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In this Update:
America250 PA Celebrations Continue
I had the opportunity to speak at two separate America250 PA celebrations this past weekend. First, at Snyder County Heritage Days and then in Riverside Borough in Northumberland County. I am proud to be part of all these events that are being held in celebration of not only our nation’s 250th anniversary but the role that each of our communities has played in the growth and development of our great country. Pennsylvania is, after all, the Keystone State. Thank you to the Snyder County Advisory Committee and to Riverside Boro Life for having me and for all the work that went into the 250th celebrations! Kratzerville Volunteer Fire Company Celebrates 75 Years
Kratzerville Volunteer Fire Company is celebrating their 75th Anniversary this year! Formed on February 5, 1951, that first year included acquiring Fishers Dance Hall for the fire house, purchasing a fire truck and by June, participating in their first parades. Since then, they opened a new fire station in 1981, purchased several new trucks, and have been committed to serving the community with the upmost professionalism. Thank you to all the hardworking firefighters who selflessly volunteer their time and energy and to all involved for having me at the recent 75th Anniversary Community Day celebration to present a Senate Citation marking this momentous milestone! Non-Profits: DEP Hosting Clean Energy Opportunity Webinar – June 25th
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Energy Programs Office (EPO) is hosting monthly virtual conversations regarding funding and technical assistance programs, and they have announced that this month’s webinar is for non-profits and community-based organizations to learn about the new Technical Assistance for Community Energy and Resilience (TASER) Program. On Thursday, June 25th at 12pm, Pennsylvania-based registered non-profit and community-based organizations – and their project partners – can learn about this new program and connect with program experts to ask questions. Note that this will be a live discussion via Teams, but it will be recorded for future viewing. Register for the webinar here. Montour Night Out Brings Community and First Responders Together
The Montour County Public Safety Partners hosted Montour Night Out at Danville High School last week, and my staff and I were on hand to meet constituents and distribute state-related materials. The goal of the evening was to build community, strengthen partnerships, and enhance safety. The event gave families the opportunity to meet first responders, including local and state law enforcement, fire departments, and EMS, as well as health and human services groups and other community organizations. While an impending storm forced us all to cut the night short, it was a wonderful event that I look forward to each year. Thank you to all the community members that contributed to making it a success! Public Meeting: Ridge Road Project, Point Twp., Northumberland Co. – June 30th
PennDOT has announced an open house public meeting to be held regarding the State Route 1024, Ridge Road Restoration Project, on Tuesday, June 30th from 6pm-8pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2294 Ridge Road, Northumberland. The meeting will be an opportunity for community members to see preliminary plans and provide input regarding the project. Proposed improvements include pavement rehabilitation, shoulder widening and roadway curve adjustments along a 6-mile section of Ridge Road between PA Route 147 (CSVT) and US Route 11. It is anticipated that construction will start in 2028 and conclude in 2030. Feedback can be provided to PennDOT through a questionnaire that will be available at the open house and online July 1-July 15, 2026. Visit to Watsontown Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Results in Surprise Meeting
This week, I was invited to visit Watsontown Nursing & Rehabilitation Center to meet with administrators, along with representatives from the Pennsylvania Health Care Association. I saw firsthand a skilled nursing facility in the 27th District and discussed the challenges such facilities are facing in the Commonwealth, particularly with regard to the Medicaid reimbursement rate. While there, I had the pleasure of meeting June, who just celebrated her 103rd birthday on June 13th! The Boxcar Restaurant Rolls into Sunbury
The Boxcar Restaurant on Market Street in Sunbury celebrated its grand opening recently with a ribbon cutting that took place alongside the city’s annual Sandwich Stroll. Owned by siblings John Barnhart and Lindie Barnhart-Lloyd, the restaurant is an expansion of the family’s well-known local food truck, Irene’s Caboose, which many know from the Bloomsburg Fair. They have a menu full of unique offerings including signature sandwiches, chicken and waffles, and specialty mac and cheese, and they have partnered with Sweet Beaters Bakery, another new business on Market Street, for desserts! Joining the Barnharts for the ribbon cutting were Rep. Mike Stender, Sunbury Accounts & Finance Director Nathan Savidge, Sunbury Mayor Josh Brosious, and Wendy Dombroskie from my staff, as well as members of The Boxcar staff. Congratulations to John and Lindie as they begin this exciting new chapter in Sunbury’s dining scene. Realtors from the 27th District at the Capitol for Annual Hill Day
I recently had the opportunity to meet with realtors from the 27th District during the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors annual Hill Day in Harrisburg! We had a great conversation about items on their 2026 legislative agenda, including the sealing of tenant eviction records and the licensure of home inspectors. We also discussed the overall housing market, homeownership, and real estate trends across the Commonwealth. It is always a pleasure to discuss key legislation that impacts the real estate industry and to highlight the important role realtors play in supporting housing opportunities in Pennsylvania, especially with those who serve as key leaders in our communities. Thank you to Brad Holmes, Aimee Buehner, Pam Whitenight, and Jolinn Barner for making the trip to Harrisburg and for all they do to support this industry. Senate Votes to Protect Your Right to Know About Government Actions
The Senate approved legislation to strengthen government transparency and protect the public’s right to know. Senate Bill 1150 would clarify Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act to ensure public agencies provide meaningful notice before acting on important matters. The bill reinforces the 24-hour agenda posting requirement and ensures exceptions for emergencies and small-scale matters remain limited. The legislation follows a state Supreme Court ruling allowing agencies to add agenda items and take official action on them with a simple majority vote, even when those items were not included on a publicly posted agenda. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about legislation to strengthen the Sunshine Act here. Making it Easier for Fire Companies, EMS Agencies to Access Funding
Legislation to make it easier for fire and EMS agencies to access state funding through the Fire and EMS Grant program was approved by the Senate. Senate Bill 1261 streamlines the application process, including eliminating outdated wording and incentives, using the state’s Single Application for Assistance instead of having a separate, redundant system, and asking fire companies to provide additional contact information to ensure lines of communication are open. The bill also increases the amount fire and EMS agencies can borrow through the State Fire Commissioner’s low-interest loan program, freeing up more funding opportunities for first responder agencies. Senate Bill 1261 now advances to the House of Representatives. Read more about these proposed improvements here. Flying the POW/MIA Flag at Public Schools
The Senate voted to require the POW/MIA flag be displayed at any public school in the commonwealth that already displays the American flag, provided the school can reasonably accommodate it. By meeting the requirement of Senate Bill 835 schools can help ensure the sacrifices of prisoners of war and those missing in action are never forgotten and demonstrate their commitment to supporting military families and educating students about the importance of service. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about Senate Bill 835 here. Quarantine Order Issued to Protect PA Farms from Screwworm
Heightened risk of New World Screwworm (NWS) following confirmed cases in Texas and New Mexico has prompted the state Department of Agriculture to issue a quarantine order limiting the movements of livestock and pets. There are currently no cases in Pennsylvania, but NWS is a devastating pest. Its fly larvae can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people. The quarantine order establishes movement restrictions and enhanced animal health requirements for susceptible domestic animals entering Pennsylvania from affected areas. The order includes provisions for veterinary inspection, animal health certification and preventative measures designed to reduce the risk of NWS entering the commonwealth through animal movements. Read the NWS quarantine order here. Find more information about the NWS outbreak here. Happy Father’s Day
On Sunday, we celebrate fathers and fatherhood and honor the dads who influenced us throughout our lives. Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and father figures who contribute so much to our families and communities. And a very special Happy 1st Father’s Day to my Communications Director, Sam Clepper, who normally assists me with preparing this e-newsletter but who is deservedly at home with his two-week old son, Jack! |
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