COMMSSIONERS WILL NOT RECOMMEND TALEN ENERGY PROGRAM
Talen Energy’s effort to rezone about 800 acres in northern Montour County for industrial development hit a major setback. The county Planning Commission voted 6-1 against recommending the proposal at last night’s meeting. Talen hopes to convert farmland into space for new data centers, but commissioners said the plans lacked clarity and couldn’t be supported. Many of the hundreds of residents who attended were there in protest and warned the project would eliminate 350 acres of prime farmland. They presented a petition with more than 1,000 signatures opposing the change. The decision now moves to county commissioners.
TRAFFIC STUDY TO BE DONE IN LINDEN, WOODWARD TOWNSHIP
Woodward Township residents worried about increased traffic along the Route 220 corridor will soon get answers. Township supervisors say PennDOT has secured a 100 thousand dollar grant to fund a full traffic study of the Linden/Woodward Township area. The grant, administered through Lycoming County, will allow engineers to analyze 12 to 15 key intersections where drivers have been diverting to back roads since the Route 220 safety project was completed. Officials expect results by late 2027, with recommendations on safety fixes and road improvements.
MOUNT CARMEL TOWNSHIP PROPOSING A 5 MILL INCREASE
Mount Carmel Township supervisors have approved a tentative 2026 budget and are petitioning Northumberland County Court to allow a real estate tax increase of up to 5 mills. According to the News Item, officials say rising costs and 200 thousand dollars in unforeseen wastewater expenses dating back to 2018 have strained finances, marking what would be the first tax hike since 2015. One mill generates about 27 thousand dollars for the township. A final budget vote is set for December 10, and officials say borrowing will be needed to get through early 2027 until tax revenue arrives.
PA COULD GET A NEW STATE FOSSIL
Bucktail High School students — and their mascot “Harry the Hynerpeton” — made a big impact in Harrisburg this week as they pushed to make the locally discovered Hynerpeton bassetti Pennsylvania’s new state fossil. Students in Josh Day’s Ecology class have been campaigning to replace the trilobite with the 350-million-year-old species found only at the Red Hill Fossil Site in Hyner. Their work paid off Tuesday when Senator Cris Dush announced the Senate passed Senate Bill 829 by a unanimous 49-0 vote. The bill now heads to the State House, where lawmakers will consider Bucktail’s student-led effort to give Hyner’s fossil its place in state history.
SHAMOKIN MAN WHO THREATENED TEEN IN JAIL
A Shamokin man is facing multiple charges after police say he stalked a juvenile and incited a fight during the city’s Halloween parade. The News Item reports that witnesses said 42-year-old Terrence “Razor” Mitchell followed a teen, threatened him, and directed another juvenile to fight him on October 21. Police say video shows Mitchell pointing out the victim before the confrontation began. The teen later told officers Mitchell claimed to be a leader of the local Bloods gang and threatened to come to his home, causing the family to fear for their safety. Mitchell is charged with stalking, terroristic threats and corruption of minors.
A NORTHUMBERLAND VANDAL DAMAGES SANTA’S STUFF
Northumberland Borough officials say the Santa House, used to store Christmas decorations for the King Street Park gazebo, has been vandalized. According to the Daily Item, police say damage discovered Tuesday included destroyed decorations and stolen garland. The vandalism follows a similar case in Sunbury, but Mayor Dan Berard says King Street Park and Santa’s House will still be ready for Santa’s December first arrival. Anyone with information is asked to call Northumberland police at 570-473-8446.
MILTON SEEKING AI-EDUCATION GRANT
The Milton Area School District is seeking a 15 thousand dollar Pennsylvania SMART Grant to launch new AI-focused learning opportunities. According to the Stnadard Journal, administrators say the funding would support an elective AI-prompt engineering course at the high school for the 2026 – 27 school year and provide training for CTE teachers on integrating AI into instruction. With course scheduling beginning in a few weeks, the district hopes to hear soon whether the grant is approved. Board members praised the effort, saying it will help students stay ahead in a rapidly changing tech landscape.
WINNING GREENWAY PHOTOS ON DISPLAY IN LEWISBURG
The Public Library for Union County will showcase the winners of the 14th Annual Susquehanna Greenway Photo Contest in its Gallery 255. Photographers were invited to tell the story of the Susquehanna River watershed, capturing everything from kayakers on the water to historic river towns and wildlife encounters. Winning images span the categories of Transportation, Recreation, River Towns and Wildlife. The exhibit is open during regular library hours through December at 255 Reitz Boulevard in Lewisburg. More information is available at susquehannagreenway.org.
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