News

Beginning today, Pennsylvania’s updated Dog Law takes effect to increase public safety in communities, add consumer protections for those who buy or adopt dogs, strengthen requirements for all types of kennels, and increase penalties for those who violate the law and put people and dogs at risk.   Pennsylvania’s Dog Law received a bipartisan upgrade

Upper Adams School District student lunch debt towered well over $30,000 at the close of 2023, and the number only continues to grow. During Tuesday’s school board meeting, Treasurer Gerald Walmer drew the board’s attention to the mounting lunch debt. Between Sept. 30 and Dec. 31, 2023, the debt jumped by nearly $6,500, according to

A Snow Emergency Declaration has been issued for Gettysburg Borough – effective until 10:00 PM Saturday, January 20, 2024. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 4 inches, with locally higher amounts on hilltops around Gettysburg Borough. All vehicles must be removed from snow emergency routes during a declared snow emergency. Enforcement to remove vehicles from

The Conewago Valley school board delayed the approval of its regular health and safety plan update until the February study session, when it will take more time to review and discuss it. During the board’s regular meeting on Monday evening, the agenda called for the board to approve its health and safety plan, which is

The Interfaith Center for Peace and Justice (ICPJ) seeks to promote respectful dialogue on peace, social justice and equity, multiculturalism, and environmental sustainability by hosting events and encouraging individuals and organizations to work together nonviolently to enrich our community.  As part of this mission, each year we recognize several members of our community who have

The U.S. Naval Institute’s (USNI) newly-christened “Fred Rainbow Suite,” in honor of its most visible and diligent former occupant, is situated on the north end of the top floor of the Naval Academy’s Beach Hall – one of the highest vantage points on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay.  The space’s namesake is now a

Whether or not a School Resource Officer (SRO) is worth the cost was a matter of debate for the Littlestown School Board members at Monday’s work session. The three-year contract for such an employee would be $411,685, and some members expressed concern that funding this position would result in cutting services in other areas, such

The Historic Preservation Society of Gettysburg – Adams County (HGAC) is excited to once again be offering grants in order to help owners of historic barns maintain and preserve their barns. If you own a barn and want to be considered for a barn preservation grant in 2024, applications are now being accepted for consideration

Students at Biglerville’s secondary campus will soon be able to use new locker and team rooms that have been under construction since July. Upper Adams School District Superintendent Wesley Doll said at Tuesday’s school board meeting that the final inspection passed and finishing touches were in the works. “[We’re] getting ready to open everything up

The Gettysburg Borough Council unanimously named Matthew Moon its president during the governing body’s biennial reorganization meeting on Tuesday. He succeeds Wesley Heyser, who did not seek re-election. Councilperson Judith Butterfield will support Moon as council vice president. She succeeds Moon, who served as vice president last year. Moon, a Democrat and San Francisco native,

The Adams County Community Foundation has announced $100,000 in grants to local nonprofits through its Adams County Grants program, adding to the $120,000 awarded earlier this year. These grants focus on helping the recipient nonprofits become more effective and build on earlier grants to these organizations. The Community Foundation is committed to supporting key nonprofits

Pennsylvania hired genealogy company Ancestry.com to digitize a sweeping list of historical documents. Now, the company claims it owns those digital copies. by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA Officials from the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission show Gov. Josh Shapiro the new Pennsylvania State Archives building. Commonwealth Media Services This story first appeared in The

As it has done since 1955, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is tracking Santa today as he leaves the North Pole to travel around the world on his mission to deliver presents to children every year on Christmas Eve. Watch Santa here

Tickets are still available for ‘Wellspan Health presents Dancing with the Local Stars – Tournament of Champions’ on Friday, January 12, at 7 pm at the Majestic Theater, Gettysburg. Produced by and benefitting the YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County and Adams County Arts Council, this 10th anniversary show reunites past champions and choreographers. Champions appearing

Governor Josh Shapiro, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, and Pennsylvania State Veterinarian Dr. Alex Hamberg joined Santa Claus and his team of reindeer at HersheyPark today to announce that the reindeer received a clean bill of health and is cleared for special deliveries across Pennsylvania on December 24th. “This magical time of year brings lightness and

Wrestling Bermudian Springs 35, Delone 33 Full results are here. Swimming Gettysburg (girls) 155, Milton Hershey 55Gettysburg (boys) 99, Milton Hershey 68 The Gettysburg girls’ and boys’ swim teams were both triumphant over Milton Hershey on Thursday evening. First-place finishers included Morgan Bishop, Makenna Brainard, Maya Brainard, Claire Jurney, Addy Dunlop, Alex Koufos, Sam Coolbaugh,

The Adams County Commissioners approved a four percent pay increase for all elected officials, commissioners, and court employees, effective Dec. 18, 2023, except employees represented by a collective bargaining unit or on probationary status. The cost to the County will be $914,790, reflecting the 360 non-union county positions. There are 192 union positions, of which

The Young Marines unit from Gettysburg, PA was one of 28 Young Marines units throughout the United States who traveled to Hawaii this past week to participate in the remembrance ceremonies of the 82nd anniversary of Pearl Harbor. The Young Marines is a national youth organization for boys and girls from age eight through high

Changes to the Gettysburg Borough sign ordinance are on hold. During their meeting on Monday, the council unanimously voted to delay voting on proposed revisions until April 2024.  Councilperson Judie Butterfield was absent. The decision came after several public comments, including from the leaders of four business advocacy groups.  Carrie Stuart of Gettysburg Adams Chamber

The Conewago Valley school board welcomed five new members during its reorganization meeting on Monday evening. David T. Meckley and Meredith Miller (region one), Lindsay Krug (region two), and William Getz and April Swope (region three) were all sworn in as new members. Jeffrey Kindschuh was elected the board president while Eric Flickinger was voted

The Gettysburg Area School District Board of Directors once again named Kenny Hassinger and Michael Dickerson its leaders during their annual reorganization meeting on Monday. Hassinger will serve as president and Dickerson will be vice president. The board first elected Hassinger president in December 2019 and reappointed him in December 2021. The board appointed Dickerson

When Sister Phyllis Simmons died at the Sisters of Mercy Center in Dallas, Pennsylvania, on November 23,  the St. Francis Xavier Catholic community and many throughout Adams County remembered her, mourned, and felt gratitude for her long service to St. Francis Xavier School. Sister Phyllis Simmons arrived at St. Francis Xavier School in 1972, beginning

Five Upper Adams School Board directors with a combined 54 years of service are leaving their positions to make way for the next group of elected representatives. On Tuesday, the district bid farewell to the outgoing board members at their last meeting. Ron Ebbert served 17 years, Chris Fee served 16 years, James Rutkowski served

Gettysburg Area School District leaders are working to enhance emergency communication. District Director of Safety and Security Jim O’Shea told the board on Monday that the administration is slowly rolling out the Raptor Alert System. O’Shea said the phone and computer app will allow staff and administrators to report emergencies in real-time and call 911

How high is too high? That question was pondered at Monday’s meeting of the Gettysburg Planning Commission, as members reviewed the revised draft of the zoning map to make recommendations to the rezoning staff committee. At issue is the proposed Revitalization District, which would extend between Washington and Stratton Streets with some parts north of

It’s Thanksgiving 2023, and it’s time to show your gratitude. Expressing gratitude is one of the healthiest things we can do,for ourselves and for others. Please click here to share yours.

While the first tax hike in 12 years barely raised an eyebrow at the Carroll Valley borough council meeting on Monday, zoning ordinances and lot sales guidelines were still the subject of much of the two-and-a-half-hour agenda. The tax hike of .30 mills will raise taxes for the first time in 12 years from 2.45

Once again, Adams County looks good as the commissioners were presented Wednesday with a proposed 2024 budget that will not see a tax raise. “In this climate of increased cost, to not increase taxes and yet still provide the levels of service we do is very gratifying,” said Commissioner Randy Phiel. Asked how Adams County

With the surprise resignation of the school board president, six outgoing board members, and an interim superintendent, Littlestown Area School District enters the final half of the 2023-2024 school year with a new slate of leaders. Dolores Nester, who has served as board president for nine and a half years, submitted her resignation at Monday’s

The Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority (GARA) is here to stay. At its meeting on Monday, the Gettysburg Borough Council unanimously approved a 25-year lease of the Gettysburg Rec Park between the borough and GARA. The Borough of Gettysburg and Cumberland Township formed GARA in 2013 as an intermunicipal authority with a primary purpose of managing

As a lead-up to the upcoming holiday season in Gettysburg, Destination Gettysburg has announced plans to host a holiday decorating contest. “Gett Merry & Bright” will inspire businesses and residents in the Borough of Gettysburg to get into the holiday spirit. Participants are encouraged to adorn the exterior of their properties with traditional, classic, or

The Harmony Ridge Railroad Club at Cross Keys Village in New Oxford is ready to welcome visitors to the Harmony Ridge Train Room between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. New sections of the impressive displays include a subterranean ride through a coal mine, with genuine PA coal as part of the setting. The train room

Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro has recently signed several bills that chip away at Pennsylvania’s five-month-old budget impasse. by Stephen Caruso The exterior of the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg. Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PA Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive

Dustin Cole, Auburn University Reports of lengthy shipping delays for vessels traveling through the Panama Canal this year have highlighted the critical but often overlooked role that fresh water plays across global supply chains. Drier than normal conditions in Panama, brought on by El Niño, have left the region drought-stricken and water levels in the

Spring 2023 state assessment scores indicate many Biglerville High School students performed well above the state average on Keystone Exams, while PSSA results were a bit of a mixed bag. Upper Adams School District Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Joseph Albin presented the spring 2023 results Tuesday at a school board committee meeting. Albin

“We can do better.” That was the message the Adams County Technical Institute (ACTI) Administrative Director Shawn Eckenrode gave to the Littlestown Area School District (LASD) Board at Monday’s work session. ACTI is the county’s career and technical center, which has served five of the six school districts since approved by the State Board of

By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) — As almost half of all states allow recreational marijuana, it sometimes feels inevitable that Pennsylvania will follow the lead of their neighbors. Wirestock Creators | Shutterstock During a committee hearing, though, opposition remains significant. The House Health Subcommittee on Health Care heard testimony on Wednesday,

‘Tis the season to sign up to ring the bell for the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle campaign at Gettysburg Walmart.  Ringers are scheduled to ring for a ninety-minute shift on a day between November 24 and December 24 at noon. Sign up online via this link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0849AEA829A0FBCF8-bell#/ and experience the joy of giving back to your