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Local News July 2, 2026

The Sentinel offers nonprofit and other community organizations an opportunity to promote upcoming events for free in the community calendar for three days before the event. Events requiring reservations may be promoted for up to two weeks before the reservation deadline. Events that require a purchase from a for-profit business, even if a donation is made to the organization, are not eligible for the calendar. Please be brief and include only basic details. If possible, provide a phone number or email address to be published with contact information. Submit items at least one week ...

Greenwood Furnace celebrates history

Local News July 2, 2026

HUNTINGDON — As Independence Day weekend arrives in the region, Greenwood Furnace State Park in Huntingdon is preparing to welcome families with a lineup of free programs that blend early American history, outdoor exploration and a touch of patriotic fun. The park will host a series of events on Friday and Saturday designed to connect visitors with the stories, skills and natural wonders that shaped the region. Blacksmith demonstrations The celebration begins Friday afternoon with blacksmith demonstrations at the historic Blacksmith Shop from 1 to 4 p.m. Park volunteer Don ...

McClure man charged during probation check

Local News July 2, 2026

From staff reports McCLURE — A local man is facing felony weapons and drug charges after probation officers and Pennsylvania State Police allegedly found firearms, drugs and drug paraphernalia during a home compliance check. Nicholas Russell Hensel, 49, of 95 Old Peach Road, was charged with persons not to possess firearms, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 8 before Magisterial District Judge Eric Ettinger. According to ...

Two charged in Kish Park tent fire

Local News July 2, 2026

LEWISTOWN — Two men are facing felony arson charges after authorities allege one of them set fire to a tent at Derry Park while the other supplied the torch lighter used to ignite it following a dispute among campers. Colin Wayne Herman, 29, of Lewistown, and Whitney Wilson Heaps, 42, of York, each face felony arson and misdemeanor criminal mischief charges stemming from the June 29 fire at the campground in Derry Township. Heaps also is charged with false reports to law enforcement and three drug-related offenses. Both men were unable to post $50,000 bail and are being held at the ...

18-year-old dead and two others wounded in Williamsport shooting

PA News July 1, 2026

From the Williamsport Sun-Gazette WILLIAMSPORT — An 18-year-old city man was shot to death and two other men were wounded in a shooting that occurred at Memorial Avenue and Lloyd Street, just east of Memorial Park, about 2:50 p.m. Monday, according to city police. In a telephone conversation about 5 p.m., Lycoming County Coroner Charles E. Kiessling Jr. confirmed the 18-year-old suffered multiple gunshot wounds and never regained consciousness after being shot. The teen was pronounced dead in the emergency room at UPMC Williamsport at 3:10 p.m. Kiessling said. Due to the nature of ...

Will education again divide Pa legislature this budget cycle?

PA News July 1, 2026

HARRISBURG — Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to include $565 million in this year’s budget to continue closing an “adequacy gap” among public schools as his fellow Democrats push a proposal to overhaul tax credit programs that fund private school scholarships. Republicans who control the state Senate have pushed back, calling for changes to the formula adopted two years ago to rectify the funding disparity and for an expansion of the scholarships. While a dispute over education funding contributed to a months-long budget impasse a few years ago, one key lawmaker thinks the issue ...