Normally when I visit local schools, it’s to discuss my role as the chair of the Senate Education Committee. Yesterday was very different – I visited Tamaqua Area High School, Marian Catholic High School, and Minersville Area High School to discuss the John E. Morgan Endowed Scholarship, which can provide up to $7,000 a year for students who graduated from a high school in Schuylkill County, and other generous financial aid options available at my alma mater, Lycoming College.
My hope is by sharing this opportunity, more students will have the opportunity that my brother and I enjoyed there. I remember well how worried my parents and I were about paying those tuition bills, more than “a few” years ago. Thank you to the college’s admissions staff for inviting me to join them today, and to all the local students who joined us!
Normally when I visit local schools, it’s to discuss my role as the chair of the Senate Education Committee. Yesterday was very different – I visited Tamaqua Area High School, Marian Catholic High School, and Minersville Area High School to discuss the John E. Morgan Endowed Scholarship, which can provide up to $7,000 a year for students who graduated from a high school in Schuylkill County, and other generous financial aid options available at my alma mater, Lycoming College.
My hope is by sharing this opportunity, more students will have the opportunity that my brother and I enjoyed there. I remember well how worried my parents and I were about paying those tuition bills, more than “a few” years ago. Thank you to the college’s admissions staff for inviting me to join them today, and to all the local students who joined us!
On Friday, I welcomed Secretary Valerie Arkoosh of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and Secretary Rick Siger of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to Tamaqua for a tour of the revitalized downtown district.
We first visited the St. Luke’s Hometown Primary Care and Dental center, a rural health center that features dental service, mental health care, primary care, and Pennsylvania’s first rural family medicine residency program. The services offered at the center are in extremely high demand, especially dental services.
We also visited a nearby property to discuss a state-funded project to transform vacant upper floors of downtown buildings into market-rate apartments, where construction should begin soon. There is a serious need for more housing in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties, to prevent long, draining commutes for local employees.
On Friday, I welcomed Secretary Valerie Arkoosh of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and Secretary Rick Siger of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to Tamaqua for a tour of the revitalized downtown district.
We first visited the St. Luke’s Hometown Primary Care and Dental center, a rural health center that features dental service, mental health care, primary care, and Pennsylvania’s first rural family medicine residency program. The services offered at the center are in extremely high demand, especially dental services.
We also visited a nearby property to discuss a state-funded project to transform vacant upper floors of downtown buildings into market-rate apartments, where construction should begin soon. There is a serious need for more housing in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties, to prevent long, draining commutes for local employees.
Demolishing blighted eyesores and creating new green spaces in downtown Tamaqua.
Three blighted and decaying buildings will be demolished on Railroad Street in Tamaqua – just across from the historic 1874 Tamaqua Railroad Station – to build a new park showcasing a Liberty Tree.
When I was growing up in a “half a double” on Arlington Street, I never would have imagined the new life that we now see in Tamaqua. This new honor doesn’t just bring attention to the rich local history of the borough – it also creates a new green space in the midst of downtown and will allow railroad station visitors to walk through the park to @stokersbrewingcompany, @tamaquaarts, and beyond.
Funding to tear down these decaying buildings came from the Schuylkill County demolition fund. We’ve worked to secure millions of dollars in state grants and successfully written new laws to provide much-needed dollars to this fund, so we can repair some old buildings for new housing needs and tear down others to breathe new life into older neighborhoods.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation in 2026, Liberty Trees are being planted across the country as symbols of our enduring freedoms. The final tree was located at Saint John`s University in Maryland, until it was destroyed by a hurricane in 1999. Now, new Liberty Trees are being planted from the remains of this final tree at locations of note across our nation. One tree will be planted in each county in Pennsylvania.
I was joined by Tamaqua’s Borough Council and Manager, Rep. Jamie Barton and Schuylkill County Commissioners Larry Padora, Boots Hetherington, and Gary Hess at Friday’s announcement.
Demolishing blighted eyesores and creating new green spaces in downtown Tamaqua.
Three blighted and decaying buildings will be demolished on Railroad Street in Tamaqua – just across from the historic 1874 Tamaqua Railroad Station – to build a new park showcasing a Liberty Tree.
When I was growing up in a “half a double” on Arlington Street, I never would have imagined the new life that we now see in Tamaqua. This new honor doesn’t just bring attention to the rich local history of the borough – it also creates a new green space in the midst of downtown and will allow railroad station visitors to walk through the park to @stokersbrewingcompany, @tamaquaarts, and beyond.
Funding to tear down these decaying buildings came from the Schuylkill County demolition fund. We’ve worked to secure millions of dollars in state grants and successfully written new laws to provide much-needed dollars to this fund, so we can repair some old buildings for new housing needs and tear down others to breathe new life into older neighborhoods.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation in 2026, Liberty Trees are being planted across the country as symbols of our enduring freedoms. The final tree was located at Saint John`s University in Maryland, until it was destroyed by a hurricane in 1999. Now, new Liberty Trees are being planted from the remains of this final tree at locations of note across our nation. One tree will be planted in each county in Pennsylvania.
I was joined by Tamaqua’s Borough Council and Manager, Rep. Jamie Barton and Schuylkill County Commissioners Larry Padora, Boots Hetherington, and Gary Hess at Friday’s announcement.
More than $2.3 million was awarded to improve outdoor recreation in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties this week. I’m very grateful that these dollars—this highly competitive funding—will improve opportunities for us all to enjoy the natural beauty of our area.
In addition to improvements to many local parks, this funding will help construct 4.6 miles of the Schuylkill River Trail from Saint Clair to Blythe Township. By completing this section of trail, we’re bringing new visitors to the area not just to enjoy nature, but to visit nearby towns and employers. We’ve seen in places like Jim Thorpe how these destinations can breathe new life into older towns.
This funding was awarded through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, which supports projects to improve parks, recreation, and conservation across Pennsylvania. I worked closely with Reps. Jamie Barton, @repheffley, Eddie Day Pashinski, Tim Twardzik, JoAnne Stehr, and @repwatropa to secure these dollars.
More than $2.3 million was awarded to improve outdoor recreation in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties this week. I’m very grateful that these dollars—this highly competitive funding—will improve opportunities for us all to enjoy the natural beauty of our area.
In addition to improvements to many local parks, this funding will help construct 4.6 miles of the Schuylkill River Trail from Saint Clair to Blythe Township. By completing this section of trail, we’re bringing new visitors to the area not just to enjoy nature, but to visit nearby towns and employers. We’ve seen in places like Jim Thorpe how these destinations can breathe new life into older towns.
This funding was awarded through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, which supports projects to improve parks, recreation, and conservation across Pennsylvania. I worked closely with Reps. Jamie Barton, @repheffley, Eddie Day Pashinski, Tim Twardzik, JoAnne Stehr, and @repwatropa to secure these dollars.
Congratulations to Keystone Potato Products, who was named Food Processing Magazine`s Green Plant of the Year after winning a nation-wide competition. I joined Reps. JoAnne Stehr and Tim Twardzik at their plant in Frailey Township today to congratulate them.
Pictured here are me; David Masser and Glenn Weist, Keystone Potato Products; and Secretary Russell Redding of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
Congratulations to Keystone Potato Products, who was named Food Processing Magazine`s Green Plant of the Year after winning a nation-wide competition. I joined Reps. JoAnne Stehr and Tim Twardzik at their plant in Frailey Township today to congratulate them.
Pictured here are me; David Masser and Glenn Weist, Keystone Potato Products; and Secretary Russell Redding of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
Today, we honor every single veteran who served in our armed forces. Thank you to everyone who dedicated their time to keeping our great nation safe and strong.
We must always remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. In that spirit – and with some help from @senatormastriano, who served as a colonel in the United States Army and now chairs the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee – this video recounts the service of Marine Major Leonard Demko of Pottsville, who lost his life in 1968 while flying a rescue mission during the Vietnam War.
Today, we honor every single veteran who served in our armed forces. Thank you to everyone who dedicated their time to keeping our great nation safe and strong.
We must always remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. In that spirit – and with some help from @senatormastriano, who served as a colonel in the United States Army and now chairs the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee – this video recounts the service of Marine Major Leonard Demko of Pottsville, who lost his life in 1968 while flying a rescue mission during the Vietnam War.
@dimmickmemorial celebrated their 135th birthday last night. Located in downtown Jim Thorpe, they have provided excellent services to the people of Jim Thorpe – and Mauch Chunk before the borough’s name was changed in 1954 – since 1890. As the son of a school librarian, it’s always a pleasure to visit the many thriving libraries throughout our area.
Congratulations, and thank you for all you do for the people of Carbon County.
@dimmickmemorial celebrated their 135th birthday last night. Located in downtown Jim Thorpe, they have provided excellent services to the people of Jim Thorpe – and Mauch Chunk before the borough’s name was changed in 1954 – since 1890. As the son of a school librarian, it’s always a pleasure to visit the many thriving libraries throughout our area.
Congratulations, and thank you for all you do for the people of Carbon County.
This morning, I attended the annual Veterans Breakfast hosted by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce at the Orwigsburg Veterans Memorial Hall, along with Reps. Jamie Barton and Tim Twardzik and County Commissioners Padora, Hetherington, and Hess.
Year after year, this event is a wonderful tribute to those who served in our armed forces from Schuylkill County and beyond. Thanks to the hard work of many members of the community, the renovated Orwigsburg Veterans Memorial Hall serves as a yearlong monument to local heroes. It’s always humbling to see the wall with over a thousand names of veterans from our area going back to the Revolutionary War.
This morning, I attended the annual Veterans Breakfast hosted by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce at the Orwigsburg Veterans Memorial Hall, along with Reps. Jamie Barton and Tim Twardzik and County Commissioners Padora, Hetherington, and Hess.
Year after year, this event is a wonderful tribute to those who served in our armed forces from Schuylkill County and beyond. Thanks to the hard work of many members of the community, the renovated Orwigsburg Veterans Memorial Hall serves as a yearlong monument to local heroes. It’s always humbling to see the wall with over a thousand names of veterans from our area going back to the Revolutionary War.