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In this Update:

• Kittanning Senior Expo
• Dayton Fair
• Kittanning Township VFD Anniversary Celebration
• Bill Protecting Fairness in Women’s 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 pleasure to once again co-host our Annual Senior Expo in Kittanning, with my colleagues, PA State Rep. Josh Bashline and PA State Rep. Abby Major.

Thank you to all who attended as well as the vendors who provided information about their services, offered many great giveaways, and donated wonderful door prizes.

I enjoyed seeing a lot of familiar faces and chatting with many folks! A special thank you to the Kittanning Twp. VFD for use of their facilities.

Dayton Fair

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:

• Braelyn Scott’s 270lb County Bred Pig, placed 3rd in her division; Braelyn is from the Tri -County 4-H club.
• Hunter Claypoole’s 154lb County Bred and Home Bred market sheep was the Reserve Champion County Bred. Hunter is from the Triple S 4-H club.
• Airiana Stubbs with her Grand Champion Home Bred Goat
• Lucy Hankey with her Grand Champion Market Goat
• Avri Watkins was excited to tell me all about his goats!

Others 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!

Kittanning Township VFD Anniversary Celebration

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!

Bill Protecting Fairness in Women’s Sports Awaits House Action

As students across Pennsylvania return to school, it is past time for the commonwealth to ensure fairness for women and girls taking part in collegiate and high school sports.

Earlier this year, at the urging of students and parents, the Senate approved bipartisan legislation – twice – to preserve opportunities for female athletes at public schools and colleges by requiring scholastic sports teams to be designated based on biological sex. Senate Bill 1293 would also allow students to take legal action if they are harmed by violations of this rule.

Month after month, the House of Representatives has avoided voting on this reasonable legislation grounded in fairness. The bill has been moved to multiple House committees in a series of parliamentary maneuvers to avoid a vote.

The longer the House delays, the more female athletes are at risk of being unfairly forced off the field or the winner’s podium. We must enact the Save Women’s Sports Act to restore common sense to scholastic sports.

Treasury Launches New Financial Education Hub

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced the launch of the department’s online Financial Education Hub, a one-stop-shop of resources designed to help Pennsylvanians improve their financial literacy and make informed financial decisions.

The new hub brings together state and federal resources covering topics such as budgeting, saving, retirement planning, digital assets and cryptocurrencies. It also includes information on Treasury programs, like the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program, Keystone Scholars and PA ABLE.

Resources are organized for specific audiences including students, teachers, active military members, veterans and older adults. Visit the Financial Education Hub here.

Avoiding Student Loan Forgiveness Scams

Students and families take out significant loans to pay for higher education, which attracts scammers looking to exploit the situation.

“Act immediately to qualify for student loan forgiveness” is just one of the high-pressure loan forgiveness pitches used to trick borrowers into sharing personal information. Scammers will frequently request an up-front or monthly fee while promising immediate and total student loan cancellation. Most government forgiveness programs require years of qualifying payments or employment in certain fields before forgiving loans.

Be wary of aggressive language and check the source before clicking. Learn more about avoiding these scams here.

Job Opportunities for Nurses at PA Veterans Homes

Pennsylvania’s six veterans homes care for our neighbors who answered the call to serve. The homes offer levels of care tailored to the specific health needs of residents and are supplemented with an array of clinical services.

Pennsylvania veterans homes are looking to hire registered nurses and license practical nurses to provide the kind of care that will allow veterans to live an active and healthy life with as much independence as possible.

Learn more about these opportunities and apply here.

Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy Accepting Applications for 2027

Teenagers in jeopardy of not graduating on time or dropping out of school have a chance at obtaining their basic education through the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy.

Applications are being accepted for its first class of 2027, which begins in January at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County. There is no tuition cost to attend, and meals, housing, uniforms and school supplies are provided at no charge.

The program lasts for five-and-a-half months as a residential phase and 24 months of mentorship by academy staff back in home communities. Learn more about the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy and apply here.