News

Directors discuss 2026-27 budget

LEWISTOWN — The Mifflin County School District is facing a $6.1 million budget deficit for the 2026-27 school year, and its board of directors spent much of Thursday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting exploring potential solutions. Board Treasurer Melinda Kenepp shared budget estimates showing projected revenues of $99,578,217 and expenses of $105,673,887. However, Kenepp stated that the district plans to use about $1,252,897 from an assigned fund balance for technology, $125,000 in assigned security purchases and the governor’s proposed adequacy funds of about ...

Extracurricular positions for 2026-27 approved

MIFFLINTOWN — The Juniata County School District Board of Directors approved extracurricular positions for the 2026-27 school year during its regular monthly meeting at the administration office in Mifflintown on Wednesday. The positions included: East Juniata Elementary School • Stephanie Bonnell, SAP team member; • Trisha Hoffman, SAP team member; • Krista Kauffman, SAP team member; • Bobbie Kerstetter, SAP team member. East Juniata High School • Simon Cameron, SAP team member; • Stephanie Hackenberger, SAP team member; • Jacqueline Malocu, ...

Honoring Jon Zimmerman

Outdoors calendar

Atkinson Mills Sportsmen’s Club • Meetings — held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The club is located at 55 Sportsmen Club Lane, McVeytown; email atkinsonmillssportsmensclub@gmail.com; online at http://atkinsonmills-sportsmensclub.weebly.com. Blue Rock Sportsman’s Club • Club meetings — 2 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of each month on the gun range, and at 7 p.m. January and February in the barn. To east end Blue Rock: From Milroy, follow signs to Reeds Gap State Park. Free camping available and kitchen is open during all events except trap shoots. Decatur ...

Understanding the science and stakes behind Pa.’s synchronous fireflies

[Editor’s Note: This is part two of the May 12 program for the Towpath Naturalist Society of Mifflin and Juniata County]. LEWISTOWN — When the Towpath Naturalist Society of Mifflin and Juniata County welcomed environmental educator Jen Moore on May 12, her presentation offered more than a glimpse into the beauty of synchronous fireflies. It opened a deeper conversation about a species that depends on darkness, moisture and undisturbed forest floors — conditions that are becoming harder to maintain. Moore, who works with the Department of Conservation and Natural ...

Police reports

No injuries in Milroy crash MILROY — A New York man was charged after a vehicle accident on Wednesday, June 3 around noon on Route 322, four miles west of the Milroy exit. According to the State Police report, Chaohua Xu, 35, of Flushing, N.Y. was operating a 2026 Hino L7D traveling westbound on the highway when he attempted to negotiate a left hand curve. Xu’s vehicle left the roadway on the right side, impacting a guide rail and rolling over onto the driver’s side. Following the rollover, the vehicle came to final rest sustaining disabling damage.The vehicle was towed from ...