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The Carroll Valley Borough Council once again grappled with zoning ordinances about constructing chicken coops and selling lots. Adam and Katlyn Colson approached the borough council in July and asked permission to keep the chicken coop they built in the front of their house because there is no room in the backyard as the ordinance dictates. Colson said she spoke with neighbors to ensure they were okay with the coop, designed to match their house and garage, and its location. It sits behind a large garden, and the entire area is fenced. Many neighbors have attended the meetings in their support. Council president Richard Matthews opened Tuesday’s discussion on the chicken coop ordinance by quoting from the deed of his property, under “restrictions”: “No poultry, horse, cow, sheep, hog, goat or other similar animal excepting only ordinary household pets shall be kept or permitted on the premises.” He added that he did not understand why the borough had ever decided to do something contrary to property deeds. “So my vote on chickens will be, ‘No,’” he said. Council solicitor Zach Rice explained that deeds and council ordinances are two different areas of the law. “The restrictive items in a private deed are not items that the borough would enforce.” He added that a deed is a private tool to enforce restrictions, not a public tool. Borough manager Dave Hazlett suggested a revision allowing spaces to keep the coop other than the backyard. Still, those areas would not solve the original problem because of where the current sewer system is located. Planning Commission chair Richard Wright asked Hazlett if additional language could be added to allow more flexibility without giving residents the right to “just put chicken coops everywhere.” Rice did caution the council about granting ordinance waivers to residents because it can quickly become very political. “This is a very unique community in that we have very unique situations on different lots,” said borough manager Dave Hazlett, adding it would be challenging to come up with language that would fit every unique situation. Wright still asked the council to allow the planning commission to look at putting in additional language to make the ordinance more flexible. Perhaps we should consider not putting in language, but taking out language,” said council member Bruce Carr. “Why can’t you just let people make their own minds up as long as it doesn’t affect anybody else?” A motion to amend the chicken ordinance, removing the conditions of the location and falling back on the underlying zoning district setbacks, brought a three/three split from the council, and Mayor Ron Harris was asked to break the tie. He voted in favor of the amended ordinance, which will be passed back to the planning commission for further consideration. Lot sales In unfinished business, the council looked at guidelines that will allow the process of lot sales to move forward. Council member Kari Buterbaugh asked if there would be any provision for residents who currently own lots in Carroll Valley to have an advantage when purchasing a neighboring lot. Hazlett explained that any lot that sells for more than $6,000 must be advertised and sold through a sealed bid. According to state law, lots appraised at less than $6,000 do not have to be put out for a sealed bid. But they still have to be advertised. Solicitor Rice said there is a provision for swapping a lot with the council, but the lot acquired by the borough must be used for recreational purposes. “So what you’re saying is there’s no way you can show favoritism towards the Carroll Valley resident?” Buterbugh asked again. “Exactly,” replied Rice. “Whether it an exchange or a sale,” he added, “if the fair market value is in excess of $6,000, the answer is ‘no.’” Hazlett said that the document he prepared suggesting guidelines for selling lots was in response to a decision by the council that some of the available lots should be sold. “Every time we talk about it, we spin our wheels exactly the same, so you’ll have to forgive my obvious frustration,” he said. “In theory, the concept of favoritism towards borough residents is perhaps a laudable goal, but in reality, you’re going to have plenty of situations where favoritism to one means discrimination or targeting or adverse impacts on someone else.” When a resident expressed concern about the number of lots to be sold, Hazlett said, “We might have 200 lots, but the reality is we have about four or five that it would behoove us to liquidate because they’re worth significantly more money than others.” The original purpose of selling the lots at one time was to help reimburse the borough for a 20-acre land purchase that will someday be turned into a youth park. After the 40-minute discussion, Matthews said, “We really wore out the broom on that rug.” The council voted unanimously to accept the guidelines for lot sales as presented. Other council business An amendment regarding building setbacks and permitting requirements for home occupation and no-impact home-based business was tabled until October 2023. The borough unanimously passed Ordinance #5-2023, which will authorize the completion of the project to update the borough’s wastewater treatment plant. Estimated at more than $6 million, the project’s expected life, including the existing facilities, will be at least 30 years. Kay Lake Council member Carr noted that Kay Lake has become so overgrown with aquatic vegetation it “could be mowed” and asked if anything could be done to alleviate the problem. Hazlett responded that Kay Lake has had the maximum of chemical remediation allowed. However, he added the borough may seek special permission to add additional chemicals, which they might consider for the spring. He said that the council in 2005 had discussed dredging the lake, but it decided to seek a different resolution due to its cost of about $1.5 million. Later, during the GMS funding solutions report, Matthews asked if the statewide local share account might be a source of funding to clean Lake Kay. The maximum project request is $1 million, and Hazlett said his office had just met with GMS representatives the previous day to discuss possibilities. Lake Kay is one of the 12 projects submitted for consideration, and Hazlett said they are working with GMS to decide which projects will be best suited for such a funding solution. Carroll Valley is currently waiting to hear if they will be awarded the $212,000 funding they are seeking for the trail project. Photo Caption: Faced with the issue of aquatic growth on Kay Lake, Carroll Valley Borough is seeking possible solutions.

With billions of dollars available from federal and state funds for broadband improvement in rural areas, a recent presentation at the Commissioners’ meeting indicates the Adams County Broadband Task Force has the data, expertise, and enthusiasm to move forward to the next stage of securing broadband for unserved and underserved residents. “I want to thank the commissioners for recognizing the importance of broadband access for everyone and their foresight in creating the task force and conducting the feasibility study,” said Isaac Bucher, task force chair. “I believe that their timing has placed Adams County in an excellent position to maximize the ability to secure funding.” The task force was created last fall, partnering with Design Nine, an award-winning company that designs and manages telecommunications and broadband systems. The first job was to send out a survey to as many county residents as possible to build a database that accurately reflects the area’s internet needs. Bucher called the survey results a “good affirmation” in terms of what they were expecting — the greatest need in the northern part and some in the western and southern parts of the county. The county recieved responses from 2,500 households and businesses. Commissioner Qually, the task force ex-officio member, said that besides the much higher-than-expected response rate, data was collected from throughout the county, not just in the more urban areas. He believes the recent COVID epidemic made everyone aware of how much dependable and equitable Internet is needed. Brady Rodgers, from the Adams Economic Alliance, one of the project’s partners, outlined the study findings and key points from the survey, saying improved fiber is needed for the long term and fixed wireless for the short term. Those needs will be established through a broadband strategic plan, “but,” he warned, “it’s not going to be fixed overnight. It will take time, and we’re going to need community support.” Qually estimates it might be finished in 10 years. Key points from the survey results indicated: The next step, said Qually, is to make the study public. It is posted on the county website, where residents can view it to understand what is at stake. The task force will also be reaching out to stakeholders – schools, the agriculture community, businesses, and the council of governments to get their feedback on how the county’s internet services impact them and where those needs might overlap. A third step is to seek community engagement. “We need the public help with the next step,” he said. “We need to reach out to those who understand the goals and initiatives and can explain to us, in detail, what their challenges are.” Commissioner Randy Phiel said broadband is crucial to the county’s quality of life, education, and economic development and thanked the task force for its hard work. Commissioner Jim Martin praised the task force for its consistent pace and timeliness in moving forward with the study when they did. Qually agreed, adding, “When the funding applications are available, if you don’t have good data to back up your application, you’re going to have a hard time getting money.” In other board business, Children and Youth Services director Sarah Finkey presented a $1,570,370 budget share to the county for the 2024/2025 fiscal year, up slightly from the current budget year. This represents about 18.6 percent of the total budget. “About 80 percent of the budget comes from state funding,” explained Finkey, who added that grants are also procured to reduce the money needed from the county. Costs are associated with emergency shelters, community residential and group homes, foster families, supervised independent living, alternative treatments, child protective services, counseling, daycare and treatment, homemakers and caretakers, information and referrals, life skills education service planning, youth development center, secure residential, juvenile detention and special grant incentives. The data for 2022-2023 indicates nearly 5,000 referrals, of which 73 percent were from child protective services, with 27 percent coming from general protective services. Commissioner Qually said he has learned how incredibly complex the job of children and youth services is as they try to steer away from institutional placements. “Adams County has always been about strengthening the families first,” he said. “We need that.” Commissioner Martin thanked the organization for its diligence in placing the right child in the right situation. “It gives them a chance to build a future that is productive and successful.” ACACC Polling Location Changes Residents from McSherrystown and Bonneauville boroughs will see a change in their polling locations. The permanent changes will include a move from the McSherrystown Senior Center to Delone Catholic High School, 140 S. Oxford Ave., and the Deacon Rich Weaver Parish Center, 12 E. Hanover St., will replace the current location at the Bonneauville Municipal Building.

Biglerville High School was recently named among the top 40% of high schools in the country and also ranked highly among Pennsylvania schools. Biglerville stands at No. 3,321 out of nearly 18,000 high schools in the U.S. News Best High Schools rankings for 2023-2024. Within the state, the school stands at No. 133 out of 750, according to a news release from Upper Adams School District that cited the report. Principal Beth Graham expressed her pride at Tuesday’s school board meeting. “I’m very proud of our teachers, of our community,” Graham said. “I think it speaks to our dedication to academic excellence and providing a quality education for our kids.” The rankings are based on several factors, including performance on state assessments and how well schools prepare students for college, according to the U.S. News & World Report website. Key statistics included: • 29% of Biglerville High School students took at least one Advanced Placement exam, of which 23% of students passed at least one exam. • 69% of students are proficient in math. • 77% of students are proficient in science. • 78% of students are proficient in reading. • The school boasts an 88% graduation rate. In the news release, Upper Adams School District highlighted the “rich cultural” environment and diversity at the high school, which has a 34% minority enrollment. The district also expressed pride in serving students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, who make up 34% of the high school population. The school board and Superintendent Wesley Doll lauded Graham and her staff for their efforts. Vice President Tom Wilson said the community at large should take great pride in this accomplishment. “It’s very impressive, very impressive indeed,” he said. Graham turned to the other principals in the room and said the achievement was a group effort. “This isn’t something that just happens when they get into high school,” Graham said, the path to success begins with “that first day of kindergarten.” Graham said she learned of the ranking via email Sept. 5. She said the high school was ranked highly in the past, though she could not recall exactly when. “We are incredibly honored to receive this recognition, which speaks to the hard work and commitment of our faculty, staff, and administration, as well as the dedication of our students and families to continued academic success,” Doll said in the release. Eighteen newly hired staff who will build upon that success were introduced to the school board. They include teachers at the elementary, intermediate, middle, and high schools. Their roles span the subjects of English language arts, science, math, social studies, special education, Spanish, and more. Among the new hires is social worker who will serve the entire district. In other business, Doll said the locker and team room renovation at the secondary campus is on target to be complete in December. The price tag on the estimated $2.4 million project went up slightly Tuesday. The board approved a change order of approximately $9,700 for the demolition of flooring and concrete bases around lockers. Wilson said these areas had been overlooked previously in the original general construction contract. The board Tuesday also voted to establish a fund to pay its portion toward the renovation of the Cumberland-Perry Area Vocational Technical School. School districts that send students to Cumberland-Perry for educational training, including Upper Adams, are contributing funding toward the project. Doll previously said how much each district owes is based on a formula that includes the number of students each district sends to the tech school. The district will transfer approximately $787,400 from its assigned debt fund to the Cumberland-Perry renovation fund. The money is expected to be withdrawn in two 50% payments around July 15 and Nov. 1, 2024. Board member Chris Fee was absent Tuesday. The school board will next meet Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. for curriculum, extra-curricular, and business and operations committee meetings. The policy committee will meet Oct. 5 at 9 a.m. The next regular board meeting is Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.

by Ashley Murray, Pennsylvania Capital-StarSeptember 15, 2023 WASHINGTON — Healthcare representatives from across the United States are urging Congress to halt cuts to funding that helps hospitals care for uninsured or low-income patients who rely on Medicaid. Hospitals and health systems are asking Congress to avert or delay a forthcoming $8 billion cut to “America’s health care safety net.” (FS Productions/Getty Images) More than 250 hospitals and health systems, including many in Pennsylvania, appealed to House and Senate leadership in a letter Thursday asking the lawmakers to avert or delay a forthcoming $8 billion cut to “America’s health care safety net.” The reduction to the Medicaid disproportionate share of hospital funding is scheduled for Oct. 1, as mandated under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The deadline comes as Congress faces partisan roadblocks to funding the government and renewing a number of expiring federal programs by the end of the fiscal year, or Sept. 30. “Not only does Medicaid DSH ensure access to care for millions of people, it enables our hospitals to provide essential services to their communities, including top-level trauma, burn, and neonatal intensive care. The need for DSH funding is even greater now, as hospital expenses per patient have increased significantly since the pandemic,” read the letter sent by the advocacy organization America’s Essential Hospitals. The fund compensates hospitals that treat a disproportionate number of uninsured patients or low-income patients whose government-provided Medicaid coverage pays a lower rate than private insurance or Medicare. The ACA provision, written under the premise that rates of uninsured people would continue to decrease, requires $8 billion per year in cuts from 2024 to 2027. Higher rates of insurance coverage “have not materialized,” Dr. Bruce Siegel, president and CEO of America’s Essential Hospitals, wrote in a statement accompanying the letter. The offices of GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries did not respond to a request for comment on the letter. The impending cuts have also been a concern for senators on both sides of the aisle. Over the last decade, Congress has stopped reductions to the fund that were required under the ACA. In a bipartisan letter from August to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, 20 senators wrote that “(c)uts of this magnitude could undermine the financial viability of hospitals, threatening access to care for the most vulnerable Americans.” “It is essential that we continue to protect those who have come to rely on the services provided by Medicaid DSH hospitals. We ask you to act as soon as possible to address the Medicaid DSH cuts to ensure our nation’s hospitals can continue to care for every community,” the senators wrote in the Aug. 3 letter co-led by Bob Casey, a Pennsylvania Democrat, and James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma. Neither Schumer’s nor McConnell’s office responded to requests for comment on either letter. New health coverage data According to Census Bureau data released Thursday, uninsured rates dropped in 27 states in 2022 compared to 2021, with some changes attributed to increases in public insurance. “For seven of the states with lower uninsured rates in 2022, the difference was driven by increased private coverage. For 10 states, the uninsured rate decrease was related to increased public coverage. In three particular states —Missouri, New York, and Virginia — the decline in the uninsured rate was a result of increases in public coverage that outweighed decreases in private coverage,” David Waddington, chief of the Social, Economic, and Housing Statistics Division at the Census Bureau, said in a press release. Maine was the only state where the uninsured rate increased, up to 6.6% in 2022, from 5.7% in 2021. Pennsylvania Capital-Star is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Pennsylvania Capital-Star maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kim Lyons for questions: info@penncapital-star.com. Follow Pennsylvania Capital-Star on Facebook and Twitter.

Gettysburg College Read more Gettysburg College Sports High School Sports Boys Soccer September 12 Bermudian Springs : 1 Littlestown : 0Littlestown 0 0 — 0Berm 0 1 — 1 Second half —Berm, Cole Weikert (Landon Oehmig), 25:53. Shots (On Goal) — Littlestown 8 (4), Berm 9 (4).  Corners — Littlestown 0, Berm 2.Goalkeepers — Christopher Meakin, Littlestown (3).  Alan Felipe, Berm (4). Delone : 2 York Catholic : 4The Squires were down 0-1 in the first half and came back to tie it by halftime with an assist by Michael Carter to Angello Salazar. Then, things looked up for a bit as the Squires took the lead 2-1 after a steal by JP Groves dribbling forward and a pop-up goal. York Catholic then scored three in a row to pull away. Eastern York : 1 New Oxford : 4Diego Diaz scored two goals for the Colonials and Corbin Barnes had two assists. Gettysburg : 1 Shippensburg : 0 The Gettysburg Warriors Boys Soccer team emerged victorious at home in a nail-biter against the Shippensburg Greyhounds on Tuesday, thanks to an extraordinary header by Quaide Clark in overtime. The solitary goal, assisted by Wyatt Michael, was enough to give the Warriors a 1-0 win. The match was a defensive showdown during regulation. Gettysburg’s goalkeeper, Jake Bermer, displayed excellent form, making two crucial saves to keep the score level. On the other end of the pitch, Shippensburg’s goalkeeper Zavier Rodriguez was in equally fine form, pulling off an impressive six saves to keep his team in the game. Gettysburg dominated in shots on goal, registering seven compared to Shippensburg’s two.  Corner kicks also reflected Gettysburg’s attacking intensity. The Warriors earned five corners throughout the match, as opposed to Shippensburg’s three, but struggled to convert these opportunities into goals.  The defining moment of the game came when Wyatt Michael delivered a well-timed assist that found Quaide Clark . Clark’s header went into the net, bringing the home crowd to its feet in exhilaration. Littlestown : 0 Bermudian Springs : 1The Bermudian Springs Eagles secured a 1-0 victory over the Littlestown Canners away from home on Tuesday.  The lone goal separating the two teams was netted by Eagles freshman Cole Weikert, with a crucial assist from sophomore Landon Oehmig. Weikert found the back of the net with 25:53 remaining in the second half, capitalizing on a brilliantly orchestrated play that left the Canners’ defense scrambling.  Goalkeepers from both sides were kept busy, with the Eagles making five saves and the Canners close behind with four. Although the Canners had a whopping 12 shots compared to the Eagles’ four, they couldn’t manage to translate those opportunities into goals. The absence of corner kicks for the Canners, contrasted with the Eagles earning five, underscored Bermudian Springs’ dominance in critical set-piece scenarios.  September 14Delone : 1 Hanover : 0The Squires scored in the 1st half with 25 minutes remaining off a free kick by Fernando Salazar to his brother and teammate Angello Salazar. Despite eight other shots on goal by the Squires and due to some excellent grabs in the air by the Nighthawks by goalie Jedi Abell, there were no other scores in the game. James Buchanan : 0 Gettysburg : 1Nic Aumen scored the game’s only goal in the second half at 35:33 for visiting Gettysburg. New Oxford : 3 York Suburban : 0 New Oxford 2 1 3York Suburban 0 0 0 Ist Half: Harvin Flowers, assisted by Israel Felipe. Israel Felipe, assisted by Edgar Garcia. 2nd Half- Braddyn Seiferd, assisted by Israel Felipe.  New Oxford Goal Keeper Owen Ragula- 4 saves  York Catholic : 4 Littlestown : 0Littlestown 0 0 — 0York Catholic 2 2 — 4 First half —1\. YC, Ryland Staub (Christian Ludwig), 19:37. 2\. YC, Kobin Proudfoot (Ryan Oathout, Christian Ludwig), 16:30. Second half —1\. YC, Christian Ludwig, 18:38.2\. YC, Andrew Schuler (Christian Ludwig), 13:17. Shots (On Goal) — Littlestown 4 (1), YC 17 (13).Corners — Littlestown 1, YC 6.Goalkeepers — Christopher Meakin, Littlestown (8). Jesus Martinez-Ruiz, YC (1). Field Hockey September 12Biglerville : 7 Bermudian Springs : 0Ava Peterson led the Canners with four goals. Gettysburg : 8 Central Dauphin East : 0 Hanover : 0 Delone : 7 September 13Gettysburg : 8 Central Dauphin East : 0Field Hockey: Warriors Dominate in 8-0 Victory Over Central Dauphin East  The Gettysburg Warriors secured an 8-0 victory against the Central Dauphin East Panthers on Wednesday at home. It was the second consecutive win for the Warriors. The Warriors dominated from start to finish with 11 corners and 25 shots on goal. Abby Williams opened the scoring for the home team, setting the pace for what would be an unyielding attack. She was followed by Marlee Dwyer, Rachel Williams, Sophia Williams, who scored twice, and Carly Schumacher, who completed a hat trick with three stunning goals in the third quarter.  The Panthers’ goalkeeper, Lea Watkins, made an impressive 17 saves, but the onslaught from Gettysburg proved too much to handle. Gettysburg’s goalkeeper, Bella Cosden, had a quiet game facing no shots on goal. September 14Delone : 1 Biglerville : 12Ava Peterson scored three goals, and Paige Slaybaugh netted two in leading the Biglerville onslaught at Delone. Fairfield : 2 Biglerville : 7 Football September 15 (Click on any game for full results) East Pennsboro 42, Gettysburg 24 Littlestown 42, Hanover 0 Biglerville 19, Fairfield 0 New Oxford 30, Dover 7 Bermudian Springs 44, York Catholic 7 Delone 37, York Tech 20 Girls Soccer September 13New Oxford : 0 Southwestern : 4 NO  0 0 – 0 SW 0 4 – 4 Goals: SW-Maci Shaffer, Carly Louey, Emma Harabin, Ava Wasowicz Shots (Shots on Goal): NO- 0 (0); SW- 21 (13) Saves: NO-Olivia Graham (6), Devin Brame (3); SW-Mckayla Green (0) Corners: SW-9 Girls Tennis September 12Bermudian Springs : 0 Northeastern : 5#1 singles Maarian Khan NE def. Moll Karom 6-0, 6-1#2 singles Lauren Edgar NE def. Amelia Gerringer 6-2, 6-0#3 singles Malissa Fitzsimmons NE def. Greta Haley 6-2, 6-1 #1doubles Sarah Lesher and Frederica Kokoronis NE def. Ava Leatherman and Reese Lighty 6-3, 6-3#2doubles Isabelle Ungrady and Alexis Edgar NE def. Ella Somerville and Rebekah Myford 6-0, 6-3 Exhibition Doubles:Kara Loych and Abigail White NE def. Addie Elliot and Sofia Ruggerie 4-0Elizabeth Seymour and Nadia Payne NE def. Addie Elliot and Sofia Ruggerie 4-3Elizabeth Seymour and Nadia Payne NE def. Ella Somerville and Rebekah Myford 4-1Rachel Theodore and Riley Wilson NE def. Ella Somerville and Rebekah Myford 4-1Greta Haley and Rebekah Myford BS def. Natalie Goodling and Ella Ward 4-2Frederica Kokoronis and Malissa Fitzsimmons NE def. Molly Karom and Amelia Gerringer 6-3Brooklyn Browning and Abby Nagel NE Def Ella Somerville and Ava Leatherman 4-1 Cumberland Valley : 5 Gettysburg : 0Girls Tennis: Warriors Fall to Cumberland Valley Eagles The Gettysburg Warriors Girls Tennis team was bested by the Cumberland Valley Eagles, finishing the day with a match score of 0-5 against their opponents. In the singles division, Gettysburg senior and first position player Carmen Oshunrinade faced off against Cumberland Valley Eagle Riya Srinvas, losing in straight sets with scores of 0-6, 0-6. Junior Auvrie Coscia, holding the second singles spot for the Warriors, struggled against Eagle Pragnya Joshi, also ending with set scores of 0-6, 0-6. Completing the singles lineup, sophomore Parishi Bhanu found herself overpowered by Eagle Pranavi Surapaneni, closing her match with a score of 0-6, 0-6. The doubles categories were equally challenging for the Warriors. The first doubles team composed of sophomores Ava Fair and Wynter Frenette were bested by Eagles Megha Lomada and Riya Datta, with both sets ending 0-6, 0-6. Seniors Molly Heaton and Maja Engl, representing the Warriors in the second doubles match, were unable to secure a win against Eagles Jahnavi Kotapati and Sruthi Anbalagan, suffering a 0-6, 0-6 defeat. Additionally, a district doubles match between Warrior Carmen Oshunrinade and Eagle Riya Srinvas concluded with a loss for Gettysburg, ending 0-8. An exhibition match featured Gettysburg sophomore Alma Zigmic against Cumberland Valley’s Shreya Satheesh, which also concluded in a loss for the Warriors with a scoreline of 0-8. The Warriors are 1-4 on the season. September 13Bermudian Springs : 5 Hanover : 0#1singles: Molly Karom (BS) def. Megan Nawn 6-2, 6-1#2singles: Amelia Gerringer (BS) def. Sophia Rutledge 6-4, 6-4#3singles: Greta Haley (BS) def. Ella Foos 6-0, 6-3 #1doubles: Reese Lighty and Ella Somerville (BS) def. Albany Shue and Elizabeth Valentine 6-4, 2-6, 1-0(7)#2doubles: Ava Leathernab and Addie Elliott (BS) def. Gracie Troup and Autumn Carpenter 6-0, 6-3 District Doubles: Molly Karom and Amelia Gerringer BS def. Megan Nawn and Sophia Rutledge 8-3Exhibition Doubles; Rebekah Myford and Sofia Ruggerie (BS) def. Leah Wildasin and Haley Smith 7-5 Biglerville : 2 West York : 3 Dover : 0 New Oxford : 5Another shutout for the New Oxford girls. Gettysburg : 0 Mechanicsburg : 5 Littlestown : 4 York Catholic : 1 Singles Brianna Meekins (L) vs. Quinn Bubb (YC) 1-6, 6-2, 4-6  L Katie Lookingbill (L) vs. Natalie Doran (YC) 6-4, 6-3  W LilyAnn Barker (L) vs. Marissa Smallwood (YC) 6-4. 6-1 W Doubles Elizabeth Hanna / Lily Johnson (L) / FORFEIT (YC) W Destiny Andrew/Malaina Kowalczyk (L) vs. FORFEIT (YC) W Qualifying Doubles : Brianna Meekins/ Katie Lookingbill (L) vs. Quinn Bubb/Natalie Doran (YC) 6-4 W September 14Camp Hill : 4 Bermudian Springs : 1#1 singles Mia Schreader (CH) def. Molly Karom 6-0, 6-2#2 singles Ava Sachs (CH) def. Amelia Gerringer 0-6, 6-2, 6-4#3 singles Greta Haley (BS) def. Nadia Somers 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(3) #1 doubles Elizabeth Herb and Scarlett Zarcone (CH) def. Reese Lighty and Ella Somerville 6-0, 6-1#2 doubles Anne Gray Sarvis and Alli Dopkowski (CH) def. Ava Leatherman and Rebekah Myford 6-0, 6-1 Exhibition DoublesMelina Lee and Tailyn Tran (CH) def Sofia Ruggerie and Addie Elliott 4-1Sofia Ruggerie and Addie Elliott (BS) def. Eva Bordlemay and Narbada Dahal 6-1 September 15Northern : 5 Gettysburg : 0 Girls Volleyball September 12Delone : 3 York Tech : 0Delone Catholic defeated York Tech 3-0 (25-12, 25-20, 25-22) Delone Catholic JV defeated York Tech 2-0  Gettysburg : 3 West Perry : 0Maya Brainard had 11 assists; Kayla Lew led with five kills, India Mitchell had ten digs; Emily Holtzople had three aces for the winning Warriors. Varsity: 25-23 (Gettysburg)25-18 (Gettysburg)25-23 (Gettysburg) JV: 25-19 (Gettysburg)17-25 (West Perry)13-15 (West Perry) September 14Delone : 3 Fairfield : 0Varsity: (25-15, 25-12, 25-16) Delone Catholic JV defeated Fairfield 2-0 (25-9, 25-14) Gettysburg : 3 Northern : 0Maya Brainard had 19 kills. India Mitchell had ten digs, and Mackenzie Kibler and Sydney DeFoe had six digs each. Emily Holtzople and Alexa Codori both had four blocks each. Kayla Lew led with six kills, and Emily Holtzople had four kills. Sydney DeFoe led with six aces.  Varsity: 25-20 (Gettysburg)25-15 (Gettysburg)27-25 (Gettysburg) JV: 19-25 (Northern)25-27 (Gettysburg)

The Gettysburg Area School District will open all head coaching positions each season. Currently, the district has all winter coaching positions posted on its website. Superintendent Jason Perrin wrote in an email Friday that district and board leadership made the decision. Previously, the board approved coaches for one year and renewed the agreement annually.  “The district is committed to providing quality athletic programs and coaches for our student-athletes. This provides quality applicants with the ability to express an interest in our district,” District Communication Coordinator Becci Leathery wrote in an email. “As with all professions, there are fewer applicants for all roles within our organization. This enables us to remain aware of quality people who may assist us in the future.” The district is not requiring current coaches to reapply for their jobs, High School Principal Jeremy Lusk wrote in an email to staff. “Please know that we fully expect our coaches to remain in their positions,” Lusk wrote. “The new practice that we were informed of allows interested individuals to apply.” Similarly, Leathery wrote the district is committed to retaining quality coaches. “Posting the positions does not equate to replacing coaches who continue to do an excellent job for our district,” she said. Public thoughts on coaching positions The Connection asked readers their thoughts on the decision. The majority of those who offered comment expressed opposition and concern. “Couldn’t time be better spent writing policies that don’t exist, and reviewing the system to see what else may be missing, rather than wasting people’s time to apply for jobs that will likely not truly be opened,” John Hartzell said. Ken Kime Jr. supports the district’s decision. He pointed out the agreements are only for one year. “Frankly, any job that is contractual should be open at the end of the term. If all we went by is the status quo, mediocrity follows,” Kime said. A current coach, who asked the Connection to withhold his identity, is concerned about the effects on students. “It disincentivizes any head coach to do off-season work if they will be constantly reapplying and competing against other applicants year after year,” he said. “Not to mention the instability it creates in the program.” Anne Cherry fears the decision will make Gettysburg less attractive to coaches. “Nobody is getting rich coaching high school sports, so why throw another wrench into the works,” Cherry wrote. “Who is going to want to work here?”

Community members gathered in support Thursday Aug. 31 as they participated in the fifth annual Overdose Awareness walk to remember loved ones lost and those who still mourn. Sponsored by the Coalition for Overdose Awareness and Recovery, the group gathered at the Adams County Courthouse and proceeded to the Gettysburg Rec Park, where several speakers addressed the issue of addiction. “From birth to death, we rely on each other to better understand our world, and we need each other to better know ourselves,” said Adams County Commissioner Marty Qually. He spoke to the problem of childhood trauma often derailing people from who they were meant to be and preventing them from achieving their goals. “All of us need help getting back on track,” he added. Not getting that help can lead to destructive paths, he suggested. Nicholas House representative Matthew Love shared his story about growing up with addiction and losing his mother to an overdose at a young age. Nicholas House is a sober living residence located in Gettysburg that provides services for those recovering from addiction. Pastor Brenda Walter, Fairfield Mennonite Church, shared her experiences working with Children and Youth Services in the early days and said she is thankful for the many more available resources today. “Walk alone, and you’ll fail,” she said. “Walk together and together we soar.” She added she was very grateful for the youth in the community who are showing people how to be loving, helpful, and nonjudgemental. Andrea Dolges, Executive Director Center for Youth and Community Development. She praised the unsung heroes who work every day to combat the death of loved ones – law enforcement, treatment providers, and first responders. “We need your help. It requires that we’re willing to save lives, that we’re ready and there to save lives.” She added that the community must be willing to take action together as a coalition to make positive changes in Adams County. A multi-ethnic, multi-generational group of about 75 people participated in the event, where free Naloxone kits were available. Naloxone is frequently delivered through a nasal spray and rapidly reverses an opioid overdose by restoring normal breathing in overdoses of opioids, including heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine. The coalition meets on the third Tuesday of each month through Zoom or in person at 233 West High St. The group prioritizes: Increased access and utilization of naloxone to save lives. A continuum of care available from early intervention through sustained recovery for every person in Adams County. Reduced supply of available opioids in the county. Information on signs of a substance or opioid use disorder, treatment options, and recovery programs available in the community.

The Gettysburg Area School Board voted 6-2 Tuesday to retain a high school tennis coach whose employment has been the focal point of three meetings. At their meeting on Aug. 21, the Gettysburg Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to remove David Yates from the administration’s list of recommended hires. Yates, who is transgender and identifies as Sasha, has been the district’s boys’ and girls’ high school tennis coach since 2018. Yates’ reinstatement as the girls’ coach first appeared on the Aug. 7 agenda. Boys play tennis in the spring, so Yates’ appointment as their coach has not yet come before the board. Last school year, administrators received reports that Coach Yates had changed in a girls’ locker room. Gettysburg Area High School Principal Jeremy Lusk said after the meeting that Yates understood the concern, and complied with a request to change in private.  “It became a non-issue,” Lusk said. Board members Kenny Hassinger, Michael Dickerson, Al Moyer, Tim Seigman, AmyBeth Hodges, and Jeremy Davis voted for Yates’ reappointment Tuesday. Michelle Smyers and Ryan Morris opposed the motion. Timon Linn was absent due to a medical emergency that occurred at the Gettysburg Area Middle School before the meeting, Hassinger said. Public comment Hassinger, who serves as board president, announced at the beginning of the meeting that he was enacting a clause in the board’s public comment policy that gives him permission to reduce the normal time limit of four minutes per comment. Hassinger gave each speaker one minute to share thoughts and limited the comment period to 30 minutes. The policy alteration caused many commenters to speak quickly. Some were cut off before finishing. Hassinger warned those who refused to stop that they could be removed from the building. Hassinger issued the same threat to audience members disrupting speakers. A staff member controlling the microphone turned it off at times when people continued to speak after being told to stop.  “We are grown adults in here, and we better start acting like it,” Hassinger said. At the Aug. 21 meeting, two people spoke in opposition to Yates. Several more took to the microphone on Tuesday. Common themes used to oppose Yates included concern about her changing clothes in a student locker room and how the speakers feared that the incident could put students in harm’s way. Other speakers, including many current and former tennis players and their parents, expressed appreciation for Yates’ positive influence on tennis players. Some of Yates’ supporters acknowledged adults should not change clothes in a student locker room but added the board does not have a policy prohibiting it. When asked after the Aug. 21 meeting, Superintendent Perrin said the district does not have a policy pertaining to bathroom or locker room use. Vote  Prior to the vote, Hassinger chastised members of the public for commenting on the issue without having all the relevant information. By law, the school district is prohibited from commenting on personnel matters. Hassinger said Yates’ employment was in question because of her bathroom usage. He stressed the fact that Yates is transgender is irrelevant. “The narrative got rewritten, maybe that’s the school board’s fault, maybe it’s the administration, maybe it is where we are as a society,” Hassinger said. Dickerson concurred. “As a society, it is not helpful to paint with a broad brush when you do not have all of the facts,” Dickerson said. “As you guys point out, discriminating against people and making accusations can be harmful.”  Smyers has been a vocal opponent of the district employing Yates. Tuesday night, she defended her “First Amendment rights” and pledged to defend others’ rights. “I am not a schoolyard bully, I am not anti-LGTBQ, I am not a transphobe, I am not a homophobe, I am not a fascist,” Smyers said in response to some of the commentors. Athletic director resigns Moments before the majority of the board welcomed Yates back to the district’s athletic staff, they said goodbye to their athletic director. Casey Thurston first joined the GASD staff in 2007 as a head girls’ basketball coach and teacher. She was promoted to athletic director in 2018. After the meeting, Lusk said Thurston had been supervising the girls’ tennis team while the administration waited for the board to act on Yates’ employment. He also credited senior Tristan Smith for assisting Thurston. Lusk said the athletic director job will be posted on the district’s website on Wednesday, Sept. 6. Thurston’s resignation is effective Sept. 29. In the interim, other administrators and staff will handle Thurston’s responsibilities. “Casey’s integrity is beyond compare,” Lusk said. “She will do the right thing at every turn, even when it is hard. I am going to miss her more than I can put into words.”

Gettysburg College See more Gettysburg College Sports here High School Football Click on any game for details September 1: New Oxford 38, Gettysburg 20 September 2: Boiling Springs 21, Bermudian Springs 14 September 2: Susquehannock 28, Littlestown 27 August 26: Lancaster Catholic 28, Delone Catholic 21 August 27: Eastern York 32, Fairfield 0 September 2: Susquenita 42, Biglerville 7 Girls Tennis Sep. 1: Gettysburg (h) 0 Carlisle 5 Gettysburg suffered a series of losses against Carlisle. In singles, Carmen Oshunrinade lost 1-6, 1-6 and Auvrie Coscia fell 2-6, 0-6, while in doubles, Ava Fair and Alma Zigmic were defeated 0-6, 0-6, and Molly Heaton and Lillian Pigeon lost 1-6, 1-6. Sep 1: Littlestown 4, Biglerville 1, In singles, Littlestown’s Brianna Meekins lost against Biglerville’s Payton Plank with a scoreline of 0-6, 0-6. Katie Lookingbill secured a win against Kiersten Englebert with scores of 6-3, 6-4, and LilyAnn Barker beat Alyssa Vaughn 6-0, 6-2, tilting the singles balance in favor of Littlestown. In doubles, the Littlestown pair of Elizabeth Hanna and Lily Johnson dominated Nicholette Morus and Lani Wherley from Biglerville, scoring 6-1, 6-0. The second doubles match was forfeited by Biglerville, contributing another win to Littlestown’s tally. Overall, Littlestown showed a strong performance, winning four out of the five matches played. Boys Soccer September 2: Littlestown 0, Eastern York 3 Eastern York’s Noah Brady was the standout player, scoring all three goals with assists from KJ Lavetan and Hunter Brady. Eastern York 20 shots with 15 on goal, compared to Littlestown’s 2 shots, none on target. Corner kicks slightly favored Littlestown with 6 against EY’s 3. Littlestown’s keeper Christopher Meakin made 12 saves. New Oxford 4, @ York County Day 0 Girls Soccer New Oxford 5, York Country Day 0 Goals: NO-Aubri Dahler (1st half – 11:39, assisted by Camryn Miller), Wrena Wentz (1st – 28:55), Aubri Dahler (1st – 29:38, assisted by Wrena Wentz), Harmony Costley (1st – 39:45, assisted by Rylee Stevens), Avery Lincoln (2nd – 4:32, assisted by Camryn Miller & Aubri Dahler) Shots(Shots on Goal): NO-21(12); YCD-2(2) Saves: NO-Olivia Graham (1), Devin Brame (1); YCD- (7) Corners: NO-10 Cross Country Friday September 1: Enos Yeager Invitational (2.3 miles.) Participating teams: Chambersburg (home), Greencastle, Carlisle, Northern, Big Spring, Waynesboro, Shippensburg, James Buchanan, Gettysburg, and Shalom Christian Gettysburg top finishers: Boys: Gavin Cole 13:27Owen Clapsadle 14:00Luke Breighner 14:07Brody Hebert 14:13 Girls: Samantha Campbell 15:54Lily Arnold 16:35Winter Oaster 16:41Beatrice Russell 17:09 Upcoming High School Sports Events Featured image caption: Gettysburg High School Field Hockey [Jim Bargas]

The Gettysburg Area Recreational Authority’s (GARA) Executive Director, Erin Pedigree, reported on the following park activities during the months of June through August: The Farmers Market has seen overwhelming success at its new location at the rec park, featuring special activities such as Civic Engagement Day, a Homesteading & Green Living Expo, the Farmers Market Fairy Festival, Kids Day, and Young Entrepreneurs Day.  GARA is working with the Farmers Market team to plan a collaborative event in October in time for the Halloween holiday. Other successful events included the hosting of Soccer Shots, baseball tournaments, the Library Fun Fest, a chamber mixer, Juneteenth celebrations, the A Gettysburg Fourth event, the first Get Out and Skate event, National Night Out, and the Sunday Music in the Park series. The Gettysburg Area Skate Park committee held a fundraiser that was successful despite a rainy day. The committee will continue to work on the design and budget for a new skate park this summer. Another skate park event to raise funds will coincide with the Halloween Farmers Market event planned for October. Upcoming summer events include the God on the Ground event on August 25th and the Overdose Awareness Walk on August 31st.  The Best After School Program is hosting a Parents Night Fundraiser in September. GARA has been chosen as the host organization, with all proceeds from the event going to the rec park. Other upcoming events include the 2023 York/Adams Heart Walk on September 9 and the continuing Country Line Dances held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month. GARA will participate in this year’s Christmas Festival, featuring a craft show inside the Christmas Market hosted by the Farmers Market on Saturday, December 2.  Plans so far include the return of characters from the movie Frozen (Anna and Elsa), as well as a Christmas photo booth. The date for GARA’s Day in New York City bus trip is set for December 9, 2023. More information on how to register will be forthcoming. In other business, Vice Chairman Steve Toddes’ appointment to the GARA Board was set to expire in May 2023. His term as Cumberland Township Supervisor ends December 31, 2023. Upon the board’s request, Toddes agreed to stay on as GARA Board member until the end of his term on the Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors.  The Cumberland Township will appoint a new member to the GARA board at that time. The full agenda of the meeting and previous meeting minutes can be found at GARA Meetings and Holidays.

Fairfield Area School District’s Board of Directors is closer to making it easier for pupils who face hardships to graduate from high school. At their work session in August, Superintendent Thomas J. Haupt presented an updated policy on how to care for unstable students. Pennsylvania General Assembly’s Act 1 of 2022 necessitated Fairfield’s changes. The biggest change, Haupt said, is broadening the policy to include students who face “instability.” Act 1 defines a student facing instability as one who is experiencing homelessness; an adjudication of dependency, delinquency, or court-ordered services under a voluntary placement or custody agreement. Previously, Fairfield Area School DIstrict was required to enroll such students within five days of their request. The waiting period, Haupt explained, gave the district time to acquire a student’s records from his or her previous school. The district must now enroll them immediately, even if records are not accessible. The new policy, which the board will vote on in September, also relaxes other district rules for students who experience instability. The district cannot penalize those students for defying the dress code, Haupt said. It must also adjust graduation requirements to help students achieve that goal. Normal attendance rules are also void for unstable students, Haupt said. Technology The district is changing the process for students to receive their own electronic devices. Nicole Zepp, coordinator of instructional technology, told the board every student will receive a Google Chromebook this school year. The district replaces Chromebooks every five years, so students will receive a new device in first, fifth, and ninth grades. Kindergarten students will receive used Chromebooks, Zepp said. All students are responsible for the care of their Chromebook, Zepp said. Parents can purchase insurance to help reduce replacement or repair costs. The district is also giving the parents who purchase the insurance the option to pay for an inexpensive repair, such as a new power cord, outright to avoid the deductible. Zepp said the district offers mobile hotspots to students who do not have reliable internet at their home. Last year, one student borrowed a hotspot. The district is also working on enhancing wifi capabilities in the outdoor areas of the district campus on Fairfield Road. When that project is complete, Zepp said, district residents will be able to access the internet from parking lots and sports fields.

The Adams County SPCA in partnership with YWCA Hanover SafeHome is inviting everyone to participate in the first annual Purple Paws Pet Walk. This event will be held at the Gettysburg Rec Park, 545 Long Lane, on September 24 from 1-3 p.m. You are invited to bring your leashed dog to walk with you. There is no cost to participate, but donations are gratefully accepted. All donations will be split between the two non-profit organizations that are hosting. We welcome sponsorships from businesses. Our purpose in walking is to raise awareness and educate the public about the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty. YWCA Hanover SafeHome helps assist victims with housing, clothing, legal advocacy, and other services. The Adams County SPCA assists with taking care of victims’ animals offering boarding, spay/neuter and vaccinations. Other community organizations will be present at the walk to offer other types of assistance. Years of research support the idea that there is a direct link between acts of cruelty to animals escalating to violence against humans, including children and elders.71% of domestic violence victims report that their abuser also abused or neglected animals in the home. 43% of those who commit school shootings have also committed acts of cruelty to animals. Working together to show that help is available, we can make a difference. Please join us in this effort on Sept. 24.

In March 2020, when the pandemic was in its full fury, the federal government took emergency measures that prohibited states from removing people from the Medicaid program. In exchange, the states were given increased federal Medicaid funding. More than 23 million people were added to Medicaid and the Children’s Health Enrollment Program (CHIP), reaching 95 million at the end of March 2023 (Kaiser Family Foundation, KFF). But on April 1, 2023, the emergency provision of continuous enrollment ended and what has been called “the great unwinding” of people on Medicaid began. This means that states could once again apply their own rules for Medicaid eligibility, which vary considerably. States have been able to disenroll people who no longer qualify or who face barriers to completing the renewal process. Nationally, millions of people are expected to lose this critical healthcare insurance coverage for low-income families. Forty-four states and the District of Columbia have reported disenrolling over 4.8 million Medicaid enrollees as of August 17. The disenrollment rate ranges from 72% in Texas to 8% in Wyoming. Pennsylvania’s rate is 33%. Ineligibility is tied to a state’s income level requirements. Among those disenrolled nationally, however, 71 percent were terminated for procedural reasons due to not completing the renewal process. (Source: KFF and the Medicaid Enrollment and Unwinding Tracker) In Pennsylvania, as of last May, about 44 percent of those terminated were for procedural reasons, and 56 percent were determined ineligible. Unfortunately, many people on Medicaid are unaware of the implications of the Medicaid unwinding (or even that it is happening) and some may have unknowingly lost coverage. Everyone who has benefited from Medicaid needs to check on their status. Pennsylvanians who no longer qualify for Medicaid may be able to enroll in one of PENNIE’s programs. (PENNIE is Pennsylvania’s own healthcare exchange on the Affordable Care Act (ACA). If you need advice regarding your status or help re-enrolling in either Medicaid or PENNIE, please call the Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN) at 877-570-3642.

The Gettysburg Area High School girls’ tennis team is beginning its fall season without an official coach. The district’s school board again decided not to act on a recommendation from its administration to reinstate Sasha Yates, who has coached the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams since 2018. The boys’ tennis team is not affected because they play in the spring sports season. At the Aug. 21 meeting, the Gettysburg Area School District’s Board of Directors voted to remove Yates from the administration’s list of recommended hires. Yates, who is transgender, was listed on the agenda by her legal name of David. She has been the district’s tennis coach since 2018. A vote on Yates’ reinstatement was first considered at the Aug. 7 meeting when board members Michelle Smyers, Timon Linn, and Al Moyer voted not to reinstate Yates as a coach. Board President Kenny Hassinger, as well as Tim Seigman, and Jeremy Davis voted for Yates to be named coach. Michael Dickerson abstained and AmyBeth Hodges and Ryan Morris were absent. At Monday’s meeting, Dickerson recommended the board remove the discussion of Yates’ contract from the agenda. Linn and Hodges opposed the agenda change. The others, excluding Hassinger who was absent, supported Dickerson’s motion. Because state law does not allow public discussion of personnel issues, it is not publicly known why Yates’ candidacy is seen as unacceptable to some board members. Dickerson said in an interview after the meeting that he suggested the board pull the administration’s recommendation so members had time to digest the abundance of public comment.  After the meeting, Superintendent Jason Perrin said he was unsure if the administration would recommend Yates for a third time. The board next meets on Sept. 5. Public comment The board moved Monday’s meeting from the district administration building to the Gettysburg Area Middle School Auditorium due to an anticipated large crowd. Thirty people, most of whom supported Yates, addressed the board. Steve Carbaugh told the board his daughter saw Yates in the girls’ bathroom in April. Carbaugh said he addressed his concern with High School Principal Jeremy Lusk. Carbaugh claimed Yates later changed clothes in the women’s locker room with the girls’ soccer team. When asked after the meeting, Perrin said the district does not have a policy pertaining to bathroom use. John Wega expressed concern about Yates being reinstated as a coach. Wega cited a National Institutes of Health study that states 82% of transgender individuals have considered killing themselves and 40% have attempted suicide. Chad-Alan Carr, a member of the Gettysburg Borough Council and chair of Gettysburg Pride, agreed with Wega’s data but claimed the suicides are due to the students not having a strong support system. Carr, who is gay, shared that he considered suicide as a teenager but a strong mentor convinced him to live. Paul Kellett, a Freedom Township supervisor and parent, agreed. “If you are concerned about protecting kids, have role models they can look up to,” he said. Alexandra Escalera said she believed the core of the issue is not Yates’ qualifications or performance as a coach. Escalera encouraged the board to clarify what she referred to as “the bathroom issue.” Numerous others told stories of Yates’ mentorship on and off the court.  “Coach Yates is one of a very, very few people who got me through that high school experience,” Chelsea Zimmann, GAHS Class of 2021, said. Janet Riggs, chair of the Gettysburg Borough Human Relations Council, acknowledged fear of a lawsuit. “Discrimination based on gender identity could, and should, lead to a claim against the school district,” Riggs said. Tennis coach’s response When asked for comment after the meeting, Yates turned the attention to the tennis players. “My kids do not have a coach,” Yates said. “This should solely be about the student-athletes.” When asked who was coaching the team, Perrin said “a plethora of individuals.” Dickerson acknowledged the team is not receiving the support it would from Yates. “They might not be up to Coach Yates’ caliber, but they are qualified to cover practices,” he said. Featured Image: Gettysburg Area High School’s most recent tennis coach, Sasha Yates, stands outside the district’s middle school following the Aug. 21 board meeting. (Photo by Alex J. Hayes)

Conewago Valley School District took another step towards hiring a school security officer during the school board meeting on Monday evening. The board approved a job description for the school security officer (SSO). During the time for public comment, one individual questioned why the district would hire an SSO instead of looking into having police officers offer security. “The biggest reason the board would like to see the SSO is the fact that we will have control over what they do,” board president Edward Groft said. “If we bring somebody in from the outside, we do not have the control. If we bring the police in, they control when and where and how things are going to happen. This will be a person that is an employee.” Groft added that hiring an SSO would also add consistency for the district staff and the students. “If we bring police in from outside and this officer is here today or even for the school year, that doesn’t mean he’s going to be here next year,” Groft said. “But if we bring somebody in that’s hired by the school, when they’re here next year or the next year there’s going to be some continuity. You can expect who you’re going to be dealing with and things like that. Even the kids are going to be looking forward to seeing the same person.” Additional safety updates are also being completed. Matthew Muller, director of district safety and communications, said staff would have training this week on emergency management, emergency preparedness, and threat assessment. Additional training to discuss situational awareness and other topics will be held later this year, according to Muller. “We’re pretty excited about that,” Muller said. All employees will be issued a parking tag as well as branded badge reels or breakaway lanyards in addition to their identification, according to Muller. Parking tags have been issued before, but after reviewing the results of a risk and vulnerabilities survey completed in the district earlier this year, the decision was made to ensure all employees have parking tags to make it easier to know who is on campus, according to Muller. Muller said in addition to about 740 responses received for a recent district safety survey, another 500 individuals participated in a communications survey. The community seemed to be interested in receiving text updates and in seeing apps offered, according to Muller. Christopher Bowman, principal of New Oxford High School, said he is also concentrating on safety and communications. In addition to completing safety drills, the school will work to communicate with both students and staff. “We also have a class meeting with all of our classes to go over expectations and get information out to them,” Bowman said. “We also do have some starting activities for the year, so we have a detailed plan that’s already shared with our staff. Our bell schedules are laid out on the calendars for both our faculty and for our students on the NOHS students’ Google Calendar, so we’ll review that with our students on the first day just to make sure that they know what to expect every day moving forward.” Academic updates Conewago Valley’s elementary school principals greeted the class of 2026 ahead of the new school year. Autumn Zaminsky, principal of Conewago Township Elementary School, and Christopher Cobb, New Oxford Elementary prinicipal, recently visited incoming kindergarten students. Cobb said most districts in the area do not hold kindergarten visitation and said it is a “special tradition” in Conewago Valley and “a great way to welcome our students.” Zaminsky said the elementary schools are setting the students up for success early. “The other thing we’re looking forward to is just kicking off the year with the focus on academics,” Zaminsky said. “We’re going to be utilizing the reading specialists, math specialists, gifted teacher and school psychologists to dig in and provide assessments for our students so that way we can really meet the needs for all learners.” Cobb said the addition of a token reward system in the schools will also help students. In addition to using math as they earn and save tokens, Cobb said the CHARGE program – which stands for, ‘committed, honest, adaptable, respectable, generous and engaged’ – will also encourage students. Dr. Brad Sterner, assistant superintendent for the district, said about 20 new teachers participated in the induction program this year. The teachers are a mix of newly-graduated and experienced teachers, but all of them were able to take a bus tour of the district for the induction program. “The purpose of taking a tour wasn’t just for our new teachers to see what our school district is, but really to understand where our students are coming from and seeing the vast variety of developments that we have, the municipalities that we have,” Sterner said. “So we went on a tour around the entire district perimeter. We also stopped by every school building and the principals greeted us as we got off the bus.” Conewago Valley staff have been busily writing and updating the curriculum, according to Charlie Trovato, director of curriculum for the district. Trovato said staff worked over the summer to write the math curriculum. The district is also working on its overall curriculum framework and a curriculum guidebook that should be shown to the board later this year. Other business Stephanie Corbin, the director of special education in Conewago Valley, said the district has about 45 new kindergarten students enrolling from the IU preschool program. Corbin thanked the board for agreeing to develop a new autistic support classroom. “It was desperately needed and it is filled and we are working hard to get that teacher in there and getting things done,” Corbin said. With the new school year beginning, Corbin said staff is working to ensure students’ supports and services are in place, IEP and 504 meetings are set and other processes are in place for students. The board approved the hiring of several employees, including adding an assistant athletic director at the high school and an assistant girls’ volleyball coach. The board held a brief executive session before the meeting in order to discuss personnel, according to Groft. The board will hold a study session at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11. The next regular meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18. Both meetings will be held in the district board room. Meetings are also live-streamed on the district’s YouTube channel.

By Kenneth Schrupp | The Center Square  California Attorney General Rob Bonta, left, speaks during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., on Monday, May 1, 2023. Adam Beam / AP Photo California attorney general Rob Bonta is leading a coalition of 20 states opposing what they describe as “anti-transgender” laws in Tennessee and Kentucky blocking children from undergoing medical procedures that are given to enable minors to live with a gender identity different than that noted on their birth certificates, such as puberty-blocking hormones and gender change surgeries.  In their amicus brief supporting the plaintiffs in L.W. v Skrmetti, a case combining lawsuits against Tennessee’s SB 1 and Kentucky’s SB 150, the coalition wrote the laws preventing hormone access to minors “single out transgender minors for discriminatory treatment.”  “Gender-affirming care is safe, medically accepted, and empowers transgender people to lead healthier, happier lives,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Blocking access to gender-affirming care only serves to marginalize already vulnerable people and put their lives at risk. Kentucky and Tennessee’s laws are part of a growing assault on LGBTQ+ rights nationwide, driven by ignorance, bigotry, and partisan politics.”  While a federal district judge issued a preliminary injunction against SB 1 due to a potential violation of the Constitution’s Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses, the injunction maintained SB 1’s ban on gender surgeries for minors. Just a week later, a panel of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the preliminary injunction, noting the exceptions for continuing care of pre-existing minor patients and those with congenital defects, precocious puberty, disease, or physical injury. The case, combined with a similar case challenging a similar law in Kentucky, now faces the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.  The Bonta-led coalition, which includes Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington argues restricting transgender people’s access to gender-changing medical procedures significantly harms transgender teenagers. In support of this, they cite a 2020 study finding teenagers seeking “gender-affirming treatment at later stages of puberty are five times more likely to be diagnosed with depression and four times more likely to have anxiety disorders than adolescents who seek treatment in early puberty.” Meanwhile, lawyers supporting the ban echo the Tennessee Senate’s official findings that some treatments for gender dysphoria “can lead to the minor becoming irreversibly sterile, having increased risk of disease and illness, or suffering adverse and sometimes fatal psychological consequences,” continue to cite lack of scientific evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of gender-changing medical procedures, and growing evidence of potential harm for children in their defense. At home, in California, Bonta is investigating a local school district for civil rights violations because the district requires that parents be told if their child is involved in violence, talks about suicide, or asks to be called by a different name or use different gender-segregated facilities or programs than what is on their birth certificate.  Kenneth Schrupp Reporter

Daniel E Bergan, Michigan State University If you’re going to write to your legislator, do your homework on the issues. digitalskillet/ iStock / Getty Images Plus Suppose you have an issue you are really passionate about – taxes, gun control or some other important policy. You want to do more than vent on social media, so you decide to write an email, place a phone call or even draft a letter to your state legislator expressing your views. As a citizen, I would praise your sense of civic responsibility and willingness to express your opinion. As a scholar, I would encourage your efforts – they’re more consequential than many people realize. I teach communication and public policy at Michigan State University and study how constitutents’ communication with lawmakers affects public policy decisions. In my previous research, I analyzed – with their permission – the efforts of coalitions working to get citizens to contact their lawmakers in support of major legislation in New Hampshire and Michigan. I conducted a rigorous evaluation of the types of contact constituents made, the messages they conveyed and the behavior of lawmakers both before and after receiving those communications. The results showed that communications from constituents can have a large impact on how legislators vote. For example, emails from constituents encouraging policymakers to support smoke-free workplace bills in New Hampshire increased state legislators’ support on critical votes by an estimated 20 percentage points – a substantial effect. But a lot of people don’t bother to contact their elected officials, thinking it’s not worth communicating with them. In today’s polarized political environment, is it possible to get through to policymakers from the other side? Discounting opposing views Some work, including my own mentioned above, suggests that policymakers are responsive to communications from the public. But research has also shown that policymakers engage in what’s called biased reasoning, writing off communications from constituents who do not share their policy views. For instance, political scientists Daniel Butler and Adam Dynes asked state and local policymakers in two online surveys to evaluate a hypothetical communication from a constituent. Policymakers were randomly assigned to evaluate a letter that either supported or opposed a controversial policy and then rated the hypothetical writer letter on various characteristics. The authors found that policymakers rated hypothetical constituents who disagreed with them as less knowledgeable about the topic. This discounting of constituents who disagree on policy could explain why policymakers tend to have biased perceptions of public opinion, believing the public’s attitudes to be more in line with their own positions than polling suggests. Is there a way to prevent lawmakers from writing off constituents’ perspectives? Do your research In recent work with political communication scholars Hillary Shulman and Dustin Carnahan, I sought to develop strategies to limit policymakers’ discounting of constituents’ opinions. We asked a national sample of elected local policymakers – among them city council members – to evaluate a hypothetical email writer randomly assigned to express support or opposition to raising the minimum wage. The survey was fielded by Civic Pulse, which specializes in samples of elected officials. This study was similar to the Butler and Dynes study described above. But we added two randomly assigned conditions – what we called a “read” condition in which the writer expressed having “read a lot about” the topic, without any specific detail, or a “cite” condition in which the writer summarized and cited a study supporting their position. We anticipated, based on research on biased reasoning, that providing clear evidence that the constituent is knowledgeable about the issue would prevent biased discounting of constituent opinion. Policymakers in our study were asked to evaluate to what extent they thought that the constituent understood the issue, was representative of the community, and was sincere and held their position strongly, and whether they thought the communication was a form letter rather than a constituent-intitiated communication – and therefore presumably more likely to be written off. How to not be written off The results confirmed previous findings that policymakers indeed discount the opinions of constituents with whom they disagree. When policymakers read an email expressing an opinion that differed from their own on raising the minimum wage, the email writer was rated lower across all five dimensions. However, if the email writer provided evidence that they knew about the issue – citing research supporting their position – policymakers were more likely to perceive that the email writer understood the issue. The effects of citing evidence are stronger than simply stating that one has read about the issue. My own work suggests that a constituent expressing an opinion to an elected official can influence the official’s vote on the issue. But just writing to an official is no guarantee that the constituent will persuade the official or have the issue resolved in the way they prefer. Our study is important in identifying a way constituents can avoid being written off. We also found that there are no downsides to providing evidence supporting one’s position. You might expect that when provided with unambiguous evidence that a disagreeing constituent understands the issue, policymakers might direct their efforts to discounting other constituent characteristics, rating the constituent as less sincere or less representative of the community. We did not find any evidence that this happened. When faced with evidence that their constituent knows the issue well, policymakers are less likely to discount their opinions. How to be heard The practical results are clear: When communicating with a policymaker, especially one with whom you disagree, you want to stop them from discounting your opinion. One way to do this is by citing quality evidence to support your position. While this advice seems straightforward, it did not appear in guides we surveyed created by citizen groups like the Sierra Club, ACLU or Christian Coalition. When contacting a policymaker about an issue, be aware that they may discount your opinion if they disagree. But note also that carefully crafted communications can convey your position without being written off – and could improve how accurately the policymaker understands public attitudes about public policies. Daniel E Bergan, Associate Professor in Communication & Public Policy, Michigan State University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

After five years of discussion and deliberation, the Littlestown Area School Board unanimously approved a $53.5 million project combining the middle and high schools to form a Grade 6 through 12 complex. Construction is planned to start in September and finish at the end of 2025. The design increases the size of the current high school building to accommodate an additional 400 students who will move in. The middle school, built in 1932 and considered beyond economic repair, may be sold. “Wow. It’s been a long five years,” said LASD board president Dolores Nester. “I think we are finally going to have a building that is good for the students. Our students deserve this,” she added. Superintendent Chris Bigger said the process of planning for consolidation forced the district to think about its programming, which will include new graduation requirements for the class of 2026, more electives for middle school students, and more college, university, and business partnerships. “This has been no short-term project. It’s been the most detailed, arduous, challenging process I’ve been through, but we’re setting up for the next 50 years,” he said. He praised the RLPS Architects company for their meticulous work in all areas, especially for bringing in bids that were $200,000 less than anticipated. The overall plan chosen by the board will consist of general, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical construction plus more than $8 million in soft costs, which Randy Blaydon, RLPS project staff, described as “all associated costs that aren’t bolted to the actual structure.” He gave, as examples, design costs, project contingencies, permit fees charged by the municipality and county, inspections, and others. In addition to the building renovation, the district will include: One citizen spoke against the expenditure, saying it would be too burdensome on the taxpayers in the area, already facing hardships following COVID. “These citizens in Littlestown cannot afford this loan.” He said he was worried that the increase in the taxes during the next ten years would not be possible for Littlestown residents and that some could potentially lose their homes over it. “The total annual payment for facilities via bonds is $3.8 million and will remain constant. The total cost of salary and benefits is $27.3 million and will increase annually by 2-3%. Keeping all five buildings open would cost significantly more money in staffing, maintenance, and therefore taxes,” he added. Very few classrooms will be changed during the first year of construction. Once the new additions are completed, the high school classrooms will move into the new spaces while the older classrooms are renovated. The middle school students will move into the high school in year two of the construction when renovations are complete in 2025. The board also approved a recommendation to adopt bond resolution parameters for the secondary school project that will allow the school district to borrow the money for the project and authorizes the refinancing of the 2015 loans of $20 million, which could save the district money over the life of loans. “We probably would be saving about .5 of a percent,” said Brad Remig, managing director of PFM Financial Advisors. “Only if we can save hundreds of thousands of dollars will I suggest we do it.”

Two current and one former Adams County Children and Youth Services (ACCYS) employees were charged yesterday with felony counts of endangering the welfare of a child. The indictments came after a three-year investigation into the death of a 15-month-old girl on May 31, 2020. The child’s mother was charged with the death of her daughter and pled guilty to third-degree murder. Pennsylvania State Police handled the investigation and the charges were brought after a review by a statewide grand jury requested by Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett. According to the indictment, while the one-year-old girl and her three-year-old sister were being supervised by ACCYS, the defendants knowingly endangered the welfare of the children by violating a duty of care, protection, or support, including ignoring concerns expressed by service providers and foster patients. The indictment said the defendants dismissed concerns out-of-hand, failed to conduct follow-up investigations before returning the children to their mother. and failed to advise the supervising court of multiple concerns about the children’s mother’s inability to parent safely. “As a result of that homicide investigation and prosecution, it became apparent that several serious failures occurred in the supervision and reunification process of this case. The murder was very likely avoidable if Adams County Children and Youth Services had not violated the duty of care,” said Sinnett. Adams County Solicitor Molly Mudd said the two ACCYS staff members have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings and that ACCYS will continue its mission to protect children and provide resources to families in need. “We ask the public to keep in mind that these staff members are entitled to a presumption of innocence and that a grand jury does not necessarily see exculpatory evidence or hear the other side of the story during its deliberations,” she said. ACCYS obtained emergency custody of both children in February 2019 after the younger child was born with the presence of cocaine, opiates, and THC in her system. The children were placed with foster parents before being returned to their natural parents after a court order on Feb. 27, 2020.  According to the grand jury statement, a protective services referral was made to ACCYS in late May 2020 regarding the mother drinking and passing out while at a party with her children. One week later, the youngest daughter received injuries that her mother reported were obtained from a fall. She later admitted to shaking the child. The child died from her injuries two days later. Featured image caption: Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett announced that three arrests were made charging youth services employees with endangering the welfare of a chitld. 

Kevin J. Krizek, University of Colorado Boulder Retractable bollards can be used to signal priority areas on streets for smaller vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Eugene Nekrasov/Getty Images Plus Deadly traffic incidents have declined in most developed countries in recent years. But in the U.S. they’re becoming more common. Deaths in motor vehicle crashes rose more than 33% from 2011 to 2021. Since 2010, pedestrian deaths nationwide have climbed a shocking 77%, compared with a 25% increase in all other types of traffic fatalities. Light trucks injure pedestrians more severely than passenger cars in crashes, and the size of cars and trucks sold in the U.S. continues to swell. Some current models, such as the Toyota Rav4, are one-third larger than they were 15 years ago. Based on my experience researching urban planning and street design for the past three decades, I know that U.S. cities are primarily vehicle-centered rather than human-centered. Rules established in the 1920s govern how people use vehicles in public streets, and other governmental controls tell manufacturers how big those vehicles can be. Today, these sets of rules have created public spaces where it is safer to be inside a vehicle than outside. The U.S. has not moved as quickly as other countries to prioritize the safety of people outside of cars, especially as cars have grown larger and heavier. As a consequence, Americans are paying the price in lives lost, skyrocketing public health costs and reduced mobility. https://www.youtube.com/embed/TaqKfuf-Y48?wmode=transparent&start=0 Large SUVs and trucks increase the risk of ‘frontover’ accidents, in which drivers strike someone in the vehicle’s large front blind zone. Larger, heavier and deadlier Data clearly shows that since 2008, cars and trucks sold in the U.S. have been continually getting bigger. The Department of Transportation’s corporate average fuel economy standards have constrained overall gasoline consumption but have also led to an increase in vehicle size. That’s because these standards have two sets of rules: one for cars and a looser set for light trucks. As a result, automakers have built more sport utility vehicles and light trucks, as well as cars designed to meet light truck standards, like the Subaru Outback. For almost a decade, they have increasingly moved away from producing small cars and sedans. Modern auto showrooms are dominated by sport utility vehicles, minivans and pickup trucks. According to 2022 data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, three-quarters of new vehicles produced in the U.S. are light trucks. Those large vehicles create severe safety hazards on neighborhood city streets for children or adults who might be walking or cycling. Because these vehicles are taller, they are more likely to strike people at higher points and produce head or neck injuries rather than leg injuries. Their larger frames worsen visibility for drivers, especially when a vehicle is turning. As a result, transport agencies, journalists and public safety advocates are increasingly identifying large vehicles as a significant impediment to creating communities with safer streets. A slow federal response Until now, the U.S. has not enacted regulations that require car manufacturers to consider the safety of anyone outside of cars. Now, however, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is proposing to add information to its crash test ratings measuring how well cars protect pedestrians in crashes. For example, bumpers and hoods could be redesigned to bend more easily and absorb more energy if a vehicle strikes a person. But as currently proposed, pedestrian safety would not be factored into the overall five-star safety rating. A vehicle could receive a failing grade for protecting pedestrians yet still earn a five-star safety rating overall. People deserve to safely travel on public streets and in parking lots. In my view, the quickest and most effective way to tackle car bloat is to transform social expectations for the shape and size of vehicles. Several European cities show how this kind of shift can happen. A time for local action Amsterdam and Copenhagen are widely viewed as models for using public space in ways that prioritize people – but they weren’t always that way. Starting in the 1970s, grassroots movements in both cities pressed officials to reduce the dominance of cars and make streets safer for the public. These movements initially were slow to catch on but gained support over time. Today, similar initiatives are moving forward in cities across France and Germany. Even traditionally car-centric European cities, such as Brussels and Ghent, are increasingly adopting human-focused policies by designating where cars, especially large cars, can and cannot travel. As a visiting professor in the Netherlands, a Fulbright scholar to Italy and a lecturer across Germany and Poland, I have seen the benefits of these initiatives close at hand. I’ve also learned that it will require public action to create support for such changes in the U.S. The goal is to modify the design of neighborhood streets and parking areas in ways that prioritize pedestrians, bicycles and new forms of personal transport like microcars. Federal survey data shows that nearly half of trips that Americans drive are shorter than four miles (6.5 kilometers). Ideally, people can be discouraged from using large passenger vehicles for most of this type of travel. https://www.youtube.com/embed/pcVGqtmd2wM?wmode=transparent&start=0 The 38,000 residents of Peachtree City, Ga., can drive registered golf carts on an alternative network of car-free paths around their community. What communities can do Streets and roads are local public spaces. Therefore, local officials and citizens have important roles to play in mitigating escalating car size in their community. Some policymakers are proposing to rein in large vehicles through tax policies, such as weight-based registration fees. But measures like this won’t avert the emerging safety crisis in the near term. Rather, I believe this kind of broad cultural shift requires collective action, starting at the local level with street design reform. In my view, communities seeking to discourage the predominance of oversize vehicles and encourage use of smaller, lighter and slower vehicles could consider taking such steps as: How would such steps make people safer? Ask communities around Boston, which have cut several accident-prone four-lane roads down to two lanes each, reducing traffic speeds and crashes and creating more green space. Or those in the Atlanta suburb of Peachtree City, which has used parking lots and street space to augment a network of more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) of paved paths for walkers, bikers and registered golf carts. Repurposing space in streets and parking areas requires city governments and residents to emphasize the public right of way and view street space as a place to devise solutions. There is ample evidence that doing so will make U.S. communities safer. Kevin J. Krizek, Professor of Environmental Design, University of Colorado Boulder This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

More than $15,000 worth of wood, paint, fire retardant, and elbow grease will be applied to Sachs Covered Bridge in early August, thanks to the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania. Theodore Burr (1771-1822) was an inventor who created the arch truss bridge design, familiarly known today as the Burr truss. The National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges contributed $5,000 for needed wood repairs; the PA chapter is providing the rest for the paint, the painters, and the fire retardant to cover the bridge’s interior. A transparent liquid, the fire retardant will be sprayed on the inside of the bridge, from floor to roof, and should last about 15 years. Since most covered bridge fires start on the inside of the bridge, this is an important step. “On behalf of the community, we really appreciate you doing this,” said Commissioner Randy Phiel, who described the fall bridge scene as a postcard image. “I am passionate about Sachs Bridge said Society president Robert Kuether. It has not been painted since 1996. The non-profit group was formed to promote interest and active participation in preserving and restoring the remaining 209 bridges in Pennsylvania. Each year, it sponsors a fall Covered Bridge Safari. This year it will take place in Vermont. For more information about the covered bridge society, contact http://tbcbspa.com/index.htm. Also known as Sauk’s Covered Bridge, the 100-foot bridge over Marsh Creek was declared “Pennsylvania’s most historic covered bridge in 1938 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. On July 1, 1863, it was crossed by the Union Army heading towards Gettysburg and, four days later, was crossed by General Robert E. Lee’s retreating army after the Union victory. Designed as a town truss-covered bridge, it consists of wooden beams crisscrossed to form a lattice. The cost to build it in 1854 was $1,544. A plan to replace the bridge in 1960 was rejected eight years later when Cumberland Township officials voted to close it to vehicular traffic. In 1996, it was severely damaged by flood waters and carried almost 100 yards downstream. It was repaired by the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association for about $600,000 and rededicated the following year. Open only to foot traffic since 1968, it is one of four covered bridges in Adams County and a favorite site for visitors, weddings, and the ghosts which are said to haunt it. Broadband Task Force Update The Adams County Broadband Task Force, charged with investigating the best ways to bring the internet to underserved and unserved areas of the county, issued a formal letter of support for Comcast’s application to the Capital Funds Broadband Infrastructure Project. Commissioner Phiel said it would be the best way to move forward. Commissioner Martin agreed. “It’s very logical to give them this level of support. They already have a lot of infrastructure in place,” he said. “Our broadband task force goal is that every house and every business have access to affordable high-speed internet,” said Marty Qually, ex-officio task force member. He added that the county received letters of application from three providers but that Comcast was chosen because of the number of county residents it already serves. “The task force believes we should support one application,” Qually said later. “Instead of the county applying for funds, it makes more sense to partner with Comcast and help them with their application. The county will provide Comcast with the task force’s map and survey results to help with that process. “But,” cautioned Qually, “people have to be patient. This is an expensive infrastructure.” Qually explained that the results will be made public once the task force has obtained and reviewed the Broadband feasibility study. “We anticipate receiving the study and completing our internal review this fall.” Recently, the federal government provided Pennsylvania with $1.15 billion in funding for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) plan. The state seeks input from residents, businesses, and organizations to develop a five-year action plan that expands internet across the Commonwealth. Qually said the task force and staff will review the plan to confirm that it prioritizes and addresses rural broadband challenges. The county task force has begun to develop its own broadband strategic plan and will ask for input from businesses and residents to assist in targeting broadband and other grant applications. What exactly will county-wide access look like? Qually said that speeds of 25/3 megabits per second (Mbps) were once considered high-speed. However, new funding programs require speeds of 100/20 Mbps, allowing for more devices on a system at once and more data to be sent. He added that these speeds would allow someone at home to work remotely at the same time another person on the same system is attending remote classes. A spokesperson for Comcast said, “We are continuously looking at opportunities to bring our state-of-the-art products and services to more consumers and businesses, including Adams County, for which this Pennsylvania Broadband Infrastructure Program application applies. While we are unable to comment on specific details or plans at this time, Comcast remains committed to serving unserved and underserved communities across our footprint.” Once the grant process is complete, more specific information may be forthcoming. Featured image caption: Members of the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society present a check for applying paint and fire retardant to Sachs Covered Bridge.

Gettysburg will forever be known as the town that changed the course of the American Civil War, but an emerging group of artisans also desire to grow its reputation as a cultural mecca. A local businesswoman, Timbrel Wallace, is helping them to achieve their dream. Wallace’s new store, Gettysburg Goods, solely features items made by the people who live and work in historic Adams County. Gettysburg Goods latest Wallace venture Wallace and her husband Scott began their life as downtown shopkeepers 12 years ago when they opened Lark – A Modern Marketplace. Lark, now on Lincoln Square, is located inside a former home that was built in 1885. The building rests on the foundation of one of the first homes built on the Square in 1799. Here shoppers can find almost anything, including home decor, whimsical socks, books, puzzles, treats, and practical items such as earbud cleaning kits and tick-removing tools. The Wallaces then opened Nerd Herd Gifts & Games on York Street, a fun spot with a giant chessboard and cornhole games outside its entrance. Being owner-operators gives the Wallaces the opportunity to talk to their customers about their shopping habits. They first heard a desire for more men-centric gifts, which led to the opening of Oh Man! Guy Gifts for Everyone in 2021. The next calling centered around more items made in or featuring Gettysburg. When a storefront opened up at 19 Lincoln Square, adjacent to Lark, Timbrel saw it as an opportunity to meet another need. “It just made a lot of sense for us to lease the space,” she said. Bringing people together Timbrel already had connections with many local artisans, such as fiber artist Joh Ricci and sketch artist Erin Brown. Jams made by Kathy Glahn of Wild Juniper Farms were a natural fit, as were signs by Marty Mummert. But she still needed to fill a store, so once she secured the space, she hung a note on the door describing plans for the business and invited artists to contact her if they wanted to be a part of it. The response was strong, and Wallace now has a waiting list. “I think it is a great way to get Gettysburg merchandise out into the world,” she said. Art comes in many forms, even the liquid variety. The space Gettysburg Goods occupies was recently the home of a local winery, and the Wallaces’ landlord did not want to remove the bar. Timbrel saw that as an opportunity for Mason Dixon Distillery to open a tasting room. “Yianni (Barakos, Mason Dixon owner) partners with the National Park Service by growing grains on their land. Having him in here is another way for everyone to work together,” Timbrel said. And working together is what Timbrel is all about. She believes the Lincoln Square district is strong because many entrepreneurs create partnerships with each other. She is excited to add more people to the collaborative efforts through Gettysburg Goods. “Gettysburg is not stale,” she said. “These artists are excited to share their pieces with the world.” Featured image caption: Timbrel Wallace and sign artist Marty Mummert stand near some of Mummert’s signs that are for sale in Gettysburg Goods. (Photo by Alex J. Hayes)

Adams County Commissioners approved an agreement to sell an unused portion of Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens to WellSpan Properties, Inc. at Wednesday’s meeting. Commissioner Randy Phiel said he was happy to see the end to “the tragedy and angst this issue has caused our community for the past ten years. The County will use the profit from the sale to form a board of trustees to oversee the continued care and maintenance of the cemetery. Trustee members include Ron Hankey, John Phillips, Crissy Redding, Harry Hartman, and Cindy Shultz, with Phiel as a non-voting member. Adams County acquired the Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens property in December of 2021, with the ultimate goal of transferring the cemetery portion to a non-profit organization for the care and maintenance of the cemetery. Since the County acquired the property, the unused portion was subdivided from the cemetery. In February of this year, the lot was rezoned from institutional to mixed-use. In 2021 Cumberland Township purchased the property for $1 through eminent domain and sold it to the County for the same price. Since then, many community volunteers have cared for the property. “Through the cooperative efforts of the County, Cumberland Township, and many dedicated volunteers and community members, Oak Lawn has been able to turn a new page. The sale of the unused portion of the property will go a long way towards funding the long-term care and maintenance of the cemetery,” said Phiel. WellSpan Properties can purchase five acres for $350,000 or all of Lot 2, about 9.8 acres, for $500,000. The company has up to nine months to decide whether to move forward with the purchase. “While no final determination has been made at this time related to this property, WellSpan Health continually evaluates opportunities now and for the future in Adams County,” a spokesman said. In other board business, July 16 to 22 has been proclaimed Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week in Adams County, with the theme “Stronger Together.” Gale Kendall, Chief probation officer, said, “I am honored to speak on behalf of the Adams County Department of Probation Services to shine a light on the important work we do for the community in celebration of Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Week. I am blessed to be working with such committed, compassionate, driven team members.” The corrections professionals honored work with adults and youth who have been convicted of a crime. Home contacts, drug testing, assuring counseling sessions are kept, and helping them with housing and employment are some ways they assist them. Kendall called it “demanding but essential work to help change the trajectory of the lives of these individuals.” However, she cautioned that the justice system could not do it alone and asked community members to help by supporting people in the justice system, addressing the stigma, and supporting agencies that work with justice-involved people. “This is one of the most unrecognized but most valuable services in the county,” Commissioner Phiel said, “and at the end of the day, I hope you realize the extremely important contributions you make to your community.” Commissioner Martin thanked them for “helping the community flourish, one individual at a time, by helping that person make better decisions. It’s something that’s greatly appreciated.” Commissioner Qually acknowledged the challenges they faced in a job where they are not always aware of their successes. “You help lay the groundwork to help people get better.” The board approved the following recommendations: A Radiation Emergency Response Fund grant award (with no county match) of nearly $17,000 to the Adams County Department of Emergency Services to improve response capabilities to PA nuclear power plant accidents or incidents. IT department licenses for remote review and management of technology issues on County and court devices ($6,355) and an annual maintenance agreement of a document management system ($13,360). Purchase of the conservation easement for the Apple Valley/Donaldson Farm in Fairfield for 99.7 acres at $1,827 per acre for Ag Land Preservation. Remodel of the treasurer’s office for about $33,640. A copier for the new Voter Registration office at the Department of Emergency Services ($8,260). Approve the rejoinder of Franklin Country as a voting member into the Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority, of which Adams County is a member.

The progestin-only pill Opill could be available in early 2024. Lucas Berenbrok, University of Pittsburgh and Marian Jarlenski, University of Pittsburgh On July 13, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a drugmaker’s application for the first daily over-the-counter birth control pill for people seeking to prevent pregnancy. Kwangmoozaa/iStock via Getty Images The pill, called Opill – the brand name for the tablet formulation of norgestrel – is an oral contraceptive containing only progestin hormone, which helps prevent pregnancy by thickening cervical mucus, preventing ovulation or both. Opill was initially approved by the FDA for prescription use in 1973. Its approval for nonprescription use may spark other manufacturers of prescription-only birth control to follow. This highlights the importance of pharmacies as destinations for health care and pharmacists as facilitators of contraceptive care. Opill is expected to be available through pharmacies, supermarkets, convenience stores and online retailers in early 2024. The FDA’s approval of an over-the-counter birth control pill can further expand options for people seeking hormonal contraception to all 50 states and U.S. territories. This expanded access could be a significant development in the post-Roe era as individual states further restrict women’s access to abortion. Prior to the FDA’s approval of this pill, many U.S. states have allowed pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraception. The process begins with a pharmacist consultation to screen patients for eligibility, collect a medical history and measure blood pressure. If the patient qualifies, the pharmacist can provide a prescription to the patient; if not, the pharmacist refers the patient to a physician. We are a pharmacist and a public health expert. We see the move toward over-the-counter birth control as an important step toward accessible and equitable reproductive health care for all Americans. Even though this product will be over-the-counter, pharmacists will play an indispensable role in that effort. The FDA’s approval of the first-ever over-the-counter daily birth control pill means that people could soon get them from the same aisles as aspirin, eye drops, or condoms. Making birth control more accessible With more than 60,000 pharmacies nationwide, pharmacists are the most accessible members of the healthcare workforce. Nearly 90% of Americans live within 5 miles of a pharmacy. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacies have provided testing, vaccination, and treatment for millions of people in the U.S., proving their worth in supporting and sustaining initiatives that are important to public health. Traditionally, hormonal contraception – also known as birth control, or when taken orally, “the pill” – has only been accessible after a comprehensive medical evaluation by a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner. But in 2016, California and Oregon changed their legislation to allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control. That quickly expanded to 20 states, plus Washington, D.C., that now allow pharmacists to prescribe some form of birth control, whether it be the pill, patch, ring or shot. However, the move toward over-the-counter birth control is important because it will lessen some of the known barriers to birth control, especially if the products are offered at an affordable price point. These barriers include the inability to pay for medical office visits required to obtain a prescription, lack of insurance to cover the cost of prescription birth control, or lack of access to pharmacist-prescribed contraception. Over-the-counter birth control can also reduce access barriers by preventing the need for a scheduled appointment with a primary care physician during work hours, the need for a pharmacist to be present to dispense prescription birth control, or the need to travel long distances to access these professionals. But it is important to note that over-the-counter access to hormonal birth control does not replace the importance of regular office visits or discussions about reproductive health with physicians. The use of contraception was illegal in the U.S. from the late 1800s until the 1960s. Addressing remaining barriers Even in states where pharmacists are currently allowed to prescribe birth control, over-the-counter hormonal birth control can make a difference. For example, if state policies do not create payment pathways to reimburse pharmacists for their time to counsel and prescribe, pharmacists may choose not to participate in prescribing birth control. Additionally, pharmacist availability and time may be limited and more restricted than the hours a pharmacy is advertised as open to the public to sell over-the-counter birth control products. Finally, there are notable cases of pharmacists who have denied patients access to emergency contraception, also known as the “morning-after pill,” and prescriptions for medication abortion on the grounds of moral, ethical, and religious beliefs. For instance, in 2019, a pharmacist in Minnesota denied a patient emergency contraception, citing personal beliefs. As a result, the patient drove 50 miles to gain access to the medication. Ultimately, a jury found that the pharmacist did not discriminate against the woman by denying to fill her prescription. This precedent suggests that pharmacists who object to the use of reproductive medications may further choose not to participate in prescribing hormonal contraception even when permitted to do so by state law. Individuals may also choose not to stock over-the-counter birth control when it becomes available. Pharmacist ‘conscience clauses’ Notably, many states give pharmacists autonomy when dispensing medications. Currently, 13 states have laws or regulations known as “conscience clauses” that permit pharmacists to refuse to dispense a medication when it conflicts with their religious or moral beliefs. The American Pharmacists Association also recognizes an individual pharmacist’s right to conscientiously refuse to dispense a medication; however, the organization supports a system to ensure patient access to medications without compromising the pharmacist’s right of refusal. In other words, pharmacists are encouraged to “step aside” but should not “step in the way” of dispensing or selling medications that conflict with their personal beliefs. Some states with conscience clauses legally require pharmacists to refer patients elsewhere when they decline to dispense a medication for ethical and/or moral beliefs. In addition, company policies may require pharmacists with objections to arrange for another pharmacist – who does not have objections – to provide the medication and care requested by the patient. However, some states do not require a system to ensure this patient access, as the American Pharmacists Association suggests. Pharmacist conscience clauses are unlikely to interfere with over-the-counter birth control availability at large pharmacy chains, supermarkets, and mass merchandisers due to top-down decision-making structures of these organizations. However, national pharmacy chains have recently faced complicated legal and political situations when it comes to offering prescription abortion pills in the post-Roe era. Ongoing legislation seeking to reduce abortion access in the post-Roe era across the U.S. only increases the importance of patient access to contraception. Geographical spatial analyses have found that people of low socioeconomic classes and of color disproportionately reside in contraception deserts, which are areas with low access to family planning resources. These contraception deserts could be reduced or eliminated altogether now that retailers may sell over-the-counter hormonal birth control at an affordable price. Pharmacists’ role in providing contraceptive Although patients may seek and purchase over-the-counter hormonal birth control at locations other than community pharmacies, when patients come to a pharmacy, pharmacists can help them understand how to use the product correctly, safely, and effectively prior to purchase. Pharmacists are trained as medication experts and acquire unique knowledge and skills of self-care products and nonprescription medications. When a pharmacist feels it is necessary, they can refer patients who do not qualify for over-the-counter birth control use back to their primary care providers for further evaluation and care. In our view, pharmacists can positively contribute to the safe, effective, and accessible use of contraception across the country. This is an updated version of an article originally published on Oct. 28, 2022. Lucas Berenbrok, Associate Professor of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh, and Marian Jarlenski, Associate Professor of Health Policy and Management, University of Pittsburgh This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Local residents were given the podium yesterday as the Borough Zoning Hearing Board met to consider three variances on the proposed multi-use, three-building restaurant, apartment building, and retail space on Carlisle and North Stratton Streets. The proposed development, consisting of an 8,000-square-foot retail area, a restaurant, and a 186-unit apartment building, is a 501 Richardson Acquisition, LLC project by Developer Tim Harrison of Staten Island, NY. Harrison is making use of a special exception that allows extending the building height from the allowed 48 feet to 72 feet, plus an additional 12 feet for mechanicals. A requested variance seeks to permit the seven-story building to be constructed without building step-backs as outlined by the ordinance, but using a smaller overall footprint, and a second seeks to permit the new Transit Center, also part of the project, to be less than the 24-foot minimum building height. Continuing the meeting that began June 28, Borough attorney Matthew Teeter began by announcing that five residents had been granted party and interest status. Two of them were present and allowed to present evidence. Brian Hodges, local businessman and resident, said he did not believe the applicant had met the 12 general criteria required for the special exception to increase the height of the building from 42 to 72 feet. Hodges said he had evidence that the proposed building, allowing for more apartment units, would have an adverse effect on traffic. “There’s a high probability that the quantity of apartments, retail, and commercial space on this lot in this location will generate traffic patterns that propose a substantial threat to the health, safety, and welfare of this community.” He asked if any traffic studies have been done and was told, “no.” The attorney for the project, Kurt Williams, asked Hodges if his statement concerning the negative effect of increased traffic was based on any studies he had commissioned. Hodges responded, “No. I just work on York Street. I see it every day.” “I personally am disappointed the borough didn’t ask for a traffic study,” said board member Michael Birkner. Without that, he added, there is not enough evidence to support that the extra apartments in the buildings would not be a threat to public safety. Local business owner Linda Atiyeh asked who was bearing the cost of moving the transit station and was told by Harrison that the project would be covering the costs. She asked about the total of the state grants applied to the project, which Williams objected to as irrelevant. “I don’t know that the financing of the project or the profitability of it has anything to do with a special exception,” Teeter responded, agreeing with the other counsel. After returning from a break, board member Rodger Goodacre opened up the meeting to public contents but cautioned, “In terms of decision-making, only sworn testimony can be actually be considered as evidence in terms of decision making. But, public comment is, of course, valuable and necessary.” Wesley Heyser, Gettysburg Borough Council President , said “The proposal which I have seen from Mr. Harrison fits well within the parameters that were set by the Borough of Gettysburg.” Lois Starkey, former Gettysburg business owner and 35-year resident of Adams County, urged the board to look at the proposal carefully because she doesn’t believe it is complete and that hardship, one of the criteria for a special exception, has not been demonstrated. “I don’t believe the developer has made a good argument for completely changing the character of our community,” she said. Starkey added she is not against the development of a multi-use commercial property, “but I don’t believe the Borough or this board or even the planning commission have done their due diligence.” Planning Commission chair Charles Strauss said the commission studied the application very carefully. At that meeting, it appeared that the application met the conditions for the special exception and the zoning variances. However, it would be up to the zoning hearing board to conclude finally that that was the case.” Strauss, who served on the borough council when the current ordinance was passed, said he was not in favor of it then. “However, the ordinance is the law that governs our borough.” Gettysburg College student Charles Demarco agreed that due diligence had not been followed. As someone who has worked closely with both planning and zoning boards in New York, he said “The fact that there was no traffic study done by the borough or the applicant is very alarming to me. Demarco added that traffic on Stratton Street is already very heavy and that adding 500 more cars will worsen matters. A second college student, Ziv Carmi, agreed that a traffic study should be considered before the project is completed. “As a bicyclist, I have had to deal with very heavy traffic and have sometimes been afraid.” Janice Ford said she lives about two blocks from “our upcoming debacle.” She asked if the decision regarding the request for variances had already been made. “It’s not a done deal,” responded board member Birkner. “There are issues that the applicant will be discussing with the board.” Ford said she opposed the variance, which would give the developers the right to demolish the existing transit center and build another. “We are merely following the ordinance as it has been written to meet the requirements for the height special exception,” said Williams during closing arguments. Concerning the step-back exception, Williams said the developer is seeking to construct the buildings 30 to 35 feet from the property line to allow more green space, more sunlight, less shadow, better transitions of building height in the area, and better circulation patterns to make it more attractive and livable. “We feel this more than meets the intent of the ordinance,” he said. In terms of the variance request concerning the height of the new transit center, which is six inches less than the ordinance requires, Williams said the request should be considered a “de minimis change,” which means too trivial to merit consideration. “We think the variances that we’re asking for are quite minimal and indeed improve the project over what it would be if we followed the ordinances to the letter,” said Williams. He said many of the issues raised during the past two meetings are land development issues, which will be the next phase the project will enter after clearing the current hurdle with the zoning board. Under the purview of the borough and planning commission, it will include traffic mitigation, police and fire protection, stormwater controls, and other issues. Birkner asked how they (the zoning board) could know if the design of the buildings would honor the scale and streetscape of the surrounding properties as noted by the ordinance. Solicitor Teeter said it is an issue that the board can discuss in its deliberations. “We are in the process of agreeing to support or deny this request without even knowing what these buildings are going to look like. We have a historic town with a particular built environment, and if we just keep pushing this forward without knowing what we’re getting, then we’re headed for a potential problem,” he said. Williams explained that the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) would be the entity that approves the design of the project. “We’re going to have to put a heck of a lot of faith in the HARB that you’re going to do right by Gettysburg,” Birkner countered. Following an hour-long board executive session, Goodacre said, “I’d like to report the board had some fairly in-depth discussions, and we’re going to need additional legal advice that will require some research on the part of the solicitor. He said the board would likely be ready to vote on the matter by the next meeting of the zoning heard board, July 26, 7:00 p.m.

After months of debate and discussion, Carroll Valley passed Ordinance 3-23 regarding trailers at Tuesday’s borough council meeting. Nicknamed the “trailer ordinance,” at issue was the number of trailers that could be parked on a lot and the definition of trailered vehicles versus self-powered recreational vehicles. Section 201 covers the parking and storage of recreational vehicles, boats, and travel trailers. The ordinance also modifies the definition of no-impact home-based businesses regarding the storage or staging of commercial products, materials, or equipment in excess of those normally associated with residential use. According to the new ordinance, residents may park three travel trailers, boats, and trailers on their property if no portion of the vehicle is located within any public right-of-way on or above any public sidewalk or easement or within building setback distances as specified in the respective zoning district. A fourth may be permitted if the lot is equal to or larger than two acres. All areas must be kept trimmed and trash free and prevent the leakage of fuels or lubricants. Vehicle registration and inspection should be kept up to date. “Well, since I was the one that was so adamantly opposed to this increase in number of trailers, I will say this much. I will be voting ‘yes’ because this requires full compliance with the provisions in Section 1405, which are an improvement over where we were,” Council President Richard Mathews said. Council member John Schuber added, “We batted this around for a long time. I’m very happy to get to this point and have some kind of peace within the community on this issue.” Borough manager David Hazlett was charged with enforcing the new ordinance. In other board business, Carroll Valley has acquired a lot on Crestview Trail bequeathed by a Maryland resident. Hazlett advised the council to consider approving the lot donation. “It looks like a decent lot and may have resale value,” he said, adding that it was near the sewer extension and would require little expense in providing a roadway. Council member Dave Lillard agreed.”Somebody’s donating us a lot, and it looks like it has some resale value. So, I’d say, ‘Let’s go for it.’” Council member Bruce Carr said he opposed acquiring another lot because they tend to be like heirlooms – things of little value that are difficult to dispose of. The council voted to approve the donation of the lot, with only Carr dissenting. Hazlett said the office had been inundated by people asking to buy lots and hoped the council could discuss this issue at the August meeting. June’s meeting raised the topic of selling some of the borough’s undeveloped lots. Mathews said that the borough is updating the information on undeveloped lots in the area and is only considering selling five or six if it is feasible. He said Carroll Valley needs a process and that selling any lots would have to be done selectively. Hazlett told the council he was working on the process. “I’m in the final stages of how it’s sold. I’m good with the evaluation process.” He added that the current issue is: “Do we use an auctioneer, do we use a real estate agent, or do we try to do it ourselves? That’s the last piece of it.” Recently, the borough had to pay about $3,700 in back taxes on five lots to keep them from being included in the county’s fall upset tax sale that auctions off properties that have defaulted on taxes. It could cost the borough additional expenses. Hazlett said the back taxes had been paid under protest, and the borough seeks to be reimbursed when the matter of the properties’ tax-exempt status is determined. The borough and county conflict seems to be more procedural than legal, said borough solicitor Stephen Corccorese. The borough has been encouraged to file an appeal and has done so. County manager Steve Nevada said that municipalities often believe that the lots they own are tax-exempt because they are tax-exempt. That’s not the case, he explained. The property must be used for public service. “The statute says municipalities are tax exempt. The county says you have to come out and prove it,” said Mathews. “We should have filed the application for exempt status,” he added and said that they would do that in the future, including the lot just acquired. Mathews said Carroll Valley is updating the information on unsold lots, many of which are used for passive recreation such as bird watching or hiking. Other uses include erosion control, stormwater management, wetland and floodplain protection, drainage, and as a possible sight for a water tower in the future. “We are not in the business of selling lots,” he added. The Chicken Coop Adam and Katlyn Colson are a young couple who recently moved to Carroll Valley. They asked the borough for permission to keep the chicken coop they have built in the front of their house because there is no room in the backyard as the ordinance dictates. Colson said she spoke with neighbors to ensure they were okay with the coop, designed to match their house and garage, and its location. It sits behind a large garden, and the entire area is fenced. After making the request, five of the couples’ neighbors spoke to the council, asking that they be allowed to keep the coop, described as attractive, thoughtfully constructed, and imposing no nuisance. The couple owns eight chickens, which are apparently very friendly, according to the neighbors’ testimony. Lillard asked what the process would be to grant an exception to the couple. “We can’t consider it tonight because it was not on tonight’s agenda, Mathews explained. Hazlett added that the process now is to consider the request and make a decision. “If you want to give them a relaxation of the rules, that’s within your purview as Borough Council.” The matter will be heard at August’s meeting, and in the meantime, Mathews suggested that all council members go by the home and see the enclosure. “I just have one thing to say,” said Carr. “Katlyn and Adam, it’s just a shame you weren’t here a year ago when we worked on this ordinance. It was more fun than you should have in half a day. Hazlett also had something to say about the seven-page chicken document. “I broke my own rule. I’m still sitting here, and I swore I wouldn’t be sitting here with a chicken conversation going on,” bringing a burst of laughter from the attendees. The next council borough meeting is scheduled for August 15 at 7:00 p.m. Featured image caption: Carroll Valley residents Katlyn and Adam Colson ask for a special exception to the chicken ordinance at Tuesday”s meeting.

The Rev. Lou Nyiri and his wife, Candace, arrived in Gettysburg weeks after earning their Master of Divinity degrees from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1996. For 27 years they have been fixtures in the Gettysburg community, especially at Lou’s work, Gettysburg Presbyterian Church. Friends packed the church’s worship area on Sunday, July 9, to say goodbye to the Nyiri family, including son Alex. They will soon relocate to Michigan, where Lou will serve as senior pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham Michigan. During his final sermon as the Gettysburg Presbyterian Church’s associate pastor, Lou led children through the worship area and had them remind attendees of a simple, but powerful, message: “God loves you.” The youngsters followed their bow-tie-wearing pastor as they paraded up and down the aisles shouting those encouraging words. Lou recalled the church’s personnel committee asking him in 1996 if he could commit to five years. He said he could, with the understanding that sometimes life changes unexpectedly. He stayed much longer and appreciated those who supported him and his family. During his time in Gettysburg, Lou led 25 youth work camps that traveled to many places throughout the country. He also guided teenagers as the church’s Sunday evening senior high fellowship group director. Lou Nyiri beyond the church Many Gettysburg residents who do not belong to the Presbyterian Church know the Nyiri family. Lou served the community beyond his church’s walls as a member of the Lions Club, Adams Rescue Mission Board of Directors, Adams Coalition to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, and Gettysburg High School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  In 2019, he supported the YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County and Adams County Arts Council by participating in the organizations’ annual joint fundraiser, Dancing with the Local Stars. Lou and his instructor Linda Neiswender won over audiences by waltzing to “That’s Amore” and hustling to the theme from “Star Wars.” Lou and Neiswender were crowned champions.  Family support Lou expressed appreciation for the many ways the church supported his family. He recalled his 23-year-old son, Alex, needed to spend the first six weeks of his life in the hospital. “You were a great and loving church family,” Lou said of that difficult time. Candace was also a constant presence in the church community. A Presbyterian pastor herself, Candace led many women’s retreats for the Gettysburg congregation. “Candace is the most spiritual person I know,” Phyllis Dowd, the church’s former director of Christian education, said. Moving on  As the Penn State fan and his family move to Michigan, they will take with them many memories and lifelong friendships. Friends spent more than two hours Sunday lauding the many contributions Lou, Candace, and Alex gave to the church and the Gettysburg community.  Lou’s final message to his congregation was to never change. “Be God’s people you already are. Don’t stop doing what you do,” he said. Featured image caption: The Rev. Lou Nyiri leads a group of children through Gettysburg Presbyterian Church as they tell the congregation “God loves you.” (Photo by Alex J. Hayes)

Fairfield Area School District property owners will incur a 4 percent tax increase this year. The school board unanimously voted 8-0 to approve the 2023-24 budget. Board member Kelly Christiano was absent. The plan includes $21.2 million in revenue and $22.9 million in expenditures. During May’s workshop, Business Manager Tim A. Stanton told the board of directors that a tax increase is necessary to keep pace with rising costs.  Stanton referred to himself as a “fiscal conservative and taxpayer advocate” and acknowledged tax increases are rarely popular. If the board did not increase taxes, Stanton said, the district would struggle. The board is allowed to increase taxes 4.8 percent without seeking voter approval, Stanton said. The average property owner’s tax bill will increase by about $72. The 4 percent tax increase will generate $385,000, Stanton said. Stanton said he believes incremental tax increases are necessary every year to avoid a large increase after years of flat revenue. Stanton said he recommended no tax increase last year because he was new to the district and did not have a strong understanding of its budgetary needs. Stanton said Fairfield Area School District has the lowest property tax millage rate in Adams County. The district will soon enter into negotiations with the teachers’ union and he suspects wage increases will be necessary to maintain high-quality educators. Stanton also defended his proposal by explaining the need for a strong savings account. The district currently pays for three bonds that were opened prior to Stanton’s arrival and interest rates are an added cost that Stanton believes can be avoided in the future.  Superintendent’s salary increased The board voted 7-1 to increase Superintendent Thomas Haupt’s salary. Board member Candance Miller cast the lone dissenting vote. Haupt now earns $166,416. The district hired Haupt in October 2021 and he began his duties in February 2023. He was previously the superintendent of Millersburg School District in northwestern Dauphin County. Football coach resigns The board, without comment, approved the immediate resignation of Head Football Coach Jake Johnson. The coach’s departure comes before he even saw the Knights play one game on the gridiron. The district hired Johnson in March to replace Jason Thurston, who resigned last fall after five seasons with the team.  Several parents and program supporters told the board in May that Johnson announced at a meeting he was going to recommend the district end the program. Haupt told the board that Johnson does not have the power to cancel a season. Fairfield has struggled to build a football program since it began in 2004. The team has had only two winning seasons since its inception. Last year, the Knights canceled its Week 3 game against Hamburg when injuries prevented them from fielding enough players.

Adams County Director of Tax Services Daryl Crum told the commissioners on Wednesday that the total county-wide assessed property value is close to $10 billion. Crum said the county tax base includes 45,131 taxable parcels, of which about 72 percent are homes ( properties with dwellings having less than four units and located on less than 10 acres). Crum said $1.2 billion of the total assessed value must be deducted from the tax rolls for parcels that are tax-exempt, including government buildings, schools, churches, battlefields, and others. He said that tax-exempt property status is determined by process established by state tax law. Applicants must pass a five-prong test. “Just because the parcel owner has established non-profit status doesn’t mean they are immediately exempt,” he said. All Adams Count property owners have a right to file a property tax appeal in writing from any real estate assessment on or before 4:30 p.m., Aug. 1, 2023. Crum said these appeals may take place online or in person. “We began the Zoommeetings during Covid, and they have been very successful,” Crum said. Crum said there are about 100 appeals annually. The county per capita tax of $5 is assessed on 76,826 Adams County residents over 18. This tax was initially established, Crum said, as a way of taking away some of the burdens of taxes paid by property owners. Support specialist lauded Loretta Weaver, a webmaster and IT department support specialist, was honored by the commissioners and county staff on her departure after twenty-one years of service to the county. “No one has done it as well as you,” said IT department CIO Phil Walter. “We are losing the official voice of the IT department,” he said, adding that Weaver’s pleasant personality and helpful demeanor have set the tone for everything they’ve wanted in the department. When asked to comment on her career, Weaver gave kudos to others she shared workspace with. “Every single one of them has been great,” she said. “It has been my pleasure to work for the county for 21 years.” Commissioner James Martin noted her solid interpersonal skills. “I appreciate the good years you gave us,” he said. Tax jobs hard to fill As the county tax office takes on the role of tax collector for Germany township, Commissioner Randy Phiel wants to assure everyone that the county is not seeking to take over tax collection services. “The smaller municipalities simply are having trouble getting someone to run for that office,” he said. Phiel added that additional county staff may be needed if the trend continues. In other board business, the board approved a $7,215 service agreement with AL Fence Company to build a 66-foot-long safety fence around the perimeter of the glass recycling site at the county Department of Emergency Services building. “This is good for Adams County and good for recycling,” said  Phiel. County manager Steve Nevada said the site is not open yet, but when it is, it will likely be accessible twice a month. All glass dropped off at the site must be clean. Shatter-proof resistant window film will be attached to the ground floor windows of the Adams County Courthouse, excluding the historic courthouse. PA Window Tint will provide the service. The total cost to the county is about $18,000, which will be paid for with grant funds from the administrative office of the Pennsylvania Courts. Featured image caption: The county commissioners honored Loretta Weaver, IT department, for 21 years of service.

The Rotary Club of Gettysburg celebrated another year of service to the community during its annual picnic Monday, June 26, at the Lake Heritage Community Center. Rotary is an international service organization with more than 46,000 clubs across the globe. The Gettysburg club, founded in 1920, has more than 70 members.  President David Kushner told those in attendance that many changes occurred in the club over the past 12 months. The year began with Mike Hanson as president, but a move to Delaware forced Hanson to resign. “I went to president-elect training in February and had the opportunity to talk to the Rotary International president. He asked how long I had been president and I said ‘since 7:30 this morning,’” Kushner recalled of the board meeting that was held the day of his training. Rotary honors members Hanson, a longtime club member who served two terms as president, returned to Gettysburg Monday for the picnic. He thanked the club for its support, especially through his life transition. Kushner thanked Hanson for his leadership and gave him a plaque for his work. Kushner also presented tokens of appreciation to the following members for their work: Eric Gladhill, youth exchange; Ashley Andyshak Hayes, scholarship chair; and Alex J. Hayes, club secretary. Past President and Past District Governor John Kramb awarded the evening’s highest honor. The club’s board recently named one of its annual scholarships the Robert Gough Education Award. Gough is a 47-year Rotarian who joined the Gettysburg club in 2005. He previously served the Rotary Club of Upper Marlboro, Md. Officers installed Past President Ken Farabaugh administered the oath of office to the following 2023-24 club officers: Kushner, president; Todd Orner, secretary; Anthony Spangler, treasurer; Mike DeShong, New Oxford liaison; Pete Miele, board member; Ralph Serpe, philanthropy chair; Chris Glatfelter, community service chair; Anna-Mae Kobbe, foundation chair; and Doug Newell, club services chair. Board members who will serve but were unable to attend the picnic are: Larry Redding, immediate past president; Chris Kimple, international services chair; and Thomas Powell, president-elect. Rotary needs members Kushner noted the club does a lot of work in its community including distributing dictionaries to students, awarding scholarships, volunteering at community events, and hosting international exchange students. Kushner encouraged Rotarians to recruit more members so it can enhance its work. A Gettysburg Fourth! The Rotary Club of Gettysburg’s biggest fundraiser is A Gettysburg Fourth!, in partnership with Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority, Destination Gettysburg, and Gettysburg Fire Department. The event will begin 4 p.m., July 4 at the Gettysburg Rec Park. It will include food, music, bingo, a cash raffle, and more to celebrate America. Fireworks will begin at 9:20 p.m. Featured image caption: Rotary Club of Gettysburg officers for the 2023-24 Rotary year are, from left: Anthony Spangler, treasurer; Mike DeShong, New Oxford liaison; Pete Miele, board member; Ralph Serpe, philanthropy chair; David Kushner, president; Todd Orner, secretary; Chris Glatfelter, community services chair; Anna-Mae Kobbe, foundation chair; Doug Newell, club services chair; Ken Farabaugh, past president.

Boxes full of clothes, blankets, sheets, scarves, and gloves fill Natalie Raymond’s garage in Cumberland Township. The items are also filling her heart. About a year after the Ukraine native’s mother died in a Polish nursing home, Raymond channels her grief into energy to aid her homeland. When Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, Raymond’s mother was living amongst the destruction. Relief workers transported her to Poland. In Gettysburg, Raymond anxiously waited for updates while feeling powerless. Friends rallied around her and she was eventually able to travel to Poland. Her mother died and Raymond returned to Gettysburg heartbroken. Meanwhile in neighboring Emmitsburg, Maryland, retired McDaniel College professor Catherine Bodin began collecting items for Ukrainians in need. Churches, The Seton Center, law offices, and The Town of Emmitsburg signed up to help.  “We don’t actually know how many bags or boxes there were but they overflowed the collection boxes in the Leesburg airport when I went!” Bodin said. Bodin contacted Raymond, who was still processing her mother’s death. She patiently stayed in touch while giving Raymond the space she needed. One day, Raymond remembered an important lesson from her mother. “My mom would never sit, she would say ‘We need to do something,’” she recalled. Raymond’s first mission Raymond has a long history of following her mother’s advice. When Ukraine gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Raymond believed music could connect her people with the United States. She emigrated here in 1999 at the age of 38 and began a music exchange program between the two countries.  She returned to her homeland often with American musicians. In America, Raymond promoted Ukranian music through newspaper and magazine articles, lectures on college campuses, and journal pieces. She treasures a scrapbook of memories from those years, including a letter from Microsoft founder Bill Gates touting her efforts. “I wanted very much to connect both countries in a special, professional, musical way,” she said. “I considered myself the musical ambassador between Ukraine and America.” A new focus Almost 25 years have passed since Raymond began her initial mission. Her passion to connect America and Ukraine is just as strong but now everyday items are needed more than music. Since Russians began attacking Ukraine in February 2022, 9,083 civilians have died and 15,779 have suffered injuries as of June 18, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Raymond’s new mission is assisting Bodin with her relief efforts. The items they are collecting have a practical purpose, but Raymond believes they also give Ukranians hope. “They still have lives, they deserve this,” she said. “If we help them, they know they are not alone.” Friends living in Ukraine tell Raymond they live in a constant state of fear and stress as they watch the fighting unfold. They fear for their lives and their country’s culture. “They don’t know if they will wake up tomorrow,” she said. “If they do, they don’t know what they will need.” How to help Ukraine aid Raymond and Bodin have shipped many items to Ukraine and are storing boxes full of supplies. They are working with Meest-America, a freight-delivery service that specializes in shipping goods to Ukraine. “Meest” is Ukrainian for bridge. Meest has shifted its focus to helping Ukraine since the invasion began, according to a New York Times article. Right now, donations to cover shipping costs are Raymond and Bodin’s biggest need. Those wishing to help can do so by mailing checks payable to Meest Shipping to: EOPCC Fundraising, attn. Ukraine effort, P. O. Box 291, Emmitsburg, MD 21727—0291.

Cumberland Township Chief Matthew Trostel gave an update on the police department’s activity during the previous month at the June Board of Supervisors’ Meeting on Tuesday. The report included police vehicle dispositions, department staff training, as well as positive communications received commending his staff and the department for exemplary handling of various incidents.  The Cumberland Township Police Department recently received a $25,000 grant from the Pennsylvania DUI Association to support “emerging issues that law enforcement faces or will face related to the enforcement of the Medical Marijuana Act (MMA).” Under this grant, Chief Trostel and Officer Ryan Eiker, the designated certified Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) for the department, arranged for an in-depth training session this week on the MMA and related issues facing law enforcement. The program was attended by ten law enforcement personnel, and praised by attendees as having been hugely helpful and informative.  Additional training is being scheduled.  Chief Trostel further reported that sufficient donations were received to enable the purchase of a speed trailer, a visual notification tool that can be used at big events and as a reminder to drivers to mind their speed, as well as collect data of various times in traffic time cycles, speed ranges, etc. to analyze best time frames and locations for use of the trailer.  Trostel said he plans to spend some of the remaining donation funds to purchase additional bullet-proof vests for his officers who currently have to share vests. Township Manager David Blocher reported on the huge success seen so far upon the rollout of The Savvy Citizen platform to the community.  Blocher encourages residents who had not signed up yet to do so, as the app has proven to be useful in several instances already.  Blocher further reminded the board and attendees of the newly established township newsletter, The Cumberland Township Dispatch, which can be accessed at Cumberland Township News or via the Savvy Citizen App. Public Comments Several residents addressed the board during the meeting. Leon Reed of Gettysburg spoke about his concerns regarding the shortage of affordable housing and health services to the elderly that accompanied an aging population in the area. Frank Fitzgerald voiced his concerns about the long-standing water issues for his and many other properties and the lack of adequate stormwater management between adjacent properties. Derek and Ann Roden and Joshua Kinard, members of the planning committee that is working on upgrading the Gettysburg Skate Park (see also this story), addressed the board and requested funding for the project. Cumberland Township helps support the Gettysburg rec park with an annual donation. The team confirmed the township would have no responsibilities with respect to maintenance and management of the site but emphasized that the current conditions at the skate park were unsafe and the improvement would benefit Cumberland residents. Information on other discussions, including Farmland Preservation updates, subdivision and land development plans, and other engineering projects, as well as bills/budget approvals; numerous requests for project extensions, waivers, and motions regarding legislative/regulatory amendments, agreements, and adoptions of resolutions presented at the meeting can be found in the Regular Board Meeting Agenda here:  Cumberland Township BOS Agenda June 27, 2023.

At the Gettysburg Area Recreational Authority’s (GARA) June board meeting, Executive Director Erin Pedigree was able to report on a number of successful activities during the months of May and June including the following: The Adams County Farmers Market reports that it has seen a noticeable increase in visitors since it moved to its new location at the Rec Park.  Customers have commented on the great layout and accessibility, and vendors reported being pleased with both the location and the resulting increase in business. The Adams County Library FunFest in early June was also hugely successful, with an estimated 4,000 folks coming through to participate.  Little League season is over but softball season and Girls Fast Pitch activities will continue through the end of August. The library storywalk has had great reception and seems to attract folks of all ages. This month’s book displayed is “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” presented in both English and Spanish. Planning for the renovations of the Skate Park is in full swing and has already reached the money-raising phase.  On June 24th, the planners will hold a “Get Out and Skate Late” event from 4–7 pm, which will feature live music and skating demonstrations.  GARA continues to contribute to the maintenance of Lincoln Cemetery by mowing, weed-whacking, and, on holidays, placing flags at the graves. Cemetery managers received a grant of $2,000 which will be used toward cleaning existing gravestones and purchasing a ground penetrator to find some of the older graves that have sunken (some underneath the road) and perhaps place markers for unmarked graves.  The Summer Concert series will kick off on June 25th with the band Vertigo Vultures as its first act and will continue every Sunday through August 15th. Blueberries from the Kiwanis Club Blueberry Sale will be ready for pickup on June 30th at the rec park. Proceeds will benefit a variety of local charities. Plans for the 4th of July Celebration are underway, which will include activities for kids; music; food trucks; fireworks; a cash raffle; a beer garden, and much more. GARA is planning a Day in New York City bus tour this year on December 9th.  More information on how to register will be forthcoming. Since the board meeting did not meet a full quorum, certain business matters were postponed to next month.  The full agenda of the meeting and previous meeting minutes can be found at:  GARA Meetings and Holidays.

Two years after President Biden signed an executive order making Juneteeth a national holiday, Lincoln Square in Gettysburg became the gathering place for the third annual Juneteenth Parade. With some attendees some holding signs, and some accepting buckets and drumsticks from local musician Ricky Czar, a growing number of people gathered to hear Mayor Rita Frealing read her proclamation declaring the holiday. Her heartfelt reading was preceded by young Chosen Shahid, who led the crowd in the singing of the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Chosen’s mom, Blessing Shahid, was the day’s organizer, giving direction to the crowd while pushing a stroller and leading the parade in a beautiful swirling purple dress. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery and commemorates June 19th, 1865, when Union Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans that the Civil War had ended and they were free. Granger’s message came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. And according to Mama Gail Steward-Clouden, resplendent in white for this holiday, “It wasn’t all about the celebration. There was some anger there that it took two years.” As the crowd left the square, the first stop was at the home of one-time Gettysburg College Janitor Jack Hopkins, whose family fled Gettysburg in the days before the battle to avoid being taken into slavery by Confederate soldiers. LaRock Hudson and Mama Gail captivated the crowd with that story before leading the parade to the AME church. At St. Paul’s AME Church, on the corner of Washington and Breckenridge streets, the historical plaque that commemorates the rich history of the African American community and the contributions of many of its members was read out loud. As the parade moved through the streets, the bucket drummers drummed and the chant of “Juneteenth-Freedom Day!” resounded through the buildings as passing motorists honked and waved. Smiling Gettysburg borough police officers stopped and directed patient drivers at the intersections affected by the parade marchers. Elmer Shelton gave a brief talk at the corner of High and Franklin Streets about the Colored School, used during segregation, which no longer stands on this site but is now a beer mart. Alisha Sanders, candidate for the Gettysburg Borough Council seat from the 3rd Ward and a teacher in the Gettysburg Area School District, addressed the crowd in front of the Lincoln Cemetery on Long Lane, a burial ground that was segregated for people of color. Sanders explained that what looks like a field inside the iron-fenced enclosure is actually unmarked graves. The adjacent alley still covers some ancestors’ final resting places. A plan is in the works for the gate to be unlocked on special occasions for people to enter the grounds and learn more about the history of this sacred place. At the rec park, vendors with beautiful flowers and colorful clothing and jewelry were set up outside, while food and entertainment lured folks into the colorfully decorated and wonderfully aromatic indoor event space. While the commemoration and celebration may last one day, appreciation can last a lifetime and there is still work to be done. But today, Jubilee! See you same time, next year!!

Each year Historic Gettysburg Adams County presents awards to dedicated property owners who believe, as HGAC believes, that there is beauty and value in architectural history and who have invested hundreds of hours of hard work into preserving the past HGAC’s Preservation Committee, chaired by Curt Musselman, is responsible for choosing a Barn Preservation Award winner, and the House Preservation Award Committee, chaired by Kendra Debany, selects a house winner. For 2023, The Barn of the Year award went to Sherry Rogers and Clifford Frost for the extensive work done on their barn on Mount Hope Road, near Fairfield. The House Preservation Award went to David and Cynthia Salisbury for their restoration work on the Scott Farmhouse, located at 320 Scott Road in Freedom Township. The Rogers-Frost Barn is a circa 1860 extended Pennsylvania Barn constructed by William Culp, brother of Henry Culp of Culp’s Hill fame. The barn was plundered twice by Confederate troops in the summer of 1863 on the way to Gettysburg. When Rogers and Frost purchased the barn in 2014, the barn needed extensive repairs to failing timbers and masonry. The barn siding and louvers were damaged and deteriorating. With the help of contractor Hugh (Sam) McKinney, Rogers, and Frost, over eight years, methodically addressed significant threats to the barn’s existence and completely restored the barn.   The Scott farmhouse was built in 1869-70 by Civil War veteran George Washington Scott. The Salisburys purchased the structure in January 2017 and immediately set to work restoring the farmhouse back to its original beauty. They successfully accomplished all of their goals, the most complicated being the removal of the changes made to the house through the years. In addition, they restored the kitchen, sanded and refinished all of the floors, stripped and repainted all of the doors and door hardware and removed an overgrowth of shrubbery and vines and tall pine trees surrounding the house. The Salisburys and Rogers and Frost received bronze plaques from HGAC recognizing their indefatigable preservation work at HGAC’s annual meeting on May 24. The Adams County Barn Registry was created by HGAC in 2005. Barn owners can request to have their barn added to the registry at no charge. Once a request has been made, a team of HGAC volunteers will survey the barn. The survey includes measuring the barn, taking photographs, and documenting the barn’s architectural details. All information is entered into the Barn Registry database. A copy of the survey report is given to the barn owner. Once a barn is registered, it becomes eligible for HGAC’s Barn of the Year award. Barn owners on the registry are also eligible to apply for the Barn Preservation Grants given each year by HGAC to help barn owners in their repair and stabilization projects.

The future of the Fairfield football program was in the spotlight during June’s board of education study session. Several program supporters told the board that the district’s new coach, Jake Johnson, had announced at a meeting the night before the board meeting that he would recommend the district end the program.  The district hired Johnson in March. He replaced Jason Thurston, who resigned last fall after five seasons with the team. Fairfield has struggled to build a football program since it began in 2004. The team has had two winning seasons since its inception. Last year, the Knights canceled its Week 3 game when injuries prevented them from fielding enough players. Parent Corrine Higgs told the board Johnson is frustrated by the lack of participation in off-season workouts. Higgs, whose son is entering his junior year, said she wishes Johnson communicated more with parents. “My son is not yet a man and I still can use the time I have left to teach him and guide him in regard to honoring his words to coaches, teammates, and coworkers; but what I do not know about I cannot control,” Higgs said. A grandmother said her grandson participates in three sports and did not have time to exercise with the team during the off-season. Another speaker told the board the practices are optional per PIAA rules so Johnson should not consider them mandatory. The board listened to the citizens’ concerns but did not respond. Later in the meeting, Superintendent Thomas Haupt said parents who have concerns should contact Athletic Director Andrew Kuhn. Haupt said district leadership, not the coach, has the authority to decide on a program’s future. District aims to fix athletic program ‘neglect’ The district’s athletic struggles were further discussed later in the meeting when Kuhn presented the state of his department. Kuhn proposed replacing team uniforms every five years, but board members expressed concern that replacement may be necessary more often.  Board Vice President Jack Liller suggested the district fundraise for uniforms. Haupt said he did not believe that proposal treats teams equitably. “I think if we are really going to run scholastic sports programs as a district, then we should support them as a district,” Haupt said. Kuhn noted his five-year proposal is flexible depending on team needs, using the example that baseball pants may have to be replaced more often than volleyball shirts. Haupt and Kuhn, who are recent additions to the district administration, noted the athletic program has been neglected for the past several years. Kuhn said he is working to return a sense of pride to Fairfield athletics by updating record boards, adding storage space, and purchasing digital scoreboards.

A plan for a 186-unit residential/commercial development on the 2-acre parcel behind the Gettysburg Transit Center between Carlisle and Stratton Streets will be considered by the Gettysburg Planning Commission on Tuesday evening. The public is invited to attend. The proposed project includes two three-story buildings with 8 apartments each in addition to a 7-story building with 170 units.  The units will include a combination of studio, 1-bedrooom, and 2-bedroom apartments. The proposal also includes retail and restaurant space. The project also includes parking and a proposed extension of the Gettysburg Inner Loop bicycle-pedestrian trail. The developer is also purchasing the existing Rabbit Transit Center site on Carlisle St. The Transit Center would be relocated to Stratton Street. The proposal, from Landcore Engineering Consultants of Philadelphia, is requesting a special exception for two issues related to building sizes. The developer is requesting that, rather than having a setback on upper floors as required by current zoning, the entire 7-story building be built on a smaller footprint.  According to the application, this provides the benefit of additional green space while the upper stories of the building would remain in the same location. The developer is also asking for a variance to allow a lower (one-story) minimum height for the relocated Transit Center, saying a 24-foot building as currently required “would not be in character of the surrounding properties.” The property, which has been vacant since at least 2001, was extensively developed by the Adams County Industrial Development Authority before being sold to the developer in 2021. The 7-story building would be centered on the site with as much separation as possible from streets and existing homes. The proposal will also be considered at a Gettysburg  Zoning Commission meeting to be held on June 28 and will be considered by the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) at its July meeting. Borough councilmember Matt Moon said the developer had been “extraordinarily respectful of the borough’s wishes.  He has peppered the project with Christmas presents for the borough including infrastructure improvements,” he said.

The Adams County Commissioners held a public hearing prior to their regular meeting yesterday regarding the 2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. Applications are available for funds that may be used to benefit a variety of activities, including water and sewer systems, streets, housing rehabilitation, emergency housing assistance, recreation and community facilities, new public services, historic preservation, removal of architectural barriers, blight removal, economic development, and administration and planning. The 2023 CDBG block grant allocation includes more than $320,000 for the county, about $130,000 for Gettysburg Borough, and just over $100,000 for Littlestown. Although the purpose of the hearing was to allow citizens to understand the eligibility criteria and solicit input on possible activities to be included, only one organization – Community Media of South Central PA – took advantage of the opportunity. The non-profit community media group aims to inform citizens about news and events in and around the community. “We have been serving the community for 35 years,” said Ceo/Founder/President Raymon Gouker. “We want to capture our neighbors and ourselves at the moment where we do great things in the community, and we want to become part of the block grant program to continue our service.” He said that if their organization is eligible for the funds, it would be used to upgrade the studio and equipment. “We’re a viable part of the community. There is no organization inside or outside of the community like us. We want our community to become the best it can be.” “Your organization provides a great service to the community,” said Commissioner Randy Phiel. “It’s only a question of if it meets the guidelines.” The approved projects must benefit low to moderate-income persons, remove slums or blight, or meet an urgent community need. Past projects have included municipal water and sewer line replacements, ADA-compliant curb projects, and fitness membership scholarships. Projects must benefit eligible populations, including abused children, the elderly, people with disabilities, or migrant farm workers. Applications must be received at the Adams County Office of Planning by July 28, 2023. All applications may be submitted either by mail or by email to dduvall@adamscountypa.gov. Broadband of the past In other business, Commissioner Marty Qually took advantage of the light agenda to read an excerpt describing the installation of telephones in the county 75 years ago. Commissioners Phiel and James Martin recalled the “party line” era in which lines were connected, and would-be callers had to wait their turn to use the wall-mounted telephone devices. They recalled the frustration of people who talked too long and some who would dial “0” to aggravate a caller who took too long to complete their conversation. Qually reported that 28 percent of county residents had telephones at that time, one of the highest averages in the nation. “They used the phone to do business, call the hospital, and everything else,” he said. “Now we’re looking at broadband. We’re just expanding a different type of business.”

The Adams County Library System (ACLS) will purchase a property on Fairfield Rd. at the west edge of Gettysburg from the United Lutheran Seminary to house a new, modern, library facility. The property is located between Route 116 and the YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County. The new facility will replace the Gettysburg branch of the ACLS, currently located at the corner of Baltimore and High Streets in Gettysburg, The property includes the seminary’s Aberly, Heiges and Stuempfle Halls. The seminary will continue to use and maintain those three buildings through June 30, 2024, while they renovate Baughman Hall, which will meet the Seminary’s future housing needs. ACLS said it had explored several possibilities for a new Gettysburg branch with the goal of finding a location that could expand library services, provide adequate space for programs and meetings, and provide ample parking while remaining walkable. The library said the Seminary location met each of these requirements. “The new building is needed to meet the needs of a library in the 21st century, making it possible to anticipate and adapt to changing interests, services, and delivery methods for the county,” said ACLS Executive Director Laura Goss. “There is no additional capacity available at our current site and so it is more cost-effective to build a new library due to the inefficiencies of the 1914 structure.” The new “headquarters” library will include flexible space that will accommodate current and future needs, including a single level for easier access and efficient use of staff, expanded areas to accommodate traditional library use, use of technology, and expanded educational programs/activities for all ages.  In addition to being the largest branch, the headquarters building also supports the five additional branches with administrative services and support for materials, movement of collections between buildings, and technology. Goss said the ACLS will conduct additional studies to further clarify community needs and capacity for a new building. “Both ULS and ACLS believe the plans for a new library at this location will help create a welcoming western gateway to Gettysburg and will benefit both institutions and the entire community,” said Goss. Featured image caption: Approximate location of the property that will house the new library. The numbered buildings on the property are Aberly, Heiges, and Stuempfle Halls.

Thomas A. Durkin, Loyola University Chicago and Joseph Ferguson, Loyola University Chicago Former President Donald Trump on his airplane on June 10, 2023, two days after his federal indictment. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images Lawyer Thomas A. Durkin has spent much of his career working in national security law, representing clients in a variety of national security and domestic terrorism matters. Joseph Ferguson was a national security prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, where Durkin was also a prosecutor. Both teach national security law at Loyola University, Chicago. The Conversation U.S.‘s democracy editor, Naomi Schalit, spoke with the two attorneys about the federal indictment of former President Donald Trump on Espionage Act and other charges related to his retention of national security-related classified documents. The word “weaponized” has been used by Trump, his supporters and even his GOP rivals to describe the Department of Justice. Do you see the Trump prosecution as different in any notable way from other Espionage Act prosecutions that you’ve worked on or observed? Durkin: Obviously, it’s different because of who the defendant is. But I see it in kind of an opposite way: If Trump were anyone other than a former president, he would not have been given the luxury of a summons to appear in court. There would be a team of armed FBI agents outside his door at 6:30 in the morning, he would have been arrested and the government would be immediately moving to detain. So the idea that he’s being treated differently is true – but not from the way his supporters seem to be arguing. Ferguson: What you have is a method, manner and means of pursuing this matter and bringing it forward to indictment that actually completely comports with the deepest traditions and standards of the Department of Justice, which would normally consider all contexts and the best interests of society. If Trump were your client, what would you advise him to do? Durkin: The first thing I would do is show him a guidelines memo, which we typically create for every client to help them understand the potential consequences of the charges. Under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, the consequences for Trump under this indictment are serious. My quick calculations indicate that you’re talking about 51 to 63 months in the best case and in the worst case, which I’m not sure would apply, 210 to 262 months. Whether he wants to roll heavy dice, that’s up to him. But those are very heavy dice. Ferguson: I might pull media statements that he has made in the last couple years and explain to him how they have complicated the ability to defend him. I’d put on the table to him that I need to see every statement that he is going to make in the political realm about this before he makes it. I’d tell him he’s otherwise basically hanging himself. I’d tell him: If you want to die in jail, keep talking. But if you want to try to figure out a way that brings about an acceptable resolution – a plea deal that opens the door to a lighter jail sentence than what the guidelines threaten and, possibly, even no jail time – you need to turn it down or at least have it screened by your lawyers. Are there specific things he might say between now and a trial that could deepen his trouble? Ferguson: No question about that. And people should understand that the things that he said already are being used as evidence of intent. From now on, the repetition of them constitutes new admissible evidence. It’s not like, “Oh, I’ve already said it, so I might as well keep saying it.” That does not mean that he cannot offer the broad brush characterization, “I’m being wronged. This is the weaponization of law enforcement and the justice system against me, and I will be vindicated,” however imprudent I might think that was. But anything that goes beyond that, and into the actual particulars, referencing the documents themselves, will just make it worse. The Trump indictment provides extensive details of what was said and done. Do you take those as true, or as allegations that need to be proved? Ferguson: Both. They are technically the allegations that need to be proven, but when you’re speaking at that level of granularity, these are things that actually exist in proof, the proof that is to come. The government basically raises the bar when it provides this form of granularity. The federal government is a risk-averse enterprise when it comes to these matters, so nothing is put in the indictment unless it exists in actual fact. Durkin: If you’re defending someone, you treat the allegations as true. Can you imagine a situation with all of the facts laid out in this indictment but where they would not indict? Durkin: No. Ferguson: That’s why we both say that in fundamental respects, this isn’t different from other national security cases. These cases work from the premise that this is a fundamental compromising of the interests of the United States. And those are the cases that the government pursues tooth and nail. With so much in the public domain, and with so much of the defendant himself speaking to all of this, it almost puts the government in a position of saying, “Well, OK, if we have to, here we go.” Durkin: There’s only one reason the government could not bring this case, and that’s fear of violence or an attack on the republic. Once you do that, then you might as well close the Department of Justice and forget about any rule of law. Trump knows a lot of state secrets. An angry Trump in prison has risks. If he were found guilty, what does incarceration look like for him? Durkin: I can tell you what it would mean to anyone else. They’d be put in a hole in the wall in maximum security at Florence, Colorado, and they would apply what’s called “Special Administrative Measures.” Several of my terrorism clients have had those imposed on them. There’s a microphone outside their solitary confinement to monitor anything that they say, even between prisoners. Their mail is extremely limited. Their telephone contact is extremely limited. And that’s what would happen to anyone else similarly situated. Ferguson: Trump’s insistence on keeping talking about this creates a record that would justify isolation in maximum security on the basis that “We can’t trust this man not to continue to talk. We can’t trust him not to further share these secrets with people who may wish to do harm with them. The only way to avoid that is to put him in isolation in supermax where he doesn’t get to talk with people, except under these extremely closely monitored circumstances, certainly isn’t in a general population situation, gets to take a walk in a courtyard for one hour out of the 24 hours of the day, and the other 23 hours, leaving him mostly without human contact.” Is there a specific line he could cross that would force the government to seek to detain him prior to trial? Durkin: I predict that if he keeps it up, and especially if he keeps suggesting or threatening violence, that the government will be put in a position where they don’t have a choice but to try to move to detain him. In the real world, that’s what would happen if it was anybody but him. Normally, you can’t be threatening this type of stuff without being put in detention. Ferguson: The smart play here would be for a judge to put him under a gag order that instructs him on what he may and may not say publicly. That’s already been done by a New York judge in the other pending criminal case against Trump. This would be a complicated exercise in balancing First Amendment rights with national security interests. Thomas A. Durkin, Distinguished Practitioner in Residence, Loyola University Chicago and Joseph Ferguson, Co-Director, National Security and Civil Rights Program, Loyola University Chicago This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Father Bernardo Pistone loved the people of Saint Francis Xavier Gettysburg when he served as the parish’s pastor. Almost a decade has passed since the Italian native moved from here, but several of his former parishioners traveled to Lancaster on Sunday, June 11 to return the love. Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, where Pistone now resides, held a Golden Jubilee Mass to celebrate his 50 years as a Catholic priest. The man of honor himself celebrated the Mass with the assistance of several other priests. “Thank you all for being here today. I very, very much appreciate your presence,” an obviously humbled Pistone told the congregation. The homilist made the Mass extra special for those from Gettysburg. Father Jonathan Sawicki served at Saint Francis from 2008-2012, first as deacon and then as parochial vicar. Sawicki is currently the Diocese of Harrisburg’s director of vocations and pastor of Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Steelton. Sawicki credited Pistone’s passion for caring for the marginalized. While at Gettysburg, he was one of the co-founders of Manos Unidas Hispanic American Center. Before he was transferred to Gettysburg in 2002, Pistone served at Saint Mary’s in Lancaster. Parishioners there gave him a monetary gift as a sign of appreciation. He used the funds to buy Saint Francis a van to transport people to Mass. “Bernie Pistone was Pope Francis before there was a Pope Francis and he is more Pope Francis than Pope Francis,” Sawicki said. Sawicki recalled the advice Pistone gave him as a young priest, including not sitting behind a desk waiting for people to come to him. Pistone’s ability to connect with his flock allowed him to learn what they needed, such as a major restoration at St. Mary’s, the establishment of the San Juan Bautista mission, and a new parish school at St. Francis Xavier. “These places stand as examples of how a spiritual father anointed with the oil of gladness will share that anointing for generations to come,” Sawicki said. “He would give you the shirt off his back.” Sawicki recalled how Pistone, while serving in Gettysburg, remained connected to family and friends from his previous assignments. Sawicki believes Pistone’s relationships kept him grounded and improved his ability to serve people. “Father Pistone, thank you for your ‘yes’ to our Lord. May God grant you many more years of serving as a priest of Jesus Christ,” Sawicki said. Pistone’s story The Pistone family moved to America from World War II-ravaged Italy when Pistone was a young man. His father cleaned the floors of the local Catholic school in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood so his children could receive a Catholic education. Pistone became a Catholic brother in 1961. In 1964, a priest told him he “had the brains” to become a priest, so Pistone entered the seminary and received his high school diploma. His older brothers helped to pay for his tuition until he learned that the Diocese of Harrisburg would cover seminarians’ tuition.  Bishop Joseph T. Daley ordained Pistone on May 19, 1973. He served at Saint Joan of Arc, Hershey (1973-74), Saint Mary’s, Lancaster (1974-79), Cristo Salvador, York (1979-1987), St. Mary’s and San Juan Bautista, Lancaster (1987-2002); and Saint Francis Xavier, Gettysburg (2002-2014).  “The church for me, because I am so aggressive, or so workaholic, or so stupid, or put all of those things together, people have responded beautifully,” Pistone said in a 2014 interview. “From my perspective, being a foreigner made me aware of how blessed I was to be in America and I think that colored me from year one.”

Tessa and Phil Walter saw a roadside sign Sunday morning as they drove along Route 30 west of town, so they came to the hangar at Gettysburg Regional Airport for a pancake breakfast. As they paid for their meals, a gleeful shout went up and they found they had helped the Gettysburg Barnstormers top a record 1,000 breakfasts served at their twice-a-year two-day “Fly in! Drive in!” Pancake Breakfast. “It’s an honor,” said Phil, who works for Adams County as an IT specialist, “We haven’t been here before. We thought it would be fun to bring our toddler.” Tessa, the owner of a local luxury picnic business, had to work hard to keep the little one’s attention on breakfast and not the big screen a few feet away for which young people were lining up to try a flying simulation program. Since they began serving breakfast in 1998 at Gettysburg Regional Airport, the Gettysburg Barnstormers, Chapter 1041 of the Experimental Aircraft Association, have used the funds raised to award scholarships to young people to attend EAA Air Academy summer camp in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. They spend a week there, among around ten thousand pilots who fly in for the event, getting an immersive introduction to flying, making lifelong friends, and discovering their future. When the scholarship recipients return, they give a presentation at the next Chapter 1041 meeting to share what they learned. Some go on to become licensed pilots. According to Henry Hartman, Chapter President, thirty-five young people between the ages of twelve and eighteen have been sponsored to attend summer camp in Oshkosh since 2005. Eleven of those have earned their Private Pilot Licenses, and four fly for commercial airlines. Henry added, “Twin girls that we sponsored last year for the EAA Air Academy are both now Student Pilots under the Ray Aviation Scholarship program.  Our Chapter has, so far, sponsored 5 student pilots through the Ray Scholarships which are made available through EAA.  We have also provided flight training funding to 4 other young people.” Another popular program at the airport is Young Eagles Day, coming up on July 8 this year. Children ages 8 to 17 can register to come to the airport and get a free 15-20 minute ride in a small-engine plane, a certificate for their flight, and a log book to record their air time. They also take a tour of the airport with a pilot available to answer questions. More information is available on the Chapter 1041 website, chapters.eaa.org. Meanwhile, as sausages sizzled, small planes were landing and taking off on the runway, while those in attendance walked among those parked, talked to pilots, and perhaps dreamed of taking the controls. “My dad has that white and red one over there,” said a young teen watching a plane take off, “He’s going to teach me to fly it.” The smile on his face and the twinkle in his eye said to this reporter that he already knows how, he just doesn’t have the license yet. “You can get a license to fly a plane before you’re old enough to get one to drive a car,” said pilot Dave Speranza with a chuckle. He’s been a member of the Gettysburg Barnstormers for ten years, after seeing one of their signs on the side of the road for the pancake breakfast. Small children climbed in and out of a bright red plane with the word “experimental” in bold letters on the side. EEA member Phil Roth explained that “experimental” means that the aircraft is fully functional but was hand built from a kit. He pointed to the back of the hangar where sections of unpainted wings and fuselage wait to be assembled into a machine that flies. “The airplane goes through inspections along the process, just like a commercial builder; it just still has to be called experimental,” said Roth. “The whole goal of this breakfast is for kids to learn about flying and to raise money for scholarships so we can send kids to summer camp,” Roth said with a smile, “It’s about the kids.” The chapter’s website chapters.eaa.org reveals their mission statement: “To encourage sport aviation, support the growth of EAA, safety in aviation, encouragement and education of our youth for the development of an area within aviation dedicated to flying, friendship and fun.” The friendship and fun is evident from the smiles and conversations among the volunteer workers, flipping pancakes, stirring scrambled eggs, and making sure people knew regular from decaf. Wendy Clark, Chapter Secretary, happily stated, “It’s the camaraderie. We’re like a family.” Her words were echoed throughout the room by other members who were easily recognized by their aprons printed with aviation maps of Gettysburg Regional Airport. One aproned member, Carolyn Van Newkirk, enjoys working among the tables to chat with the people and drum up enthusiasm for flying. Van Newkirk delighted in talking about her decades-long participation in the annual all-women Air Race Classic. To find out more about this challenge, go to airraceclassic.org. This year’s 2,685 mile race starts in Grand Fork, North Dakota and ends in Miami. Chapter member Doug Laptook educated this reporter about the Women’s Army Service Pilots in WWII; Googleworthy as well. As a father of four daughters, he has a lot of heartfelt things to say about what women have endured as pilots and what they can accomplish, both in the air and on the ground, civilian and military. The Gettysburg Barnstormers meet on the first Monday of the month, except holidays, at the airport. The meeting is open to the public. The next Fly in! Drive in! Pancake Breakfast will be on September 23rd and 24th. Watch for the roadside signs! They seem to be the way most people have found a new kind of adventure they might have missed out on otherwise. And you sure want to witness Floyd’s Fabulous Flying Flapjack Machine! Really…a rotating griddle! It’s very cool. And by the way, breakfast was great!!