Good morning, Lancaster.

A community violence intervention discussion panel at Bench Mark Center took place on March 27 and featured representatives from Bench Mark and CeasefirePA addressing gun violence, mentorship, and state funding for violence intervention programs.

Panelists—including past mentees and local mentors—shared personal experiences and urged advocates to attend End Gun Violence Advocacy Day on April 8.

Javita Thompson—a member of Elizabethtown College’s Senior Leadership Team and Director of the Center for Community and Civic Engagement—left college at 19 and later returned to earn a communications degree quickly before pursuing a master’s in emergency management; she now encourages young women to volunteer and build careers in nonprofit work.

Lancaster man James E.

Johnson (46) pleaded guilty on March 19 to charges of strangulation, assault, and aggravated assault for attacking a woman and her children in July 2024 and will serve at least five years in prison.

The PA Senate approved Senate Bill 96 that would make false emergency threats to schools a third-degree felony and allow courts to impose financial penalties, and the bill now goes to the PA House for review.

Sen. Michele Brooks said the measure is aimed at reducing the strain on law enforcement and emergency responders—though it still needs to become law.

The PA Senate Judiciary Committee approved Senate Bill 255, which now makes sexual assault by a sports official, volunteer or employee of a nonprofit association a Tier II offense and requires those convicted to register under the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act+ the bill will now be considered by the full Senate.

Lancaster Chamber will hold its State of the County event on Friday, April 4 at Saint Joseph’s University from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Expert speakers (Ryo Tashiro on housing, Abby Smith on economic growth, and Lauren Miller on education) will lead the discussion followed by a response panel of local leaders.

Acrylic Pouring Workshop

1-4 p.m. — Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen — $15 materials fee — Unleash your creativity with the beginner-friendly Acrylic Pouring technique for stunning visual art.

Gluten Freedom Fest

10 AM – 5 PM — Rotunda at Lauxmont Farms — Tickets required — Celebrate gluten-free living with delicious treats and fun activities.

April Girls Night Out & FUNdraiser

6-9 p.m. — Board & Brush Creative Studio — $40-$78 — Create personalized wood signs while supporting Lancaster Women For Good.

Noah - The Musical

11 AM – 2 PM — Sight & Sound Theatres — Ticket prices vary — Experience the adventure of Noah's Ark with live animals on stage.

Pennsylvania Music Expo

9 AM – 3 PM — Spooky Nook LANCO — Free entry — Explore 40 vendors offering a treasure trove of music collectibles across various formats.

John Braxton - Run Your Business Like A Business!

7-9 p.m. — Double Tree Resort — Free entry — Discover essential accounting tips and tools for real estate investing to elevate your business.

Sight and Sound NOAH Bus Trip

8 AM - 7:30 PM — Sight & Sound Theatres — Ticket required — Experience the biblical tale of Noah in an immersive theatrical production.

WordPress Meetup: Smart Page Groups

7-8:30 p.m. — The Candy Factory — Free entry — Engage with local WordPress enthusiasts in a collaborative discussion on enhancing website functionality with custom post types and fields.

Dream Eaters Performance

5:30-7 p.m. — Tellus360 — Half off admission with a weekend badge — Enjoy an exciting performance by The Dream Eaters as part of the LAUNCH Music Conference & Festival.

Anastasia

2-6 p.m. — Fulton Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the enchanting tale of Anastasia brought to life on stage in Lancaster.