(By Colin Deppen | Spotlight PA) One of Pennsylvania’s two U.S. Senate seats is up for grabs in 2022 as two-term Republican incumbent Pat Toomey prepares to step aside and the state braces for a particularly high-stakes election year. The Senate opening has drawn plenty of interest from Democrats looking to shore up a narrow
(By Christen Smith | The Center Square) – A key panel endorsed Pennsylvania’s entry into a carbon emissions reduction program scheduled for early next year, brushing aside concerns from Republican lawmakers that the move would accomplish little other than hurting the state’s economy. The Environmental Quality Board voted 15-4 on Tuesday to adopt the Department
(By Christen Smith | The Center Square) – Republican lawmakers said Monday they will crowdsource opinions about how best to redraw Pennsylvania’s congressional district map this fall. House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, told reporters at a news conference in Bucks County that redistricting is “one of the most important processes the legislature will undertake”
(By Christen Smith | The Center Square) – A Republican senator in Pennsylvania initiated the first steps this week of a forensic election audit, even as the state’s top law enforcement official promised intervention should the effort continue. Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Gettysburg, said in an editorial Wednesday he’s requested information and materials from three counties needed for
(By Christen Smith | The Center Square) – A WalletHub analysis ranked Pennsylvania’s electricity prices 14th highest in the nation, even as average consumption falls in the bottom half of states. The rankings considered monthly costs for natural gas, home heating oil, motor fuel oil and electricity for all 50 states and the District of Columbia to
Both of the Adams County State representatives, Torren Ecker and Dan Moul, as well as state senator Doug Mastriano, all Republicans, joined with their majority party in the house and senate last week to pass HB 1300, a bill designed to reform elections in the state and which would also have made it more difficult
(By Lindsay Weber | Spotlight PA) HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s General Assembly is headed into a long summer recess after a flurry of legislative activity. But several key issues remain unresolved and will have to wait until lawmakers reconvene in the fall. Democrats have indicated they want to see more government spending to address economic fallout
After hearing from citizens and municipal office holders from Bendersville, Carroll Valley, and Gettysburg describe the effectiveness of the program, the Gettysburg Borough Council will move forward on a trap neuter and return/release (TNR) program to stabilize its feral cat population. The speakers, all of whom had experience with the program said the program is
Gettysburg Borough Council president Jake Schindel has purchased a house outside the borough and, because council membership requires borough residency, will resign from the council. Schindel said he would tender his resignation on July 12 and expected the council to accept the resignation on July 26. Schindel was originally elected in 2014 as a representative
(By Natalie Kapustik | The Center Square) – State Sen. Joe Pittman has introduced legislation to support the work and practice of physician assistants in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 397 amends the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act and Senate Bill 398 amends the Medical Practice Act of 1985. He said modernizing these bills will encourage more physician
(By Lindsay Weber | Spotlight PA) HARRISBURG — Cities and townships hoping to ban plastic bags within their borders may finally have the legal authority to do so in Pennsylvania. When the Republican-controlled legislature passed the state budget last week, it didn’t renew a statewide preemption on single-use plastics, opening the door for cities and
(By Christen Smith | The Center Square) – Pennsylvania lawmakers opted for a budget Friday that saves most of the state’s $10 billion in tax surplus and federal stimulus as they brace for an unprecedented fiscal cliff when the good fortune “dries up” come 2024. The $40.8 billion spending plan socks away $2.5 billion in unexpected sales
(By Christen Smith | The Center Square) – A bill banning vaccine passports cleared the state House of Representatives on Wednesday, even though it faces Gov. Tom Wolf’s promise to veto it once it reaches his desk. Senate Bill 618 prevents public entities from requiring proof of vaccination akin to New York’s Excelsior Pass, a mobile
(By Marie Albiges | Spotlight PA) HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania House passed an election overhaul bill Tuesday that creates stricter voter ID requirements and early voting in 2025, despite opposition from most Democrats and a promised veto from Gov. Tom Wolf. The state Senate is poised to take up the measure in the coming days,
(By Ted O’Neil | The Center Square) – A new study by the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy shows right-to-work states have fared better than states that lack employee freedom laws when it comes to job losses and recovery during the coronavirus pandemic. The Allegheny Institute is a nonprofit free-market think tank located in Pittsburgh
The Gettysburg Borough Council held its first in-person meeting in the borough office since early 2020 on Monday. The council announced the borough office has now reopened but that it would not always be staffed at the front window. Visitors must dial the extension of the person they wish to meet using the phone in the
(By Christen Smith | The Center Square) – Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate dropped to 6.9% in May, according to the Department of Labor and Industry. The state released the updated data Friday. It showed Pennsylvania’s jobless numbers still outpace the national unemployment rate of 5.8%. Total nonfarm jobs increased by 18,500 month over month, while the
(Sarah Anne Hughes of Spotlight PA and Colin Deppen of Spotlight PA) HARRISBURG — As people around the country celebrate Pride month, Gov. Tom Wolf again called on the state’s Republican-led legislature to pass non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians. Joined by Democratic lawmakers on the steps of the Capitol, Wolf on Tuesday said the legislation,
(By Christen Smith | The Center Square) – A pair of Pennsylvania lawmakers said Friday that state residents themselves should decide the stringency of the state’s voter identification law. The push comes after Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf said he’d never support strengthening existing voter I.D. law – one of the top priorities for Republicans in
(By Natalie Kapustik | The Center Square) – Legislation sponsored by Pennsylvania state Sen. Gene Yaw to create an Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program was unanimously approved recently by the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. Senate Bill 465 would provide additional technical support to expand on-farm conservation practices throughout Pennsylvania. Farmers and landowners would partner
(By Christen Smith | The Center Square) – A Pennsylvania House committee approved a bill Tuesday that would interrupt the state’s plan to limit carbon emissions from Pennsylvania’s power sector starting early next year. This, after Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed an identical measure in September that would have halted the Department of Environmental Protection’s regulatory
(By Natalie Kapustik | The Center Square) – A group of Pennsylvania lawmakers have partnered with the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association to introduce legislation that would create a grant program for hospitality and tourism businesses struggling to recover from COVID-19 shutdown orders. House Bill 1487 is sponsored by Reps. Todd Polinchock, KC Tomlinson, Meghan
Main Street Gettysburg is pleased to announce the next step for the Baltimore Street/Gateway Connectivity Project, thanks to a generous grant from Pella Corporation. In April 2021, Pella Corporation provided a generous donation of $25,000 to Main Street Gettysburg, specifically restricted for use toward the Baltimore Street/Gateway Connectivity Project – an $11 million revitalization project in
(By Natalie Kapustik | The Center Square contributor) – The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has begun to spray insecticide to prevent the spread of the invasive spotted lanternfly, which primarily attaches to vehicles and trains to spread across the country. The aggressive treatment is funded through the Rapid Response Disaster Readiness line of Gov. Tom
The Board of Commissioners suspended the Adams County Policy Regarding Workplace COVID-19 Safety Measures, which went into effect April 20, 2020. In his weekly newsletter, Commissioner Randy Phiel said the changes were such that persons that have been vaccinated are not required to wear a mask but persons who have not been vaccinated are still
[THIS STORY WAS UPDATED ON JUNE 4, 2021] After two tie votes by the Mt. Joy township supervisors, the application for from NextEra Energy for a large solar panel array in the township was denied. Under township regulation a decision to approve requires a majority vote. The project, which would have added over 400 acres
(By Christen Smith | The Center Square) – It’s budget season in Pennsylvania and lawmakers have just 30 days until the state’s newest spending plan comes due. This year’s challenge, however, comes not from a lack of funds, but rather how the General Assembly will spend the $7.3 billion in federal economic stimulus it received
(By Dave Fidlin | The Center Square contributor) – When he was diagnosed with leukemia a dozen years ago, doctors told Paul O’Hara he would live, as he describes it, “a happy and normal life,” so long as he took the critically important drugs prescribed to him. Then came the sticker shock. In the early
After extensive grant writing by Gettysburg Borough and Healthy Adams Bicycle/Pedestrian, Inc.(HABPI), Gettysburg may be in a positive situation regarding the Gettysburg Inner Loop bicycle trail, segment GIL-B2. The borough and HABPI formed a partnership in 2007 to design and build a bicycle/pedestrian system that was safe and ADA mobility welcoming. Most of the west
(By Christen Smith | The Center Square) – House Republicans unveiled nearly a dozen bills on Wednesday aimed at reforming Pennsylvania’s lobbying rules. Speaker Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, said it’s the second major update to the Lobbyist Disclosure Act he’s proposed in 15 years, though he admits the announcement comes just days before the Legislature’s busiest
(By Christen Smith | The Center Square) – State lawmakers moved a resolution Tuesday that would edit Pennsylvania’s existing disaster declaration to prevent business closures and stay-at-home orders should COVID-19 cases rise again. House Resolution 106 advanced out of the State Government Committee on a party-line vote after Democrats criticized the move as premature and
The Adams County Commissioners recognized retiring employees Deb Kammerer and Wayne Smith for their dedication to the Adams County Ag Land Preservation Board of Directors. Commissioner Randy Phiel stated they would have given the recognition at the board’s previous meeting but they were previously committed to another event. Kammerer was on the call and thanked
In a press release issued this week Straban Township said it had not expected to be sued by the Gettysburg Area School District. “I’m astonished,” said Tony Sanders, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “We’ve been working with the district’s solicitor for months in good faith and then this suit comes out of the blue.”
After winning the Democratic primary over Chad Alan Carr and Kiersten Demps on Tuesday, Rita Frealing is basing her mayoral campaign on the issues of community safety, collaboration, and consensus. “I’m ready to work,” said Frealing in a phone call yesterday. “Everyone will have a voice.” Frealing said the two major responsibilities the mayor was
Two initiatives on yesterday’s statewide primary ballot designed to move emergency decisions from the governor’s office to the state assembly have been approved. Live results of the amendment votes as well as other state races can be viewed here. Amendment 1 limits the governor’s ability to use emergency disaster declaration orders and Amendment 2 removes
With parking revenues reported as being much better than last year, Gettysburg Borough Manager Charles Gable was optimistic about revenue trends in the borough. “The pillow tax is running a little below 2019 levels but the trend lines are good,” he said. Gable said some funds from the American Recovery Plan were expected to arrive
Adams County Prison inmates will be helped in their quest to gain employment upon their release through a new program approved by the Adams County Commissioners. The program helps inmates apply for and receive a valid Photo ID, driver’s license, or photo camera card prior to their release from jail. “This program will help alleviate
Gettysburg Borough Manager Charles Gable said the borough would be getting about $1,000 per resident, for a total of $763,656, from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and that it would come over two years, with the first arriving in a few months. The money must be spent by September 2024. Gable said the borough
The Adams County Commissioners have officially approved Saturday’s Medicine Take Back Day. The event will occur from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Biglerville, Gettysburg, Carroll Valley, Hanover, Littlestown, McSherrystown, New Oxford, and York Springs. Residents can safely dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired prescriptions and over the counter medications, loose pills, liquids, creams, and
The Adams Economic Alliance (AEA), with support from the Adams County Office of Planning and Development, has announced the recipients of COVID-19 Hospitality Recovery Program (CHIRP) grants. The program, which is providing $1.16 million in state funding to qualifying Adams County businesses, is part of a larger $145 million statewide initiative to help sustain Pennsylvania’s
Residents of Gettysburg Borough should have received a survey in their mailbox asking them to provide information about their perceptions of the borough and its government. Borough Manager Charles Gable has asked people to fill out the survey to help the borough know if the if the work they are doing is satisfactory. Gable said
On the occasion of her retirement, Gettysburg Borough councilmember Patti Lawson reviewed many of Main Street Gettysburg’s Deb Adamik’s accomplishments during her fourteen years as President and Chief Executive Officer. Lawson said Adamik’s achievements included the creation of the Wills House, the coordination of the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg battle, leadership on the Steinwehr
The Adams County Board of Commissioners has made the following proclamations: Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month – April: Child abuse has been identified as a national health crisis. In Adams County, 1,313 incidents of alleged child abuse or neglect were reported in 2020. The Proclamation states, “all children deserve to have a safe, stable,
The 3 Democratic candidates for Gettysburg Mayor, who will be running against each other in the the May 18 primary — Chad Alan Carr, Kierstan MaryBelle Demps, and Rita Frealing — expressed their views in an online question and answer session hosted by Gettysburg Rising last night. The Republican candidate, Thomas Carr, who is running
Please mark your calendar for the online mayoral candidate forum to be held this Thursday April 8 at 6:30 p.m. Join Gettysburg Rising to learn more about the candidates running for Gettysburg Mayor in the May municipal primary election. Please contact Jenny Dumont at gettysburgrising@gmail.com for a link to the Zoom session. View the candidate
Under a proposal being considered by the Gettysburg Borough Council, food trucks will be banned from Lincoln Square and in the first block in each direction from it, as well as on Steinwehr Ave. The proposal is a compromise between parties who want food trucks to be allowed everywhere and those who want to ban
The Adams County Commissioner’s Office has ratified an agreement to cooperate with Wellspan Health on the Community Vaccination site at the EMS Center. The Agreement was executed about March 15, 2021. Commissioner Randy Phiel stated he “could not be prouder of the collaboration” and that at this time “nothing is more important.” Phiel thanked County
As part of Gettysburg Community Collective’s year of change, Gettysburg Rising is hosting a documentary viewing on Wednesday, March 24, and discussion of the documentary on March 25. “MOVE” describes the rise of Philadelphia activist group MOVE and the subsequent assassination and imprisonment of its founding members. Join us to better understand the unfair treatment
Mt. Joy Township Supervisors and attorneys for NextEra Energy and local residents who opposed the project have ended the 80 or so hours of evidentiary hearings they have participated in over the past year to discuss the merits of NextEra’s proposed solar array project that would cover hundreds of acres in the township. Thousands of
The Adams County Office of Elections has announced the slate of candidates for the 2021 municipal elections to be held on May 18. Director of Elections and Voters Registration Angie Crouse said there had been a big increase in the number of candidates in comparison to the 2019 election. Overall there are 284 Republicans and
Responding to a deadly crash on Baltimore St. last week, the Gettysburg Borough Council is considering ways to slow down traffic as it enters the borough on Baltimore St. “Even here on Chambersburg St. when people come into town they drive way too fast,” said borough council president Jake Schindel. Police chief Robert Glenny said
The Adams County Commissioners unanimously approved a proclamation to recognize March 11 to April 25 as Land Conservancy of Adams County (LCAC) month on Wednesday. LCAC President Dave Salisbury thanked them saying “thank you for the long-standing critical support for the 26th year, and 12,000 acres preserved.” Commissioner Randy Phiel said “two things are consistent:
Responding to concerns raised by Gettysburg resident Eve English who resides at 3 Baltimore St. near the Gettysburg Square, the Gettysburg Borough Council will reassess its special permitting process, particularly in regard to exceptions to the noise ordinance. “I don’t have a problem with live music. I have problem with live music that is amplified
The Gettysburg Borough Council is taking first steps to clear the way for the Gettysburg Branch of the Adams County Public Library System to build a new 27,000 square foot building on three acres in the Gettysburg rec park. The library is moving from its current location at the corner of Baltimore and High Streets
Governor Tom Wolf today marked a milestone in the implementation of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan with the announcement that more than 600 skilled nursing facilities have received first and second doses of the vaccine, and in total more than 315,000 doses of vaccine administered among all long-term care facilities being vaccinated by CVS and
The Adams County Commissioners last week approved over $100,000 in grants to assist local municipal parks as well as the Gettysburg Pedestrian-Bicycle Inner Loop project. The specific awards were for the following: Gettysburg Inner Loop-Phase B2 – $25,000.00 Freedom Township Municipal Park- Phase 1 – $25,000.00 Straban Township Recreation Playground Equipment – $25,000.00 Gettysburg Area
Gettysburg Borough is looking to create more transparency at Destination Gettysburg (DG), Adams County’s Destination Management Organization (DMO). The organization, one of about 50 across the state, is funded by the state’s lodging (“pillow”) tax with a mission of bringing visitors to the county. A committee made up of borough council board members Patti Lawson
With words of praise and appreciation, the Adams County Commissioners unanimously voted January 18, 2021 as “Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday” in Adams County. Commissioner Jim Martin read the proclamation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day by the MLK committee. The commissioners also unanimously proclaimed the week of Feb. 6-13, 2021 as “Court Reporting
By Marie Albiges of Spotlight PA This article is part of a yearlong reporting project focused on redistricting and gerrymandering in Pennsylvania. It’s made possible by the support of Spotlight PA members and Votebeat, a project focused on election integrity and voting access. HARRISBURG — A proposal moving through the GOP-led Pennsylvania legislature could soon