Franklin County Council of Governments - COG

09/01/2026

President Judge Shawn D. Meyers of the Common Pleas Court for the 39th Judicial District invites the public to a Constitution Day 2026 observance at 10 am on Tuesday, September 15, at the Franklin County Judicial Center.

James A. Gibbons, President Judge of Lackawanna County, will deliver the keynote. Judge Meyers will offer remarks and announce the winners of the Franklin County Bar Foundation’s Constitution Day Art Contests.

The program will also feature the national anthem performed by 103-year-old World War II veteran Wilbur Jackson “Jack” Myers and a rendition of “America the Beautiful” by Kim Kelly.

08/16/2026

08/16/2026

We had a great Franklin County Council of Governments meeting last week, with municipal, county, and state officials joining us alongside emergency services representatives and first responders from across Franklin County.

The discussion focused heavily on the future of fire and EMS services in our communities, and it was an engaging and productive conversation.

The way we provide these critical services is rapidly evolving. Volunteer numbers continue to decline, while departments are increasingly relying on paid personnel to maintain adequate coverage and meet growing demands. At the same time, insurance costs and the cost of apparatus, equipment, and everyday operations have skyrocketed. Ultimately, municipalities are responsible for ensuring fire and EMS services are available to their communities.

There isn’t one simple solution, but one thing is clear: we need to be thinking ahead. That means communicating, collaborating, sharing resources where it makes sense, and working together across municipal boundaries.

A special thank you to our speakers and representatives from Franklin County Department of Emergency Services, Franklin County Emergency Services Alliance, Franklin County Fire Chiefs’ Association, and EMS Council/WellSpan EMS for sharing their knowledge, experiences, challenges, and ideas.

Franklin County, PA is fortunate to have dedicated emergency service organizations and first responders. By having these conversations now and working together, we can help ensure these critical services remain strong and sustainable well into the future.

08/13/2026

Officer Dudley is a great asset to Franklin County, PA!

It’s easy to share all the great PR events Dudley gets to be part of throughout our community. But what very few people get to see is what Dudley does best. 💙🐾

Only a group of five people got to see Dudley make a little boy giggle and smile during his child custody interview yesterday.

Only the dozen or so people left in Courtroom 1 late yesterday morning got to see Dudley comfort a scared, crying young girl while her family member was being sentenced.

And only Dudley’s handler and another officer got to see him help one of our probation clients through a panic attack at the end of a busy day.

Those are the moments that truly show why Dudley is here.

We wish we could share pictures of these encounters, the quiet moments when Dudley sits beside someone who is scared, overwhelmed, or just needs a little extra comfort. But for obvious reasons, those are the moments we can’t photograph or post.

So instead, we’ll show you this. ❤️

At the end of one of Dudley’s long days, one of his best buds showed up to tell him **“good job.”**

And after the work Dudley did yesterday, we think he deserved to hear it. 🐾💙

06/16/2026

Good boi, Dudley! Congratulations! You are a welcome addition to Franklin County, PA!

04/26/2026

Congratulations to the Franklin County, PA Corrections Jail Class graduates!

04/17/2026

Municipal Grants Seminar. Great day for Franklin County, PA!

We had a great turnout today for the Franklin County Council of Governments Municipal Grants Seminar, with 18 municipalities represented and strong participation from municipal staff and elected officials across the county.

This was exactly what we hoped for. Bringing people together, sharing information, and making it easier for our communities to pursue funding opportunities that move projects forward.

A big thank you to our partners who helped make this happen:

• Our state legislators for their continued support and engagement
• DCED, especially Deputy Secretary Richard Vilello, for providing valuable insight
• Franklin County Planning staff and County Administration for their partnership and coordination
• GMS Funding Solutions, and Ghost Writer, for their support and help in bringing this event together

We also appreciate our panelists who shared their time and expertise. It was practical, informative, and exactly what our municipalities need right now.

And of course, thank you to the John Allison Public House for providing great food and helping keep everyone fueled for a productive afternoon 🍽️

This is what collaboration looks like. Local, county, and state working together to support our communities.

More to come.

04/13/2026

Strong regional collaboration on display this weekend.

Franklin County Council of Governments Chairman Chris Ardinger joined Franklin County, PA Commissioner Chairman Dean Horst Franklin County Commissioner on News Talk 103.7 FM to discuss data centers, address common misconceptions, and outline the proactive steps local governments across Franklin County are taking.

🎧 Take a listen here: https://on.soundcloud.com/rdCoxcfAWSrAFuyRdy

Following the interview, Ardinger was joined by Commissioner Chairman Dean Horst and John Flannery, Franklin County Commissioner, along with first responders, municipal officials, and staff from across the county at Marion Volunteer Fire Company 8 for a live wire demonstration hosted by West Penn Power. The hands on training highlighted the real world hazards faced by emergency personnel and reinforced the importance of coordination and preparedness.

Thank you to West Penn Power and Franklin County Department of Emergency Services for organizing an outstanding training opportunity.

Education beats speculation every time, and collaboration keeps our communities strong.

04/07/2026

Car Seat Checkup Event – Free & Open to the Community! The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with Safe Kids to do a free car seat check event!

Make sure your child is riding safely! Join us for a FREE Car Seat Checkup Event where certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will help you:

✔️ Learn how to properly install your child’s car seat or booster seat
✔️ Check if your current seat is still the right fit
✔️ Get expert guidance for keeping your child safe on the road

Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Target 913 Norland Avenue Chambersburg, PA 17201

Hosted by Safe Kids and community partners.

Let’s keep our kids safe—see you there!

04/07/2026

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 12–18) is just one week away! Join us in recognizing the dedicated professionals who remain steady through the most challenging moments to help, hoping for the best possible outcomes.

Do you have a positive story about how one of our dispatchers helped you? We'd love to hear about it!
Share your message below, and we’ll include it on our banner board—even a few words of encouragement mean so much.