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| Inside this edition: Rural township wants to make it easier for other places in Pa. to fight injection wells, upcoming free election events, and a quiet settlement in the governor’s office. |
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Real quick: An oil and gas company withdrew an injection well application in Potter County after public outcry, but local officials argue the state’s review process should change, Spotlight PA Rural Affairs Reporter Marley Parish reports.
A little more: An oil and gas company recently withdrew its application to inject liquids deep underground in rural Clara Township, a win for officials and residents who feared groundwater pollution and health risks.
The experience with the state agency responsible for approving or rejecting such applications has left locals pushing for changes to the process.
Supervisors Steven Mehl and Robert Wylie represent the roughly 120 residents of Clara Township, located in Potter County. They told Spotlight PA they didn’t learn about the proposed well from the company as required, and had to push the state Department of Environmental Protection to hold a public meeting, as that’s not mandatory.
Mehl and Wylie also believe the township — which employs only four part-time employees, according to Mehl — and its residents didn’t have enough time to learn about the application and respond.
That’s why they took matters into their own hands by petitioning county officials, asking for help from state lawmakers, and repeatedly requesting that the DEP reject the application.
It was “an incredible amount of work and a lot of sleepless nights,” Mehl told Spotlight PA.
“The process is broken,” he added.
The full story: Read more here. |
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» Several Pa. pension systems kept working with financial adviser after SEC settlement
» What’s on the table as Pa. lawmakers attempt to end the budget stalemate
» Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office quietly settled sexual harassment allegation against top aide
» State lawmakers, community leaders discuss how to make Pa. government more equitable
UPCOMING EVENTS
» VOTER READY: Join us Thursday, Nov. 2 from 6-7 p.m. ET via Zoom for a free Q&A on voting rights in Pennsylvania, important dates and deadlines, and answering your remaining Election Day questions. Register for the event here and submit your questions to events@spotlightpa.org.
» RESULTS REVIEW: Join us, the New Pennsylvania Project, and Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts on Thursday, Nov. 16 from 6-7 p.m. ET for a Q&A on the election results and what they mean for the future of the state. Register for the event here and submit your questions to events@spotlightpa.org. |
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 | Daniel Fishel / For Spotlight PA |
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At Spotlight PA, we put voters front and center in our nonpartisan election coverage. Get all the information you need to make an informed vote this November by visiting our Election Center website.
» See how judges affect you and the issues you care about most» Complete guide to who is on the ballot, when to vote, how to vote, where to vote, casting mail ballots & more» Complete guide to requesting, filling out, and returning a mail ballot» Complete guide to the candidates for Pennsylvania Supreme Court» Complete guide to the candidates for Commonwealth, Superior Courts» What to know about the judicial retention questions on Pa. ballots» Lo que hay que saber sobre las preguntas de retención judicial en la papeleta de noviembre» Una guía completa sobre quién está en la papeleta, cuándo votar, cómo votar, dónde votar, la emisión de votos por correo y más» Una guía de los candidatos a la Corte Suprema del estado» Una guía de los candidatos a la Commonwealth y las Cortes Superiores |
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A late-day sun spotlights a tree against a dark sky in Ferguson Township, Centre County — via John D.
Want to be featured here? Send your best local pics to talkofthetown@spotlightpa.org. |
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Want us to list your event? Send it to us.
» Oct. 19-21: Tempest Productions presents Edgar Allan Poe Speak Easy, an “immersive experience,” at Pine Grove Hall in Centre County.
» Oct. 20-21: Austin Dam Memorial Park in Potter County will be eerily transformed for the Terrifying Trail event.
» Oct. 21: See pumpkins catapulted into the lake at Bald Eagle State Park, Centre County, at the annual Punkin’ Chunkin’ Fall Festival.
» Oct. 21: WPSU hosts Eventapalooza at Penn State’s Innovation Park featuring crafts and games for children ages 3-10.
» Oct. 22: Titan Hollow in Bellefonte, Centre County, hosts Sip and Shop Spooktacular with more than 20 local craft vendors, live music, cider and cocktails, and more.
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An anagram is a word, phrase, or name formed by rearranging the letters of another. For example, “spotlight” also forms “stoplight.”
Decode the anagram and send your answer to talkofthetown@spotlightpa.org. We’ll shout out winners here, and one each week will get some Spotlight PA State College swag.
M E N T O R S
Good luck!
Last week’s answer: Braved
Congrats to Mark C., who will receive Spotlight PA State College swag. Others who answered correctly: Susan N., Jeffrey F., Coache, Jon W., Randolph J., Don H., Gretchen B., Rena Z., Sean P., Martha D., Jean B., Leslie B., and Leann T.
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Do you have events, community shoutouts, questions about our region, or tips on stories that we should pursue? Email our team.
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