Author: Staff Reports

The South Central Pennsylvania and North Maryland area is set to come alive with patriotic fervor as towns and cities prepare for Independence Day celebrations. From Boonsboro to Chambersburg, residents and visitors alike can look forward to a day filled with fireworks, parades, concerts, and family-friendly activities. Boonsboro kicks off the festivities on July 3 with its Independence Day Celebration at Shafer Park. Starting at 5 p.m., attendees can enjoy food vendors and live music by the Rohrersville Band, culminating in a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. The same evening, Hagerstown Community College will host the Maryland Symphony Orchestra’s Salute…

HARRISBURG – The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), advanced the nominations of nine Pennsylvania National Guard officers designated for promotion. “These nine exceptional officers have a combined 272 years of service to our National Guard as citizen soldiers,” Mastriano said. “I am grateful for their service to our commonwealth and nation. I would also like to thank their families for the sacrifices they made along the way – for all the drill weekends, overseas deployments and emergency declaration responses when their loved ones were away. Each of these officers will be entrusted with the rank…

Meritus Health is opening a new outpatient surgery center to better meet patient needs and continue its mission of improving the health of the community. The C.P. Choudari Surgical Center will reduce wait times, provide faster diagnosis and improve outcomes for patients needing various surgical services. “We remain committed to evaluating the needs of our growing community,” said Dave Lehr, Meritus Health chief strategy officer. “We know that in our community, many must wait too long for important preventative screenings and diagnostic procedures. Opening the C.P. Choudari Surgical Center will help us reduce the time patients are waiting for these…

HAGERSTOWN, MD – The Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking initiative led by Governor Wes Moore: the launch of the Cannabis Workforce Development Program. This pioneering effort, the first of its kind administered by a cannabis regulatory agency nationwide, aims to support Marylanders entering the expanding cannabis industry. The program prioritizes individuals with prior cannabis-related offenses, aligning with Governor Moore’s recent historic pardon of over 175,000 such charges.  Please read below and remember, reach out to Linda Spence, Business Specialist with the Department of Business and Economic Development at [email protected] or by…

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. Tuck is a shy, but sweet 1-year-old terrier mix who came into the shelter as a stray. He loves to go out to the yard and play with the rope toys! He is a bigger guy at 65 pounds and does know sit. Because of his shyness, a home with older children may be best. Tuck would love to know what a forever home is all about! CVAS, 5051 Letterkenny Road West, Chambersburg, Kennel License…

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 Thursday, July 4, 2024, in observance of Independence Day. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov. Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration…

CHAMBERSBURG – The Franklin County Commissioners have unveiled a new initiative to assist employees who are struggling after experiencing a stressful incident on the job or in their personal lives. Franklin County’s Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team is an internal confidential support group of trained county staff who offer debriefing services and “emotional first aid” to individual employees or groups of employees after they experience or witness some type of difficult event or upsetting situation. Examples of such incidents could be a telecommunicator who answers a 911 call with a tragic end, a children and youth caseworker who encounters…

Middletown Valley Bank (“MVB” or “the Bank”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Community Heritage Financial, Inc., has announced the construction of a new 4,000 square foot full-service retail branch. The new building site, located at 180 Eastern Blvd. N. in Hagerstown, MD is adjacent to the existing MVB location, and will feature three drive thru lanes and a drive thru ATM. The entrance to the new location will be on Opal Court, which will allow for easier access to Eastern Blvd. than the Bank’s existing location at 1101 Professional Court. MVB expects construction and relocation to be completed in the fall…

Chow Down for a Cause. The Bay Supper Fundraiser, will be held at the Waynesboro Country Club on Friday, June 28. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for socializing, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction, with dinner served at 6:45 p.m. This 27th annual event features a traditional crab feast, shrimp, chicken, side dishes, and desserts, along with silent and live auctions, a cash bar, and various activities. The event aims to bring together members, friends, and families to support the nature center through an evening of food and fun. Join the Bluegrass Fun. GearHouse Brewing Co. in Chambersburg, is set…

WAYNESBORO–The Waynesboro Theatre (75 W. Main St.) is offering the following film this weekend: Friday, Jun. 28, 7 p.m. “The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey (Extended Cut)” (PG-13 2:50) Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) lives a simple life with his fellow hobbits in the shire, until the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) arrives and convinces him to join a group of dwarves on a quest to reclaim the kingdom of Erebor. The journey takes Bilbo on a path through treacherous lands swarming with orcs, goblins and other dangers, not the least of which is an encounter with Gollum (Andy Serkis) and a simple…