Salisbury Press

National School Bus Safety Week is held during the third week of October each year. The annual campaign is a public education program to address the importance of school bus safety. This year the theme was “#STOPONRED!” celebrated Oct. 16 to 20.

School bus safety week is also a time to show gratitude to the bus drivers and staff for their hard work and professionalism.

Such is the case with the bus transportation company for Salisbury Township School District – Paragon Transit, Inc. and its President Russ A. Leibensperger.

Hearst has agreed to acquire the magazine and book businesses of Rodale Inc., based in Emmaus and New York.

The announcement was made Oct. 18 by Hearst President and CEO Steven R. Swartz, Rodale CEO Maria Rodale and Hearst Magazines President David Carey.

The deal is expected to close in early 2018 after government approvals are received.

Terms have not been disclosed.

Editor’s Note: Audrey S. Penn, 78, of Bethlehem, was found Sept. 17 in Lower Macungie, after being reported missing Aug. 23 from Woodland Terrace at the Oaks in Salisbury Township.

After multiple searches by numerous volunteers and law enforcement agencies, it was a sad ending for many, especially her family, who had hoped to find Penn alive.

Penn’s children, Karl Kent and LaFond McRae, Karl’s wife Tracey and Penn’s grandchildren Taylor Kent and Armond McRae sat with The Press Sept. 23 to talk about their loved one.

The family of Audrey Penn has many unanswered questions regarding the death of their relative after she was reported missing from Woodland Terrace at the Oaks, a senior living and memory care facility in Salisbury Township.

According to the Woodland Terrace at the Oaks website, the “secured memory care residence provides an atmosphere that is relaxing, comfortable and safe.”

Which is exactly what Penn’s children were looking for when searching for a facility for their mother.

Salisbury Township School District Board President Frank Frankenfield opened the Sept. 13 meeting with a moment of silence to recognize the passing of State Rep. Daniel McNeill, D-133rd, Sept. 8. Frankenfield noted the support McNeill showed to the district which was very much appreciated.

Superintendent Dr. Randy Ziegenfuss provided an update on the opening of school, current and upcoming events in the district.

Administrators planto schedule meetings with state and federal policymakers and to create a student social media advisory council.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said he was so impressed with the grant application from Salisbury High School, he wanted to meet the people in the community supporting the Students Against Destructive Decisions program at the school.

Salisbury Township School District Superintendent Dr. Randy Ziegenfuss and Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Lynn Fuini-Hetton planned an opening convocation Aug. 23 for every employee of the school district.

Monty Staggs, a 1992 Salisbury High School graduate and president of Southwest Foodservice Excellence, has returned to Salisbury to provide a new food experience for the district.

In a recent interview with The Press, Staggs said he never took any cooking classes in high school; his goal was to be a lawyer.

While in college, he found himself cooking for friends and providing catering services.

“Cooking made me happy and provided an immediate response,” Staggs said.

Members of the Salisbury Township School District board met Aug. 16 to approve a number of personnel items and conduct other business.

Salisbury Township Recreation Director Genny Baillie provided a report on the summer playground program at the July 17 recreation advisory committee meeting.

Baillie said the attendance is good and up approximately 10 percent from last year.

Although there have been some challenges such as a tree which fell at Laubach Park on first base of the softball field just as Head Counselor Pat Jacoby was headed there for a soccer clinic, Baillie said the program has been going well. The movie night was also well attended.