Submitted photo Red Cross volunteer James McHale accepts a proclamation from Mifflin County Commissioners Thursday during the board’s meeting. Pictured are Commissioner Noah Wise, Commissioner Kevin Kodish, McHale, and Commissioner Rob Postal.

LEWISTOWN — When emergency strikes in Mifflin County — when a family loses its home to fire, when a patient urgently needs blood or when a service member places a difficult call home — it is often the American Red Cross that arrives first. Volunteers step in with blankets, shelter, mental‒health support, smoke alarms and reassurance that no one must face a crisis alone.

That commitment to service shaped the opening of Thursday’s Mifflin County Commissioners meeting, where officials proclaimed March 2026 as American Red Cross Month and recognized the organization’s work throughout the region.

Red Cross outlines local impact

James McHale, representing the Red Cross’ Service to the Armed Forces, detailed the group’s activity since July 2025.

“We’ve responded to nine disaster events, supporting 28 individuals,” McHale said. He added that 41 volunteers currently serve across the county, supporting both local and regional missions.

Other services provided in Mifflin County included:

15 disaster health and mental‒health contacts;

92 smoke alarms installed through the home‒fire safety program; and

Nearly 800 units of blood collected at 28 blood drives.

“The best disaster response is based on preparedness, and preparedness is dependent on awareness,” McHale said. “If there’s something you need, ask. We might be doing it.”

Inmate housing agreement approved

Commissioners approved an inmate housing agreement with Snyder County for March 20, 2026, through December 31, 2026. The daily rate will be $75 per inmate, although the county is not currently housing any Snyder County inmates.

DEP grant will boost shelter services

The county accepted a $7,641 Food Recovery Infrastructure grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection to assist Shelter Services. The funds will be used to purchase freezers, refrigerators and other storage equipment needed to safely accept food donations that previously had to be turned away.

“This will allow them to accept more donations and reduce food costs,” said Director of Mifflin Juniata Human Services Melissa Stewart, who applied for the grant in early 2025.

Engineering contract moves Jack’s Creek Bridge forward

The board approved a $385,000 engineering and design agreement with EADS Group for the replacement of Jack’s Creek Bridge. The bridge is currently posted and classified as structurally deficient. The work marks the beginning of a major project under the county’s broader effort to eliminate all structurally deficient bridges.

Courthouse Preservation Grant ratified

Commissioners ratified the submission of a $92,000 Keystone Historic Preservation Construction Grant application filed on March 2 to fund improvements to the Mifflin County Historic Courthouse. The ratification allows county officials to execute documents should the application be approved.

Lewistown Borough CDBG agreements approved

Two Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) sub‒recipient agreements for Lewistown Borough were approved:

Fiscal year 2023: $123,715; and

Fiscal year 2024: $121,475.

Both allocations will be combined to purchase self‒contained breathing apparatus units for the Lewistown Fire Department. SEDA-COG representative Carol Kearney-High said the equipment will be shared between the borough’s two fire stations.

Armagh Township CDBG revisions

Commissioners approved revisions to Armagh Township’s 2022 and 2023 CDBG contracts, adjusting project timelines to align with construction and PennDOT coordination.

The township will move its public trail paving project into the 2022 contract year to complete it sooner, while shifting the Milroy accessibility ramp and curb project into 2023.

Revolving loan fund: loan for Unipar equipment

The board granted conditional approval of an $84,463 loan from the county’s Revolving Loan Fund to Unipar for equipment at its Milroy location. The loan review was conducted by SEDA‒COG, which recommended a five‒year term at 3% interest.

Personnel Actions Approved

Commissioners approved 10 personnel actions, including:

Promotions within Children and Youth Services and the Correctional Facility;

Several resignations in county departments;

The retirement of Corrections Officer Sean Johnson;

The retirement of Case Coordinator Denise Koldrick; and

Rescinding two previously approved hires.

Next meeting

Commissioners meet on the first and third Thursday of each month, in the Mifflin County Courthouse. Their next meeting will be at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 19.