Rachel McDevitt
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Past articles by Rachel:
Research looks at effectiveness of biopesticide on invasive insect
The spotted lanternfly. (Photo courtesy: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture) (Harrisburg) -- Researchers are hoping to fight an invasive species in Pennsylvania with fungus native to the state. The spotted lanternfly poses a threat to the state's $18 billion grape, tree fruit, and timber industries. Scientists from Penn State and Cornell University are teaming up to study how effective a… → Read More
Thousands of temporary workers sought to ensure accurate census count
In Cumberland County alone, the Census Bureau has openings for more than 1,600 temporary employees. → Read More
CAT fares set to increase this fall
The new rates are scheduled to take effect November 1st. → Read More
Competition heating up in race for 10th Congressional District
Congressional District 10 in Pennsylvania (Photo: File) (Harrisburg) -- Competition for Pennsylvania's 10th Congressional District is growing. The first Republican challenger to sitting GOP Congressman Scott Perry has announced his candidacy. Bobby Jeffries, 28, said he's hoping to represent the district, which covers all of Dauphin County and parts of Cumberland and York counties. Jeffries said… → Read More
Franklin County marks first conviction for overdose death
Shannon Watts. (Photo provided by Franklin County District Attorney's Office) (Harrisbirg) -- For the first time in one midstate county, a man has been convicted of drug delivery resulting in death. A Franklin County jury found Shannon Watts guilty of providing opioid pills that caused Allen Chapman's 2016 overdose death. According to evidence presented at trial, Watts sold four opioid pills to… → Read More
Midstate counties urge precaution against extreme heat
(Harrisburg) -- Midstate counties are cautioning people this week's heat wave could be dangerous. While the thermometer may read 90-something, the National Weather Service says it will feel even hotter going into this weekend, with heat index values as high as 105 degrees at times. Such intense heat can be harmful, especially for people with health conditions or disabilities, children, and… → Read More
Fourth town hall to address York County racism set for Thursday
FILE PHOTO: Chad Dion Lassiter, PHRC Executive Director, (right) speaks to the heckling of a man claiming to represent the Ku Klux Klan (left) during the → Read More
Two Lancaster arts organizations sign 5-year agreement
(Photo courtesy: Lancaster Symphony Orchestra) (Harrisburg) -- Two of Lancaster's oldest performing arts organizations are teaming up this fall. The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra (LSO) and the Fulton Theatre have signed a five-year agreement for the symphony to perform at least four of its six yearly concerts at the historic theater. The symphony has been traveling around the county to perform at… → Read More
Census workers urging communities to prepare now for 2020 count
A line of row-homes in Reading, Pennsylvania. (Matt Smith for Keystone Crossroads) (Harrisburg) -- The 2020 Census isn't just an arbitrary headcount -- billions of dollars are at stake for states. Census workers are urging midstate communities to take steps now to ensure an accurate population count next year. The federal government will use the new census data to allocate an estimated $800… → Read More
Harrisburg School District goes under state control
John Harris High School is seen on April 24, 2019 (Sean Simmers/PennLive) (Harrisburg) -- Harrisburg School District is now under state control. The district chose not to fight the state's petition for receivership during a court hearing Monday morning. A Dauphin County judge appointed Janet Samuels to act as receiver for at least three years. She had been the district's chief recovery officer.… → Read More
Pa. National Guard troops training with prospective NATO country
Soldiers from Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team conduct a blank iteration of Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise during Exercise Decisive Strike 2019 at the Training Support Centre, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 8, 2019. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Frances Ariele Tejada) (Harrisburg) -- About 1,300 Pennsylvania National Guard troops are in eastern… → Read More
Family-owned supermaket in Lancaster Co. selling to Giant Food Stores
Ferguson and Hassler Supermarket in Quarryville, Lancaster County. (Photo courtesy: Ferguson and Hassler's Facebook page) (Harrisburg) -- A family-owned grocery store in Lancaster County is selling its only location to Giant Food Stores. Ferguson and Hassler owners said existing economics in the grocery industry no longer support the operation of an independent supermarket such as theirs. In a… → Read More
Midstate borough hires manager to recruit future workforce
Jade Dunhour (Photo courtesy: Borough of Chambersburg) (Harrisburg) -- One midstate borough has hired someone specifically to help recruit the next generation of skilled technical workers. Chambersburg, Franklin County employs more than 300 people for full-time, part-time and seasonal work. → Read More
Native fungi found to be deadly to invasive pest in Pa.
Researchers at Cornell University found two naturally-occurring fungi are infecting and killing the invasive spotted lanternfly. → Read More
Give Local York hopes to double last year's donations
Organizers of Give Local York celebrate passing the $1 million mark during the first annual event on May 4, 2018. (Photo courtesy: Give Local York) (Harrisburg) -- A midstate day-of-giving event is setting ambitious goals for its second year. Give Local York starts at midnight Friday, May 3rd. The first event raised just under $1.5 million for 211 nonprofits in 24 hours. This year, Executive… → Read More
Apparent fish kill being investigated in Lancaster County
A dead rainbow trout can be seen on the bottom of Donegal Creek in Lancaster County. (Photo: Derek Eberly) (Harrisburg) -- State environmental regulators are looking into a fish kill in the midstate. State Fish and Boat Commission spokesman Mike Parker said the incident was reported Sunday along a section of Donegal Creek in Lancaster County. → Read More
Amish say proposed development could harm community
Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Utente:TheCadExpert (Harrisburg) -- Amish farmers in Lancaster County say a proposed housing and retail development could harm their community. The Manheim Township farmers took their concerns to Donald Kraybill, a senior fellow emeritus at the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College. He said if the development encroaches too… → Read More
Three of Pa.'s fastest-growing counties are in the midstate
Three midstate counties are among the fastest-growing in the state, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. → Read More
Agriculture census shows midstate lost hundreds of farms
A yard sign outside Reed's Creek Farm in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. (Min Xian/Keystone Crossroads) (Harrisburg) -- The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture census makes obvious what many in the industry already suspected: Pennsylvania is losing farms. More than 6,000 closed between 2012 and 2017, including hundreds in the midstate. Lancaster County lost more than 500 farms, about a ten percent… → Read More
Billboard designed by midstate teen urges drivers not to text
The winning design for the Center for Traffic Safety's annual contest was submitted by Biglerville freshman Abigail Reckard. (Photo courtesy: Center for Traffic Safety) (Harrisburg) -- A new billboard designed by an Adams County high school freshman warns drivers against texting while behind the wheel. Biglerville student Abigail Reckard came up with the winning submission for the Center for… → Read More