Community bond with law enforcement underscored

Event will bring together families, first responders

LEWISTOWN -- Long before the proclamation was read or the vote was taken, Thursday's Mifflin County Commissioners meeting carried a clear theme: community safety depends on connection.

Mifflin County leaders opened the session by highlighting one of the county's most meaningful annual traditions, National Night Out, and the role it plays in strengthening trust between residents and the law enforcement agencies that serve them.

For local police departments and first responders, National Night Out is more than an event. It's a chance to meet people outside moments of crisis, to talk with families, to answer questions, to show equipment, and to build the kind of everyday relationships that make neighborhoods stronger. Commissioners emphasized that these bonds are essential to effective crime prevention and to maintaining a community where people feel safe, supported and heard.

With that message front and center, Commissioner Kevin Kodish read a proclamation declaring Tuesday, Aug. 4, as National Night Out in Mifflin County. The proclamation noted that the event gives local residents the opportunity to join thousands of communities nationwide in promoting police-community partnerships and neighborhood cooperation. Kodish and Commissioners Rob Postal and Noah Wise unanimously approved the proclamation.

The proclamation stressed that crime prevention is most successful when citizens and law enforcement work together. Awareness, cooperation and neighborhood engagement remain core themes of National Night Out, and officials highlighted the impact community participation can have on reducing crime, drugs and violence throughout the county.

Representatives from local police departments spoke following the vote, underscoring the importance of the event and the relationships it helps build. First introduced in 1984, National Night Out was created to foster camaraderie between neighbors and law enforcement and to strengthen the sense of community that keeps neighborhoods safe. Locally, the Mifflin County Regional Police Department, Granville Township Police Department and Lewistown Borough Police Department will once again collaborate to host the celebration at Kish Park.

Similar events are held in Juniata and Snyder counties as well as Huntingdon (for Mount Union).

National Night Out is designed to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community, officials said. "It provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances," Mifflin County Regional Police Department Chief John Chester said.

This year's event will feature more than 25 community organizations offering demonstrations, games and activities for families. Police, fire and EMS vehicles will be on display, giving residents a chance to meet first responders and learn more about the equipment used to protect the community.

Mifflin County Children and Youth will conduct a backpack giveaway to support students preparing for the upcoming school year. Starbucks, a national sponsor of National Night Out, will be present providing samples. Free hot dogs, pizza and fireworks are planned, along with the annual tug‑of‑war contest between area police officers and local firefighters. FAME EMS will offer free snow cones to participants.

A car and motorcycle show will add another attraction, and organizers hope the Pennsylvania Game Commission will be able to demonstrate bear tagging and processing, depending on whether a bear is captured in time. Crafts, children's games, bike giveaways and adult raffle prizes will round out the evening, and a DJ will provide music throughout the event.

National Night Out has become a cornerstone of community engagement in Mifflin County, offering families a chance to gather, interact with local law enforcement and enjoy a night of free activities. Officials emphasized that the event's true value lies in the connections it builds -- the conversations between officers and residents, the shared experiences, the trust that grows when people meet face to face.

"We'd like to invite everyone in the community to come out and enjoy National Night Out," Chester added.

In other news from Thursday's meeting:

New business

The commissioners approved a resolution changing the name of the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority to The Joint Rail Authority, with Steven Beattie serving as the Joint Rail Authority executive director.

Established in 1983, the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority preserved freight rail service in central Pennsylvania after Conrail's abandonment of several unprofitable lines. The Joint Rail Authority will become a fully independent entity effective Jan. 1, 2026.

The JRA will continue its vital work in preserving and expanding freight rail service in central Pennsylvania as an independent authority, building on the strong foundation laid by SEDA-COG.

Contracts and agreements

The commissioners approved agreements with:

-Integral Recoveries Inc. to provide collection services for the Mifflin County Prothonotary;

-Professional Housing Rehabilitation Services with codes assessment professionals to provide services for the Mifflin County's Housing Rehabilitation program;

-The fully executed Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Grant Agreement for $92,000.

-One-year software maintenance agreement with RBA Professional Data Systems Inc. or maintenance and support of the eJury and warrant maintenance software to be effective Nov. 17, 2026, for $2,971.24.

-Opening of bids for the weathervane removed from the cupola of the Mifflin County Courthouse. Charity Larson was the winner at $150.

-Purchase of service agreement, if needed, by Children and Youth for period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027 for Community Specialists Group Inc., of Pittsburgh; Justin Miller, Esq., of Bellefonte; Centre County Children's Advocacy Center, of State College; and Raystown Developmental Services, of Huntingdon.

-Delta Development Group to extend an agreement for an additional 24 months beginning Oct. 1, 2026, for a fee of $6,750 per month for the first year and $7,500 per month for the second year.

-Crider Mitchell Construction LLC for repairs to the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Monument for $9,265; prison masonry repairs for $9,926; Courthouse masonry repairs, $9,926.

Personnel

The Commissioners approved the following personnel matters:

-Resignation of Corrections Officer Garrett Nichols, effective Aug. 8, 2026;

-Rehire of Casandra Trego for Children and Youth Caseworker II, effective Aug. 3, 2026.

Next meeting

The commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at the Mifflin County Courthouse in Lewistown.