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ournal-herald THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2024 • Volume 43 – No. 32 ©2024, THE JOURNAL-HERALD. All Rights Reserved
CONTINUING: THE WHITE HAVEN JOURNAL ESTABLISHED 1879–145th YEAR, NO. 19
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CONTINUING: THE WEATHERLY HERALD ESTABLISHED 1880–144th YEAR, NO. 45
They already had a plan, now they have a Blueprint by Ruth Isenberg Chuck Stoffa is very happy about White Haven’s designation as a Blueprint Community, not least because he and the rest of the team no longer have to keep the news under wraps. The strategic planning committee of the Greater White Haven Chamber of Commerce has known about the community’s inclusion in this year’s cohort since November, but couldn’t announce it until it was officially announced. Over the last year, Stoffa said, “We were preparing for
it, not even realizing we were preparing for it.” Originally, the strategic planning committee was made up of about six people. It’s grown to about 20, and now in addition to Chamber members and local elected officials, includes citizens, state and federal officials, meeting monthly to map out a path for the White Haven area’s development. “We started to do it on our own,” he said, noting as chair of the group he was just using his military background for strategic planning, building on programs and concepts already in the works.
See BLUEPRINT, page 5
Returning to his roots
Madigan new EMS Captain for WH Ambulance by Ruth Isenberg Chris Madigan grew up around the White Haven Ambulance and Fire Department, tagging along with his father, George Madigan. As soon as he was old enough, he signed on as a junior firefighter. Those experiences influenced his career choices. He’s spent 31 years in the fire service, and was certified as an Emergency Medical Technician in 1998, and as an Emergency Responder three years before that.
He’s worked other places, including in construction, but last October returned to the White Haven Ambulance part-time. He went full-time in December. In February, the White Haven Ambulance Board named him EMS Captain. Madigan explained that this title allows him to take EMS command at the scene of an accident, as compared to an operations manager, more of an
See AMBULANCE, page 5
Georgia Farrow, American Legion Auxilliary Unit 360 president, stands with Charley Matthews, Air Force veteran and founder of Cards for Soldiers, holding her service dog Lily. In front, ALA Department of Pennsylvania president Ruth Zellers and Department of Michigan president Kim Champion show the cards they made for Cards for Soldiers at the Weatherly Post on March 26. For more, turn to page 8.