Author: Staff Reports

HAGERSTOWN – Plans for an active and connected community in Cascade and Fort Ritchie are being developed in a partnership between Washington County Public Works and the University of Maryland Design Center for Environmental and Community Health. The final presentation of the students’ ideas and recommendations will be held on at 3 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the Fort Ritchie Community Center. Members of the public are invited to attend to view the students’ proposals to enhance the Cascade and Fort Ritchie area. A community workshop was held on Oct. 14, and the UMD students integrated community input regarding the…

WAYNESBORO – Jennifer Shank, stroke program coordinator for Wellspan Health in Chambersburg and Waynesboro, provided information to Waynesboro Rotarians this week about strokes and how to prevent them. Strokes, basically described as “an attack on the brain,” occur about 800,000 times annually in the United States and are a leading cause of disability. The most common type of stroke is ischemic, caused by blood clots or plaque that blocks brain arteries. Less common hemorrhagic strokes result from leaking or damaged blood vessels. A third type of stroke is transient ischemic, which is basically a less severe version of ischemic. Stroke…

CHAMBERSBURG – Leadership Franklin County Youth, a program offered by the Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation, is now accepting applications from current ninth-grade students across Franklin County for its 2025-2026 leadership development course. LFC Youth is sponsored by Wilson College and is a unique opportunity for youth to develop leadership skills. Students from public, private or homeschool curriculums are encouraged to apply for this ten-month course that will begin in September 2025. Program participants will develop leadership skills, explore career paths and learn about nonprofit and community organizations. With a curriculum based on “The Five Practices of Exemplary Student Leadership,” students…

GREENCASTLE – Officials of the Greencastle-Antrim Chamber of Commerce have selected Kylie Belle Moore as the new executive director. She succeeds Debby Cunningham, who will remain with the G-A Chamber in a part-time role.  Moore, originally from Pennsylvania, moved to Franklin County in 2023 with her fiancé, bringing with her a rich background in community engagement and a deep-rooted passion for supporting local businesses. Previously, she served as the membership engagement director with the Conway Chamber of Commerce in South Carolina, where she focused on coordinating member-centered events and assisting with community-wide Chamber initiatives. Most recently, she held the role…

CHAMBERSBURG – The winners of the 14th Annual JKuried High School Student Art Exhibition have been announced at Wilson College, with prizes ranging from a four-time, $1,000-per-year scholarship to Wilson down to $25 in cash. At an opening reception was held in the Bogigian Gallery of Lortz Hall on Wednesday, Nov 6, where Wilson College Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Adam DelMarcelle announced the winners. DelMarcelle said this was an incredibly hard show to judge and described the importance of the show as two-fold. “This is a way for Wilson College to do community outreach in a really important way.…

Several municipalities in south-central Pennsylvania have enacted burn bans due to ongoing dry conditions that pose a significant risk of wildfires. As of Nov. 9, Washington Township, Waynesboro, and Greencastle have all implemented restrictions on open burning to protect residents and the environment. In Greencastle, Mayor Ben Thomas Jr. issued a proclamation declaring a limited state of emergency effective at 5 p.m. the same day. This proclamation prohibits all forms of open burning within the borough until significant rainfall alleviates the dry conditions. The ban includes recreational fires and campfires, emphasizing that safety is the primary concern amid the current…

GREENCASTLE – On Sunday, Dec. 15, the historic Martin’s Mill Bridge will transform into a Winter Wonderland for a festive drive-thrrough event. This free celebration will take place from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., inviting families and community members to enjoy the holiday spirit from the comfort of their vehicles. Attendees are advised to enter the event via W. Weaver Road, as E. Weaver Road will be closed to exiting traffic down to the bridge. The covered bridge, a local landmark, will be adorned with festive decorations and accompanied by holiday music, creating a magical atmosphere for visitors. Complimentary hot cocoa…

CHAMBERSBURG – Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter is honoring Veterans Day by offering a special adoption discount for all active and retired service members that runs through Nov. 30. In a heartfelt gesture of gratitude, CVAS is providing a 50 percent discount on adoption fees for veterans, making it an ideal time to find a new furry companion. Under this promotion, kittens under 7 months old will cost only $45, and when you adopt one, you can adopt a second kitten at no additional cost. For dogs, those 6 years old and younger will have an adoption fee of $106, while…

HARRISBURG – While it likely is no surprise to local residents, the Pennsylvania Drought Task Force has announced that Franklin and 34 other counties are under a drought watch. And while not mandatory, residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily conserve water b y cutting non-essential use. Local water suppliers may request water conservation as well, Task Force members said. The other counties under this watch are Adams, Allegheny, Beaver, Bucks, Butler, Carbon, Chester, Clearfield,  Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Pike, Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland and York. Berks…

CHAMBERSBURG – Youngsters in grades K-8 were able to take part in a summer theater trip thanks to a $5,000 grant program from Regal Cinemas. The theater field trip was part of this year’s summer camp program. “We were thrilled to enhance our summer programming with these special movie outings,” said Arcadia Clever, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Chambersburg and Shippensburg. “This funding allowed us to provide memorable experiences for our youth while maintaining our commitment to both education and entertainment.” The movie program included: This initiative represents a continuation of the Club’s mission to enable…