Amish Controversies

Looks like gambling will be coming to the doorstep of Lancaster County’s Amish region after all. Despite protests from residents, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board voted yesterday, unanimously, to approve a new casino project: Pennsylvania regulators on Wednesday approved Penn National Gaming’s proposed satellite casino in Berks County to attract gamblers from Philadelphia’s growing western […]

Continue Reading PA Board Approves Casino On Edge of Lancaster Amish Country

An intoxicated driver rear-ended an Amish carriage Friday, taking three young lives: A fatal Friday collision involving an allegedly drunk truck driver and a horse-drawn buggy killed three children, said Michigan State Police. The Algansee Township crash, in which the pickup truck driver drove into the back of an Amish buggy, threw seven passengers — five […]

Continue Reading 3 Amish Children Killed By Drunk Driver In Michigan

From the Portland Press Herald: AUGUSTA — Operators of horse-drawn buggies in Maine will be required to outfit their carriages with reflectors and lights due to a new law in the state. The proposal is designed to improve safety on the roads in Amish communities in the state, and Democratic Gov. Janet Mills signed it […]

Continue Reading Maine Governor Signs Law Requiring Buggy Lights & Reflective Tape

A community of conservative Amish in upstate New York (St. Lawrence County) have canceled a meeting with county officials to discuss adding additional safety reflectors to their buggies. Officials want the Amish to add strips of white reflective tape in two places on the buggy. Here is what the tape on the wheel spokes would […]

Continue Reading Swartzentruber Amish Cancel Meeting On New Buggy Markings (St. Lawrence County, NY)

The US is currently experiencing a measles outbreak, the largest in 25 years. The Center for Disease Control reports a confirmed 764 cases in 23 states as of a week ago. This includes New York and most surrounding states. States in dark blue in this CDC map have reported cases: The source of the measles […]

Continue Reading NY Health Officials Push For Amish Measles Vaccinations

Can a “galvanic skin measurement” device really discern over 7,000 potential health issues? That’s what one chiropractor was selling to Plain communities. His license is now suspended. From Pennlive.com: A Commonwealth Court panel has refused to void a state licensing suspension and $10,000 fine imposed on an Ephrata-based chiropractor accused of placing a misleading advertisement […]

Continue Reading PA Chiropractor Promoted “Galvanic Skin Measurement” Device to Amish & Mennonites

Gaming conglomerate Penn National plans to build a casino in Morgantown, on the edge of Lancaster County’s Amish region. This has spurred protests from local residents and religious leaders in the area. Edward Kurtz’s family used to own the land intended for the casino: A decision, Edward Kurtz, 86, whose Mennonite grandparents once owned and […]

Continue Reading Casino Planned For Edge Of Lancaster Amish Country

An Amish boy in Highland County, Ohio was diagnosed with Hepatitis A on March 21. Due to the close-knit nature of Amish communities, and their overall lower vaccination rates, this posed a particular threat. But swift action by health department officials, and cooperation by the Amish community seems to have stopped a potential outbreak. From […]

Continue Reading Nearly 300 Amish Vaccinated Against Hepatitis A Outbreak

From time to time runaway Amish buggies make news, though it’s not something you come across often. However the past several days saw two such incidents reported. Luckily, no one was hurt in either case. But runaway horses have caused severe accidents in the past. The second incident in particular seems like it could have […]

Continue Reading Two Runaway Buggies In The Past 3 Days

What if you couldn’t buy medicine, ship packages, or even give blood – all because you lacked acceptable identification? Amish and Mennonites in Virginia who have been dealing with issues like this will have an alternative moving forward. The state has approved photo-free cards for those who object to conventional IDs. This will resolve issues […]

Continue Reading Virginia To Offer Amish & Mennonites Non-Photo IDs