The Department of Justice charged more than 14,200 defendants with firearms-related crimes in fiscal year 2020.  Of those, 64 cases were brought in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The cases have been a Department priority since November 2019 when Attorney General William Barr announced his commitment to combat gun crimes as a critical part of the Department’s anti-violent crime strategy.  The firearms-related charges are the result of the law enforcement partnership between U. S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Under federal law, it is illegal to possess a firearm if you fall into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon, illegal alien, or unlawful user of a controlled substance. It is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime.

The application window has been extended for Snyder County small businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities to apply for a grant to assist with COVID-19 expenses.  The application deadline is now October 30th for COVID-19 County Relief Block Grant (CRBG) funds. The county allocated $1.3 million in funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act (CARES Act). Funds can be used for eligible costs from March 1st to December 30th, 2020.  For a list of eligibility requirements, and grant application forms, visit www.syndercounty.org.  For more information, call SEDA-COG at 570-522-7263 or visit www.seda-cog.org.

You can give the “Gift of Life” today in Mifflin County. The American Red Cross bloodmobile will be at the McVeytown Fire Hall on Route 522 South in McVeytown from 1:00 pm to 6:30 pm. 

Today’s meeting of the Huntingdon County Planning Commission has been changed to a virtual meeting using Zoom.  If you plan to participate in the meeting, contact the Planning Commission for log-in information.  Call 814-643-5091, or email planning@huntingdoncounty.net.  The Commission meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm.

Burnham Bulldogs Football will host a chicken barbeque on Saturday (October 17th) beginning at 12:00 noon.  Cost is $6.00 per half.  Available for pick-up at the Burnham Jamboree Grounds.