The Measles-Stricken Mother Who Lost Her Newborn Son The Amish man emerged from his barn to greet me, unaware that his newborn son’s death had become national news. He wore a straw hat, black trousers, and suspenders over a long-sleeved blue shirt, while one of his similarly dressed sons guided a horse-drawn plow nearby. Like most Amish people, he and his family did not watch TV, use the internet, or read newspapers. They learned about the measles outbreak and the governor’s press conference only when I told them. Pennsylvania’s governor, Josh Shapiro, had announced the first two “measles-associated” deaths in the state in 35 years, both from Lancaster County, home to the largest Amish community. The deaths sparked political accusations, with Shapiro’s opponents claiming he used the tragedy for political gain. The county’s coroner later revealed an autopsy had been performed on an infant who tested positive for measles, though the cause of death was listed as a ruptured spleen. This detail fueled confusion, leading Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of health and human services, to mock Shapiro’s press conference as an example of “the weaponization of infectious disease fears for political gain.” Kennedy also suggested the deaths may have been fabricated by one of Shapiro’s staffers, though no evidence was provided. The Amish man asked me not to reveal his family’s names or location to protect their privacy. His son, whose death had drawn widespread attention, remained unidentified. The circumstances of the death matched the case in the news, and when I described it to him, he said it sounded like his son. When I shared the family’s details with the Lancaster County coroner, Stephen Diamantoni, he stated the office was not investigating additional infant deaths in the area.#robert_f_kennedy_jr #lancaster_county #josh_shapiro #stephen_diamantoni #amish_community
Two Die of Measles in Pennsylvania Outbreak, Health Officials Say Pennsylvania health officials confirmed Tuesday that two individuals have died from measles, marking the first such fatalities in the United States this year and the first in the state in 35 years. Both deceased individuals were unvaccinated, highlighting the severe consequences of vaccine hesitancy. The state’s health department attributed the outbreak to a combination of declining vaccination rates and the resurgence of a disease that had been largely eradicated in the region for decades. The deaths occurred in Lancaster County, which has been the epicenter of Pennsylvania’s ongoing measles outbreak. As of Tuesday, 393 confirmed cases had been reported statewide, with 86 new diagnoses recorded in the past week alone. Complications from the virus have led to 70 hospitalizations, underscoring the public health threat posed by the disease. Health officials emphasized that the outbreak is part of a broader national trend, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting 2,777 measles cases nationwide this year—the highest number in 35 years. Dr. Debra Bogen, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Health, issued a statement warning that the resurgence of measles reflects a growing lack of awareness about its dangers. “Because measles was largely eliminated in the Commonwealth for more than three decades, people are not familiar with this disease and don’t fully understand the potential severity of the illness,” she wrote. Bogen reiterated the safety and efficacy of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which provides 97% protection against the virus and is typically administered in two doses around ages 1 and 5. The outbreak has also coincided with a rise in vaccine exemptions among children.#measles_outbreak #pennsylvania #lancaster_county #centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention #debra_bogen
Memorial Day Events Across Lancaster County Honor Fallen Veterans Communities throughout Lancaster County will commemorate Memorial Day on Sunday, May 25, with a series of ceremonies, parades, and remembrance events. The holiday, which honors those who died while serving in the U.S. military, will feature a variety of activities, including historical reenactments, musical performances, and patriotic displays. The following is a detailed overview of the events scheduled across the county. The Columbia Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade will take place on Sunday, May 24, beginning with a patriotic concert by the Bainbridge Band in Locust Street Park at noon. The parade will follow at 2:30 p.m., with participants marching through the town to honor fallen veterans. A separate historical service will be held at 2 p.m. at Conestoga United Methodist Church, where attendees will learn about the Civil War-era history of the Conestoga area. The event will include period music, soldier stories, and the tolling of church bells to mark the recognition of servicemen. The service will conclude with a musical performance featuring a bagpipe player, soloists, and a trumpet, culminating in the playing of taps. In Salunga, the Hempfield Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 24, at the Hempfield Fire Company pavilion. The event’s theme, “Memorial Day: Freedom is Not Free,” will feature a keynote speech by Lt. Col. Shane A. Bladen, a U.S. Marine and instructor at the Army War College in Carlisle. The program will also include the reading of student essay contest winners, the Red Rose Veteran Honor Guard, the Vet21 Salute Honor Guard, the March Masters Band, and a choir from Dayspring Christian School. The General George H. Thomas, Camp No.#lancaster_county #columbia_memorial_day_ceremony #hempfield_memorial_day_ceremony #general_george_h_thomas #marietta_legion
South-central PA Wind Advisory: Gusts Up to 50 mph Possible A wind advisory has been issued for south-central Pennsylvania, warning of potential gusts reaching 50 mph as severe thunderstorms develop across the region. The National Weather Service has designated the area as an enhanced risk for severe weather, with a rating of three on a scale of 1 to 5. This level of risk is relatively rare, occurring only five to six times per season. Storm activity is expected to peak between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. in western counties, moving eastward toward Dauphin, Harrisburg, York, and surrounding areas by 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Additional storms could linger in Lebanon and Lancaster counties into the evening. The primary threat from these storms includes damaging winds, with the possibility of straight-line gusts exceeding 70 mph. Such winds are comparable in strength to weak tornadoes, though no tornadoes have been confirmed yet. The advisory also highlights the risk of a few tornadoes forming later in the afternoon. Large hail and brief, heavy rainfall are possible, with localized flooding and road ponding expected in low-lying areas. However, widespread flooding is not anticipated. The wind advisory, effective from noon to 11 p.m. Monday, covers Dauphin, Lebanon, Lancaster, and York counties. Wind gusts could reach 50 mph in these areas, in addition to thunderstorm-related winds. The National Weather Service warns that severe thunderstorm warnings may be issued if gusts exceed 58 mph. The storm system is expected to arrive ahead of an approaching cold front, causing temperatures in the upper 60s to drop rapidly once the front passes through. Residents are urged to secure outdoor items, such as trash cans, patio furniture, and decorations, to prevent damage.#national_weather_service #dauphin_county #lebanon_county #lancaster_county #york_county
