As communities adapted to COVID-19 safety guidance, the Red Cross spent the past year navigating the pandemic and adapting services.  2020 brought a record-breaking number of disasters and early 2021 shows no signs of slowing down. During the past year, the Red Cross of Pennsylvania Mountains responded to more than 130 calls for help, and assisted more than 500 individuals following disasters throughout the local community.  The critical work of the Red Cross is carried out by a workforce that is 90% volunteer.  There are many opportunities to become involved with the Red Cross, including Giving Day on Wednesday, March 24th.  A gift of any size makes a difference and helps to provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support, and other assistance to victims of disaster. For more information, click here.

Police arrested a Three Springs man for threatening his mother via social media.  According to State Police at Huntingdon, on March 19th, the unidentified 49-year-old suspect sent Facebook messages in which he threatened to kill his mother.  Charges were filed through District Court.   

The Child Life Department at Geisinger is celebrating its 40th anniversary this month. The anniversary celebrates child life specialists at Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital (JWCH) who support pediatric patients and their families through play, education and emotional support.  In the program’s early days, specialists focused on playroom activities that normalized the hospital environment for chronically ill patients and family members.  The team offers medical play to work through feelings and understanding of medical experiences, preparation for tests and procedures, and serve as liaison to the hospital school teacher program so children do not fall behind in their academics while hospitalized.

Due to a scheduled power outage, the Mifflin County Library will be closed on Monday, March 29th.  The library will reopen Tuesday, March 30th from 3:30 to 7:00 pm.