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Pennsylvania resident asks Game Commission to send sharpshooters to cull deer

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Pennsylvania resident asks Game Commission to send sharpshooters to cull deer


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Hawley Borough is a small town covering only six tenths of a square mile, surrounded by woods, nestled in a landscape like a bowl where two creeks and a river meet. It is home to 1,229 people, according to the 2020 Census, and an untold number of deer.

Most of the deer, however, are just passing through, stopping to munch here and there courtesy of residents’ shrubbery and gardens. Hudson Street resident Thomas Colbert, however, informed Hawley Borough Council on Jan. 8 that there is what appears to be a herd that is here to stay, and something needs to be done. He suggested deer culling.

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Colbert contacted the Pennsylvania Game Commission to inquire about having certified sharpshooters come in and reduce the herd. After a long discussion, Borough Solicitor Christopher Weed said he would contact the Game Commission for information.

“To me there is a deer population in Hawley, they are eating everything, they are aggressive,” Colbert said, adding the deer make a mess defecating. “There are at least eight to 10 individuals that hang out right below Prospect Street, in the backyards there, that’s where they camp… All shrubs are eaten up to five feet.”

“I’d like the borough to do something about it,” Colbert said. He said the Game Commission referred him to the game warden, Kevin Moran. Colbert stated that Moran suggested looking at what the private communities of The Hideout and Wallenpaupack Lake Estates, in Wayne County, did about their deer problem.

“They cull their deer,” Colbert said, and shared what he learned about how to arrange it through the Game Commission. “He thought it was too small a problem to deal with,” Colbert said, of the game warden’s response.

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Councilor Mike Dougherty asked, “To do what?”

“To shoot the deer,” Colbert replied.

“In town?!” Dougherty asked, incredulously.

Colbert stated that there is some expense involved, but it could be done. “If nothing else, I’d like to borough to complain to the Game Commission that the deer population is out of control. I’ve been there 30 years. I’d see three deer. Now I see eight, 10, sometimes up to 15,” Colbert said. “They are eating everything. I’ve seen them between the road and guard rail, cars are going by, sure enough they get hit. It’s a safety issue for drivers.”

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Colbert added, “The deer learned they can be safe right in town and can keep multiplying.”

After the meeting, he commented that culling would be more humane than having the deer injured by a vehicle. He said that although they eat everything they can find, they don’t just leave but seem to stay put.

Police Chief Daniel Drake stated, “Unfortunately we see deer all the time, just moseying around.”

Colbert said he has tried fencing and spray. “You invest in all this greenery, and it just gets eaten by the deer,” he said. “I’ve talked to numerous people, and it’s a problem. These deer just raid their yards,” he continued. “I hoped that hunting season would take them down, but it didn’t really reduce the number at all.”

Weed commented, “My issue is with liability and the expense… I think there are those certain concerns and that balance between where we live in terms of wildlife on top of liability, etcetera.”

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The solicitor noted that where they have culled deer, it also is meant to help the deer herd, who otherwise would not find enough to eat.

“I sympathize, because I know, they are eating my rhododendrons, that means they are coming right up to the porch,” councilor Elaine Herzog said. “[This] would be my concern, if we eliminate 10 deer this year, are 10 more going to come in?”

Weed said they need to hear from the Game Commission if there is enough room in Hawley to cull the deer. In larger communities, he said, the deer can be coaxed further away with bait.

“I don’t see much hope in changing it. I think it’s a problem that the Game Commission needs to be aware of. We have rights to be here too; animals are not the only ones,” Colbert said.

Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.

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Parts of central Pa. not getting snow overnight have a greater chance later this week

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Parts of central Pa. not getting snow overnight have a greater chance later this week


From minor snow and ice accumulations to almost 50-degree weather with sunny skies, and then a potential winter storm coming later this week, central Pennsylvania is getting it all, meteorologists said Monday night.

Tuesday’s winter storm is forecast to affect northern parts of the state, leaving the Harrisburg area mostly out of the drama, as meteorologists say a winter weather advisory will start at 1 a.m. for the following counties: Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Cameron, Elk, McKean and Potter.

But the Harrisburg area and southeastern parts of the state will not be heavily affected by the wintry mix, as National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist John Banghoff said residents will see light snow that will transition into rain before 8 a.m.

There’s a chance of rain showers between 8 and 10 a.m., before the clouds eventually break. Highs will get into the mid-40s.

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“We don’t expect any significant winter weather impacts for the Harrisburg area and southeast Tuesday morning,” Banghoff told PennLive.

The snow accumulation could be less than a half inch on Tuesday. Winds will pick up Tuesday night, with gusts to 25 mph and temperatures falling into the mid-30s, he said.

Christmas Eve will bring sunny skies with temperatures around 47.

Late Christmas Eve into Christmas morning, some areas, especially the southwest, might see light rain. In the central mountains, there could be a light mix of rain and snow.

Starting Christmas Day, temperatures are expected to again reach the mid-40s with the possibility of scattered rain showers, he said.

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However, residents should take precaution with traveling on Friday, as meteorologists are monitoring a potential winter storm that could get messy, according to Banghoff.

Despite the uncertainty in terms of how Friday’s winter storm evolves, he said the northeast will see heavy snow, while the southwest will have a high chance of ice. Central Pennsylvania is in the zone of getting a mix of snow, ice and rain, he said.

“Whether it’s snow, sleet, freezing rain, or rain, there is increasing confidence that there could be fairly widespread impacts from a potential winter storm on Friday,” Banghoff said.

He’s telling residents who plan on traveling after Christmas to pay close attention to the forecast before hitting the road, as it might not be a great travel day.

In the aftermath of the storm, Saturday will be cloudy, with a high near 41. On Sunday, residents could see a chance of showers and cloudy skies, with a high near 47.

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Could marijuana be legalized in Pennsylvania next year?

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Could marijuana be legalized in Pennsylvania next year?


(WHTM)– Recreational marijuana is not legal in Pennsylvania despite urging from a majority of Democrats in the legislature, but that could change in the new year due to an unlikely advocate.

President Trump issued an executive order last week moving marijuana from a Schedule I drug, which means highly addictive, to a Schedule III drug, which is less addictive with some medical benefit.

Many see this as the president legitimizing marijuana and giving political cover for Republicans, who have been resistant to supporting legalization.

The executive order also called for more solid research on the benefits and harms of marijuana.

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John Gallagher, a researcher, addiction specialist, and professor at Alvernia University, voiced support for more research. He said more research is needed and won’t wade into the political debate over whether to legalize it.

He also said the marijuana industry’s claim that it is not addictive is not true.

“I go back to the two things that we know. Without a doubt, cannabis is absolutely an addicting drug for some. And cannabis absolutely has withdrawal symptoms for some people become dependent on it,” Gallagher said.

He added that it’s appropriate that it was re-classified from schedule one to schedule three because its addictiveness is not the same as that of some schedule one substances.

Gallagher suspects Pennsylvania will legalize adult-use cannabis, given all surrounding states have. He also said there hasn’t been enough research on its medical benefits.

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Pennsylvania Lottery Pick 2 Day, Pick 2 Evening results for Dec. 21, 2025

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The Pennsylvania Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 results for each game:

Winning Pick 2 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Day: 6-9, Wild: 1

Evening: 8-1, Wild: 0

Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Day: 5-8-0, Wild: 1

Evening: 0-8-5, Wild: 0

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Day: 0-7-4-5, Wild: 1

Evening: 6-3-0-0, Wild: 0

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Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Day: 3-8-7-2-8, Wild: 1

Evening: 1-5-1-3-2, Wild: 0

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

15-25-30-40-55, Cash Ball: 02

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Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

11-20-31-36-38

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Treasure Hunt numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

05-11-13-25-27

Check Treasure Hunt payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Match 6 Lotto numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

08-29-32-33-35-45

Check Match 6 Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

  • Sign the Ticket: Ensure your ticket has your signature, name, address and phone number on the back.
  • Prizes up to $600: Claim at any PA Lottery retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
  • Prizes from $600 to $2,500: Use a Claim Form to claim at a retailer or by mail: Pennsylvania Lottery, ATTN: CLAIMS, PO BOX 8671, Harrisburg, PA 17105.
  • Prizes over $2,500: Mail your signed ticket with a Claim Form or in person at a Lottery Area Office (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Lottery Headquarters is currently not open to the public. Visit the PA Lottery website for other office locations near you.

When are the Pennsylvania Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: 1:35 p.m. and 6:59 p.m. daily.
  • Cash4Life: 9 p.m. daily.
  • Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. daily.
  • Treasure Hunt: 1:35 p.m. daily.
  • Match 6 Lotto: 6:59 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
  • Powerball Double Play: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Pennsylvania editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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