Strodes Mills Elementary School will be closed today (January 15th) through Tuesday (January 19th) after a second student tested positive for COVID-19 this week.  The recommendation from the PA Department of Health is for small schools to close temporarily once the school has two or more students or staff test positive.  The tentative plan is to have Strodes Mills Elementary reopen for in-person instruction on Wednesday, January 20th.  During the closure, the school will receive extra cleaning per CDC and DOH guidelines.

State Senator Judy Ward (R-30) has been reappointed to serve as the Chair of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee.  Ward was first appointed to the position last January. The panel is responsible for reviewing legislation that affects the programs and services dedicated to senior citizens and younger Pennsylvanians.  As chair of the committee over the past year, Ward led the Senate’s effort to review the Wolf Administration’s management of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee’s review exposed numerous problems related to how these facilities were handled throughout the pandemic. The committee also considered legislation last year to designate essential caregivers for residents of long-term care facilities during emergencies and improve newborn health screenings.

Authorities in Juniata County are investigating a case of animal cruelty.  Someone shot an arrow that wounded a white and brown horse January 13th on Foltz Lane in Tuscarora Township.  Anyone with information should contact the State Police – Lewistown Barracks.