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Why Pennsylvania leads the nation in preserving agricultural farmland

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Why Pennsylvania leads the nation in preserving agricultural farmland


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Two farms in Beaver and Somerset counties will be preserved for farming now that Pennsylvania has purchased the development rights to those properties.

The Shapiro administration announced in February that state and county governments bought the development rights to 25 farms in 17 counties, investing $7.1 million under Pennsylvania’s Farmland Preservation Program to ensure the 1,905 acres of land included on those farms would always be used for agricultural purposes and not sold to residential or commercial developers.

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In Beaver County, the development rights on a 62-acre crop and livestock farm in Hanover Township, owned by William McNary Jr. and Deborah K. McNary, were purchased for $234,140, using state funds.

In Somerset County, the development rights on a 125-acre crop and livestock farm in Somerset Township, owned by Tim E. Bell, Thomas E. Bell and Suzanne K. Bell, were purchased by state and local governments for $187,104, with the state paying $181,635 and the county paying $5,469.

“Farmland tells the story of Pennsylvania, of generations who worked the land, cared for its resources and built communities that endure,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding in the Feb. 12 announcement.

“In this America250 year, and through the 2025-26 budget, the Shapiro administration is honoring that legacy by protecting our land, water and soil, supporting the next generation of farmers and investing in the innovation and infrastructure that will sustain Pennsylvania agriculture for generations to come.”

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Pennsylvania voters approved the creation of the Farmland Preservation Program in 1988, and since then, 6,673 farms and 662,940 acres of farmland have been preserved for agricultural production across 58 counties, the announcement said.

Agriculture contributes $132.5 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy and supports almost 600,000 jobs, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.



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Pennsylvania

PHOTOS: Storm damage across central Pennsylvania

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PHOTOS: Storm damage across central Pennsylvania


HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Gusty storms caused damage across central Pennsylvania, toppling trees onto cars, buildings, utility lines, street lights, and more.

In Harrisburg, the storm left debris from trees strewn about roadways across the city.

Along Front Street near Riverfront Park, numerous trees were toppled in the park and on the roadway. There, Harrisburg’s 4th of July festivities

A large tree took down the traffic light at Front and Chestnut. abc27 News spotted Harrisburg Public Works crews working to clean up the mess.

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Across the river in Lemoyne, trees fell on several parked cars.

An abc27 News photojournalist at the scene saw trees atop two parked cars there.

Back in Harrisburg, a tree branch fell and struck a house on Pennwood Road in the city.

Kaylee Lindenmuth / abc27 News — Pennwood Road at Angenese Street, Harrisburg

East of the city, numerous trees were reported downed as well.

Near Hershey, an abc27 News viewer sent in a photo of a tree which struck a deck.

Another abc27 News viewer in Mechanicsburg shared photos of downed trees in her neighborhood.

Those trees came down in yards and, in one case, on a house.

In York County, downed trees closed Interstate 83 for a time.

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Across the area, over 120,000 power customers were reported out because of the storms.



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They Gathered to See ‘Big Boy,’ Were Felled by the Heat

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They Gathered to See ‘Big Boy,’ Were Felled by the Heat



A historic train drew a huge crowd in Pennsylvania on Thursday, but the extreme heat came with it. Officials in Berks County declared a mass-casualty incident after more than 100 people waiting to see “Big Boy,” billed as the world’s largest steam-powered locomotive, suffered heat-related problems at the Reading & Blue Mountain Railroad Outer Station in Muhlenberg Township, reports UPI, citing local media. Temperatures hit about 106 degrees Fahrenheit as the train’s arrival was delayed for more than an hour.


Emergency calls began around 1:30pm local time. Forty-five people were taken to local hospitals, with one person who went into cardiac arrest revived before transport, authorities said. Children and older adults made up most of the patients. Big Boy ultimately passed through the station around 2:30pm en route to Philadelphia.

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With Independence Day festivities looming, Muhlenberg Police Chief Randall Hoover cautioned that revelers should prep for continued heat, per NBC Philadelphia, which notes that some attendees at the Big Boy event had started showing up as early as 9am. “Heat is going to be an issue, stay hydrated,” Hoover advises. The CDC notes that heat-related illnesses can run the gamut from heat rash and cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, per ABC27.





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Happy Valley Casino revenue rises in second month, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board says

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Happy Valley Casino revenue rises in second month, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board says


Happy Valley Casino in State College posted a sharp increase in gambling revenue in its second month of operation, according to newly released figures from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

After questions and concerns followed the casino’s first-month revenue report, the latest numbers show gains for both slot machines and table games.

Slot wagers jumped from about $6.5 million in the first month to more than $31 million in the second month. The casino’s gross revenue for slots — described as the amount remaining after taxes and other mandated payments — rose from about $713,000 in the first month to about $3.1 million in the second month. The report also shows an increase in table games revenue.

The new report notes that 17 slot machines have been added, bringing the total to 587.

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Happy Valley Casino opened after close to six years of development. Gaming Control Board administrators said they are confident about its impact, noting that the casino is “not only producing hundreds of jobs for the community,” but is also “giving back with tax revenue that’s being used within the community.”

The casino’s original general manager, Eric Pearson, left last month. There was no word yet on a new general manager.



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