could achieve with a full-time career,” said Winters. “I love helping others, and it is the reason I joined two of my…

WAYNESBORO — New Hope Thrift Shop has welcomed two new faces. Mary Clark, a seasoned businesswoman with vast experience, has stepped into the role of manager. Her associate, Mary Figueroa, is a lifelong resident of the Waynesboro area and a former teacher, who has a background in retail education. Fondly referred to as the “Mary Widows,” the two share a passion for revitalizing the shop, which plays a crucial role in supporting the Waynesboro New Hope Shelter, located above the shop. The shop’s operations are also supported by volunteers committed to helping the homeless. The shop’s new slogan is “Quality…

College students should be on the alert for scammers seeking to capitalize on the busy academic season, and the Federal Communications Commission asks that they be especially vigilant.Pennsylvania Rep. Paul Schemel (R-Greencastle) said such scams may be harder to spot alongside legitimate fundraisers and other efforts that genuinely seek to assist students and their parents. Top student scams include scholarship, tech support and roommate and rental scams. Campus scammers aren’t just using cold calls or robocalls to hijack personal information; they’re also sending deceptive emails and text messages that appear to be official, Schemel said. Things for students and their families…

Pennsylvania hunters may now purchase deer hunting permits on an array of public and private lands, according to state Rep. Paul Schemel (R-Greencastle). The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is offering 30,328 Deer Management Assistance Program, or hunting, permits in 101 areas totaling more than 1.3 million acres. The Pennsylvania Game Commission has developed a map of available areas that can be viewed here: View PGC’s available DMAP areas here. Permits are also available on participating private lands. The goal of the program is to help landowners better manage the deer population and habitat on their properties, said Schemel.  DMAP…

Motorists can expect the following road work this week, according to state Rep. Paul Schemel (R-Greencastle):