A Bill that takes a stand for rape victims and their families has cleared the Pennsylvania General Assembly, and is heading to Governor Tom Wolf.  The State Senate unanimously passed House Bill 1984 – legislation led by House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin).   The bill removes the requirement of having an adoptive family lined up in order to terminate the rights of a perpetrator of rape or sexual assault that resulted in the birth of a child.  Benninghoff said “Pennsylvania’s Adoption Act has an antiquated and harmful loophole that undermines the safety, and strips away the rights of victims and their children.”  House Bill 1984 received bipartisan support in the legislature, and is supported by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape. 

Authorities in Lewistown are investigating two hit-and-run crashes.  On October 2nd, a silver Jeep struck the driver side mirror of a parked Mitsubishi Outlander across from the Brooklyn Fire Company on South Main Street.  On October 4th, a passing vehicle, possibly a U-Haul, struck the driver side mirror of a parked Chevy Silverado on West Third Street near the Elks Lodge.  Anyone with information pertaining to either case should contact the Lewistown Police Department at 717-248-6716.

The 48th annual Juniata County CROP 5k Fun Walk/Run will be Sunday, October 11th, at Walker Township Park in Mifflintown.  This year’s walk will be a hybrid walk.  You can walk in-person at the park, but remember to wear a mask when you arrive.  Once walkers spread out on the track, you can remove your mask.  You can also join the walk through Facebook Live.  CROP Walks support Church World Service as they partner with hunger ministries in the United States and around the world.  As part of that partnership, 25% of the funds raised Sunday will go to the Juniata County Food Pantry and Juniata County Meals on Wheels.  Registration starts at 1:30 pm.  The walk starts at 2:00 pm.  There is no registration fee.  Register online by clicking here.  To hear Merf Radio’s exclsuvie interview Pastor Graham Fowler of the CROP Walk/Run committee, click here. For even more information or for promotional material, check the Juniata County CROP Walk FaceBook page.