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E-news Updates – September 11, 2026
In this Update: Remembering 9/11 25 Years Later Protecting Children and Families from AI Deception Cheese Auction โ Indiana County Fair Investing in Our Local Roadways New Law Cracks Down on Robocalls, Scam Texts and Caller ID Spoofing Phishing Scam Targets โMyChartโ Patient Portal Users Fire and EMS Companies Can Apply Now for State Assistance […] [Read More]
E-news Updates – September 5, 2026
In this Update: Shapiroโs Overreach on New State Health Regulations Elderton VFC Anniversary Celebration Indiana County Chamber of Commerce Eggs & Issues Focusing on Affordability and Protecting Vulnerable Populations Historic Settlement with Meta Includes Social Media Protections Help Available Finding a New Job Medicare Questions Answered by PA MEDI Happy Labor Day Shapiroโs Overreach on […] [Read More]
E-news Updates – August 29, 2026
In this Update: Kittanning Senior Expo Dayton Fair Kittanning Township VFD Anniversary Celebration Bill Protecting Fairness in Womenโs Sports Awaits House Action Treasury Launches New Financial Education Hub Avoiding Student Loan Forgiveness Scams Job Opportunities for Nurses at PA Veterans Homes Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy Accepting Applications for 2027 Kittanning Senior Expo It was a […] [Read More]
E-news Updates – August 22, 2026
In this Update: Responsible and Transparent Data Center Policies Saltsburg America 250 Celebration and Parade State Funding to Help Keep Allegheny River Locks Open Flag Presentation School Bus Safety Legislation Awaits House Action Schools Can Apply Now for Safety, AED Training Grants Strategies to Prevent Electric Bill Spikes Highlighted at Senate Hearing What to Know […] [Read More]
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Today marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, including one that resulted in a plane crash in Somerset County.
We remember the victims & heroes who helped others on this day, and the unity of our country in the days after 9/11. May God Bless our Nation.
๐๐ก๐๐๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง - ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ ๐
๐๐ข๐ซ
The Cheese Auction was held Thursday evening at the Indiana County Fair. I am always proud to support the 4-H/FFA youth at this annual event, as they are the future of #agriculture and dairy #farming. It is my honor to carry on the tradition of my good friend, Senator Don White, who started the #scholarship program.
Thank you to all the supporters of the Auction and my colleagues Rep. Jim Struzzi and Rep. Brian Smith.
Congratulations to this yearโs โDon White Scholarshipโ winners;
๐ Kendra Kirkland from Clymer
๐ Clare Lydic from Marion Center
Additional congratulations to other fair participants;
๐ Abbi States, Fair Queen
๐ Lilly Mano, Alternate Fair Queen
๐ Carlie Lydic with Reserve Carcass Swine, from Marion Center
It is wonderful to see the kids have their hard work pay off and to watch them doing such great things within our community!
๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ซ๐จโ๐ฌ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ก ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ฐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ
Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Department of Health recently proposed broad new health regulations, which it appears would โ among other things โ give the state far more power to enter our homes, businesses, schools, and doctorโs offices without a warrant. These latest proposed regulations are being pursued unilaterally by the governor outside of the legislative process โ without input being sought from me or my colleagues.
While weโre currently reviewing all the details, there are tremendous concerns โ and we are not about to let 502 pages of regulations run peopleโs lives. We cannot allow any actions like we saw taken by the executive branch during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to be put in place. The draconian shutdowns and overly restrictive mandates that impeded the lives of every Pennsylvanian during COVID have no place in our state.
The public comment period is open through Sept. 21, and I encourage you to join me and submit your comments to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission by clicking on the link in the comments. Our health and safety can be protected without sacrificing our privacy and freedoms.
Happy Birthday to Senate President Pro Tempore @senatorkimlward !๐ Iโve been fortunate to know her as both a colleague and a friend for over 25 years. Best wishes for a great year ahead!
๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐จ๐ง ๐๐
๐ ๐๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐
Congratulations to Elderton District Volunteer Fire Company for 75 years of service protecting people and property! The VFC members and the local community recently gathered to celebrate the anniversary with a picnic to thank the dedicated #volunteers for their unwavering #service and sacrifice to the #community.
I was pleased to present Fire Chief David Plavi and Elderton VFC members with a Senate citation to recognize this milestone anniversary. Best wishes for many more years of outstanding community service!
๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ ๐
๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฉ ๐๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ง๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ง
I was pleased to present the Allegheny River Development Corporation (ARDC) with a check for $100,000 to help support efforts to keep locks open on Armstrong Countyโs portion of the Allegheny River. The funding was approved by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
The Allegheny River is a great resource for Armstrong County, but if the locks on the river donโt remain open, it will have an extremely negative impact on #recreational opportunities and local businesses. I am happy to have worked with PA State Rep. Abby Major to get the ARDC needed funding to benefit recreational boaters, #tourism and the regionโs economy.
๐ธ๐๐๐๐ก๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ก ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐โ๐ก โ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ฝ๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ก๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐ (๐ด๐
๐ท๐ถ โ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก), ๐
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ก๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ด๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐พ๐๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐ (๐ด๐
๐ท๐ถ โ ๐ต๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐) and ๐ท๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ (๐ด๐
๐ท๐ถ โ ๐ต๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐)
๐๐๐ฒ๐ญ๐จ๐ง ๐
๐๐ข๐ซ ๐
I had a great time visiting the Great Dayton Fair and participating in the Junior #Livestock sale! Here are some of the youth winners and participants I had the pleasure of chatting with:
๐Braelyn Scottโs 270lb County Bred Pig, placed 3rd in her division; Braelyn is from the Tri -County 4-H club.
๐Hunter Claypooleโs 154lb County Bred and Home Bred market sheep was the Reserve Champion County Bred. Hunter is from the Triple S 4-H club.
๐Airiana Stubbs with her Grand Champion Home Bred Goat
๐Lucy Hankey with her Grand Champion Market Goat
๐Avri Watkins was excited to tell me all about his goats!
๐ธOthers pictured: Lennox Harkleroad, Lily Lias with her Highlander Cow named Hickory, Dalton Overly, a 4-H member, and Armstrong County Commissioner John Strate who is also a Fair Board member.
Congratulations to all the youth who participated in the livestock sale and showing of their animals at the Dayton Fair. Your time, dedication and commitment to #4H and your animals is recognized and respected - well done!
๐๐ข๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ง๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐๐
๐ ๐๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐
Congratulations to Kittanning Twp. VFD for 60 years of service protecting people and property! The VFD members recently gathered to celebrate this milestone anniversary with a picnic to thank the dedicated #volunteers for their unwavering #service and sacrifice to the #community.
A sincere thank you to long-time member and President, Steve Baker, and his son, Chief Greg Baker, for inviting me to their celebration. Best wishes for many more years of outstanding community service!
