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| Weekly Roundup |
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The latest news from the State Capitol |
New Law Gets Tough on Animal Abusers
Animals now have greater protection thanks to a tough, new law targeting those who abuse animals which took effect Monday, Aug. 28.
Act 10 of 2017, also known as Libre’s Law, strengthens existing animal cruelty laws and makes it easier to prosecute a person who knowingly mistreats, abuses or neglects an animal.
Specifically, the new law outlines three tiers of cruelty and neglect, with charges ranging from a summary offense for denying an animal food or shelter to a third-degree felony for intentionally torturing an animal or causing serious bodily injury or death.
The new law also requires convicted animal abusers to forfeit their animals, sets limits on how long an animal can be tethered outdoors, and clarifies penalties for abusing a horse.
Prepare Yourself for Emergencies
As the nation comes together to help those impacted by Hurricane Harvey, Pennsylvania officials are reminding residents that National Preparedness Month begins Sept. 1. Throughout the month, households, businesses and communities are encouraged to prepare and plan for emergencies.
Well before emergencies strike, simple steps can be taken to prepare a family, school, workplace or community for any type of incident that would disrupt the day-to-day routine. Citizens are encouraged to visit www.ReadyPA.org to find sample checklists, contact lists and other preparedness tools to take advantage of before an emergency occurs. In particular, people should think about loved ones who may have special needs that could inhibit their ability to help themselves.
Follow @ReadyPA on Twitter and like facebook.com/BeReadyPA for additional helpful tips and information.
Hunter-Trapper Education Boosts Safety
Interested in hunting or trapping in Penn’s Woods? By law, all first-time hunters and trappers, regardless of age, must successfully complete Hunter-Trapper Education (HTE) training before they can buy a Pennsylvania hunting or trapping license.
A training certificate, which is recognized throughout North America, is awarded when the individual passes the test at the end of the course. Individuals must be at least 11 years old to enroll in a class. The training is designed to produce safe, responsible, knowledgeable and involved participants. Due to hunter education, hunting is safe and getting safer.
Two options are available to complete the course -- in a classroom or entirely online (for those who are 16 years of age or older). Click here to learn more about HTE and view other training programs available.
Bully Prevention, Teen Depression Presentation Set for Sept. 11
Pocono Mountain School District will host a presentation to empower parents, educators and the community with strategies to take preventive actions against bullying, cyberbullying and teen depression. The event will be held on Monday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m., in the East Junior High School Auditorium, 231 Pocono Mountain School Road, Swiftwater. John Halligan, whose son died by suicide after being bullied, will cover the lesson he has learned and offer a proactive approach. Questions can be directed to Beth DeLay at 570-839-7121 ext. 5046.
Our Annual Wellness Festival is Saturday, Sept. 16
Our Third Annual Fall Wellness Festival, co-hosted with St. Luke’s Hospital, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Northampton Community College’s Monroe Campus in Tannersville. This is a free event which will include health screenings, cooking demonstrations and more. For additional information about our expo, or to sign up as a vendor, call our Pocono Pines office at 570-643-7683.
PHEAA Encourages Caution with Solicitations
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) reminds students and families to be extremely cautious if solicited by any company offering financial aid application assistance, scholarship searches or student loan debt relief, such as through loan consolidation, loan cancellation, loan forgiveness or defaulted loan assistance. These companies typically charge significant upfront fees for services – sometimes through non-existent programs – that are readily available for free from the federal government.
To find financial aid opportunities, parents and students should research FREE sites such as EducationPlanner.org, MySmartBorrowing.org, StudentAid.ed.gov and StudentLoans.gov. In addition, NerdWallet’s Watch List names companies that charge for fraudulent or questionable debt relief services.
Students and families who believe they have been targeted or victimized by a scam should complain to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Traveling Over Labor Day? Check Traffic Conditions on 511PA.com
Travelers can log onto www.511PA.com to check current traffic impacts from construction, traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 770 traffic cameras. The service is free and available 24 hours a day.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.
Travelers are always reminded to buckle up, put their phones away and stay sober when behind the wheel.
In other PennDOT news, driver license and photo centers will be closed Saturday, Sept. 2, through Monday, Sept. 4, for Labor Day. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.
Out and About in the 176th
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Last weekend, an Eagle Scout Court of Honor was held for Jebadiah Sussenbach. Jeb has been involved with scouting since first grade and along the way has earned over 50 merit badges and has served as his troop’s guide, as well as senior patrol leader.
For his Eagle Scout project, Jeb restored a workout trail and installed a nine hole disc golf course in Tunkhannock Township. Taylor Munoz from Sen. Mario Scavello and I honored Jeb with citations from the House and Senate. Congratulations!
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I had a chance to visit with the VanHorns at the West End Fair last week.
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Pennsylvania State Police Troop N to Offer Citizens Police Academy
The Pennsylvania State Police, Troop N Community Services Unit will be hosting a Citizens Police Academy (CPA) at Penn State Hazleton Campus. The program will expand citizens knowledge and understanding of the law and explore police procedure from the perspective of the Pennsylvania State Police.
The Citizens Police Academy involves approximately 20 hours of instruction taught in Two-and-half hour segments. The program is scheduled to begin Oct. 17 and end Dec. 5. Participants meet each Tuesday night for eight weeks from 6-8:30 p.m. Students must attend 75 percent or more of the scheduled classes to be eligible to graduate and receive a certificate.
Class size is limited to 40 community participants to allow greater interaction between students and instructors. Participants are selected from interested applicants. Applicants must be 18 years or older to apply and be a resident of Troop N’s coverage area which includes lower Luzerne County, Columbia County, Carbon County and Monroe County. The Pennsylvania State Police will also conduct a brief background investigation on interested applicants. Applications can be picked up at the PA State Police barracks in Hazleton, Bloomsburg, Fern Ridge, Lehighton and Stroudsburg, or applicants can email anpetroski@pa.gov or dapeters@pa.gov to request an electronic email application.
Deadline for application submission is Sept. 30. Questions can be directed to Anthony Petroski, 570-459-3890 ext: 216 or David Peters, 570-459-3890 ext: 269.
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| Office Locations |
| Capitol: Room 423, Irvis Office Building, P.O. Box 202176, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2176 | Phone: (717) 787-7732 |
| Districts: 2785 Route 115, Suite 103, Carriage House Square, Effort, PA 18330 I Phone: (570) 620-4341 |
| Tobyhanna Township Building, 105 Government Center Way, Pocono Pines, Pa 18350 I Phone: (570) 643-7683 |
| Email: jrader@pahousegop.com |
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