Author: Staff Reports

CASCADE, Md. – The Fort Ritchie Community Center is set to host a free introductory pickleball session on July 30, from 6 to 7 p.m.. The event aims to introduce participants to the increasingly popular sport and teach them the basic rules and gameplay. The session is open to all skill levels and welcomes both members and non-members of the community center. Participants are encouraged to bring their own paddles, as the center has a limited supply available. Pickleball, a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has been gaining traction across the United States. The…

HAGERSTOWN, Md. – The Washington County Arts Council is hosting a thought-provoking exhibition titled “Mind Your Mental: An Exploration of Mental Health Through Art” from July 11 to August 6, 2024, at their galleries in downtown Hagerstown. The exhibition aims to shed light on mental health issues through artistic expression, featuring works by local artists that focus on how art aids them in their personal mental health journeys. An opening reception was held on Thursday, July 11, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., allowing visitors to engage with the artwork and potentially meet the artists. The galleries, located at 34…

CHAMBERSBURG— Veterans residing in Franklin County now have access to a free shuttle service to the Hagerstown VA Clinic and Martinsburg VA Hospital, thanks to a collaboration between rabbittransit and the Franklin County Veterans Affairs Office. The shuttle service operates every Wednesday, with departures from Chambersburg at 8:15 a.m. The shuttle arrives at the Hagerstown VA Clinic at 9 a.m. and continues to the Martinsburg VA Hospital, arriving at 10 a.m. The return trip departs Martinsburg VA Hospital at 12:00 p.m., reaching Chambersburg at 1:30 p.m. Veterans are encouraged to make reservations by 1:30 p.m. the day before their trip,…

CHAMBERSBURG. — Downtown Chambersburg Inc. (DCI) will host their 28th annual Crabfeast on Saturday, August 24. The feast will be at the AMVETS Post 224 picnic pavilion at 750 Fifth Avenue from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The menu features all-you-can-eat hardshell crabs and barbecue, as well as beer and other beverages. The event also includes small games of chance, a raffle, and an auction, and it will be held rain or shine. Proceeds from the Crabfeast benefit downtown revitalization efforts. I360 Property Management serves as the grand sponsor for the event. Emily Schuit, managing partner of i360 Property Management,…

You have to walk before you can run. When it comes to preparing for fall sports, a physician with Meritus Sports Medicine suggests young athletes run before they practice. “Before the season starts, they should start working on general aerobic and cardio exercise,” said Geoffrey Sanyi, D.O. “They should be overall healthy before they start doing their work for the season.” Dr. Sanyi, who is based at the new Meritus Health location at Valley Mall, said parents interested in prepping their kids for football, soccer and cheer, among other sports, should have them running, jogging or swimming regularly. In other…

CHAMBERSBURG- Local education leaders are set to convene for the 2024 Franklin County Education Summit on Wednesday, August 14, at Wilson College. The annual event, organized by the Cumberland Valley Business Alliance (CVBA) and Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation, will focus on critical issues in education and workforce development. The summit will feature discussions on workforce development, student success, and job readiness, highlighting initiatives in CVBA county schools. Key speakers include Chris Bigger from Chambersburg Area School District, Dr. Lura Hanks from Greencastle-Antrim School District, and Angie Petersheim from Shalom Christian Academy. This gathering comes as Franklin County schools continue to…

SMITHSBURG, Md. – The Town of Smithsburg has appointed Guitson Louis as its new Economic Development Coordinator and EDC Events Coordinator, marking a significant step in the municipality’s efforts to boost local economic growth and community engagement. Louis, who brings a diverse skill set to the position, has already begun collaborating with the town’s Economic Development Commission (EDC) to organize upcoming “Third in the Burg” events. These events are expected to play a crucial role in fostering community involvement and supporting local businesses. As one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Washington County, Smithsburg created this position to address the increasing demands…

WAYNESBORO – This is the last of a 6 part interview by Samantha Wolfe of the Law Offices of Samantha K. Wolfe LLC, with Cermak Technologies, Inc. owner Mike Cermak, Jr. The interview is lightly edited. Sam: What hacking schemes have you seen lately? Mike: There are a wide variety of them. For example, one of the scariest is when people try to trick you into giving them your password. Very often, you will get an email that looks official. Maybe it will look like something from your office, or maybe it will look like it is from Microsoft or…

HAGERSTOWN, Md. — The MDWK Music and Market series continues Wednesday, July 24, at University Plaza from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This week’s event will feature a live performance by Shane Gamble & The Pawnshop Hearts, known for their Americana pop sound. In addition to the musical entertainment, Casimir Bakery will be on-site offering a variety of baked goods. Attendees can also explore the 2024 Heart of the Art vendors, who will be showcasing and selling their handmade items. This event is free and open to the public, making it a perfect opportunity for friends and family to enjoy…

CHAMBERSBURG- GDC announced the addition of Dr. Shane Hotchkiss as the new Director of Education Innovation and Solutions. Previously, Hotchkiss served as Bermudian Springs’ Superintendent from 2011 to 2024. In a single year, Hotchkiss would serve more than 1800 students, their families and the faculty and staff in grades K-12. Among his many accomplishments, Hotchkiss helped lead The One to World Initiative. This program was designed to provide teachers and students with increased access to technology resources in support of their learning in school and at home. This program transformed classrooms to ensure that the resources are available to support individualized…