radioNOVO News for Lewistown: September 2, 2026

RNN LEWISTOWN 09/02/26          AUTHORITIES HAVE IDENTIFIED THE MAN WHOSE BODY WAS RECOVERED FROM THE JUNIATA RIVER NEAR LEWISTOWN LAST WEEK. THE MIFFLIN COUNTY CORONER'S OFFICE IDENTIFIED THE VICTIM AS 51-YEAR-OLD JACOB AUKER OF GRANVILLE. EMERGENCY CREWS RECOVERED AUKER'S BODY AUGUST 27TH NEAR ROCK BASE LANE. AN AUTOPSY HAS BEEN PERFORMED, BUT THE CAUSE AND MANNER OF DEATH REMAIN PENDING.          GOOSE DAY IS RETURNING TO THE JUNIATA RIVER VALLEY WITH A PATRIOTIC SPIN FOR AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY. THE FIVE-DAY FESTIVAL RUNS SEPTEMBER 25TH THROUGH THE 29TH, FEATURING A 300-DRONE LIGHT SHOW, TRADITIONAL ROAST GOOSE DINNERS, AND THE NEW "RED, WHITE, AND GOOSE" PARADE IN DOWNTOWN LEWISTOWN.  THE FESTIVITIES CONCLUDE SEPTEMBER 29TH WITH A GRATEFUL DEAD TRIBUTE CONCERT AND A SPECIAL GIFT FOR THE FIRST BABY BORN THAT DAY............. AND RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO EAT GOOSE TO ENSURE GOOD LUCK IN THE COMING YEAR.            FORMER JUDGE FRANCIS "PETE" SEARER WAS HONORED TUESDAY DURING A SPECIAL MEMORIAL SERVICE AT THE MIFFLIN COUNTY COURTHOUSE. COLLEAGUES, FRIENDS, AND FAMILY GATHERED TO CELEBRATE THE 86-YEAR-OLD’S DECADES OF PUBLIC SERVICE. SEARER SERVED AS MIFFLIN COUNTY'S FIRST PUBLIC DEFENDER, DISTRICT ATTORNEY IN THE 1970S, AND COMMON PLEAS COURT JUDGE FROM 1982 TO 1991.  JUDGE SEARER PASSED AWAY EARLIER THIS YEAR, ON MAY 7TH.