The Lewistown Sentinel

McVEYTOWN - Full rail service has been restored after a train derailment closed a busy stretch of track in the southern portion of Mifflin County. No one was hurt after 28 cars of a 121-car Norfolk Southern freight train headed from Conway to Allentown left the eastbound track late Wednesday night just west of McVeytown in Mifflin County. Rail officials say one track opened at 2:30 a.m. Full Story »

LEWISTOWN - Calling it "still very much a work in progress," the Mifflin County Commissioners on Thursday voted to approve and display the county's 2010 tentative budget. In order to avoid a tax increase, the 2010 spending plan has been targeted at $21. Full Story »

Nevaeh Lane, 3, daughter of Keshia Baum and Michael Lane, of Granville, smiles as she places her face in the opening of an Eskimo ice sculpture Thursday at the annual Festival of Ice in downtown Lewistown. The festival continues through today and Saturday, with the Kiwanis Christmas parade at 1 p.m. Saturday. See more photos of the Festival of Ice on page A12 and at cu.lewistownsentinel.com. Full Story »

McVEYTOWN - The cause of a late-night train derailment that led to major transportation headaches in southwest Mifflin County remains under investigation, officials involved in the clean-up effort said Thursday. Norfolk Southern Corporation spokesman Rudy Husband said company officials are still working to determine what caused the 130-car freight train to partially derail around 11:22 p.m. Full Story »

YEAGERTOWN - Ground was broken Thursday for what could become a major tourist attraction and economic boon for Mifflin County at the work site of the Derry Heights Development in Yeagertown. Full Story »

LEWISTOWN - During a reorganization meeting held Thursday, the Mifflin County School District Board of Directors welcomed two newly elected members and changed leadership for 2010. Elected president of the board was Walter Harpster, who in November was re-elected to a four-year term. He replaces longtime president Beth Reifsnyder, whose name also was placed into nomination. Full Story »

McVEYTOWN - Officials were still working Thursday morning to determine the cause of a train derailment occurring late Wednesday evening in Bratton Township which has also closed state Route 103. Rudy Husband, a spokesperson for the Norfolk Southern Corporation, said officials with the company are still investigating what caused their 130-car freight train to partially derail around 11:22 p.m. Full Story »

McVEYTOWN - Officials were still working Thursday morning to determine the cause of a train derailment occurring late Wednesday evening in Wayne Township. Rudy Husband, a spokesperson for the Norfolk Southern Corporation, said officials with the company are still investigating what caused their 130-car freight train to partially derail around 11:22 p.m. Full Story »

McVEYTOWN - A 130-car freight train partially derailed around 11:22 p.m. Wednesday, along state Route 103 near Ryde in Wayne Township. Emergency officials at the scene reported that a large amount of grain and polypropylene pellets had spilled from some of the rail cars as a result of the accident. Full Story »

LEWISTOWN - A disagreement between the Lewistown Borough Council and the Mifflin County Regional Police Board of Directors regarding deadlines stipulated in the intermunicipal agreement could find its way into the courts. Full Story »

LEWISTOWN - Geisinger Health Plan now offers health insurance through the Children's Health Insurance Program in 40 counties in Pennsylvania, potentially impacting many area children. "Children and Geisinger go hand in hand. And CHIP is a good fit for the health plan," Jean Haynes, president and CEO of Geisinger Health Plan, said in a press release. Full Story »

McVEYTOWN - A McVeytown man is facing several charges stemming from an alleged sexual assault incident involving a 14-year-old girl, according to court documents. During an interview with troopers from Pennsylvania State Police Lewistown, the 14-year-old girl stated she was assaulted by Barry Lee Rhodes, 59, of McVeytown, documents indicate. Full Story »

Mifflin County Garden Club member Tina Miller attaches ribbon to the decorations surrounding the entrance to the McCoy House Museum Tuesday in downtown Lewistown. The Mifflin County Garden Club decorated the McCoy House following the theme of "Christmas Days of Yesteryear" for the upcoming annual Festival of Ice. Full Story »

From staff reports LEWISTOWN - Geisinger Health System offers a variety of safety tips to hunters this season. "When venturing to the great outdoors, searching for game, there is always a chance of accident. In the past 10 years, there have been nearly 400 hunting related accidents," according to a press release by Geisinger. Full Story »

MIFFLINTOWN - The Juniata County Commissioners are working with Juniata County Child Care and Development to develop a permanent solution to a recent funding block that nearly closed the child care centers. While the county temporarily is issuing monthly grant subsidies to keep the centers afloat, the commissioners are tasked with choosing a long-term solutio. Full Story »

Bill Stratton, right, Fort Granville Grange master, offers a stuffed toy to Rosina Kauffman, 2, Tuesday before she gets a shot at the State Health Center in Belleville. Rosina's mother, Ruth, joins her daughter for the doctor's appointment. The Grange provides toys each year to local agencies, such as The Abuse Network, Fame EMS, Salvation Army, Shelter Services Inc. Full Story »

From staff reports LEWISTOWN - The Mifflin County Regional Police Department is once again urging residents to secure their vehicles and residences. Police ask that area residents remove all high-price and sensitive from their vehicles when the vehicles are not occupied. Full Story »

LEWISTOWN - Limited doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine will be offered at state health centers in Mifflin and Juniata counties today, tomorrow and Thursday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health said. Residents in priority groups may make appointments to be vaccinated against the H1N1 flu at their local state health centers. Full Story »

LEWISTOWN - As Lewistown Home Health & Hospice: The Bridge celebrates its 30th anniversary this December, it is inviting the community to attend its annual Tree of Life Ceremony, which will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday in the surgical center lobby at Lewistown Hospital. Full Story »

PHILADELPHIA - The U. S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a five-year sentence imposed on a Lewistown man who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit a bank robbery. Shawn Shimp along with two other individuals previously pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, for their roles in a Nov. 18, 2005, armed bank robbery. Full Story »

BURNHAM - Three years ago, Darla Gray never imagined that reminiscing about her childhood would develop into a well-attended community Christmas attraction. Though still a college student, Gray is organizing the third annual holiday lights display, Shining Light Through the Darkness, at Derry Township Community Park. "Three years ago, I never expected it to get this big," Gray said. Full Story »

Mallory Brandt, 4, right, and her sister, Carly Brandt, 3 months, both of New Bloomfield, sit on Santa Claus' lap as Mrs. Claus stands in the back on Saturday for a photo taken at Richfield's Christmas in the Park. Look for more photos from the event online at cu.lewistownsentinel.com. Full Story »

LEWISTOWN - It's taken a lot of work to come as far as they have, and the Friends of the Embassy are gearing up to make another push to complete the outside of the theater. Full Story »

The nation's shoppers took advantage of deals on toys and TVs with some renewed vigor in stores and online on Black Friday after a year of concentrating their spending on basic necessities. Though the first numbers won't be available until Saturday, early reports indicated bigger crowds than last year, with people buying more and even throwing in some items for themselves. Full Story »

LEWISTOWN - Local breast cancer specialists and advocacy groups are voicing their opinions about new guidelines for breast cancer screening set by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service Web site, the USPSTF recommends against routine screening mammography in women aged 40 to 49 years. Full Story »