Today is Primary Election Day in Pennsylvania.  Political parties will choose candidates to run in November for several local and county offices.  In Mifflin County, voters will cast ballots for treasurer, register and recorder, school board, and magisterial district judges.  Voters in Lewistown and Burnham will select candidates for borough council.  Various positions in surrounding townships are on the ballot as well.  In Juniata County, candidates for school board, and judges for the court of common pleas will be selected.  Huntingdon County residents will vote for county sheriff and court clerk.  Pennsylvania residents will also vote on several proposed constitutional amendment questions, and a referendum regarding low-interest loans for municipal fire and ambulance companies.

A fundraiser will be held later this week to benefit a Juniata County family.  Drew and Daris Ciecierski were injured in a fire May 2nd in Mifflintown.  A spaghetti dinner will be held Friday (May 21st) from 3:00 pm until sold out at the McAlisterville Community Building.  Dinners are carry-out, and by donation.  Checks may be made payable to COTOD Benefit Fund.  A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family as well.  To view the GoFundMe, visit: https://gf.me/v/c/x2fh/ciecierski-home-fire-and-recovery. 

Lobbyists would be subject to new openness, transparency and ethical conduct requirements, and would have less influence in state government under a legislative proposal unveiled yesterday by state Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R-Bellefonte) and Speaker of the House Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster).  The package would include measures to require lobbyists to disclose more information.  In addition, campaign consultants would also be required to register with the Department of State.  Lobbyists and campaign consultants would also be prohibited from being hired or employed by a state entity for the purpose of influencing any branch of government.  The bills are expected to be introduced in the General Assembly in the weeks ahead. 

Work to improve a portion of Route 655 in Huntingdon County will begin on Thursday (May 20th).  PennDOT says paving will begin on Route 655 from Wall Street to Front Mountain Road in Brady Township and Mill Creek Borough. Work will take place under daylight flagging operations and motorists should expect delays.