Millersville University mourns loss of student golfer

HAPPEN FOR IT TO END. IT IS 6:00 ON THIS WEDNESDAY MORNING. THANKS FOR BEING HERE ON NEWS EIGHT TODAY. I’M MATT BARCARO KATELYN HAS THE DAY OFF GABRIEL THOMAS IS CELEBRATING HER BIRTHDAY THIS MORNING. SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY GABRIEL CELEBRATING BY DOING THE TRAFFIC REPORT FOR US. ABSOLUTELY. WE APPRECIATE THAT AND IT MAKES US GO HAS OUR FORECAST. YEAH, WE HAD A FEW SHOWERS EARLIER TODAY HERE TO START OFF YOUR BIRTHDAY. BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS DRIER WEATHER IS COMING IN GABRIEL. SO IF YOU GO OUTSIDE TODAY, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO DO IT WITH SOME DRY WEATHER. IT’S A LITTLE BREEZY THOUGH. ACROSS THE REGION THIS AFTERNOON. THAT WILL CONTINUE FOR YOUR THURSDAY AS WELL, AND IT WILL BE A BIT COOLER WITH HIGHS AROUND 60 DEGREES, INCLUDING IN CARLISLE THIS MORNING, WHERE WE SEE SOME DRIER WEATHER. AT THE MOMENT IT’S 49 IN CARLISLE, AS WELL AS HARRISBURG, 51, IN YORK 45 THOUGH UP IN LEWISTOWN, CHAMBERSBURG AT 52 AND 49. IN LANCASTER. STORM TRACK LIVE RADAR SHOWING A FEW SHOWERS UP BY LEWISTOWN HERE, BUT THAT WILL STAY TO THE NORTH. AND AS WE GO THROUGH OUT THE REST OF THE DAY TODAY, WE ARE LOOKING AT AGAIN THAT HIGH OF 60 DEGREES WITH GUSTS AROUND 25 TO 30MPH HERE. SO OVERALL NOT A BAD DAY I THINK TO GET OUTSIDE AND CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTHDAY. I THINK THIS IS GOOD WEATHER FOR MY BIRTHDAY. IT’S NOT TOO COLD SO I’LL TAKE IT. THANKS, MIKE. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. HAPPY WEDNESDAY. HOPE YOUR MORNING IS OFF TO A GREAT START. THINGS ARE LOOKING PRETTY GOOD ACROSS THE SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY. I HAVEN’T SEEN ANY MAJOR SLOWDOWNS THIS MORNING, BUT I DO WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT A CRASH WE ARE FOLLOWING IN NORTHERN YORK COUNTY AT THIS MOMENT. THERE’S A CRASH ON PLEASANT VIEW ROAD AT I-83 EXIT 38. YOU CAN SEE HERE THAT RED INDICATING A MAJOR SLOWDOWN. SO JUST KEEP THAT IN MIND THAT EXIT 38 IS NEAR SUMMIT. SO KEEP THAT ON YOUR RADAR AS YOU’RE HEADED OUT. AT THIS MOMENT. I DO WANT TO TAKE YOU OUTSIDE. NOW. TAKE A LOOK AT THAT PENNDOT CAMERA. THIS IS SOUTH BRIDGE. YOU CAN SEE THERE THAT CARS ARE MOVING SMOOTH SAILING IF YOU ASK ME. SO NO ISSUES THERE. IF YOU’RE HEADED OUT AT THIS MOMENT, I’LL GIVE YOU A CHECK OF YOUR MORNING COMMUTE IN JUST A FEW MINUTES. WELL, IT IS NOW BEEN THREE FULL WEEKS SINCE THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN STARTED. PRESIDENT TRUMP HOSTED SENATE REPUBLICANS AT THE WHITE HOUSE YESTERDAY IN A SHOW OF SOLIDARITY. WHILE DEMOCRATS ARE STILL DEMANDING A DEAL ON HEALTH CARE, WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT RACHEL HIRSCHEIMER IS LIVE THIS MORNING ON CAPITOL HILL TRACKING ALL OF THIS. SO, RACHEL, WHERE DO THINGS STAND THIS MORNING? WELL, MATT, RIGHT NOW BOTH SIDES ARE GOING FARTHER AND FARTHER APART AS THE WEEKS GO ON. JUST YESTERDAY, PRESIDENT TRUMP HOSTED GOP SENATORS AT THE WHITE HOUSE PRAISING THE NATION’S WEALTH WHILE ALSO SLAMMING DEMOCRATS FOR THE SHUTDOWN. CHUCK SCHUMER, WHO I’VE KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME, AND THE RADICAL LEFT DEMOCRATS ARE HOLDING THE ENTIRE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HOSTAGE TO APPEASE THE EXTREMISTS IN THEIR PARTY. AND LATER IN THE DAY, THE PRESIDENT SAID HE IS HAPPY TO SPEAK WITH DEMOCRATS ABOUT HEALTH CARE ONCE THE SHUTDOWN IS OVER. SO AT THE CENTER OF THE DEBATE IS HEALTH CARE. SENATE DEMOCRATS CONTINUE TO VOTE AGAINST THE HOUSE PASSED BILL. THEY WANT THE RESOLUTION TO EXTEND HEALTH CARE SUBSIDIES, WHICH ARE SET TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE YEAR. THESE ARE THOSE TAX CREDITS THAT GO TO LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME PEOPLE AND HAVE MADE HEALTH INSURANCE EVEN MORE AFFORDABLE FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICANS SINCE THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC. THERE IS NOTHING FAR LEFT OR FAR RIGHT OR CENTER ABOUT WANTING LOWER PREMIUMS. IT’S COMMON SENSE. IT’S WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE OVERWHELMINGLY WANT. DEMOCRATS CHOSE TO PUT THE DEMANDS OF FAR LEFT ACTIVISTS AHEAD OF SERVING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. NOW, SENATE DEMOCRATS ALSO WANT THE BILL TO REVERSE MEDICAID CUTS IN PRESIDENT TRUMP’S MEGA BILL THAT WAS PASSED THIS SUMMER. AND YOU CAN EXPECT A LONG DAY TODAY BECAUSE SENATE DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO HOLD A REALLY LONG SESSION TONIGHT TO PROTEST THOSE STALLED CONVERSATIONS. MATT, BACK TO YOU. ALL RIGHT, RACHEL, SO WE’VE HEARD WHAT THE POLITICIANS SAY ABOUT THIS. WHAT ABOUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE? I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE SOME POLLING ON HOW THE AMERICAN PEOPLE VIEW, ESPECIALLY THE HEALTH CARE ISSUE. WHAT ARE THEY SAYING ABOUT THAT? YEAH. MATT. SO IN NEW DATA BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, IT SHOWS THAT ABOUT 60% OF AMERICANS ARE EITHER VERY CONCERNED OR EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR HEALTH CARE COSTS INCREASING OVER THE NEXT YEAR. IN FACT, THE DATA ALSO SHOWS THAT HEALTH CARE IS THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE AMONG THOSE POLLED, COMING IN JUST BEHIND THE ECONOMY. AND THAT POLL ALSO SHOWS THAT ABOUT 42% OF AMERICANS DON’T HAVE ANY OPINION ABOUT EXTENDING THESE TAX CREDITS, WHICH IS AT THE CENTER OF THE SHUTDOWN DEBATE. BACK TO YOU. ALL RIGHT. WE’LL SEE IF THAT CHANGES. THAT PUTS ANY PRESSURE ON RESOLUTION. THANKS, RACHEL. LIVE FROM CAPITOL HILL THIS MORNING. WE’RE ALSO HEARING FROM PENNSYLVANIA U.S. SENATOR JOHN FETTERMAN ON THE SHUTDOWN. HE CONTINUES TO CALL FOR LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TO REACH A DEAL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IT’S GROUNDHOG DAY, YOU KNOW, AND I’M JUST SAYING AND IT’S NOT ENTERTAINING. THAT’S A GREAT MOVIE. BUT THIS IS AND NOW IT’S LIKE, NOW REAL DAMAGE IS GOING TO ARE NOW TOUCHING THE LIVES OF OF REGULAR AMERICANS. AND WE ALL LOSE. WELL, FETTERMAN, WHO IS A DEMOCRAT, VOTED IN FAVOR OF BOTH THE DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN BACKED PROPOSALS TO END THE SHUTDOWN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT. TODAY, THE STATE SENATE IS EXPECTED TO RECONVENE AFTER PASSING A BUDGET PLAN WITH A LITTLE MORE SPENDING THAN LAST YEAR’S BUDGET, BUT STILL FAILING TO PASS A PLAN THAT WOULD END THE NOW THREE AND A HALF MONTH BUDGET IMPASSE. THE $47.9 BILLION SPENDING PLAN INCLUDES INCREASES FROM LAST YEAR’S BUDGET AND PASSED A PARTY LINE VOTE, WITH ONLY REPUBLICANS SUPPORTING IT. THE ROUGHLY $300 MILLION INCREASE IN INCLUDES DIRECTS MORE MONEY TO THE STATE’S DEBT SERVICE. IT ALSO CUTS FUNDING FOR THE HOUSE AND SENATE BY 5%. A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS, WHO ALREADY PASSED THEIR OWN VERSION OF THE BUDGET, SAYS THAT THE SENATE REPUBLICANS PLAN IS A SERIOUS PROPOSAL. HOUSE DEMOCRATS SAY IT DOES NOT ADEQUATELY FUND SCHOOLS, COMMUNITIES, SENIORS OR HUMAN SERVICES. REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR SCOTT MARTIN SAYS THE DEMOCRATS PROPOSED BUDGET WOULD HURT PENNSYLVANIANS, NOT HELP THEM. NEXT YEAR. IF WE APPROVE 50.25, WE’RE GOING TO HAVE TO EXHAUST THE ENTIRE RAINY DAY FUND IN ORDER TO PAY OUR BILLS. THE ENTIRE AMOUNT, AND I’M SURE THIS BUILDING WILL MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS. AND IN A BIG ELECTION YEAR AND NOT TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT, THE SENATE IS EXPECTED TO RECONVENE AT 11:00 THIS MORNING. AND BECAUSE OF THE STATE BUDGET DELAYS, THE YORK COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS, AS WELL AS THE REGISTER OF WILLS AND CLERK OF ORPHANS COURTS, SAYS THAT THEY WILL WITHHOLD ALL FUTURE FEE PAYMENTS TO THE STATE. THEY SAY IN ALL, THE YORK COUNTY SENDS ABOUT $44 MILLION A YEAR TO THE STATE FROM THOSE FEES. CLERK OF COURTS DAN BURNS SAYS THAT HIS OFFICE HAS ALREADY SENT A HALF MILLION DOLLARS TO THE STATE SINCE THE BUDGET IMPASSE STARTED. HE SAYS IF THE STATE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH TO PASS A BUDGET, THEN THEY CANNOT BE ENTRUSTED WITH YORK COUNTIANS MONEY. EDUCATORS AND LAWMAKERS ARE TALKING ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF CELL PHONES IN THE CLASSROOM. AT THE STATE CAPITOL YESTERDAY, TEACHERS TESTIFIED ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES AND WHAT LAWMAKERS COULD DO TO ADDRESS THEIR CONCERNS. MOBILE DEVICES THEY INTERRUPT LEARNING JUST THAT SIMPLE. OUR KIDS ARE GETTING, ON AVERAGE, 237 TEXT MESSAGES A DAY. AND WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE FACT THAT THEY’RE IN SCHOOL FOR ABOUT A THIRD OF THE DAY, IMAGINE HOW MANY OF THOSE TEXT MESSAGES ARE COMING THROUGH. THEY CAN’T COMPARTMENTALIZE THE PINGS AND DINGS THAT ARE GOING ON, AND IT DISTRACTS THEM FROM LEARNING. AND EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, CELL PHONES ARE LEADING TO PEER TO PEER CYBER BULLYING. NOW, OPPONENTS OF LEGISLATION THAT WOULD BAN CELL PHONES IN SCHOOLS SAY THAT THEY WORRY ABOUT SAFETY. IN THE CASE OF EMERGENCIES. NOW, THIS DISCUSSION COMES AS A NEW STUDY WAS JUST PUBLISHED, AND THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH THAT LOOKED INTO THE EFFECTS OF CELL PHONE BANS IN ONE FLORIDA SCHOOL DISTRICT, RESEARCHERS REPORTED AN INITIAL SPIKE IN SUSPENSIONS AT THE SCHOOL AFTER THE BANS WERE PUT IN PLACE. BUT THE FINDINGS SUGGEST THE BANS LED TO A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN UNEXCUSED ABSENCES. IT ALSO FOUND STUDENTS TEST SCORES IMPROVED IN YEAR TWO OF THE BANS HAPPENING TODAY. TWO GROUPS BREAKING GROUND ON A NEW FACILITY IN SILVER SPRING TOWNSHIP, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, TO IMPROVE OR TO HELP IMPROVE SAFETY IN SCHOOLS. NEWS EIGHT’S GABRIEL THOMAS JOINS US LIVE NOW IN THE STUDIO HERE WITH MORE ON THIS PROJECT. WHO WOULD BE TAKING PART IN THIS TRAINING? GOOD MORNING MATT. WELL, THE PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION AND THE ASSOCIATION TRUST SAYS THEY WILL BE USING A NEW TRAINING FACILITY TO TEACH LEADERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT HOW TO BETTER RESPOND TO EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. NOW I HAVE KATHY SWOPE JOINING US LIVE THIS MORNING. SHE IS THE PSB TRUST BOARD MEMBER, AND SHE HAS BEEN WORKING TO GET THIS PROJECT OFF OF THE GROUND. GOOD MORNING KATHY. GOOD MORNING. SO GIVE ME A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAILS ABOUT THIS PROJECT. HOW WILL THIS FACILITY BENEFIT LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND MECHANICSBURG AND BEYOND? WELL, CERTAINLY HERE IN MECHANICSBURG WE’VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. IN ADDITION, SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH ARE WHO ARE MEMBERS OF PSB ARE ENTITLED TO USE THE FACILITY FOR FREE. THEY JUST NEED TO COME AND SET UP OR CALL AND SET UP A TIME AND. THE THEY WILL GET TRAINED AND THEIR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IS ABLE TO BE TRAINED IF THEY COME WITH THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICT. SO IT’S A REALLY OPEN TO EVERYONE WHO’S DEALS WITH THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN IN OUR COMMONWEALTH. AND IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU HOPE THIS NEW CENTER WILL HELP IMPROVE STUDENT AND STAFF SAFETY ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA? WELL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT IS THAT THE FACILITY IS GOING TO HAVE A LARGE PART OF THE BUILDING WHERE SCHOOL BUSSES CAN BE PULLED IN, AND WE CAN ACTUALLY TRAIN ON. SCHOOL BUS SAFETY. IN ADDITION, WHICH I HAVEN’T. MAYBE I’M UNAWARE, BUT I’M NOT. I DON’T THINK THAT’S HAPPENING IN A LOT OF PLACES THAT WILL BE IMPORTANT. I THINK THAT THE IDEA TO HAVE THE HANDS ON TRAINING USING THIS INCREDIBLE TECHNOLOGY WILL REALLY BENEFIT ALL THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS. SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS, EVERYONE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CHILDREN’S SAFETY. AND KATHY, I KNOW YOU ARE ON THE BOARD AND YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING TO GET THIS PROJECT OFF OF THE GROUND. HOW DOES IT FEEL TO KNOW THAT YOU KNOW THIS IDEA THAT WAS ONCE ON PAPER IS NOW COMING TO FRUITION? OH, IT’S REALLY EXCITING TO SEE THIS HAPPENING AND KNOW THAT OUR SCHOOLS WILL BE SAFER AS A RESULT. JUST IS SO REWARDING. AND I KNOW I’M NOT JUST SPEAKING FOR MYSELF, BUT FOR THE ENTIRE TRUST BOARD. WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROJECT. KATHY. THANK YOU. WELL, THE GROUNDBREAKING WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10:00 THIS MORNING AND MECHANICSBURG OR SILVER SPRING TOWNSHIP, AND THIS PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE NEXT SUMMER. REPORTING LIV

Millersville University in Lancaster County announced the death of a student-athlete, Sydney Barnes. Video above: Headlines from WGAL News 8 Today.The university said Barnes, a junior biology major and member of the women’s golf team, passed away on Monday. Millersville University posted a statement on its website, saying:”Sydney was a bright light in the Millersville University community–an exceptional student, a dedicated teammate and a friend to many. She was a three-year starter for women’s golf, playing in 27 events and helping the program set a school record for wins in 2025. She memorably recorded the first hole-in-one in the history of the program as a freshman. “Sydney played the game and lived life with a smile and joy that came from her faith, which was evident to all. She was an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She excelled as a student and was named Women’s Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete. Her presence on the team, within the Athletic department and on the Millersville University campus will be greatly missed.”Millersville extends its deepest sympathies to Sydney’s family, friends, classmates and teammates.”The university did not state the circumstances regarding Barnes’ death. Stay with WGAL for updates as we learn more. See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at https://www.wgal.com/upload.

MILLERSVILLE, Pa. —

Millersville University in Lancaster County announced the death of a student-athlete, Sydney Barnes.

Video above: Headlines from WGAL News 8 Today.

The university said Barnes, a junior biology major and member of the women’s golf team, passed away on Monday.

Millersville University posted a statement on its website, saying:

“Sydney was a bright light in the Millersville University community–an exceptional student, a dedicated teammate and a friend to many. She was a three-year starter for women’s golf, playing in 27 events and helping the program set a school record for wins in 2025. She memorably recorded the first hole-in-one in the history of the program as a freshman.

“Sydney played the game and lived life with a smile and joy that came from her faith, which was evident to all. She was an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She excelled as a student and was named Women’s Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete. Her presence on the team, within the Athletic department and on the Millersville University campus will be greatly missed.

“Millersville extends its deepest sympathies to Sydney’s family, friends, classmates and teammates.”

The university did not state the circumstances regarding Barnes’ death.

Stay with WGAL for updates as we learn more.

See news happening? Send us your photos or videos if it’s safe to do so at https://www.wgal.com/upload.