Positively influenced: Farmers Fair Queen Pageant focuses on those who made a difference

By Carolyn Kimmel

The 103rd Dillsburg Farmers kicked off on a glamorous note, as the preshow to the Farmers Fair Queen Pageant on Monday night at Northern High School.

The official opening of the annual fair, featuring comments from Fair President Carl Shearer and elected officials, normally follows the pageant on Tuesday evening. This year, Shearer said it made sense to move it to the first event of the weeklong celebration.

“I think the crowd was a little bigger,” he said. “I had positive comments from people about it, so I am hoping we started a new tradition.”

Photo by Curt Werner

Pictured from left are Taegen McCoy, Farmers Fair Queen, Brooke Breon, first runner-up and Amber Fogelsanger, second runner-up.

Photo by Mark Ryder

Tom and Linda Gruber were crowned King and Queen Tuesday night at the fire hall.

Local medical marijuana facility planned

By Carolyn Hoffman

A medical marijuana growing facility may be coming to Washington Township, residents learned at the October 15 session.

Although the facility would be licensed and regulated by the state, the township had to affirm that the greenhouse-based use is allowed under the current zoning regulations.

The planning commission also felt the use fell within the definitions of the zoning ordinance, which allows greenhouses, horticulture and viticulture as agricultural uses. If approved, this facility would harvest the plants, dry them and extract the oil from 1200 plants a week.

Nuisance property addressed

By Peggie Williams

Franklintown Borough Council decided to take action against Anthony Ruelius over the condition of his property at 351 Old Cabin Hollow Road at their October meeting.

The council authorized a letter to be sent that will begin the process.

The log cabin has been a long-time problem property for the borough with abandoned vehicles and an overgrown yard, but lately there have been complaints about mice. There is also a substantial hole in the roof that has brought up concerns about the overall safety of the structure. Outstanding bills for water, sewer and trash have led to all those services being cut off and the house being condemned. There is also an unpaid bill to the borough for the mowing and weed-whacking they did last spring.

With six straight wins, Bears make case for playoffs

By Andy Sandrik

When October began with a shutout loss to division rival Greencastle, the Northern boys soccer team had just three victories. The Polar Bears were left for dead, with virtually no shot of qualifying for the district playoffs, or even a winning record for that matter.

But Gaz Davies' boys, who were 3-7 following the loss to the Blue Devils on Oct. 1, have suddenly caught fire. Northern has won six straight matches, including five victories over an eight-day stretch, and has outscored opponents 39-5 during its winning streak.

The Polar Bears have fueled their winning streak with victories over Big Spring (6-0) late last Tuesday, James Buchanan (6-0) on Wednesday, Boiling Springs (6-1) on Saturday, New Oxford (7- 0) on Monday and Dover (6-2) on Tuesday.

Photo by Curt Werner

Chase Rondon, 14, maneuvers around Big Spring’s Gavin Rauhut, 21, in first-half action.

Lady Bears 2nd at Mid Penns; Ready to defend district title

By Joe Guty

Northern's second place finish in the Mid Penn Girls Cross-Country Championship last Saturday in Newville caught many people off guard. Including Assistant Coach Abram Albert. “We weren't expecting or even thinking about our team place this past weekend,” said Albert.

“We weren't even sure if we were racing the entire top seven or holding anyone out so it was a surprise to hear we finished in second place--especially against some really good AAA girls teams.”

Northern posted 86 points to finish behind State College (72) but ahead of Carlisle (122), Hershey (126), Cumberland Valley (154), Mechanicsburg (203), Chambersburg (247), and Palmyra (255) in the top eight. A total of 22 schools competed in the 170-runner field. Marlee Starliper captured the race and individual title as well with her front running strategy. Crossing the line in 17:37.07, she finished with room to spare against Taryn Parks (18:03.34) the defending champion from Greencastle-Antrim.

Photo by Curt Werner

Marlee Starliper crosses the finish line in first place with a time of 17:37.076.