Download the DAILY AMERICAN NEWS APP on your tablet or smartphone unes Available at the App Store on iT or for Android on Google Play — Award-Winning Investigative Journalism — WWW.OURTOWNJOHNSTOWN.COM SO-3106631 GJSD WEEK OF planning MAY 13 - 19, 2020 alternate grad event FAMILY VALUES KATIE SMOLEN Our Town Correspondent JOHNSTOWN — Greater Johnstown School District will be holding a virtual graduation for its seniors because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Superintendent Amy Arcurio told the district’s DAUGHTER’S board of directors that she had a contract from WJAC- ESSAY LEADS TV for the station to put TO MOM’S together and air a virtual graduation for $1,700. SELECTION Board President Gene Pentz Photo by Katie Smolen signed the contract during FOR YWCA Shoppers browsing the meat department of Randy’s BiLo along Osborne Street in Johnstown on May. the meeting shortly after it AWARD was mentioned by Arcurio. The decision didn’t sit — B1 well with some, including Why meat prices have risen several graduating seniors. Senior Shaye McClafferty, BRUCE SIWY sylvania and beyond have not workforce, you can’t operate.” who organized a walkout as [email protected] SPORTS been able to place their animals He added that the Pennsyl- a middle school student to into the supply chain because vania Farm Bureau has been protest against the school’s Meat industry insiders say there’s a bottleneck. working with the commonwealth bullying policies, created a chickens, pigs and cattle have not “It really is a national concern,” to provide priority COVID-19 petition on change.org in been the proverbial cash cow of he said. testing for workers throughout hopes of having a live grad- late for farmers, despite rising Here in the commonwealth, the meat industry supply chain to uation. The teen noted on consumer costs. Migdail added, major processing help keep employees safe and the the petition that she didn’t “I think a lot of people have the facilities in both Montgomery process uninterrupted. know whether it would “get idea that farmers are making out and Luzerne counties were closed To some, the current situation anywhere but it’s a start.” on this. They’re actually suffer- temporarily when workers tested is sort of a worst-case scenario for She expressed that the ing,” Pennsylvania Farm Bureau positive for COVID-19. This led everyone involved. contract was signed without spokesman Liam Migdail said. ATHLETE to rising costs to farmers, with a State Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar the students having any say According to the USA TODAY, diminishing return on meat sales — a Republican from Somerset but that the seniors have OF THE major grocery chains such as as the animals become overly fat- Township who serves on the come up with several alter- Costco and Kroger have institut- tened, leading to penalties from Pennsylvania House ag commit- natives. WEEK: ed limits on the amount of meat those processors. tee and runs a small beef cattle “All of the seniors have customers can purchase amid LIZZY “(Farmers are) paying the feed operation — said part of the come together and are com- increasing demand and decreas- cost that entire time. The longer problem is that there are fewer ing up with a different way SMITH ing supply. he hangs on to that cattle that processors than there were dec- to graduate,” McClafferty The problem, according to Mig- more he risks using value,” he ades ago. wrote. — B4 dail, has come from the process- said. “(But) if you don’t have a (See MEAT, A3) (See GRAD, A3) ing side. Some farmers in Penn- This May, Celebrate Your Mom. She tied your shoes. She tucked you in. She guided you along the way. Now, it’s your turn to support and encourage her. This month, give your mom the gift of health - remind her to schedule her annual mammogram. WEEKLY RECIPE WINNER Early detection saves lives. JOYCE SCHALLES A reminder from you might make all the difference. – A4 Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at the Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center. 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A2 Wednesday, May 13, 2020, Our Town, Johnstown, Pa. OUR TOWN GENERAL MANAGER/ ADVERTISING DIRECTOR OPINION Becky Flyte bfl[email protected] LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY MULTI MEDIA SALES MANAGER EDITORIAL CARTOON Our Town welcomes letters to the editor which express a Genna Smith specific view on topics of general interest. Letters submitted [email protected] for publication must be signed and contain the address and telephone number of the writer. Letters should be limited to CIRCULATION about 250 words. MANAGER Our Town reserves the right to edit all letters. Letters can- Donna Riley not be returned. Letters may be mailed to Our Town at 334 [email protected] W. Main Street, PO Box 638, Somerset, PA 15501. You may also fax them to us at 814-269-9783 or email them to bruces@ EDITOR ourtownjohnstown.com. Bruce Siwy The following are additional guidelines: [email protected] • Letters from local writers and about local topics or races take precedence. WRITERS • Letters should be the original works of the authors. Just Beth Ann Miller clearly make your case for the candidates or topics of your Cody McDevitt choice, in your own words. LAYOUT/GRAPHIC • We will not publish form letters or letter-pushes. If we think DESIGNERS the letters are cut-and-paste, we won’t run them. • Letters must be 300 words or less and signed with the writ- Mindy Faidley er’s real name. Holly Pelliccione • Writers must provide an address and phone number for Joyce Brown verification. • Writers are limited to one letter per month. MEDIA CONSULTANTS Bruce J. Siwy Editor - Our Town Terrie Crisi Chirs Barkley Zac Cooney Alyssa Goulding Julie Frampton Kathy Shriner EDITORIAL 334 W. Main Street, P.O. Box 638, Somerset, PA 15501 Keeping the ‘814’ made the most sense A good decision was made regarding the 814 area code to understand that there will that at their point by forcing their hand Phone: future of telephone numbers in this region. be no change in their telephone service,” and keep them from doing anything at all,” 800.452.0823 e Daily American, Our Town’s sister PUC Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille he said recently. Advertising Fax: publication, recently reported that those said. e biggest change will be an eventual with an 814 area code will get to keep their Under the plan a new area code will switch to 10-digit dialing. e Public Utili- 814.445.2935 number. For more than 10 years there have be assigned to the same geographic area ties Commission will encourage residents Editorial Fax: been discussions about changing the area currently covered by the 814 area code. to volunteer start 10-digit dialing in Octo- code. Once the 814 area code runs out of tele- ber, which will be required April 1. 814.444-5966 e Pennsylvania Public Utility Com- phone numbers, the new area code will be Many phones already require 10-digit mission has approved a year-long plan to assigned to customers. dialing, and you can have the numbers you ourtownjohnstown. implement a new “overlay” for the current In 2010, state Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar regularly use saved on your phone. It’s the comdailyamerican.com 814 area code. Somerset and Cambria are led the arguments against changing the best compromise over having everyone Our Town is published by two of 27 counties covered by the code. area code. change their phone numbers. Gannett Co., Inc. every Wednesday. “First and foremost, it is important for “Our argument was the overlay was the It was the right decision. Please direct comments, editorial submissions, or suggestions to Our residents and businesses throughout the better choice and we got even more than Town Editor, PO Box 638, Somerset, PA 15501. Our Town does not assume responsibility for any unsolicited contributions or communications. Our Town reserves the right to edit any content submitted for publication. To submit press release or to suggest a story for an upcoming VINTAGE JOHNSTOWN issue of Our Town, direct your email to [email protected]. Reproduction or reuse of editorial or graphic content without the expressed written consent of Our Town is strictly prohibited. Need a Print Job Done? PRINT ADS, BROCHURES, FLYERS,MENUS, BUSINESS CARDS, INVITATIONS, ETC... NEW LAST WEEK OUR DESIGN TEAM CAN HELP! Trivia: What was Esso, as seen on the sign above? QUESTION: In which neighborhood was this hotel found? ANSWER: DOWNTOWN. (NEAR HORNERSTOWN, OLD CONEMAUGH BORO CALL THE (Editor’s note: This will be a weekly feature AND DALE BOROUGH.) showcasing Johnstown of yesteryear. OUR TOWN OFFICE Send your answers — and old-time photographs — WINNERS: BILL GALLUS OF RICHLAND TOWNSHIP, DIANNE O’SHEA, CARM MEIKLE- TODAY FOR DETAILS.