Last Week in Carlisle | October 26 through November 1, 2026 | Free Tuition, 54-Point Thrillers, and Halloween Magic
Here’s what happened last week…
click to skip to section
- Dickinson College dropped a massive free tuition policy for qualifying families.
- The Red Devils football team won a wild 54-51 overtime thriller.
- Halloween trick-or-treating and the Market of Magick took over town.
- Borough officials warned of road delays and opened a Parks and Recreation Board seat.
- Carlisle Police issued a felony warrant in a child welfare case.
- Five local high school football teams locked in playoff spots.
Dickinson College Announces Free Tuition for Qualifying Families
On October 29, Dickinson College announced a major financial aid update offering full-tuition guarantees for admitted undergraduate students from families earning under $125,000 annually. This initiative begins with the incoming Class of 2030 and is designed to remove major financial hurdles for higher education. It’s a huge win for local families aiming to make earning a college degree much more affordable.
Red Devils Football Wins a 54-51 Overtime Thriller
Dickinson Football gave fans an unforgettable Halloween weekend by pulling off a stunning 54-51 overtime victory against Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh on Saturday, October 31. Quarterback Ty Bussard threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns, connecting with Frederik Fjeldseth, Liam Kallen, and Kevin Schmidt. The ground game featured rushing touchdowns from Jake Williams and a jaw-dropping 75-yard burst from Dane Sorensen, who tallied 178 rushing yards to help improve the team’s record to 6-2.
Halloween Magic and Market Crowds Take Over Downtown
Autumn spirit took over town as neighborhoods filled with trick-or-treaters on Saturday, October 31. Meanwhile, the Carlisle Expo Center hosted the “All Hallows Eve Market of Magick” over the weekend. Running from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on October 31 and November 1, the two-day event drew crowds of residents to explore local food vendors, themed crafts, and oddities.
Borough Warns of Traffic Delays and Seeks Board Member
On October 28, Carlisle Borough management issued a travel advisory warning drivers to expect significant traffic delays on main roads due to municipal road maintenance. That same day, borough leaders opened public applications for a volunteer seat on the Carlisle Parks and Recreation Board. If you’re a resident looking to advise local leadership on parks and recreation programming, you can apply right on the borough’s website.
Carlisle Police Issue Felony Warrant
In public safety news, the Carlisle Borough Police Department obtained a third-degree felony bench warrant on October 28 for Marnella Witherspoon. She is charged with Endangering the Welfare of Children in connection to an incident that occurred on September 1, 2026, in the first block of Kerrs Avenue. Police remind the community that anyone with information on active warrants can contact them directly or submit an anonymous tip online.
Local High School Football Teams Head to Playoffs
The Carlisle High School Thundering Herd recently wrapped up their regular season schedule at Ken Millen Stadium against the Colts. Across Cumberland County, five local high school football programs have officially locked in their spots for the 2026 District 3 playoffs. The regular season is now over, setting the stage for exciting postseason matchups for our local student-athletes.
Looking Ahead
From groundbreaking college tuition changes to nail-biting football wins and festive community gatherings, the final week of October gave us plenty to talk about. As we move deeper into November, keep an eye out for high school playoff games and upcoming borough meetings to stay connected with our thriving town.
SOURCES: https://www.carlislepa.org/, https://crimewatch.net/us/pa/cumberland/carlisle-pd, https://cumberlink.com/, https://thedickinsonian.com/, https://dickinsonathletics.com/index.aspx, https://www.dickinson.edu/events
