News

State police report increase in firearm purchase denials

PA News July 11, 2026

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania State Police reported an increase in firearm purchase denials during the second quarter of 2026, despite a relatively unchanged number of background checks compared with the same period last year. According to the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS), 239,047 background checks were conducted during the second quarter of 2026, up slightly from 238,003 during the same period in 2025. State police said 3,833 individuals were denied the purchase or transfer of a firearm, an increase from 3,444 denials during the second quarter of last ...

Online auction to offer surplus PennDOT equipment this month

PA News July 11, 2026

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Department of General Services will open an online auction this month featuring surplus Pennsylvania Department of Transportation equipment, including dump trucks, off-road vehicles and heavy machinery. A municipal-only auction will run from July 14-28, followed by a public auction from July 29 through Aug. 14. The auctions will provide municipalities and the general public an opportunity to purchase previously state-owned equipment. The auction will be conducted online through GovDeals. Interested buyers must register on the auction platform before ...

Roll R Way settles disability access complaint

PA News July 11, 2026

HARRISBURG — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has reached a civil settlement with Roll R Way requiring the skating center chain to modify its policies to ensure equal access for individuals with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. According to U.S. Attorney Brian D. Miller, the settlement resolves complaints from several families whose children have Type 1 diabetes. The families alleged they were denied entry to Roll R Way facilities because they were carrying food and drinks needed to treat low blood sugar, in violation of the ...

Penn State Health receives $218K in unclaimed property

PA News July 11, 2026

From staff reports HERSHEY — More than $218,000 in unclaimed property has been returned to Penn State Health according to the Pennsylvania Treasury office. Penn State Health received $218,463.82, which was accepted by Inginia Genao, vice dean and vice president of Penn State Health’s Office of Health Advancement and Community Engagement. The funds will be used to support community engagement initiatives. “Returning unclaimed property to organizations, nonprofits and government entities isn’t just about restoring lost funds, it’s about providing vital resources to those who ...

Sunday urges FCC to tighten rules targeting robocall scammers

PA News July 11, 2026

From staff reports HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday has joined a bipartisan coalition of 49 other state attorneys general in urging the Federal Communications Commission to strengthen rules aimed at preventing scammers from using legitimate telephone numbers to carry out robocall schemes. The coalition is asking the FCC to adopt additional safeguards that would make it more difficult for scammers to obtain and rotate legitimate phone numbers, a tactic increasingly used to bypass spam filters and make fraudulent calls appear trustworthy. “Robocalls are more than just a ...

Religion briefs

Local News July 11, 2026

Editor’s note: To submit a nonprofit announcement to The Sentinel’s Religion section, contact Tom Laub at (717) 248-6741 or by email at living@lewistownsentinel.com. Items also may be faxed to (717) 248-3481 or sent to The Sentinel, 21 S. Brown St., Lewistown, PA 17044. Items must be received by Tuesday during business hours for publication in the Saturday edition. Submissions will be published as space allows. The editor reserves the right to edit all submissions. ••• First Bakers UMC to host Bible study McCLURE — First Bakers United Methodist Church will host a Bible ...