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Valley Street project moves on

LEWISTOWN — Save your stamp — Craig Bubb already has heard your complaint about the ongoing work on Valley Street. “No one likes to see holes in a brand-new roadway when the water or gas company tears up the street,” said Bubb, executive director of the Mifflin County Municipal Authority. “It’s a point of contention,” he added. “Just like you can’t predict when a water main is going to break. We tried to plan our improvements ahead of the main road resurfacing project.” In this instance, MCMA’s Valley Street work was coordinated with an upcoming project ...

A full plate as group marks 30th year of serving region

LEWISTOWN — Local non-profit Community Partnerships (RC&D) has a lot cooking this fall as it works toward its mission of “strengthening community through creative partnerships” in the organization’s 30th year. The group’s partnerships take many forms and include the Wild Geese: Flock Together public art project (28 fiberglass flock members have landed in the Juniata Valley) and a business incubation project that houses The Crooked Shelf Bookshop in downtown Lewistown at Community Partnerships’ Taylor House in Lewistown. Local residents may also know the organization ...

Workforce challenges facing rural employers

As has been commonplace over the last three years, almost all companies and small businesses are struggling with adequate staffing. Looking at our local labor market, there are many job opportunities for individuals with the matching skill sets and who are willing to work. In particular, our manufacturing community has been hard hit. Most have had a difficult time maximizing the output capacity of the facilities they operate. One industrial park occupant shared with me their operation is at 65 percent production capacity. While this might be appealing to production workers, figuring ...

Facade grants enhance downtown

LEWISTOWN — When Amanda Moeller decided to pull the trigger on a construction project at her downtown Lewistown office building, she got more than she bargained for. Moeller, the owner of State Farm Insurance located at 28 E. Third St., planned to tear down a dilapidated garage to make ...

Long-ago visit turns into passion for the community

LEWISTOWN — Ron Shelan only visited Lewistown once, while serving in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in 1965. It certainly made a lasting impression. Nearly 60 years later, the Texas native is providing quality and affordable housing to residents of Mifflin County. Shelan is the ...

Trail’s goal is to create community connection

LEWISTOWN — Connections have meant many things to Lewistown over the years. The Mifflin County Kid Connection comes to mind. Possibly, connecting trains and buses or even various businesses with that word in their name. Jim Zubler, executive director of Downtown Lewistown Inc., believes completing the connection of the Juniata River Trail system from Rec Park to Victory Park will enable Lewistown to reap the benefits for years. “Looking at the amenities that young people want, outdoor recreation ranks very high on the list,” Zubler said. “Getting this segment done, which ...