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REMINDER: Report Damage from Recent Flooding

These damage reports will help to provide information for eligibility for potential state and federal disaster assistance.

Visiting Flood-Impacted Areas

I’ve been on the road in Lycoming and Tioga counties visiting some of the affected areas after recent flooding and talking with constituents and recovery crews. While flood waters have receded, attention now turns to relief and recovery efforts. At the request of county emergency management officials, PEMA deployed a 19-member multi-agency Incident Management Team (PA-IMT) to assist with recovery operations. I’m working closely with PEMA and local and state officials to ensure that state resources are swiftly mobilized to support recovery efforts.

Road Closures and Traffic Updates

Many roads in our region are still closed or have lane restrictions due to flooding, downed trees or utilities. Drivers are encouraged to use extreme caution.

An updated list of closures throughout PennDOT’s District 3 can be found HERE.

PA 211 Resources

PA 211 assists communities with accessing critical resources during disasters. For assistance and information on resources, contact PA 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-855-567-5241.

Local Donation Centers for Residents Impacted by Flooding

Donations are being accepted AND distributed at the Westfield Borough Office / Crary Hose Company located at 429 E. Main St., Westfield and the Knoxville-Deerfield Vol. Fire Company, 107 Case St., Knoxville.

Available items include food, water, household and cleaning supplies, wet-dry vacuums, and shovels.

Needed items include trash cans, totes, fans, tarps, push brooms, toilet paper, paper towels, new towels, new bedsheets, gift cards and rubber boots.

*No furniture or clothing is being accepted at this time*

Additionally, the Trout Run Volunteer Fire Company, located at 241 State Route 14, is distributing dry goods, cases of water, and cleaning supplies for residents impacted by flooding.

Ag Flood Damage Assessment in Tioga County

The Tioga County Penn State Extension office and the Tioga County USDA Farm Service Agency are teaming up to conduct a survey of agricultural flood damage in Tioga County, as a result of Tropical Storm Debby. This survey will help to assess damage throughout the county and determine availability and eligibility for assistance.

Residents with damage to agricultural buildings and equipment, those who have damaged crops or farmland, and those who have lost livestock are among the eligible participants.

Complete the survey HERE.

Area Legislators Announce Multimodal Transportation Funding for Lycoming, Union Counties

This week, I joined with State Rep. Joe Hamm (R-84), State Rep. Jamie Flick (R-83) and State Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R-76) to announce $2,220,662 in state funding has been awarded in Lycoming and Union counties through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF).

In Lycoming County, $710,691 was awarded to the Jersey Shore Borough for culvert and roadway improvements to Hazel Alley Bridge across Pfouts run and roadway improvements from the Pine Creek Rail Trail to the boat launch at the Susquehanna River West Branch. Additionally, Muncy Borough was awarded $121,800 for the rehabilitation of the Carpenter Street Bridge.

Union County Planning and Economic Development was awarded $1,388,171 to replace six municipally owned bridges in Hartley Township, Lewis Township, New Berlin Borough, West Buffalo Township and White Deer Township.

Read more HERE.

Little League World Series Continues This Week

The 2024 Little League World Series officially began on Wednesday, August 14 in Williamsport. More information on teams, schedule of events, ticketing and parking can be found HERE.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation advises motorists to be prepared for an increase in traffic over the next two weeks and should plan for delays, particularly in the South Williamsport and Williamsport areas.

Penn State Ag Progress

It was great to be back at Penn State’s Ag Progress Days with the Senate and House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees to showcase everything PA agriculture!

Ag Progress Days is Pennsylvania’s largest outdoor agricultural exposition that brings together over 400 exhibitors from the United States and Canada. The exposition showcases the educational programs, research, and latest innovations in agricultural equipment and technology that helps make Pennsylvania a national leader in agricultural production.

During the event, the committees led discussions about on-farm conservation efforts. Farmers across the state are focused on addressing food waste, pursuing manure management and, most importantly, ensuring the long-term sustainability of vital resources like our water and soil that will allow them to preserve our agricultural heritage.

To support these important initiatives, Senate Republicans voted to include a $50 million in annual recurring investment in the state’s Clean Streams Fund in this year’s state budget. The landmark Fund addresses agricultural conservation, nutrient management, clean water procurement, stormwater management and acid mine drainage.

Spearheaded by Sen. Scott Martin, Sen. Dan Laughlin and I, the establishment of the Fund coincided with the creation of the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP). This program is designed to share costs to farmers for farm management practices that reduce sediment in waterways, keeping the nutrients out of waterways and on the farm to build soil health.

New Laurel Health Center Opens in Towanda

Photo Credit: Laurel Health Centers

Laurel Health Centers recently celebrated the opening of their new Towanda facility. Deb Rudy from my Wellsboro office was on hand for the August 7^th ribbon cutting. 

The new center is located at 410 Main St., Suites 101 to 104 and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It offers comprehensive family medicine, primary care, mental and behavioral health services, acute care, women’s health and chronic condition management. New patients of all ages accepted.

Schools Encouraged to Apply for Funding for School Safety and Mental Health Support

Pennsylvania schools and other eligible entities are now able to apply for grant funding for physical security upgrades and to strengthen behavioral health supports through two new school safety grant solicitations from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s (PCCD) School Safety and Security Committee. Available funding includes:

• $100 million for noncompetitive FY24-25 School Safety & Mental Health Grants for eligible school entities to meet both physical security and behavioral health needs. Funding is distributed via formula grants to all school districts, charter schools, area career and technical centers, and intermediate units in the Commonwealth. 

• $19.7 million for competitive FY24-25 Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools to support programs addressing school violence and improving school safety and security. Municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and approved security vendors are also eligible to apply to support school security personnel services in all Pennsylvania schools.  

Eligible applicants can find information about each of these solicitations, including eligibility criteria and application instructions, on PCCD’s School Safety and Security webpage. PCCD staff will also host informational webinars and provide other resources to assist school entities and eligible applicants as they navigate these funding opportunities.

The seven-week application period for the competitive FY 24-25 Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools solicitation will close on Thursday, September 26, 2024. Noncompetitive, formula-based awards will be awarded on a rolling basis as applications are accepted by the agency and competitive awards are expected to be announced in November 2024.

Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy Now Accepting Applications for January 2025 Class

The Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) is accepting applications for its next class of cadets which begins in January 2025. There is no tuition cost to attend. Meals, housing, uniforms, and school supplies are provided at no charge. The KSCA is designed to give academically challenged teens a second chance at obtaining their basic education, learn leadership, self-discipline, and responsibility to build a better life.

The program is open to 16- to 18-year-old Pennsylvania residents who are failing to progress in high school or may not be on a clear path to graduating. Applicants must be willing to be drug free, free of felony convictions, and voluntarily commit to the program. The program lasts for 17 months, with the first five months consisting of residential training at FTIG by a minimum of a one-year of mentorship back in their home communities.

For detailed eligibility requirements and to begin the application process, visit the Eligibility and Admissions webpage. If you prefer to have an application mailed to you or would like to talk with someone about this program, please contact the academy by emailing RA-MVPACHALLENGE@pa.gov, or by calling 717-861-7767 or 717-861-8831. 

PennDOT to Replace Otter License Plate

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is replacing the otter license plate – which remains valid – with the Eastern hellbender plate to raise wildlife resource management funds. Previous donations have helped to re-establish the river otter, reintroduce osprey and research endangered species of Pennsylvania.

Act 3 of 2019, which I sponsored with the help of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Student Leadership Council, designated the Eastern hellbender as the first official “State Amphibian” of Pennsylvania.

The Eastern hellbender is the largest salamander in the country. It can weigh more than two pounds and exceed two feet in length. Since it was named the state amphibian in 2019, the Eastern hellbender serves as a reminder of the need to restore water quality and preserve suitable habitats.

To get one of the remaining otter plates, write OTTER on top of the application before returning it.

Unclaimed Property is Available for Nonprofits

The Pennsylvania State Treasury is safeguarding $4.5 billion of unclaimed property, and it’s not just for individuals. Many nonprofits also have money available to claim.

Unclaimed property includes things like dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, rebates, insurance payments and more. Every dollar returned to a nonprofit can help to fulfill its core mission.

Volunteer fire departments, service organizations and libraries should see if any money is available for them to claim. Search online using these tips to help nonprofits search for unclaimed property.

Honoring the Elders of Our Communities

National Senior Citizens’ Day – Wednesday, Aug. 21 – is the perfect opportunity to spend time with older men and women. Whether you take time to help them with chores or listen to their stories, they will certainly appreciate the extra attention.

Seniors made incredible contributions to our society and continue to be valued members of our communities.

To support them, Senate Republicans passed bills that are now law to prevent the exploitation of older Pennsylvanians, ensure Pennsylvanians receive access to health care services at nursing homes, preserve prescription drug benefits for seniors and assure nursing homes continue to serve Medical Assistance (MA) recipients by requiring timely MA payments.

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