Gettysburg Connection News Team

Cumberland Township and the County of Adams are encouraging all civic-minded volunteers to bring rakes, shovels, weedwhackers, and garden tools to maintain the dignity and appearance the Oak Lawn Cemetery deserves. Many past participants have called this a very satisfying and rewarding community activity. Adams County Maintenance personnel will be there to assist and provide

In a move to curtail investment ties with entities controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano has introduced a bill seeking to divest state funds from such companies. This legislation, Senate Bill 1141, is driven by concerns over the influx of fentanyl into Pennsylvania and broader ethical considerations regarding human

At the White House state dinner Wednesday evening, a celebration of U.S.-Japan relations was more than just a diplomatic gathering for PA Governor Josh Shapiro; it was a statement of steadfast allegiance to President Joe Biden. Among the distinguished attendees, Shapiro’s presence was not just ceremonial. His growing national prominence and speculation about a 2028

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act took away a tax deduction for those who were scammed, leaving many victims with a massive bill to pay. A new report suggests that the tax change has left more than a million Americans in debt, with many facing thousands of dollars in tax bills on money they

On April 10, 2024, the Governor’s Awards for Local Government Excellence were held to honor 14 communities, three organizations, and nine individuals for their dedication to strengthening their communities and better serving their residents. Governor Josh Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, and Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger recognized the awards

Governor Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro were in Erie, one of the only major cities in Pennsylvania in the path of totality, to witness the eclipse. “Pennsylvania is one of 13 states in the path of totality for today’s eclipse — but nowhere else has the beauty of the Erie bayfront. This is one

In March, the U.S. labor market continued to showcase its robustness and resilience, with job creation significantly surpassing expectations. Nonfarm payrolls surged by 303,000, topping the Dow Jones projection of 200,000 and exceeding February’s revised increase of 270,000, as reported by the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate dipped to 3.8%, aligning

Microsoft has unveiled a report indicating China’s potential use of AI-generated media to sway elections in East Asia and the United States. The report, compiled by Microsoft Threat Intelligence, sheds light on the creation and dissemination of AI-crafted memes, videos, and audio by Chinese propaganda entities designed to incite outrage and manipulate electoral outcomes in

On Tuesday, the Board of Commissioners met with PA Treasury Regional Relationship Manager Larry Booker to be updated on current programs available to Pennsylvania residents. There are plans that many Pennsylvanians are not even aware of. I have listed 4 of the programs below. The 529 College & Career Savings Plans are designed to help

Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing drug problem in the United States, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stating national prescription drug overdose rates have reached epidemic levels. According to the Pennsylvania Youth Survey in 2021, 3.4% of Adams County youth report pain reliever abuse. Due to the increase in prescription drug

It’s that time of year for sprucing up Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens. Calling all civic-minded volunteers to bring rakes, shovels, weedwhackers and garden tools to maintain the dignity and appearance the cemetery deserves. This is a very satisfying and rewarding community activity. Adams County Maintenance personnel will be there to assist and provide resources; but

Two women are recovering after having their knees replaced in a Hanover joint replacement surgery center. The WellSpan Health & Surgery Center said both women were able to return home just hours after surgery. The surgery center said the most telling reaction to the outpatient knee replacement was that both women plan to return to

Learn about the local children who witnessed the Battle of Gettysburg up close. Through rare letters, diaries, and manuscripts preserved by the Adams County Historical Society, ACHS Historian Tim Smith weave together a unique story that is fascinating for all ages. This free public program will be held on Saturday, March 30th at 11 a.m.

The highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza, also known as bird flu, has made its way to Texas. Officials say the risk of bird flu to the general public is low; however, those who have had close contact with an infected animal are at a higher risk of infection. The illness can range from mild

Six days after the devastating Francis Scott Key Bridge tragedy, authorities were diligently setting up a temporary channel to revive the vital artery of commerce, aiming to steer the city back towards normalcy. A temporary channel, though just 11 feet deep, was a beacon of hope, meticulously marked with lights to guide “commercially essential” ships.

A Bulgarian cruise ship carrying over 140 passengers veered off course and collided with a concrete wall. The incident, which unfolded on the evening of March 29, left the local community and passengers in shock. As the ship departed from Passau and headed down the river, an unexpected malfunction occurred. The vessel, momentarily losing its

A local author has written a children’s book about two of his favorite sports teams, the Orioles and the Colts. The 94-page book, The Adventures of Brooks and Rip, is written by Randy Gray, a Walkersville resident. The book is available online and at several local stores. Gray’s love for sports was inspired by his

In a concerted effort to combat the misuse of prescription drugs and safeguard the environment, Adams County residents are invited to participate in the 26th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, happening on Saturday, April 27, from 10 AM to 2 PM. This initiative, marking its 27th occurrence locally, offers a secure and eco-friendly way

A groundbreaking study has shed light on key risk factors contributing to dementia, emphasizing the significant roles of diabetes, air pollution, and alcohol consumption. Published in Nature Communications, this research scrutinizes the impact of various modifiable risk factors on brain regions particularly susceptible to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia. Utilizing brain scans from nearly

On April 3, 2024 at 6 pm in Mara Auditorium, the Departments of Public Policy and Health Sciences at Gettysburg College will present Michael Stein, MD, speaking on “The Pursuit of Healthiness.” Michael Stein, MD, is a physician, health policy researcher, and thought leader in the field of public health. He currently serves as the

The recent news that Princess Kate Middleton is undergoing treatment for cancer has touched many people. In an interview, the former Kate Middleton spoke about her shock and struggle with her diagnosis while also urging others not to lose faith or hope. “For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith

The Gettysburg Film Festival is proud to announce another special guest for “Lessons from Lincoln” on Friday, April 5th with Ken Burns. Martin Sheen is a multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor known for leading roles in Badlands, Apocalypse Now, Wall Street, The American President, The West Wing, Grace and Frankie, and, of course,

The Watershed Alliance is hosting its 2024 Annual Meeting on April 23, 2024. The meeting, which is open to all, will be held at the Adams County Ag Center beginning at 7:00 p.m. This year’s meeting will be a little different from the usual one. The Watershed Alliance reports that it is hosting its first-ever

On Monday, Governor Josh Shapiro visited Dauphin County to promote his proposed budget investments for home repairs. The Governor’s proposed budget includes $50 million for the Whole-Home Repairs Program. The Whole-Home Repairs Program provides grants to low- and moderate-income homeowners to help make essential repairs to their homes. The program also helps small landlords to

Year after year, the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) has deemed mental health funding an overwhelming priority for counties. Mental health services were recently the subject of discussion across both state chambers in several contexts, not only with DHS and the Department of Health (DOH), but also with the Department of Education, state-related universities,

On February 29, Gov. Shapiro launched the Pennsylvania Election Threats Task Force to establish strategic communication and information sharing among public agencies to identify and mitigate threats to Pennsylvania’s elections. Spearheaded by Department of State Secretary Al Schmidt, the Task Force is composed of representatives from various state and federal agencies and law enforcement entities;

“What will we tell our children if we fail to protect our planet?” Luhrs Performing Arts Center at Shippensburg University presents Small Island Big Song, a live music and multimedia concert on Monday, March 25, 2024, at 7 pm at Luhrs Performing Arts Center, 475 Lancaster Drive in Shippensburg, PA. The concert features indigenous musicians

Two major American newspaper chains, Gannett and McClatchy, have announced they will no longer use content from The Associated Press (AP), signaling a significant shift in their news sourcing strategy. Gannett, which owns USA Today and over 200 local newspapers, and McClatchy, the publisher behind the Miami Herald and Kansas City Star, among others, are

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that a weekend closure for northbound and southbound Route 15 in Adams County is scheduled for the weekend beginning Friday, April 19, so a pipe can be replaced just south of the Steinwehr Avenue Exit near Gettysburg. Weather permitting, this work will be performed from 9:00 PM

Please join Gettysburg Democracy for America for a Community Conversation with Democratic candidates for state and national office on Wednesday, April 3, at 7:00 PM in the Community Room of the YWCA on the Fairfield Road in Gettysburg. Brief remarks from the candidates will be followed by a question and answer session and a chance

This week the Gettysburg Foundation’s Professional Leadership Development team hosted a group of Recon Marines at Gettysburg National Military Park, where they experienced the historical lessons of the battlefield and their personal connection to Gettysburg as U.S. service members. Led by Navy Chaplain Jamin Bailey, who has ancestral ties to the Battle of Gettysburg, the

Gettysburg National Military Park is pleased to announce it will be hosting a Licensed Battlefield Guide exam in 2024. Licensed Battlefield Guides are the only individuals licensed by Gettysburg National Military Park to provide historical tours of the battlefield to the public for a fee, a service which has operated since 1915. Today the Licensed

If you’re a student at Gettysburg College and you’re interested in acting or filmmaking, then actor and director Bo Brinkman has something for you. Brinkman is the writer and director of the upcoming film “A Gettysburg Christmas.” He’s a former star in Civil War-based films “Gettysburg” and “Gods and Generals.” Brinkman is currently teaching Gettysburg

D-Day + 80, a symposium revisiting the greatest amphibious military campaign of the twentieth century will convene on April 20, 2024, at Gettysburg College. The full-day program includes lectures by noted military historians including Dr. John C. McManus who will speak on The Americans at D-Day, Dr. Craig Symonds whose talk is entitled “The Navy

Two U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation Wednesday to expand domestic infant formula production in the wake of supply disruptions that have left parents scrambling to find formula and some struggling to feed their babies. The Infant Formula Made in America Act would create a tax credit program to support small U.S. infant formula producers and help

On March 20, the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center will be unveiling its newest addition to the collection. The new Civil War soldier mannequins are now on display in the museum lobby and showcase the uniforms of two different regiments during the Gettysburg campaign. The new mannequins represent the 12th United States

Cumberland Township Authority is hiring a Full-time Wastewater Treatment Plant Laborer. Applicant must have high school diploma or GED and a valid Class C driver’s license with the ability to obtain a Class B Commercial Driver’s License within 3 months of hire. Please see full Job Description and download an application at cumberlandtwppa.gov. Competitive wage,

All over the United States, there are fewer and fewer children under 2 getting their recommended vaccine shots. As many as half of children under 2 may be at risk of developing diseases that could be prevented if they got their shots and got them on time. WellSpan wants to learn what families in our

The global chocolate industry is currently experiencing a significant crisis, with the demand for chocolate far surpassing the available supply of cocoa. This imbalance has led to a dramatic increase in cocoa prices, which recently hit a record high of $8,018 per metric ton—a 25% rise in just one week and a 215% increase from

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced a significant reduction in the backlog of permits awaiting processing. The DEP has been able to achieve this success by hiring 15 additional staff members dedicated to processing permits and increasing the use of overtime staff. The additional staff members have enabled the DEP to clear

Dollar Tree Inc., the parent company of over 16,700 stores, announced plans to close 600 Family Dollar locations within the next year, which represents about 12% of the chain. An additional 400 stores, encompassing 370 Family Dollars and 30 Dollar Trees, are slated for closure in the forthcoming years. The move comes amidst ongoing struggles

Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey, alongside fellow Aging Committee members, has called on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enhance its website accessibility. This action follows a concerning report by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) highlighting the VA’s non-compliance with the Rehabilitation Act’s accessibility mandates. Despite the Rehabilitation Act of 1973’s clear stipulations, the

In a touching tribute to a local sports icon, Pennsylvania state senators Amanda Cappelletti and Jimmy Dillon have proposed designating June 2, 2024, as “Jason Kelce Day” to honor the retired Philadelphia Eagles center. The proposed date mirrors Kelce’s jersey number, 62, celebrating his significant contributions on and off the field. Kelce, renowned for his

The Pennsylvania Tourism Office has released new data that shows the tourism industry generated a staggering $76.7 billion for the state’s economy in 2022. This report demonstrates the vital importance of the travel industry to Pennsylvania’s economy, with 192.4 million visitors recorded in 2022, which is an increase of over 12 million from 2021. The

Central Pennsylvania’s leading healthcare provider, and HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, Pennsylvania’s first and largest community college, have teamed up to support individuals who want to pursue careers as computed tomography (CT) technologists, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologists and radiologic technologists. CT technologists specialize in operating CT scanners to produce cross-sectional images of patients’ internal

In a rare public apology, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, responded to the controversy surrounding an artificially altered photo released on social media to commemorate Mother’s Day in the UK. The image, intended to celebrate her first official portrait since Christmas, sparked a flurry of criticism from major news outlets questioning its authenticity, leading to

The state of Pennsylvania is launching a new initiative to attract international business. The initiative is part of the governor’s economic development strategy. The “Bringing the World to Pennsylvania” program will hold a statewide tour to help Pennsylvania companies meet with representatives from 14 different nations. The goal is to promote Pennsylvania as a leader

Poor sleep habits are strongly associated with long-term chronic health conditions, according to decades of research. To better understand this relationship, a team led by researchers in Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development identified four distinct patterns that characterize how most people sleep. These patterns are also predictive of long-term health, the researchers

A newfound ally in the battle against the invasive spotted lanternfly might just be taking wing in Pennsylvania. Penn State Altoona’s ornithologist Anne Johnson has unearthed intriguing insights into how birds could be key to controlling this pestilence. Her research, spanning from 2020 to 2022, delved into the dietary preferences of local avians, revealing a

In the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, a whirlwind of controversy and claims of widespread voter fraud swept through the United States, particularly in key swing states, including Pennsylvania. Software engineer Ken Block was commissioned with a hefty sum of $750,000 to unearth evidence supporting these claims. His mission was to validate the allegations

Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses and the state’s community colleges have announced a new collaboration aimed at expanding educational opportunities in Pennsylvania and removing barriers to degree completion among college students. The collaboration builds upon long-standing relationships between the campuses and the community colleges and a shared commitment to access and affordability in higher education. As

As part of its ongoing commitment to expanding access to care, WellSpan Health opened a new health center in eastern Franklin County on Monday that offers an array of primary and specialty care practices at one convenient location. The WellSpan Health Center at Penn National is located off the main entrance of the Penn National

Upon recommendation by the Adams County Department of Planning, and the Act 137 Housing Committee, the Board of Commissioners has reviewed and approved the following grants from the Housing Trust Fund totaling $760,000.00: South Central Community Action Programs, Inc. – $300,000.00 for Stratton Street Apartments Habitat for Humanity – $130,000.00 for construction of affordable housing