Pennsylvania
Girl Scout cookie sales begin in eastern Pennsylvania
LAFAYETTE HILL, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — Girl Scouts cookie sales are starting again Thursday, and we have good news for those of you looking to get those Thin Mints and Samoas.
The Girl Scouts cookie program is the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world, teaching the girls business and money management skills and so much more.
And while some councils have had to make the tough decision to raise their prices to offset rising costs, one of our local councils, the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, is keeping prices flat at $5 a box, except for the gluten-free cookies, which are $6 a box.
Girl Scout life is nonstop.
“We’ve made toys for people. We’ve made lunches,” said Kyra Thompson, a fifth grader.
“I do activities, I go to camp, I go on trips and I sell cookies,” said Diahna Stubbs.
And sell she does. Last year Stubbs sold 8,070, making her the top seller for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania and helping the council bring in $19 million of gross sales.
“I walked around my neighborhood and I sold cookies. I sold them at school,” said Diahna.
Raising more than funds but also fulfilling the Girl Scouts mission to build character, confidence, and courage.
“I learned how to get out of my comfort zone and talk to more people,” said Amber Thompson a seventh grader.
Amber and Kyra Thompson each sold more than 5,000 boxes last year, making them top sellers, too.
“It’s a really awesome program that we’ve had for 110 years,” explained Kim Fraites-Dow, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania.
Fraites-Dow, says the Girl Scouts is a great equalizer.
“Girls from all over our Girl Scout council are selling these cookies no matter what financial background she comes from, and it gives her an opportunity to earn money for herself, and for her troop and to do amazing things,” said Fraites-Dow.
The Thin Mints, Caramel deLites and Peanut Butter Patties are all on the top 10 list of highest-selling cookies in the country. Girls who sell just a few months out of the year can beat out big companies that sell all year long.
“It’s a lot of work but it’s all worth it in the end,” said Kyra.
“I like meeting new people and I like the rewards I get,” said Diahna.
And Diahna happens to be part of our extended Action News family. Her grandmother, Carita Hernandez, was one of our beloved photographers and certainly, the apple did not fall far from the tree.
Cookie sales for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania continues through March 10. You can view the flavors at: https://www.gsep.org/en/cookies/cookie-flavors-abc.html
Sales in Southern New Jersey began January 12.
Digital sales in Northern Delaware are on now, with in-person sales beginning February 9.
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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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