MIFFLINTOWN — Members of the Juniata/Perry Ridge Runners chapter of ABATE of Pennsylvania attended Tuesday’s Juniata County Board of Commissioners meeting to accept a proclamation recognizing May 2026 as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month.

Teresa Miller, chapter membership officer, told commissioners the nonprofit organization supports veterans, children and community causes through fundraising efforts and volunteer work.

“Members help the community in many different ways, from helping a neighbor cut wood to getting bills passed in the Senate,” Miller said.

Miller said members have visited nursing homes on Grandparents Day, handed out stuffed animals and even arranged a motorcycle ride for a nursing home resident who had never ridden on a motorcycle before.

The group is currently raising money to help purchase a new van for a Disabled American Veterans transportation program that helps veterans travel to medical appointments. Miller said more than $4,000 has been raised so far.

The chapter’s next event will be a memorial ride to Indiantown Gap National Cemetery on Saturday.

Participants traveling by motorcycle or car may meet at the Giant plaza in Newport behind the gas pumps at 10 a.m. before departing at 10:30 a.m. for Fort Hunter Park. Riders are expected to leave Fort Hunter Park at 11 a.m. and arrive at the cemetery around noon for a memorial service.

The Ridge Runners also plan to host an informational booth during the Heroes and Harmony event May 30 at the Port Royal Speedway fairgrounds.

In other business, commissioners approved the creation of a forensic interviewer position for the Children’s Advocacy Center.

Melissa Stewart, director of Mifflin-Juniata Human Services, said the position is an important step in developing the local advocacy center and will be fully funded through a grant.

“For child abuse investigations or police investigations that have a child involved but don’t have Children and Youth Services involved, we will use the forensic interviewer,” Stewart said.

Currently, the nearest forensic interview services are located in Harrisburg and Bellefonte, often requiring daylong trips for children, families, law enforcement and advocates, Stewart said.

“In most cases this is more traumatic for the child,” Stewart said, noting children often focus on the lengthy travel involved.

Commissioners also approved a purchase-of-services agreement between Juniata County Children and Youth Services and Avanco International Inc. for maintenance of the county’s Child Welfare Information System for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Ashley Baxter, director of Children and Youth Services, said the agreement is renewed annually.

Additional agenda items approved Tuesday included:

-An agreement with Vertiv for maintenance services on two uninterrupted power supply units at the county’s 911 Center from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027, at an annual cost of $4,480;

-Acceptance of the resignation of Nicole Pannebaker, 911 telecommunicator, effective May 27;

-Payment of a $91.65 Juniata County Hazardous Materials check;

-Approval of April departmental reports for the county Adult and Juvenile Probation Office, MDJ Powell’s Office and Children and Youth Services;

-Tax exonerations for Delaware and Fermanagh townships;

-Payment of checks totaling $371,219.30.