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In this update:
Public-Private Partnerships Breathe New Life into Downtown Shenandoah
Yesterday, we celebrated some exciting news for the people of Shenandoah – Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. (DSI) has broken ground on the Center for Education, Business, and Arts (CEBA). Once completed, CEBA will provide training for entrepreneurs, a business incubator, and community event space in this building. I worked for many years on a bipartisan basis with Representatives Goodman, Twardzik and Watro to secure almost $3.6 million in state grants to breathe new life into this historic old downtown. An additional $3.3 million was invested by private citizens. This is a shining example of what a community can accomplish thanks to public-private partnerships. When was the last time almost $8 million was invested in downtown Shenandoah? I think this is the best news for the area since Rep. Twardzik’s father invented Mrs. T’s Pierogies in his grandmother’s kitchen many years ago. Read more about DSI’s plans here. State-of-the-Art Hazleton Area Bus Facility Opens
As a child in a one-car family, my mom and I relied on mass transit for many short trips when I was very young. Hazleton Mayor Jeff Cusat and Hazleton Public Transit cut the ribbon for their new bus storage and maintenance facility in Hazle Township yesterday. The facility will house 12 buses and other service vehicles and features work bays, a bus washing station, and fueling stations on-site. It will greatly enhance the ability of HPT to provide reliable local transportation for residents of the Hazleton area. We never could have imagined these beautiful buses back then. This project would not have been possible without bipartisan teamwork between federal, state, county, AND local officials. High-Speed Internet Coming to Communities in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne Counties
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority announced yesterday that millions in state funding and private investments will increase access to reliable, high-speed internet in Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill Counties. High-speed internet is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity for students at all levels, employees who work remotely, patients who rely on telemedicine to communicate with their doctor, and more. May 3: FREE Community Shredding Event
Do you need to dispose of important documents without worrying about the serious threat of identity theft? Rep. Tim Twardzik and I are hosting a FREE community shredding event on Friday, May 3 at the Fairlane Village Mall Parking Lot from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring up to three bags or boxes of papers and they will be shredded on site. Red Creek Wildlife Showcases New Rehabilitation Center
Red Creek Wildlife Center hosted a very well-attended open house of their new, state-of-the-art wildlife rehabilitation clinic last weekend. Located in Wayne Township, the center rescues and rehabilitates wildlife and hosts education programs to teach students about the native hawks, owls, vultures, and many other creatures of northeast Pennsylvania. In late 2022, the former clinic at the center was tragically lost in a fire. Thanks to tireless work by the center’s founder, Peggy Hentz (pictured here) and generous support from the community, they rebuilt. Now, the center features the Botstiber Clinic, which is three times as large as the former clinic, and an education center. Congratulations to ALL who worked to make this a reality! Marian Catholic Students Visit the State Capitol
12th grade students from Mr. Joseph Sterns’ classes at Marian Catholic High School visited the State Capitol this week. In addition to a tour of the historic building, they joined Rep. Jamie Barton, Rep. Doyle Heffley and me for a Q&A about our roles as state legislators – they asked some great questions about my role as the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee and legislation being considered by the General Assembly. Thank you all for traveling to Harrisburg to visit us! Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you or your organization would like to visit the Capitol. Penn State Schuylkill Honors Alumni
Penn State Schuylkill hosted their annual alumni awards this week. This year’s awardees are:
Congratulations to all! We are! I was joined by Schuylkill County Commissioners Boots Hetherington and Gary Hess and Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas Judges Charles Miller and Jacqueline Russell. Congrats to New Eagle Scout Kolby Minnich!
Congrats to Kolby Minnich of Pine Grove on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout! Kolby is a member of Troop 611, Pine Grove. For his service project, he built the pickleball court pictured here for the Pine Grove Township Recreation Park. Rep. JoAnne Stehr, Schuylkill County Commissioners Boots Hetherington and Gary Hess, and Eagle Scout Seth Hubler of my staff all congratulated Kolby and everyone who guided him along the long path to Eagle at his Court of Honor last weekend. Increasing Penalties for Reporting False Threats at Schools
In the wake of a school shooting tragedy and an uptick in hoax reports, the Senate approved legislation to enhance criminal penalties for false threat reports. Senate Bill 975 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. The bill would make knowingly reporting a false threat at schools and higher education institutions a felony of the third degree, resulting in a prison sentence of up to seven years and a fine of up to $15,000. It would also allow courts to sentence anyone convicted to pay the costs of an evacuation or response that resulted from the threat. Senate Approves Bill to Protect Critical Infrastructure
The Senate approved Senate Bill 819 to increase fines and penalties against those who intentionally vandalize or attack critical infrastructure, like the power grid. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. A destabilized power grid brings national security risks and disrupts our day-to-day activities – particularly among vulnerable populations. With the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security warning of increasing foreign and domestic threats to the power grid, protecting our critical infrastructure is more important than ever. Primary Election Day is Tuesday, April 23
Primary Election Day is early this year: Tuesday, April 23, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you are not registered to vote using a mail-in ballot but need to do so because of an emergency situation – such as an unexpected illness, disability or last-minute absence from your municipality – you may request an Emergency Absentee Ballot. The deadline to submit an Emergency Absentee Ballot Application to the County Election Board is April 23 at 8 p.m. If you’re not sure where to report to vote, check here using the Department of State website. In addition to providing the address of your polling place, it will also tell you if you are an annual mail-in or absentee voter. |
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