Local News - Wednesday, March 4, 2026

SCHOOL VAN CRASHES IN FAYETTE TOWNSHIP

A school van crash sent three to the hospital in Fayette Township, Juniata County.

A van transporting students for the Juniata County School District was traveling on Swailes Road late Tuesday morning. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree.

Swailes Road was closed for a period of time while the accident was cleared. Three people were transported to Lewistown Hospital as a result of the crash.

Pennsylvania State Police at Lewistown were assisted on the scene by Fayette Township Fire, Fayette Township EMS, Thompsontown EMS, and Port Royal EMS.

TAX REASSESSMENT MEETING

Juniata County residents are invited to an informational public meeting regarding the countywide tax reassessment project.

Vision Government Solutions will have representatives available review what your preliminary value statement includes, the appeals process and next steps in the project.

The meeting will be held in the courtroom of the Juniata County Courthouse on Wednesday, March 4 at 6pm. The courthouse is located at 1 North Main Street in Mifflintown.

Anyone with questions is asked to contact the Juniata County Reassessment Office at 717-436-7752.

LEWISTOWN MAN CHARGED AFTER BABY ADMITTED TO ICU AT DANVILLE

Lewistown Police have charged a Lewistown man following an incident in Lewistown, Mifflin County.

Child Line reported that a 13 day old infant was admitted to the ICU at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville and was in imminent danger of death due to a brain bleed, neck bruising and jaw bruising from a suspected Shaking Baby Sydrome assault.

The Lewistown Police began an investigation which included interviews of the mother and father. The father was identified as Scott Andrew Al McNemar, 20 of Lewistown.

McNemar told police that the baby was crying and would not stop. McNemar recalled aggressively handling the baby without supporting the child's neck or head.

Family stated that McNemar brought the baby downstairs and that the child was unresponsive and cool to the touch.

Medical staff at Danville repoted that the baby sustained a substantial brain injury, had multiple seizures, was unable to regulate its body temperature and was not able to feed. The doctor also stated that this was likely not the first time that the baby had been assaulted. The doctor further stated that based upon the temperature of the baby, that nobody sought immediate medeical attention for the child and that there was a delay in seeking treatment.

McNemar again met with Lewistown Police for a few points of clarification. McNemar was then taken into custody and charged with Aggravated Assault; Endangering the welfare of children; simple assault; and recklessly endangering another person.

McNemar has been denied bail and is lodged at the Mifflin County Correctional Facility.

MONROE TOWNSHIP DUI

Pennsylvania State Police at Selinsgrove responded to an incident on Susquehanna Valley Mall Drive in Monroe Township, Snyder County.

Joshous Griffiths, 38 of Selinsgrove, entered a property and took control of a vehicle that he was unauthorized to drive. When the vehicle was stopped, it was found that Griffiths was under the influence of alcohol.

Griffths was arrested and charged in the incident.