Gabriel Thomas

Running groups Never Settle Excel and G.F.O.D.T. are collaborating on community runs in York County, bringing together participants from different backgrounds, fitness levels and running groups. Malik Key founded Never Settle Excel after sharing his training runs online, while Antoine Beard helps organize permits and routes for the events. After an initial run drew about 150 people, organizers hope to expand across York, host organized 5Ks and connect local runners with communities beyond the city.

Nearly half of Elizabethtown College’s incoming first-year class moved into campus housing, with families helping students settle in. College staff and peer mentors assisted with questions, belongings and the transition to college life, while the school emphasized community-building and support for new students.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order reducing the diseases covered by routine federal vaccine recommendations from 18 to 11 and directing that the MMR vaccine be separated into three shots administered over more visits. Pennsylvania doctors, including Lancaster pediatrician Pia Fennimore, warn that the changes could delay immunity and increase children’s vulnerability to measles. The Pennsylvania Department of Health said state doctors will continue using evidence-based guidance, and the order does not immediately change Pennsylvania’s school vaccination requirements, though it calls for federal work with states on potentially reducing them.

Residents, families and first responders across Pennsylvania's Susquehanna Valley gathered for National Night Out, an annual event designed to strengthen relationships between communities and law enforcement. Events in Manheim Township, York City and Steelton featured food, activities, police officers, police dogs, firefighters, emergency responders and representatives from local services. Organizers and officials said the gatherings help build trust, improve residents' familiarity with public-safety resources and encourage neighborhood involvement.

Demolition has begun at the vacant former William Penn High School in Harrisburg after more than a decade of inactivity. The Harrisburg School District says air-quality testing will continue throughout the roughly six-month project; more than 130 samples have met federal safety standards. Crews will use heavy equipment and water sprays to control dust, with no explosives, wrecking ball, expected traffic disruptions, or impacts to nearby homes and utilities. Residents can request original bricks from the building.

A 16-year-old Dauphin County resident, Jeremiah Moran, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on charges including first-degree murder for the May shooting of 17-year-old Camar Cordero after he stepped off a school bus in Harrisburg. Surveillance video reportedly shows Moran firing the shots, and police say he admitted to the killing. Neighbors attempted to assist the wounded teen before emergency crews arrived. The incident prompted city and school leaders to call for stronger community involvement and action to address youth violence.

Veterans in Steelton urge lawmakers to regulate and tax skill games, arguing that revenue from the machines is essential to supporting American Legion and VFW posts, volunteer fire departments, small businesses, and community programs. Proposed legislation would establish regulations, impose a monthly fee on each machine, and could generate significant state revenue. Advocates warn that without action, many community organizations may struggle to survive as an October deadline approaches.

A pickup truck driver, 41-year-old Andrew Warner of Windsor Township, was pronounced dead after his vehicle and two tractor-trailers collided on Interstate 83 southbound near Exit 33 in Newberry Township early on June 29. The coroner ruled the death an accident, and neither tractor-trailer driver was injured. The crash closed a section of I-83 for about seven hours, and state police are seeking additional information from the public.

Keystone Fireworks is preparing for increased demand ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, focusing on stocking varied products and educating customers on safe use. President Rick White notes tariffs are not affecting current inventory and urges shoppers to come early to receive guidance on selecting fireworks suited to their space. Safety remains the central message, with retailers emphasizing adult handling, proper setup, and careful reading of warning labels to ensure safe and enjoyable celebrations.

Senior centers across Lancaster County are extending operating hours to provide cooling spaces during a prolonged heat wave. The Elizabethtown Area Senior Center is offering extended access, hydration, and activities, while the Lancaster County Office of Aging encourages seniors to use centers as safe shelters. Health officials emphasize hydration, limiting outdoor exposure, and checking on vulnerable individuals as temperatures remain dangerously high.

Veterinarians warn that extreme heat in the Susquehanna Valley poses life-threatening risks to pets, which cool themselves less efficiently than humans. Owners are urged to limit outdoor activity during peak heat, provide ample water, avoid hot pavement, and never leave animals in parked cars. Signs of heat illness should be monitored closely, with immediate cooling and veterinary care recommended if heatstroke is suspected. Puppies, seniors, overweight pets, and short-nosed breeds are especially vulnerable as temperatures continue rising.