Mifflin County Middle School is closed today and tomorrow after a fourth individual tested positive for COVID-19. The school plans to reopen for in-person instruction on Friday (January 29th). During the closure, teachers will execute a full remote learning plan to include live sessions for the students.

The state Senate yesterday approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would limit the length of future emergency disaster declarations unless an extension is approved by the General Assembly, according to Senator Judy Ward (R-30). Under current law, a governor’s emergency declaration can last up to 90 days and be renewed by the governor indefinitely. Under Senate Bill 2, the emergency declaration would be limited to 21 days unless the General Assembly approved a longer duration. It also clarifies that the legislature is not required to present a resolution ending the declaration to the governor for his consideration.

The Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus has elected members to open leadership positions following a vacancy in the position of caucus chairman after the passing of Representative Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland/Somerset). The new caucus chairman is George Dunbar of Westmoreland County. Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) remains speaker of the house. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) remains majority Leader.

Approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers. In 2018, there were more than 10,500 (10,511) people killed in preventable crashes. On average over the 10-year period from 2009 to 2018, more than 10,000 people died every year in drunk-driving crashes. During the month of February, members of the Mifflin County DUI Task Force will be out in search of impaired drivers, under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Ride sober or get pulled over. The DUI Task Force is comprised of officers from the Lewistown Borough, Armagh Township, Granville Township, and Mifflin County Regional Police Departments.