News

Summer is a season of change for the Gettysburg Borough Police Department. Sgt. Chris Evans, the department’s officer-in-charge, told the borough council during their monthly meeting on Monday July 15 that Officer Austin Kane is the department’s newest addition. Kane graduated from the police academy on June 23, earning the top shooter award. He is

By Imari Scarbrough The Conewago Valley school board agreed to replace its broken, 21-year-old stadium sound system during a meeting on Monday. Recently, one of the speakers in the sound system broke. While the administration investigated the option of replacing the single speaker, it ultimately decided replacing the system would be more cost-effective. “When we

Aaron French, Kennesaw State University Back in 2008, The Atlantic sparked controversy with a provocative cover story: Is Google Making Us Stupid? Technology is no substitute for independent thought. SvetaZi/Getty Images In that 4,000-word essay, later expanded into a book, author Nicholas Carr suggested the answer was yes, arguing that technology such as search engines

Hollabaugh Bros., Inc. will be hosting their 35th Annual Peach Festival on Saturday, August 9th and Sunday, August 10th between 12-4 p.m. The annual festival is a celebration of all things peach. Visit the “bins” featuring several varieties of white and yellow peaches available for purchase by the pound. Attendees are encouraged to bring their

The Gettysburg Planning Commission reviewed updated plans for the Gettysburg Welcome Center and considered whether to adopt guidelines for public comments during their July 2025 meeting. The Commission unanimously approved the updated land use plans for the welcome center, located at 340 Baltimore Street. The plan was previously conditionally approved on May 20, 2024, according

Kevin Morris, University of Denver and Jaci Gandenberger, University of Denver In a 2022 survey of 3,000 U.S. adults, more than one-third of respondents reported that on most days, they feel “completely overwhelmed” by stress. At the same time, a growing body of research is documenting the negative health consequences of higher stress levels, which

There’s an exciting mystery afoot in Caledonia State Park, and it has nothing to do with another sighting of Sasquatch as the Totem Pole Playhouse presents Patrick Barlow’s “The 39 Steps,” a madcap spy thriller inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s suspense film. More than a century ago, Scottish novelist John Buchan created the play’s hero, Richard

by Elena Eisenstadt, Pennsylvania Capital-StarJuly 17, 2025 *This story has been updated at 6:40 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025,  with results of the House vote.* The WITF office in Swatara Township, Dauphin County, outside Harrisburg. (Photo by Tim Lambert/Pennsylvania Capital-Star) Viewers and listeners across Pennsylvania are now seeing and hearing new announcements accompanying their

Gettysburg Mayor Rita Frealing was among dozens of Pennsylvania mayors who gathered in Harrisburg this week for the 54th Annual Conference of the Pennsylvania State Mayors Association (PSMA). The event, held July 17–20 at the Central Hotel and Conference Center, focused on helping municipal leaders navigate policy changes at the federal level. Frealing was also

Chaplain Dennis Weaver of Ira E. Lady American Legion Post 262 has been named the 2025 Chaplain of the Year by the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania. Weaver received the prestigious award during the Legion’s 105th Annual Convention, held July 17 at the Hilton Hotel in Harrisburg. “I never thought something like this would happen

Reeling from federal fund freezes, Upper Adams School District expects to scrounge together enough money to cover vital programs for the next school year, but officials say the future is uncertain. “I learned over the past month never say, ‘seen at all,’ because I’ve been doing this for 20 years now, specifically federal programs for

Hundreds of paranormal enthusiasts flocked to Gettysburg this past weekend as the world-famous “Annabelle” haunted doll made a rare public appearance. The event, part of the “Devils on the Run” national tour, was held July 11–13 at Gettysburg’s historic Soldiers’ National Orphanage Homestead, a 19th-century building that once served as a Civil War field hospital.

A judge on Thursday blocked Trump’s executive order, certifying a class-action lawsuit.  This story was originally reported by Mel Leonor Barclay of The 19th. Meet Mel and read more of her reporting on gender, politics and policy. Within hours of his inauguration, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that would withhold U.S. citizenship from

Greetings from the Rec Park!   I can’t believe how fast the summer is going. We are very appreciative of everyone who came out to the park for our July 4th Independence Day celebration. The weather could not have been better. Kudos to Six Whiskey Revival for playing an additional half hour and putting together a

Karen Tan, Middle Tennessee State University “My dedication was questioned.” “Managers or upper management have looked down upon taking time off.” “People think that maybe you’re not as invested in the job, that you’re shirking your duties or something.” The U.S. is the only advanced economy that doesn’t legally mandate a minimum number of vacation

Gettysburg Community Theatre (GCT), the non-profit 501c3 organization currently in its 17th year at 49 York Street within the first block of Lincoln Square in Gettysburg, PA, will perform Disney’s 101 Dalmatians KIDS this weekend only! 7pm Friday, July 11th, 2pm and 7pm Saturday, July 12th, and 2pm Sunday, July 13th. Advanced order tickets are

A recent federal funding freeze could jeopardize several educational initiatives in the Upper Adams School District, according to a report from Upper Adams School District (UASD) Assistant Superintendent Joseph Albin. Albins said that on June 30, the Pennsylvania Department of Education was notified by the federal government that funding for Title II, III, and IV

Just before 9 p.m. on Monday, June 23, Ellie Hollabaugh Vranich was visiting friends with her husband and kids, trying to unwind after another day of brutal heat. Temperatures had pushed past 100 degrees, and she couldn’t stop thinking about its effect on their crop of early summer fruits. Then the lights went out. Her

Thirteen-year-old Lochlan Brown, of Plainville, Massachusetts, received the wish of a lifetime this Fourth of July when he traveled more than 400 miles to experience the history of Gettysburg firsthand. Diagnosed with cancer, Lochlan was granted his dream trip through Make-A-Wish® Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia, in partnership with his home chapter, Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and

On Wednesday, July 9, award-winning author Ron Kirkwood returns to the G.A.R. Hall to speak on his new book about the field hospital at the George Spangler Farm entitled “Tell Mother Not to Worry.”  This free talk is part of Historic Gettysburg Adams County – HGAC’s 50th Anniversary Educational Speaker Series. The talk will be

The Adams County Farmers Market is proud to announce the second year of its annual Zucchini Grand Prix, a fun, pinebox derby-style event for kids, taking place on Saturday, July 5th 2025, at the Gettysburg Rec Park. Kids 16 and under are invited to get creative by designing and racing their own zucchini-mobiles. Zucchinis and

by Peter Hall, Pennsylvania Capital-Star Pennsylvania education leaders are scrambling after the Trump Administration said it would withhold more than $230 million in congressionally approved funding for after-school programs, teacher training, literacy, and education for migrant and non-English speaking students. The Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building pictured on Nov. 25, 2024.(Photo by Shauneen

Four Adams County agricultural businesses have been awarded a combined $1.53 million in state-administered federal grants to modernize their operations and expand their market reach, the Shapiro Administration announced Monday. The funding is part of a broader $21 million investment through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program, a cooperative effort between the Pennsylvania Department

Senator Doug Mastriano is calling on Met-Ed and its parent company, FirstEnergy, to take immediate action in response to recent power outages that left many Franklin and Adams County residents without electricity for days. In a strongly worded public statement and formal letter to FirstEnergy CEO Brian X. Tierney, Mastriano criticized the utility provider for

Karl Held refined his artistic craft on Broadway and used his magic to improve his hometown of Gettysburg. Strangers benefited from his work in New York City and Adams County, and close friends cherished his warm embraces and lavish, intimate dinner parties.  “Gettysburg was not always the arts-rich community it is today. We owe a

Gettysburg Borough knows it needs to hire a police chief but how it hires one is currently being ironed out. During their monthly workshop on Monday, the borough council discussed the process and qualifications the next candidate should bring to the job. Civil Service Process Human Resources Coordinator Marie Figueroa-Ocasio told the council that the

The Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority (GARA) board met Monday evening to discuss park operations, programs, and proposals, with the most contentious issue being a request from the Adams County Farmers Market for a formal three-year commitment to continue hosting the market at the Rec Park. Reza Djalal, representing the market, requested board support for a

For the ninth consecutive year, the solemn sounds of “Taps” are echoing through Gettysburg National Military Park each evening as part of the One Hundred Nights of Taps program. Traditionally held at the Soldiers’ National Monument, the nightly tribute now takes place at the Pennsylvania Memorial, where it continues to draw volunteer buglers and history

During the 1850s, the southern enslavers were definitely in the driver’s seat as far as the national government was concerned. The decade started off with the Compromise of 1850, which included the Fugitive Slave Act, which made it so easy to kidnap northern African-Americans that it sparked a reverse underground railroad. This was followed by

Please click here for a list of local cooling stations. With temperatures soaring into the upper 90s and more than 7,000 Adams County residents without electricity on Monday evening, emergency cooling centers and water distribution sites have opened to help residents cope with widespread power outages that began Sunday night and continued into Monday. According

The Totem Pole Playhouse is shining a neon light on its 75th anniversary season in Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5,” which opened Friday evening in the woods at Caledonia State Park.  Adapted from the 1980 hit movie starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton, the musical — with book by Patricia Resnick and music

By Imari Scarbrough The Bermudian Springs school board passed its Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget on Tuesday evening and included a 3.6% tax increase. The board unanimously passed the vote following months of discussion about the need for increased funds while balancing the financial implications for taxpayers, particularly those on fixed incomes. The 3.6% increase is

The “Give the Shirt Off Your Back” free shopping event returned to Arendtsville yesterday, drawing over 140 visitors to the Arendtsville Fire Department. The event continues today from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Organizer April Jones emphasized that the event is open to all. Shoppers found a wide range of free items, including men’s, women’s,

by Peter Hall, Pennsylvania Capital-StarJune 20, 2025 Cyclists riding on Pennsylvania highways have no obligation to pull off the road to get out of the way of faster traffic, the state Supreme Court ruled this week. The decision reinforces the right of bikers to use the road just like other vehicles.  The Pennsylvania Supreme Court

After two failed rounds of voting, the Gettysburg Area School District Board of Directors had to phone a friend to pass its 2025-26 budget. District residents will incur a 1% property tax increase, which will be solely used to fund the future expansion of Adams County Technical Institute. The board considered two options: a budget

Following the adoption of a policy limiting explicit content in library books, the Upper Adams School Board is weighing how to apply the same parameters to classroom resources. On Tuesday, the board broached the first read of Policy 109 regarding classroom materials. Like the library book restrictions approved in February under Policy 109.1, Policy 109

Red, White, and Blueberry time at Hollabaugh’s! Hollabaugh Bros., Inc. will be hosting their 70th Anniversary Blueberry Festival on Saturday, July 12th and Sunday, July 13th between 12-4 p.m. to celebrate the bounty of blueberries on the farm! The annual festival features two afternoons of family fun, including live music by local artist Austin Rife,

by Jennifer Shutt and Shauneen Miranda, Pennsylvania Capital-Star WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Republican leaders expressed confidence Tuesday they’ll be able to tamp down opposition to various elements of the party’s “big, beautiful bill” in time to approve the measure before the Fourth of July, though they acknowledged there’s considerable work left to do.  GOP senators

The Gettysburg Planning Commission hasœ voted unanimously to extend the time period of its review of the Gettysburg Station development plans to September. This was expected and will allow all parties to continue with the technical review and impact studies required for a plan of this scope, borough staff said. If the developer does not

by Jennifer Shutt, Pennsylvania Capital-StarJune 17, 2025 WASHINGTON — Republicans and backers of President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again platform support the party’s “big, beautiful bill” as passed by the U.S. House, though Americans overall view the legislation unfavorably, according to a poll released Tuesday by the nonpartisan health research organization KFF. The U.S.

Greetings from GARA (The Gettysburg Rec Park)!  First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone who came out to our first Memorial Day Weekend music festival. This event exceeded our expectations, and we hope to make this an annual tradition. The six bands provided a lot of energy, and our various food and drink

The 2025 Adams County Library System Funfest was held on Friday. Our photographer Jim Bargas was there. Announcements from the library included: The “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” has been changed to “1,000 Things Before Kindergarten.” Children can complete books and activities in the challenge now to reach 1,000.

Pennsylvania is in the midst of a worsening hunger crisis. According to Feeding America, one in 8 people and one in 6 children experience food insecurity across the Commonwealth. In Adams County alone, approximately 11,000 neighbors are currently food insecure, meaning that members of our community are sacrificing food quality, variety, and in more severe

In Gettysburg, an estimated 2,000 demonstrators packed Lincoln Square and the surrounding streets this afternoon in the largest turnout yet for the town’s weekly “Rallies for the People.” The local protestors joined a sweeping national mobilization aimed at defending American democracy from what many described as the authoritarian overreach of President Donald Trump. The demonstration

A park proposed to be built on Gettysburg’s Steinwehr Avenue is on hold while borough leaders determine if a house can be demolished or moved. After much public comment and deliberation, the borough council unanimously voted to support the Historic Architectural Review Board’s (HARB) decision to deny demolition of a Victorian House at 99 Steinwehr

Jadey O’Regan, University of Sydney Brian Wilson, leader, songwriter and producer of the Beach Boys, has passed away at age 82. The Beach Boys in 1962 in Los Angeles, California. Brian Wilson is on the left. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images He leaves behind a legacy of beautiful, joyous, bittersweet and enduring music, crafted over a

The Adams County Farmers Market is holding its 4th annual Farmers Market Fairy Festival on Saturday June 14, 2025, from 8am-1pm at the Gettysburg Rec Park. The Adams County Farmers Market is excited to be once again hosting its annual Farmers Market Fairy Festival on Saturday, June 14th, 2025 from 8am to 1pm, at the

by Adam Behr, Newcastle University There’s immense variety in popular music careers, even beyond the extremes of one-hit wonders and the long-haulers touring stadiums into their dotage. There are those who embody a specific era, burning briefly and brightly, and those whose legacy spans decades. Sly Stone performing at Woodstock in August 1969. Zuma Press /

Teenagers struggle with a lot of things they don’t understand. It’s part of growing up. One of the most important things is defining oneself. Are you a tough guy or a sensitive poet and thinker? Do you play football or chess? Because it’s not about the thing itself, but how you create your identity. And

Vivid rainbow banners on the exterior of the community theater on York Street shout out to Pride Month as summer stumbles its way into historic Gettysburg. Inside, Gettysburg Community Theatre’s “Pippin” — with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Roger O. Hirson — leaps into a circus-inspired evening of song and dance

With the help of many people and organizations, Juneteenth will again be celebrated in Gettysburg with two days of events marking the end of slavery in the United States. The festivities will kick off on Saturday, June 21, at 11:45 am on the grounds of the United Lutheran Seminary behind 15 Seminary Ridge. Gettysburg Mayor

The Gettysburg Area School District’s Board of Directors continued its deep dive into the 2025-26 budget on Monday, this time with a new but familiar member at the dias. The board unanimously voted to appoint Kathleen Pratt to a vacancy created when Cynthia Ayers resigned last month. Pratt served on the board from 2017-2021 and

The Gettysburg Area School District’s (GASD) Seamless Summer Food Service Program will return this summer, providing free breakfast and lunch to children throughout the community.  The program will run Monday through Thursday from June 16 through Aug. 7 at Gettysburg Area Middle School, located at 37 Lefever St., Gettysburg, PA 17325. Meals are free to

Pennsylvania is in the midst of a worsening hunger crisis. According to Feeding America, one in 8 people and one in 6 children experience food insecurity across the Commonwealth. In Adams County alone, approximately 11,000 neighbors are currently food insecure, meaning that members of our community are sacrificing food quality, variety, and in more severe

More than 250 members of the Gettysburg Class of 2025 marked the end of high school during a sunny ceremony held at the district’s Warrior Stadium on Thursday evening. The evening focused on closing one chapter and opening another while remembering the lessons they learned at Gettysburg Area School District. “Each of us, whether we

Ominous weather couldn’t dampen the fresh creative energy that sprang to life Friday evening at the Totem Pole Playhouse, where the summer theater opened its 75th anniversary season with Roger Bean’s wildly popular “The Marvelous Wonderettes” — an all-star jukebox musical comedy spanning a decade of 1950-60s classic pop music. Originally produced in 1999 at

This story was originally reported by Jasmine Mithani and Mel Leonor Barclay of The 19th. Meet Jasmine and Mel and read more of their reporting on gender, politics and policy. Over the last four decades, the United States has built a web of federal policies and funding to address domestic and intimate partner violence, a

At its May 28 meeting, the Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority (GARA) board discussed financial performance, recent and upcoming events, and long-term planning efforts for park facilities and infrastructure. GARA finished the first third of the year with a net income of $20,118. Through April, total income was $106,648 while expenses stood at $86,585—figures nearly on

President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14287:  Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens on May 5, 2025.  The order required publication of “a list of states and local jurisdictions that obstruct the enforcement of Federal immigration laws (sanctuary jurisdictions).” That list of “Sanctuary Jurisdictions Defying Federal Immigration Law” was published by the Department of Homeland Security

Mark Finlayson, Florida International University and Azwad Anjum Islam, Florida International University It is not often that cold, hard facts determine what people care most about and what they believe. Instead, it is the power and familiarity of a well-told story that reigns supreme. Whether it’s a heartfelt anecdote, a personal testimony or a meme

The Borough of Gettysburg’s future appearance was the central theme of Tuesday’s council workshop. The governing body discussed the Gettysburg Welcome Center, Gettysburg Connectivity Project, zoning revisions, and a proposed park for Steinwehr Avenue. Gettysburg Welcome Center  Main Street Gettysburg Executive Director Jill Sellers told the council that the Gettysburg Welcome Center is moving forward,

Once again, some 200 placard-toting demonstrators assembled peacefully on Gettysburg’s Lincoln Square to protest the actions of the administration of Donald Trump. Their signs protested the administration’s actions to silence opposition in the media and the university; its treatment of immigrants and lack of due process; the Trump family’s cryptocurrency endeavors, which they alleged amounted

When I began teaching courses on homelessness and poverty at Gettysburg College more than 20 years ago, I regularly noted to my students that I often found common cause with a wide range of people from across the political spectrum when it came to seeking solutions and providing services for homeless Veterans. While some people

Members of the Upper Adams marching band kicked off Tuesday’s school board meeting with a performance in their new uniforms, courtesy of funding approved by the board. “I wanted to say a quick thank you to the board for funding for the new uniforms. They are, as you see here, a little bit more modern,

The Fairfield Area School Board reduced its potential tax increase to 2% during a recent meeting. The board dedicated 1% of that hike to the district’s operational fund and 1% to the proposed future expansion of Adams County Technical Institute (ACTI). This is the second year for the ACTI allocation, similar to other Adams County

Mt. Tabor’s annual Memorial Day observance took place on Friday, May 23, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m. with a community parade. Fire companies from Bendersville, Biglerville, York Springs, and Mt. Holly participated, along with local Scout troops and community groups. The event was organized by Cathleen Lerew. Wayne Galloway offered the invocation and benediction, and

The Gettysburg Civic Chorus will present its spring concerts Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8 at 3:00 p.m. at the Gettysburg Area Middle School Auditorium, 37 Lefever Street, Gettysburg. The theme “Love Will Keep Us Together” will feature songs from the 60’s and 70’s including (in addition to the concert theme) Ain’t No Mountain

The public is invited to an inspiring evening with civil rights legend Joan Trumpauer Mulholland and her son, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Loki Mulholland, on Sunday, June 1, at 7:00 PM at the United Lutheran Seminary Chapel in Gettysburg. The event, sponsored by the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the ELCA, will feature a compelling presentation exploring

Biglerville’s Memorial Day observance was held yesterday at 3:00 p.m. in the Biglerville Cemetery, located across from Biglerville High School. The event was organized by the Ira E. Lady American Legion Post 262 and led by Commander Rick Pelc. The program featured patriotic songs with audience participation, along with musical performances by The M&M’s, a

Danielle K. Brown, Michigan State University On the evening of May 25, 2020, George Floyd was murdered by police outside a grocery store in Minneapolis. Flowers, painted benches, and handmade memorials surround a mural of George Floyd at George Floyd Square on May 18, 2025. Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images From the outset, the incident

On April 30, the Adams County Community Foundation celebrated many high school students who will graduate this spring by awarding over $225,000 in scholarships.  These scholarships help students with their financial needs as they continue their education.  So many bright students are deserving of this assistance.  What a lovely morning it was as parents, students,