Voters approve ballot questions limiting Pennsylvania governor’s emergency powers

(By Christen Smith | The Center Square) – Unofficial election returns show that nearly 54% of voters in Pennsylvania support constitutional amendments that limit the governor’s emergency powers. Some 1.9 million ballots have been counted, according to the Department of State, as of Wednesday morning. The official tally likely won’t come until next week as

Obituary: John A. Murphy

John Alfred Murphy, 87 of Gettysburg, PA died Thursday, May 20, 2021 at his home in Gettysburg, PA.    Born June 10, 1933 in Rochester, NY, the son of the late Ralph F. Murphy Sr. and Annabelle (Mullen) Murphy. He was married to Joan Mans Murphy of Rochester, NY for 63 years. John was a

Adams County Commissioners thank Deb Kammerer and Wayne Smith, again hear about prison employment concerns

The Adams County Commissioners recognized retiring employees Deb Kammerer and Wayne Smith for their dedication to the Adams County Ag Land Preservation Board of Directors. Commissioner Randy Phiel stated they would have given the recognition at the board’s previous meeting but they were previously committed to another event. Kammerer was on the call and thanked

Straban “astonished” about GASD suit

In a press release issued this week Straban Township said it had not expected to be sued by the Gettysburg Area School District. “I’m astonished,” said Tony Sanders, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “We’ve been working with the district’s solicitor for months in good faith and then this suit comes out of the blue.”

Rita Frealing Gets to Work on Mayoral Campaign

After winning the Democratic primary over Chad Alan Carr and Kiersten Demps on Tuesday, Rita Frealing is basing her mayoral campaign on the issues of community safety, collaboration, and consensus.  “I’m ready to work,” said Frealing in a phone call yesterday. “Everyone will have a voice.” Frealing said the two major responsibilities the mayor was

Experts say Pa.’s 2021 primary was typical, but GOP lawmakers are seizing on issues

(Marie Albiges of Spotlight PA) This article is made possible through Votebeat, a nonpartisan reporting project covering local election integrity and voting access. This article is available for reprint under the terms of Votebeat’s republishing policy. HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s primary this week hardly resembled the election of six months ago, when local officials were furiously

FASD delays budget vote; approves roof repair

The Fairfield Area School District board (FASD) voted unanimously on May 10 to award bids for contractors to begin roof work on the elementary and middle and high school. Following a discussion with William Mooney, district buildings and grounds supervisor, the board approved the contracts in its consent agenda. The awarded bids included $592,000 to

GASD honors retirees

The Gettysburg Area School board honored 14 long-time employees with over 300 years of service with certificates and rounds of applause at their meeting on Monday. “You can never replace the individuals. Thank you all for your dedication to the district and most importantly the kids of our community,” said Superintendent Jason Perrin. The retiring

GASD wrestles with its budget, preparing for a vote on June 7

Gettysburg Area School District staff presented a detailed and comprehensive look at the district’s 2021-22 budget on Monday evening, while proposing a modest 1.2 percent tax increase to reduce the possibility of severe funding difficulties in the future. District Business Manager Belinda Wallen said the parts of the budget the district was able to control

Voters approve two PA ballot initiatives limiting governor’s power in disaster declarations

Two initiatives on yesterday’s statewide primary ballot designed to move emergency decisions from the governor’s office to the state assembly have been approved. Live results of the amendment votes as well as other state races can be viewed here. Amendment 1 limits the governor’s ability to use emergency disaster declaration orders and Amendment 2 removes

Frealing beats Carr and Demps in race for mayor slot

Rita Frealing has defeated Chad Adams Carr and Kierstan Demps in the Democratic mayoral candidate primary race. Final tallies had Frealing with 244 votes (41.85 percent), Carr with 218 votes (37.39 percent), and Demps with 110 votes (18.87 percent). Frealing will face Republican Thomas R. Carr in the fall municipal election. “Although I would have

A new wave of election directors step in to fill Pa.’s many vacancies — with little training and varying experience

This article is made possible through Votebeat, a nonpartisan reporting project covering local election integrity and voting access. This article is available for reprint under the terms of Votebeat’s republishing policy. HARRISBURG — Among the most stressed-out folks in local government this week will be the former manager of the USA Field Hockey team, a

Pennsylvania lawmakers consider preempting local utility ordinances

(Christen Smith: The Center Square) – Some Pennsylvania lawmakers said Tuesday the state should advance legislation that prevents local officials from enacting policies that limit energy choices. Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Williamsport, said he sponsored Senate Bill 275 in response to a growing national trend of local officials discriminating against utility connections based on the source

Childcare and Community Health Services Proposed for the $3.4 Million Adaptive Reuse Project

The Adams County Industrial Development Authority (ACIDA) is partnering with the Bermudian Springs School District (BSSD) on a community and economic development project—being called the Northern Adams Childcare and Community Health Project—that aims to repurpose the district’s former middle school. The project was sparked by Dr. Shane Hotchkiss, BSSD Superintendent, who engaged the Adams Economic

Bermudian Drafts a Preliminary 2021-22 Budget

The Bermudian Springs school board approved its tentative 2021-22 budget during its meeting on Tuesday evening. The approved budget included $33,177,119 in expenses and $31,241,993 in revenue. A tentative real estate tax rate of 4.1 percent or 12.9766 mills was included. The tax rates approved Monday cannot go up from the approved amount but could

Omni-partial: My experience at a recent local protest

“Tell me what you believe!” a bearded man in jeans and windbreaker laughingly demanded. Standing in the too-cold rain, I wasn’t prepared to tell him what I believed about the issue at hand. One, I wasn’t sure. Two, I wasn’t there to give my opinion. I was there to be omni-partial. April 9th probably doesn’t

Gettysburg National Military Park & Gettysburg Foundation Partnership Project: Culp’s Hill Rehabilitation

Gettysburg National Military Park and the Gettysburg Foundation are partnering on a Culp’s Hill rehabilitation project. The project will improve the cultural and natural landscape of 18-acres of Culp’s Hill where key battle action occurred on July 2-3, 1863. Work will include the removal of brush and select understory (trees five inches or less in diameter)

Self inflicted gunshot near Gettysburg Square

Media Release On May 11, 2021 at approx. 1220 AM, Officers of the Gettysburg Police Department located a victim of a self-inflicted gun shot wound in the first block of Chambersburg St. The individual was located in the driver’s seat of a vehicle registered to the victim and the driver had an obvious self-inflicted gunshot

UASD hears budget updates and encourages community feedback

UASD Zoom 5.4

Upper Adams School District (UASD) board heard preliminary budget revisions and encouraged community feedback Tuesday.    The public will soon learn the results of an independent investigation following racial accusations on UASD campus, according to school board President Tom Wilson. An executive summary report is planned for release May 18, according to Superintendent Dr. Wesley

Lawmakers Eye Work Search Requirements, Loosened Regulations in Pennsylvania’s Economic Recovery

(The Center Square) – Pennsylvania House lawmakers support reinstating work search requirements for unemployment claimants and said loosened regulations will bolster the state’s economic recovery. The Department of Labor & Industry said, however, that the manpower shortage businesses face is not a result of suspended work search requirements or the $300 weekly jobless benefit enhancement

Should GASD Raise Taxes? Board Debates the Issue

Gettysburg Area School District (GASD) board members expressed concern Monday evening about the 1.2 percent tax increase Superintendent Jason Perrin said was needed to keep the district in the black. Perrin said his team had reduced still another $1.2 million in spending while not affecting student learning and that the proposed 2021-2022 budget was only

Takeout Cocktails on Permanent Track in Pennsylvania

(The Center Square) – The same day public health officials announced an easing of the last COVID-19 restrictions, state lawmakers moved a bill that would make at least one pandemic rule permanent: takeout cocktails. The House Liquor Control Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to advance a proposal that would allow bars and restaurants to sell as much as

Nanette Hatzes Retrospective Opens this Friday at ACAC

The Adams County Arts Council will celebrate the opening art exhibition of Nanette Hatzes with a First Friday reception on Friday, May 7, 5:00-7:30 p.m. at the ACAC’s Arts Education Center, 125 S. Washington Street, Gettysburg.  The reception is free and open to the public.  Temperature check and mask wearing are required.  The show will

The Battle for Redistricting Reform Can Still Be Won

The battle for redistricting reform and an end to gerrymandering in Pennsylvania had been going on for decades without success when in 2016 good-government reform groups decided to coordinate their efforts. They formed a new body of citizen volunteers called Fair Districts PA (www.fairdistrictspa.com) Today, as we prepare to redraw our congressional and legislative district

Wolf Administration Will Lift Mitigation Orders On Memorial Day * Masking Order To be Lifted Only When 70% Of Pennsylvania Adults Are Fully Vaccinated

The Wolf administration, in coordination with the state COVID-19 Vaccine Joint Task Force, announced today that COVID mitigation orders except masking will be lifted on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31 at 12:01 a.m.  The current order requiring people to wear face coverings when indoors and outdoors when away from home will only be lifted when 70% of Pennsylvanians are fully

Majestic Theater will reopen on May 21

Gettysburg College’s Majestic Theater will reopen its first-run daily cinema center on Friday, May 21 after being closed for over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tickets and show times will initially be limited, so advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended. Tickets are $9 each. “The pandemic has devastated theaters across America, so May

A Community Park

I wasn’t born or raised in Gettysburg, but moved here five years ago. I say I was lucky to have moved much of my childhood because I experienced so many different communities. After living in Gettysburg for five years, I am still impressed and in awe of how much Adams County’s community and all of

Philadelphia Union Sued for Planned Strike

(The Center Square) – A Philadelphia union faces legal action after a New Jersey-based food distributor claims an impending strike violates its collective bargaining agreement. J. Ambrosi Food Distribution filed a complaint in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania last week alleging that officials from Teamsters Local 929 harassed its workers and threatened their jobs if they refused

GNP Visitor Center Returns to Normal Daily Hours for Visitors

The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center, home of the Gettysburg Cyclorama and the Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War, announces new hours of operation throughout the summer starting Saturday, May 1, 2021. The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center had offered visitors reduced hours since reopening its doors June 25, 2020, and

Lisa McLeod-Simmons Wins Monthly Photo Contest

This winner of the Gettysburg Connection photo contest for April is this incredible photo, “Smooth Landing” taken by Lisa McLeod-Simmons. Lisa wins a $25 gift certificate to the Adams County Arts Council.. Please check out all of the past winners, and send us your pics! Gift certificates awarded monthly thanks to the Adams County Arts

Spring: A Chlorophyllic Revolution

I think that to characterize spring as an incorrigible flirt is really not a stretch. At every turn, this jezebel is capable of all manners of seduction, and her wildness constantly diverts my attention toward everything that is not me. The American anthropologist Anna Sting describes this experience as ‘looking around rather than ahead.’ I

Redding and Smith Run for County Offices

As part of our effort to keep our readers informed about the upcoming primary election, we are highlighting the candidacies of candidates who have shared their information with us. This post highlights two candidates running for Adams County Offices. Please click on the candidates’ cards to read their full statements.

Pennsylvania Bill Would Help Farmers Adopt Conservation-Friendly Practices, Improve Watersheds

(The Center Square) – A proposed program designed to bring conservation-friendly financial resources to farmers across Pennsylvania could come to fruition if recently introduced legislation is enacted. State Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Bradford, is the primary sponsor of Senate Bill 465, which calls for the creation of an agricultural conservation assistance program. The legislation currently is in

Business Profile: Adams County Winery

Located 8 miles west of Gettysburg in Orrtanna, Adams County Winery is the fifth oldest operating winery in the state and the largest in southern Pennsylvania. The winery’s 12.5 acre vineyard produces eight varieties of award-winning white and red grapes which are blended into a selection of standard, small batch, and seasonal wines. Owned by

No Vaccine Passports for Pennsylvania, Health Officials Say

(The Center Square) – Public health officials in Pennsylvania are saying they will not follow in New York’s footsteps and adopt vaccine passports. Rather, acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said during a Senate Appropriations Committee meeting Thursday that the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination Task Force sees easing hesitancy as its most urgent priority. “Really, what

Adams County Community Foundation Awards $36,800 In Grants For Littlestown

Adams County Community Foundation’s Lisa Donohoe (left) learns about the equipment purchased through a 2020 grant from the Fund for Littlestown and Selby Family Memorial Fund for Littlestown’s Alpha Fire Company #20 from William Troup, Volunteer Fire Fighter and EMT. Thanks to a “forever gift” from the Selby family, the Adams County Community Foundation awards

Workers in Pa. prisons, COVID-19 hotspots, aren’t getting vaccinated. Here’s why that’s dangerous.

Joseph Darius Jaafari of Spotlight PA Spotlight PA is an independent, non-partisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — A delayed upgrade to the state Department of Corrections’ dashboard on COVID-19 rates in prisons has revealed that

Adams County Commissioners Proclaim Medicine Take Back Day and Conservation District Week

The Adams County Commissioners have officially approved Saturday’s Medicine Take Back Day. The event will occur from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Biglerville, Gettysburg, Carroll Valley, Hanover, Littlestown, McSherrystown, New Oxford, and York Springs. Residents can safely dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired prescriptions and over the counter medications, loose pills, liquids, creams, and

LASD Awards Student Achievement; Approves Capital Projects

The Littlestown Area School District Board has approved repairs and upgrades to be made at the Alloway Creek Elementary School (ACES) and the Littlestown High School (LHS) during the 2021-2022 school year. ACES will get needed cosmetic repairs including regrading and reseeding of the grass areas between the playground and the school building.  The existing

GASD Proposes a 1.3 Percent Tax Increase for 2021-2022

Gettysburg Area School District Superintendent Jason Perrin said the district has found a way to reduce another $1.2 million in spending for the 2021-22 school year over the past two weeks. He said the cuts were difficult to find but had been accomplished without impacting student programming. The proposed budget will keep the minimum unassigned

Library Book Sale this Saturday

Friends of the Library Spring Fever Garage Book Sale Saturday April 24, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm  In the garage behind the Gettysburg Library at 140 Baltimore Street Many types of books available for all ages! Cash and credit cards accepted. Please wear a mask and bring your own bag. Hand sanitizer will be available

Pennsylvania Expands Health Care Aid For 110,000 Residents

(The Center Square) – Pennsylvania said 110,000 new residents qualify for financial assistance when buying health insurance in the state-run marketplace thanks to an expansion of credits under the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.  The congressional aid package increases premium tax credits for all income levels in 2021 and 2022, the Department of Health said

Gettysburg Foundation Names New President

The Board of Directors of the Gettysburg Foundation has appointed Wayne E. Motts as the Foundation’s new president to lead the operations of the national preservation and education organization.  The Gettysburg Foundation owns and operates the LEED Gold-certified Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center in partnership with Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower

You’re invited! A free reader Q&A on how to fight back against misinformation in Pa.

Spotlight PA Staff Spotlight PA is an independent, non-partisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. With the continued decline in local news across Pennsylvania, partisan groups are taking advantage by launching efforts that mimic traditional news operations but

Borough Encourages Responses To Survey

Residents of Gettysburg Borough should have received a survey in their mailbox asking them to provide information about their perceptions of the borough and its government. Borough Manager Charles Gable has asked people to fill out the survey to help the borough know if the if the work they are doing is satisfactory.  Gable said

Gettysburg Borough Council Praises Main Street Director Deb Adamik, Gettysburg Police Force

On the occasion of her retirement, Gettysburg Borough councilmember Patti Lawson reviewed many of Main Street Gettysburg’s Deb Adamik’s accomplishments during her fourteen years as President and Chief Executive Officer. Lawson said Adamik’s achievements included the creation of the Wills House, the coordination of the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg battle, leadership on the Steinwehr

A Sweeet! Celebration

Owners Cindy and Mark Fox are celebrating the 9th anniversary of the opening of Sweeet! The Candy Store in downtown Gettysburg. “Everyone loves candy,” said Cindy Fox. “It’s my husband; it’s all his crazy brain. Mark was his own motivation. He gets an idea in his head and he’s committed to it. He’s going to

Job Offerings at Local Nonprofits

The Adams County Library System has three job opportunities available:  PT Branch Assistant at the Trone Memorial Library in East Berlin. 20 hours weekly. Application deadline 4/26/21. PT Branch Assistant at the Harbaugh~Thomas Library in Biglerville. 12 hours weekly.  Application deadline 4/30/21. Combination PT Public Services Assistant & Materials Handling Assistant at the Gettysburg Library. 

Despite Mass Cancellations This Past Year, Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex ‘Doing OK,’ Ag Secretary Says

(The Center Square) – While the revenue-generating events schedule within the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center was nixed this past year, the Harrisburg-based venue remains on a solid financial footing, a state official reported recently. The vitality of the 24-acre complex, long viewed as a sign of Pennsylvania’s largest industry, has come into

@Home in Adams County Online Informational Session

Interested in learning about @Home in Adams County? Want to know what we’ve been up to lately? Join us  on Tuesday, April 27th at 12n via Zoom. Caroline, @Home’s coordinator will present some general, introductory information on the @Home in Adams County initiative, provide updates on current partner projects and explain how to get involved.

CVSD Honors Students, Looks at 2020-21 Tax Increases

The Conewago Valley school board discussed possible tax increases for the 2021-22 budget during its regular board meeting on Monday evening. The board also reviewed challenges and successes as it wraps up the current school year and prepares for a new one. Six new teaching jobs were included in the 2021-22 budget, which has yet

Adams County Commissioners Proclaim “Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month,” “National Crime Victims’ Rights Week,” and “Stand Against Racism Week” * Announce Changes in Polling Locations.

The Adams County Board of Commissioners has made the following proclamations: Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month – April: Child abuse has been identified as a national health crisis. In Adams County, 1,313 incidents of alleged child abuse or neglect were reported in 2020. The Proclamation states, “all children deserve to have a safe, stable,

All PA Adults Are Eligible for COVID Vaccines Starting Tomorrow

April 12, 2021 Governor Tom Wolf and the COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force announced that effective tomorrow, Tuesday, April 13, all Pennsylvania adults will be eligible to schedule an appointment for the COVID -19 vaccine. “We need to maintain acceleration of the vaccine rollout, especially as case counts and hospitalization rates have increased,” Gov. Wolf said.

Vaccine Information Update

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This is an update about the availability of COVID-19 vaccinations in Adams County as of today, April 12, 2021.  As of tomorrow, the state has opened vaccine eligibility to all adults. This does not mean that you will get a vaccine immediately– but you can get on a list to get one. There is still

Sen. Doug Mastriano Endangers Local Businesses

I write books that sell to tourists. Like everyone else, last year was a “survive until next year”year. I plan to sell several thousand copies this year – if it’s recovery year. But to do that, thetourists have to come. And looking around the area and reading all the literature, I believe theonly thing that

Underground Railroad Tours Are Back!

Walking tours of Gettysburg’s only Underground Railroad (UGRR) Site recognized by the National Park Service’s “Network to Freedom” will begin on Saturday, May 1st at 11:00 a.m and everyone is invited to attend. The McAllister’s Mill UGRR Tours were cancelled last year due to the COVID pandemic, but all of the tour guides have received

Juli Griffin Wins Weekly Photo Contest

Juli Griffin is the winner of this week’s Gettysburg Connection photo contest! “Spring in Upper Adams is so beautiful. There is a short window of overlap with the peach and apple blossoms, it’s pretty remarkable. Here’s a shot I took in Spring 2020.” Congrats to Juli! Please check out all of the past winners, and send