Pennsylvania
Conspiracy-Ridden Notes Found In Food Packages, PA Parks
PENNSYLVANIA — A series of bizarre, conspiracy-riddled notes have been discovered in food packages and parks across Pennsylvania, leaving many wondering who is behind the notes and what they mean.
The messages, dubbed the “Schuylkill Notes” by amateur web investigators, have been found in recent years tucked into cereal boxes and pinned to trees in state parks, according to a Philadelphia Inquirer report.
While mostly indecipherable, some of the notes contain coded sentences mentioning secret societies, Nazis, and names including Bill Gates and Oprah, according to reports and posts on the Reddit group r/schuylkillnotes.
According to the Inquirer, the notes were initially found in Schuylkill and surrounding counties. Others have been found in Huntingdon and Lycoming counties. One Reddit user also created a map containing dozens of locations where notes were found.
One person discovered a note in a box of Belvita biscuits at a store in Luzerne County, the Coal Region Canary reported. Two others reported finding notes in boxes of Milk Duds and Hot Tamales.
“Super creepy and sad to see so many people receiving these,” one reader told the Canary.
In December, a Luzerne County man found one of the notes in a box of Lucky Charm’s cereal.
“It just bothers me, the note really it’s the note that really bothers me. These notes are found inside food like kids food,” Joe Miller told WBRE.
Zachary Zimmerman was hiking in Swatara State Park in Lebanon County when he discovered a handful of notes attached to trees and wrapped around stones, the Inquirer reported.
“I picked it up and read it and it really doesn’t make any sense to me,” Zimmerman told the publication.
Last year, the Coal Region Canary analyzed one of the messages using ChatGPT.
“This message appears to reference various ideas often associated with secretive societies and symbol interpretation. It seems to argue that secret societies (abbreviated as “SS”) are orchestrating world events and are linked with multiple institutions and symbols across society, ranging from corporations, educational organizations, to religious groups. The societies are implicated in everything from riots to terrorism,” ChatGPT’s analysis read.
When contacted by the Inquirer, an FBI spokesperson could not confirm or deny an investigation into the notes.
According to the FDA, tampering with food products is a federal crime. A spokesperson said the agency is aware of the notes, the Inquirer reported.
Hersheypark in Pennsylvaniacould be forced to close this summer amid a dispute between the site’s operators and union employees, according to a report.
The amusement park is scheduled to open seven days a week starting May 21 in a shift from its weekend-only operation before the summer, despite a looming vote among employees about whether to go on strike.
Over 200 union maintenance employees at Hersheypark, The Hotel Hershey and Giant Center rejected a contract offer from Hershey Entertainment & Resorts on May 7, according to Inside the Magic. The park’s operators described the proposal as their “last, best and final” offer.
Over a three-day period this week, employees will vote on whether to strike after rejecting the offer, which is the third from the park’s operators. A strike could close the park just in time for the start of the busy summer season when families head on vacation.
The list of employees considering going on strike includes ride mechanics, electricians, plumbers, welders, painters, machinists, utilities technicians, carpenters, garage auto mechanics and sign artists.
In mid-March, the union and Hershey Entertainment & Resorts agreed to extend a former contract for 60 days to allow for continued negotiations.
According to Inside the Magic, union workers are seeking fair wage increases, more affordable care plans and higher pay premiums for less-desirable shifts. The union has also said that it will reject new contract offers that lower professional standards, devalue skilled trades or open the door to lower wages in maintenance roles in the future.
The Independent has contacted Hershey Entertainment & Resorts for comment about the possible strike.
Hersheypark, located 15 miles east of Harrisburg, is the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania. Founded in 1906, the 121-acre site boasts more than 70 rides, a water park with 17 water attractions and an 11-acre North American Wildlife Park, according to Hersheypark’s website.
It’s named for and themed in conjunction with the popular candy company.
However, a different park in the Keystone State was named as the top amusement park in the U.S. on TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best list.
It was Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, 42 miles north-northeast of Harrisburg, that topped the list. In doing so, the little-known park was ranked higher than Dollywood, Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure that also made the top 5.
“It’s got it all: roller coasters, kid-friendly rides (bumper cars, a haunted mansion), swimming, camping, a mining museum, and even a championship 18-hole golf course,” TripAdvisor wrote. “The accommodating staff, clean facilities, and fun attractions make for a memorable family-friendly visit.”
Knoebels is the U.S.’s largest free-admission park, although tickets for individual rides cost a fee.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on cast vote records creates uncertainty for counties
NEW CASTLE, Pa. (MyValleyTributes) – Charles “Yami” Frederick Jamison, age 83, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, formerly of Warren, Ohio, passed away, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Haven Convalescent Home.
Mr. Jamison was born December 2, 1942, in New Castle, a son of the late Charles N. and Anna (Callihan) Jamison and was a 1960 graduate of New Castle High School.
Charles worked as an order checker clerk for Packard Electric Company, Warren, Ohio, for 31 years, until his retirement in 1999.
A proud veteran, he served his country in the United States Navy.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Church, Warren, Ohio and also attended Mass at Holy Spirit Parish – St. Mary’s Church.
Charles spent his free time hunting and playing Euchre.
He is survived by his four sisters, Margaret I. Klann, Mary E. DeMarco and Catherine “Kay” A. Houk (Robert), all of New Castle and Susan J. Olson (Donald), Winfield, Illinois; his brother, Richard Jamison (Linda) of New Castle; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the City Rescue Mission, 319 S. Croton Ave., New Castle, PA, 16101, and the Salvation Army, 240 W. Grant St., New Castle, PA, 16101.
The family would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to the Haven Convalescent Home for the care and support that Charles received over the years.
Calling Hours will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 111 W. Falls St., New Castle.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on 10:30 a.m., Wednesday May 13, 2026, in Holy Spirit Parish – St. Mary’s Church, 124 N. Beaver St., New Castle, with Rev. Aaron Kriss, as celebrant.
Interment: Castleview Memorial Gardens, Neshannock Twp.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles F. Jamison, please visit our flower store.
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