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Conspiracy-laden notes keep popping up in cereal boxes and Pennsylvania parks

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Conspiracy-laden notes keep popping up in cereal boxes and Pennsylvania parks


Neatly folded notes crammed with just about every conspiracy theory and internet buzzword imaginable keep popping up in rural Pennsylvania, some illegally tucked inside cereal boxes and others pinned to pine trees in state and local parks.

Unfolded, the notes are mostly indecipherable, containing a coded run-on sentence of secret societies, sci-fi movie mentions, and name drops like “Musk”, “Bill Gates,” and “Oprah.”

“It’s tied to Saturn, Lord o/t Rings/time,” one line reads.

The FBI, the Federal Drug Administration, and elected officials in Pennsylvania are all aware of the notes, but no one’s been caught in the act of actually planting them.

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Philly had its own strange “note” phenomenon with its Toynbee Tiles, which were found embedded into city streets and, eventually in other states, with messages about Stanley Kubrick and Jupiter, mostly in the 1990s and 2000s.

While the Toynbee Tiles had an art house vibe, the Schuylkill Notes feel a bit darker. Some notes mention international conflicts and hate groups, and are often riddled with intentional misspellings and out-of-place apostrophes, making them all the more confusing.

“Secret society (SS) ties to terror’m, shoot’gs, staged confront’ns & other crises aren’t report’d but JFK/Lincoln warn’d of SS,” another reads.

Amateur web sleuths have taken up the case, mostly on Reddit, and they’ve dubbed the bizarre messages the “Schuylkill Notes” because so many, initially, were found in Schuylkill and surrounding counties.

“The content of the notes themselves, it’s clear they’re warnings, not threats,” one early member of the Reddit group r/schuylkillnotes said.

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The notes, which often differ slightly in content, have also been found in Huntingdon and Lycoming Counties. One Reddit user mapped out dozens of specific locations where notes have been found, including Walmarts, Goodwills, and various locations on the Appalachian and other trails. The bulk of the discoveries appears to be situated between Allentown and State College.

Zachary Zimmerman, 23, was hiking in Lebanon County’s Swatara State Park while squirrel hunting last month when he discovered a handful of the notes attached to trees and wrapped around stones.

“I picked it up and read it and it really doesn’t make any sense to me,” Zimmerman, a Lebanon County native who lives in the Adirondacks, said.

Zimmerman said he thought about calling the Pennsylvania Game Commission or Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, but didn’t. He kept a few notes and left others in the woods.

“It’s just a bunch of crazy stuff,” he said.

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It’s unclear exactly when the notes began appearing in Pennsylvania. Some posts say 2015 and at least one recalled something similar happening in the 1980s, in the Poconos. In December, a Luzerne County man named Joe Miller found a note in a sealed box of Lucky Charms.

“It’s the note that really bothers me,” Miller told WBRE/WYOU out of Scranton. “These notes are found inside food like kids’ food.”

While elected officials have notified the FBI, Carrie Adamowski, a spokesperson with the agency in Philadelphia, said she could neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation.

Wendy Wilson, a spokesperson for Rep. Matt Cartwright in northeastern Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District, said an officer received an anonymous call reporting that 20 notes had been found on state game lands in Mainville, Columbia County.

“So far, there have been no reports of people getting sick from these notes, but we don’t want to take any chances and we want to find out who is doing this,” Wilson said.

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The FDA, according to a spokesperson, is aware of the situation, and said the agency “evaluates product defects and other complaints that it receives.” Tampering with food products, the spokesperson said, is a federal crime.

On Reddit, at least one discussion asked whether the note’s original creator or copycats could be in the group. Zimmerman said it seemed like a lot of work for one person and he wondered whether people were copying them and putting them out for attention.

Anyone who finds a note, particularly in a food item, is asked to call Pennsylvania’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator at (877) 689-8073. Notes found in state parks can be reported to DCNR here.



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Pennsylvania

Between Harrisburg And Baltimore Is Pennsylvania’s Lovely State Park Escape For Hiking Trails And Scenic Views – Islands

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Between Harrisburg And Baltimore Is Pennsylvania’s Lovely State Park Escape For Hiking Trails And Scenic Views – Islands






In Pennsylvania, 300,000 acres of land are dedicated to 125 state parks. It’s an understatement to say that the state’s residents are proud of their outdoors. Among PA’s most-visited state parks is Presque Isle State Park, a seashore destination with sandy beaches. Not to be left out, Susquehanna Riverlands State Park is a unique riverside spot whose primary trail delights its guests with breathtaking views.

Riverbanks along this section of the Susquehanna River are dotted with parks, and Susquehanna Riverlands is right off Interstate-83. Located in York County, it’s 40 minutes south of Harrisburg and 1 hour north of Baltimore. You can hike Susquehanna Riverlands’ easy 1.3-mile out-and-back Overlook trail, rated 4.6 on AllTrails, for views from Schull’s Rock.

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Susquehanna Riverlands State Park is a convenient dip into nature that you can enjoy during a lunch hour. One Google review described it as “beautiful,” with trails that are “well marked” and “easy to follow.” Open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset, Susquehanna Riverlands is free to access, as are all Pennsylvania state parks. At the time of publication, there are no permanent restroom facilities, only port-a-potties. 

Enjoy extended hiking along the Mason Dixon Trail

For hikers with a little more time to invest and something more than flip-flops or sandals on their feet, the Mason-Dixon Trail crosses the southern border of the Susquehanna Riverlands State Park, where it joins the Robert A. Kinsley Nature Preserve. At 2.75 miles, the going is slightly challenging, with steep grades and narrow paths, but guests are rewarded with another overlook of the Susquehanna at Buzzard’s Roost.

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AllTrails rates this section of the Mason-Dixon as moderate, unusual for such a short jaunt, and worthy of note. You’ll want to follow the trail counterclockwise from the first Y for the best advantage on the terrain. A 500-foot elevation change, largely in the middle of the trail, is no joke for the inexperienced. AllTrails reviews note the steep incline and muddy spots in wet seasons. Plan on taking up to two hours to finish the entire loop to the Roost and back, and don’t forget to wear sturdy shoes.

To reach the Mason-Dixon trailhead, park in the first lot at the top of River Farm Road, just inside the park, and follow signs to the blue-blazed trail. Please note, there are no amenities along the Mason-Dixon, and hikers are advised to take plenty of water and bug spray if hiking in the summer, when the humid PA climate can get steamy without a breeze.

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Dip down to Wrightsville for more views of the Susquehanna River

Despite Susquehanna Riverlands State Park’s abundant river scenery, don’t expect to find a boat launch. There’s a natural “soft put-in” where the Codorus Creek converges with the Susquehanna, but it is undeveloped and parking is limited. Experienced paddlers use it to exit the bottom of the creek, before hitting the river. 

Fortunately, there’s more than one way to enjoy the Susquehanna. Before or after your time at the state park, grab a beer and a bite to eat 11 minutes away in nearby Wrightsville. John Wright Restaurant has an outdoor pizza patio on the riverfront that’s open in the summer and nets views of the historic Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge, officially dubbed the Veterans Bridge, above. Housed in a former silk mill, John Wright guests enjoy steak and fresh local fish for dinner. If you’re an Old Bay fan, give the Chesapeake Nachos a try. You’ll want reservations before you go.

If you get too sweaty on the trail, the Burning Bridge Tavern is nearly next door to John Wright’s and serves upriver views in a considerably more casual environment, alongside craft burgers and a rotation of 12 beers on tap. If you want to avoid weekend traffic on Front Street, top off your day with a sandwich and soda at Riverside Subs or pizza from Marcello’s. If you want to check out York while you’re there, it has a vibrant art scene and affordable attractions.

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Sandra “Sandy” J. Kulka, Transfer, PA

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Sandra “Sandy” J. Kulka, Transfer, PA


TRANSFER, Pa. (MyValleyTributes) – Sandra “Sandy” J. Kulka, age 68, of Transfer, Pennsylvania, passed away on Friday, April 24th, 2026, peacefully.

She was born June 24th, 1956, in Mercer, Pennsylvania, to Gerald Stainbrook and Violet (Patton) Stainbrook.

Sandy was a graduate of Hickory High School.

She was a homemaker and later in life worked as a custodian at Hermitage School District until her retirement. She enjoyed spending time with her five grandchildren and beloved pets, Teddy and Bella.

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Sandy is survived by her three children, April Redfoot and her husband Daniel, Becky Kulka and Samuel Kulka, all of Greenville, Pennsylvania; a brother, Dennis Stainbrook and his wife, Margaret Kern of Transfer, Pennsylvania; and her five grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick Kulka; her sister, Gail Hall; and her parents, Gerald and Violet Stainbrook.

In following Sandy’s wishes there will be no services.

Memorial contributions can be made in her name to Strayhaven Animal Shelter, 94 Donation Road, Greenville, PA 16125

John Flynn Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. is serving the family with arrangements.

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To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sandra J Kulka, please visit our floral store.



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Target of Action News Investigation Agrees to settlement with Pennsylvania attorney general

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Target of Action News Investigation Agrees to settlement with Pennsylvania attorney general


The target of an Action News Investigation in 2022 has agreed to a settlement with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

Florida-based MV Realty was accused of offering homeowners, many of whom are low-income, a few hundred bucks.

In return, the company would get exclusive rights for the opportunity to sell the properties for a 3% commission.

But many homeowners claim they were unaware there was a 40-year life to the agreement, and mortgages were placed on their homes.

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They would also be forced to pay the fee in the event they transferred properties to loved ones.

“I could’ve jumped out of the chair and did a little dance,” said Latrelle Fuller to Action News Investigative Reporter Chad Pradelli upon learning of the settlement.

We first met her in 2022 after she entered into an agreement with MV Realty for $500.

She says she was unable to get a home equity loan on her paid-off house because of MV Realty’s mortgage.

Her neighbor, Carolyn Brown, had to pay $6,000 dollars to MV Realty to get a loan on her home. She, too, entered into an agreement with MV Realty several years ago.

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“They told me that I have to do this or they would not give me the loan,” Brown says.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday called MV Realty’s actions reprehensible.

“So as a result of the settlement, all 1,300 mortgages that were entered into in Pennsylvania are going to be cancelled, ” he said in an exclusive interview earlier this week.

Action News Investigation: Real estate company accused of deceptive practices

Rosetta Loper Grant, who is selling her Oxford Circle home, signed onto the agreement offered by MV Realty. But then in May, she started second-guessing her decision.

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He says the Action News Investigation led to his office taking action by his predecessor, now-Governor Josh Shapiro. The investigative team dug through city property records to uncover the MV Realty mortgages.

He says the company will pay $645,000 in restitution under the settlement so homeowners like Brown will get their money back.

The owner of MV Realty, former reality TV personality Amanda Zachman, has not responded to requests for comment.

“I know what it’s like to work unbelievably hard for what you have and to take it in such a misleading way from consumers, especially to Target low-income communities, is disgusting to me, ” Sunday said.

If you were a victim of MV Realty and paid the company fees to sell or transfer a property, reach out to the AG’s office online.

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You can also email the complaint or call 1-800-441-2555.

Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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