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In today's edition: ICE detainee punished for protest, a large-scale solar and egg farm, a Spikes season opener, and snake hunt tips. |
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Protest Punishment
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Abby Drey / Centre Daily Times |
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Need to Know: An ICE detainee was put in solitary confinement, then transferred out of state after the private contractor that runs a Pennsylvania detention center claimed he encouraged others to refuse meals to protest conditions, a report obtained by Spotlight PA and WITF reveals. Read Spotlight PA and WITF’s full report →
Good to Know: The document was completed just over a week after a protest at Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Clearfield County. First reported and called a hunger strike by PennLive, the protest happened spontaneously after a man vomited green bile during mealtime. The Department of Homeland Security said at the time that claims of a hunger strike were “false.” Still, detainees were punished for what a facility inspector for GEO Group, the private prison company that runs Moshannon, described as a “proclaimed ‘hunger strike.’” The inspector pinned blame on Edin Daniel Chinchilla-Roque, writing he “was clearly inciting the group in C-Unit to refuse to accept or consume meals provided by the facility, in protest of alleged poor meals, alleged poor medical care and other complaints.” Chinchilla-Roque told Spotlight PA and WITF he participated in the protest but did not instigate it.
In the Know: The GEO Group did not answer specific questions for this story, but a spokesperson wrote in an email that its “support services are monitored by ICE, including by on-site personnel,” and that the company is compliant “with ICE’s detention standards and contract requirements.” ICE did not respond to multiple emails with detailed questions about conditions in Moshannon. Continue reading.
LEGISLATURE: |
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In the Wild
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Courtesy of Bill Wheeler |
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For almost 60 years, the Sinnemahoning Sportsmen’s Club has hosted a snake hunt. If that sounds like a chapter in history or something only for daredevils, consider that more than 200 hunters usually sign up for the event.
This year’s snake hunt — which kicks off the short hunting season — is June 13-14 at the club in Cameron County. Visitors can check out the day’s captured snakes and see who wins a trophy. By sunset on that Sunday, all snakes must be returned to where they were found.
Bill Wheeler (pictured above), a reptile educator and emcee of the Sinnemahoning event (and the Cross Fork hunt, held the last weekend in June at Kettle Creek Hose Co.), shared more about the hunt with Talk of the Town via email.
This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
Talk of the Town: Why does the Sinnemahoning Sportsmen’s Club host this event?
Bill Wheeler: We’ve been putting on the snake hunt for 57 years to raise awareness of reptiles in the area. It’s a family-oriented event with quite a few things to see, vendors, and snakes caught within a 30-mile radius of the hunt.
How can snake hunters register and do they need to plan ahead to get what’s required?
Registration starts Friday, at 6 p.m. at the club. They must have a fishing license. They also need a venomous snake permit to hunt rattlesnakes and copperheads.
What kind of snakes do they usually turn in?
The timber rattlesnake is the most popular snake turned in, but we do see copperheads, black snakes, Northern black racers, Eastern garter snakes, Northern browns, milk snakes, and water snakes.
What are the records for snakes caught in the Sinnemahoning hunt?
The longest timber rattlesnake has been 57 inches and a little over 5 pounds. The most rattles I’ve seen in Sinneamahoning was 17. We’ve had a few black rat snakes over 7 foot.
How common is it for someone to be bit by a snake at the event?
We usually get between 40 and 60 rattlesnakes. It is not very common for anybody to be bit at the hunt. I believe it’s been two hunters and two handlers in the past 20 years.
—Erin Negley, newsletter writer |
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Matt Smith / For Spotlight PA |
Big Story: Ballot Study
Mail voters who are informed and have opportunities to fix ballot errors ahead of elections are much more likely to have their votes counted, a new study of the 2024 election in Pennsylvania has found. Read more from Votebeat→
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In Other News
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ICE Resolution: As State College Borough Council crafts an ICE ordinance, Mayor Ezra Nanes said people are scared because of actions nationally and locally. “Yes, ICE is here and they are grabbing people,” he told WJAC. “People are scared of that happening; families who have been living here for a long time.” Council tabled a resolution pushing for reforms in February. State College officials maintain borough police officers do not assist ICE.
Sunny Side Eggs: Muncy Creek Township supervisors plan to make a decision June 25 on a proposed egg-laying operation, with 350,000 free-range chicken, on a property with 52,000 proposed solar panels. An attorney who lives half a mile from the site shared case law and said it’s within the supervisors’ realm to deny the application, the Williamsport Sun-Gazette reports. If the supervisors approve the plan, he suggested several conditions to protect the neighborhood.
Sunshine Ruling: The state Supreme Court Monday said it won’t hear the appeal of a Hollidaysburg watchdog group’s appeal of Sunshine Act violations, the Altoona Mirror reports. The group objected to closed meetings of a committee exploring borough funding the Phoenix Volunteer Fire Department. A judge ruled most Sunshine Act infractions “could be cured” by ratification at public meetings.
Spikes Suit: The State College Spikes host the season opener tonight at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park despite a lease dispute with Penn State, the Centre Daily Times reports. The Spikes face eviction as the university seeks $1.7 million in "termination rent." The team said the lawsuit has zero merit as both sides head to mediation.
More Regional News:
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🧩 The Puzzler
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Today's answer should be submitted using this form. Only answers submitted via the form will be counted. Cutoff is 4 p.m.
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 by 4 p.m. on issue date to be counted. We’ll shout out winners here, and one each week will get some Spotlight PA swag.
L I T T O R A L S
Tuesday’s answer: Honest
Congrats to our daily winners: Donald H., Joanna C., Lisa S., Marianne O., Mark S., Michelle T., Nancy B., Priscilla S., Richard V., Sharon B., Stephen Z., Steven B., and Susan N. |
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