Quantcast

South Central PA News

Friday, May 3, 2024

Local Government News

Local Government

Pashinski, Yaw, Moul & Schwank propose Rural Population Revitalization Commission for Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, April 30 – State Reps. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, and Dan Moul, R-Adams, alongside state Sen. Gene Yaw, R-23, unveiled their proposal for a Rural Population Revitalization Commission in Pennsylvania. The legislators, who are also members of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors, initiated this effort in response to a population projection report indicating a decline in rural population compared to urban areas.Pashinski emphasized the need for additional support to address the challenges faced by rural communities in Pennsylvania. He stated,...

By South Central PA News | Apr 30, 2024

Local Government

Mastriano Raises Concerns Over mRNA Vaccine in Pork Supply

Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) has raised concerns about the potential implications of a new RNA-based vaccine developed by Merck Animal Health, known as "Sequivity," entering the pork supply chain. Mastriano highlighted the significance of this development in the pork industry, stating, "Injection of gene therapy into the food supply would result in Pennsylvanians unknowingly and unwillingly consuming gene-altering mRNA technology."In response to these concerns, Mastriano took action by introducing Senate Bill 883, which aims to prohibit the integration of gene therapy...

By South Central PA News | Apr 26, 2024

Latest News

Medium rm25m1bg9ete53i5p32y79kmzm8p

Local Government

Mastriano Announces $735,000 for Pedestrian and Bicycle Route in Chambersburg

By South Central PA News | Apr 26, 2024

HARRISBURG – Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) today announced nearly $735,000 has been awarded for a pedestrian and bicycle route project in Chambersburg."These dollars will help build a walkway and bicycle route connecting different parts of the community in a way that will enhance our neighborhoods," said Mastriano. "Whether as a means to travel from one place to another or as recreational activities, walking and biking play important roles in building strong communities."The project involves permanently closing two street blocks to vehicular traffic adjacent to the former...

Medium ibf2a5yzf5r0ldfzwh3uy21k57y1

Local Government

Franklin County Lawmakers Welcome Funding for Improved Broadband Service

By South Central PA News | Apr 19, 2024

HARRISBURG - Franklin County lawmakers, Reps. Rob Kauffman, Rich Irvin, and Paul Schemel, expressed their appreciation for the $4.2 million in Broadband Infrastructure Program grant funding awarded to the county. The legislators emphasized the importance of the funding in enhancing broadband services for underserved areas."This funding is essential to improving broadband service for residents and businesses in underserved areas of the county," the lawmakers collectively stated. They highlighted the significance of reliable internet access in various aspects of daily life,...

Medium rm25m1bg9ete53i5p32y79kmzm8p

Local Government

Mastriano Announces $13.6 Million in Broadband Internet Grants for Adams and Franklin Counties

By South Central PA News | Apr 18, 2024

Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) announced today that the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) will be awarding over $13.6 million in grants to expand access to reliable, high-speed internet in Adams and Franklin counties. Mastriano expressed his satisfaction with the development, stating, "I`m pleased that these underserved areas of Adams County and Franklin County will now have the infrastructure needed to ensure faster internet connection.” He also emphasized the importance of high-speed internet in today's economy, noting, “In today’s competitive economic...

Medium rm25m1bg9ete53i5p32y79kmzm8p

Local Government

Mastriano Announces $1.3 Million to Preserve 520 Acres of Farmland in Adams and Franklin Counties

By South Central PA News | Apr 12, 2024

HARRISBURG – Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) has revealed plans for a significant investment of over $1.3 million to preserve 520 acres of farmland in Adams and Franklin counties. The initiative aims to safeguard the agricultural heritage of Pennsylvania and ensure food security for its residents.The funding will be allocated towards purchasing development rights for the farms, protecting them from potential future residential or commercial development. The State Agricultural Land Preservation Board has approved conservation easement purchases for the farms, in collaboration...

Medium rm25m1bg9ete53i5p32y79kmzm8p

Local Government

Senate Committee Approves Mastriano Bill to Help Veterans’ Families Access Burial Benefits

By South Central PA News | Apr 10, 2024

HARRISBURG – The state Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), recently approved several measures aimed at benefiting veterans and their families.Mastriano expressed the importance of looking after veterans' families, stating, “Our veterans took care of us and our country while they were alive, so we want to take care of their families when they pass away.”One of the approved bills, Senate Bill 1139, focuses on ensuring that deceased veterans' families are informed about federal burial benefits. Mastriano...

Medium rm25m1bg9ete53i5p32y79kmzm8p

Local Government

Senate Approves Mastriano Bill to Increase Number of Firefighters in PA

By South Central PA News | Apr 9, 2024

HARRISBURG – The state Senate Monday approved a bill introduced by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) aimed at increasing the number of volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania by reforming the certification process."The bill would make it easier for firefighters to earn their certification while maintaining the high standards and requirements of the certification process," said Mastriano, who serves as chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.“We can increase the number of volunteer firefighters by reforming the certification process without...

Medium rm25m1bg9ete53i5p32y79kmzm8p

Local Government

Mastriano Introduces Bill to Divest PA from Chinese Communist Party; Treasurer Garrity Announces Support for Divestment Plan

By South Central PA News | Apr 8, 2024

HARRISBURG – State Sen. Doug Mastriano has introduced a bill aimed at divesting Pennsylvania from companies controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Treasurer Stacy Garrity expressed her support for the plan, citing concerns about China's geopolitical risk and human rights abuses.Garrity stated, "Due to serious concerns about geopolitical risk involving China, as well as the country’s record of serious human rights abuses, I directed my investment team to divest all of Treasury’s holdings in China in the first half of 2022." She added, "I believe it would be smart...

Medium rm25m1bg9ete53i5p32y79kmzm8p

Local Government

Mastriano to Host Ceremony Honoring Vietnam Veterans Monday

By South Central PA News | Apr 5, 2024

Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) will host a ceremony honoring Vietnam War veterans on Monday, April 8, at 10:30 a.m. on the front steps of the state Capitol in Harrisburg. Mastriano, who is the chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and a combat veteran who participated in Operation Desert Storm, is hosting the event to draw attention to the service and sacrifices made by Vietnam War veterans. He emphasized, "He also wants to ensure they enjoy the positive recognition many Vietnam War veterans did not receive when they first returned home...

Medium rm25m1bg9ete53i5p32y79kmzm8p

Local Government

It’s Time for PA to Send National Guard to Texas Border

By South Central PA News | Mar 28, 2024

Senator Doug Mastriano from the 33rd Senatorial District has called for the deployment of the Pennsylvania National Guard to the Texas border amidst the ongoing southern border crisis. The senator emphasized the importance of bipartisan efforts in securing the border to protect Pennsylvanians from various threats.The senator highlighted the severity of the situation at the border, stating, "Facts are stubborn things." He noted that millions of illegal immigrants have crossed the southern border since January 2021, with a significant number entering through Texas....

Medium 3g93lza27m5i62vew3fgxcv517w5

Local Government

Kauffman Announces Funding for Southgate Pedestrian Improvements

By South Central PA News | Mar 26, 2024

State Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin) has announced funding for pedestrian improvements in Chambersburg's Southgate area. The $650,000 funding allocation will support the construction of pedestrian enhancements on South Water Street within the former Southgate Shopping Center premises.Kauffman emphasized the significance of pedestrian enhancements in the broader redevelopment initiative of transforming the former shopping center into a mixed-use residential neighborhood. He expressed his satisfaction in securing the funding, stating, "Pedestrian improvements are a key...

Medium rm25m1bg9ete53i5p32y79kmzm8p

Local Government

Mastriano Announces $780,000 in Grants for Transportation Projects in Metal Township and Shippensburg Borough

By South Central PA News | Mar 26, 2024

HARRISBURG – Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) today announced $780,000 in state grants have been awarded for transportation projects in Metal Township and Shippensburg Borough, Franklin County.The grants were awarded through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA)."Mastriano said, 'Much-needed upgrades to Creek Road in Metal Township have been long overdue. I supported the township’s grant application and am pleased to see the township has been awarded $330,000 to repair and repave this high-traffic roadway.'""Mastriano expressed his satisfaction, stating, 'After seeing...

Medium x5qdw0lz2jlc5t50hgpah9mryovk

Local Government

Ecker, Rothman Announce Shippensburg Road Project Funding

By South Central PA News | Mar 26, 2024

HARRISBURG – In efforts to alleviate congestion in Shippensburg, a significant development has been announced. Rep. Torren Ecker and Sen. Greg Rothman disclosed that the borough is set to receive a $357,172 grant for the Dykeman Road Extension project."Shippensburg has witnessed an increase of traffic, straining existing road infrastructure," remarked Rep. Torren Ecker. He further added, "Thanks to this funding, the long-awaited project will help reduce congestion by providing alternative routes for drivers."The Dykeman Road Extension project aims to provide motorists...

Medium rm25m1bg9ete53i5p32y79kmzm8p

Local Government

Mastriano to Hold Senate Committee Hearing Focusing on Victims of East Palestine Train Wreck One Year Later

By South Central PA News | Mar 25, 2024

DARLINGTON – Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) will host a Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee hearing on Wednesday, March 27, at 10:30 a.m. at the Darlington Township Volunteer Fire Department in Beaver County. The hearing aims to address the aftermath of the Norfolk Southern train wreck near the Pennsylvania border with Ohio that occurred on Feb. 3, 2023.Residents affected by the train wreck will have the opportunity to share their experiences during the hearing. According to residents, "Residents will discuss the impact the train wreck continues to...

Medium x5qdw0lz2jlc5t50hgpah9mryovk

Local Government

Pennsylvania House Republican Leaders to Announce Next Steps in Seeking Commonsense Voter ID Expansion

By South Central PA News | Mar 24, 2024

House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler, along with other Pennsylvania House Republican Members, will be announcing the next steps in seeking commonsense voter ID expansion. The announcement is set to take place on Monday, March 25, at 10:30 a.m. in the Ryan Building Atrium at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg.House Republican State Government Committee Chairman Brad Roae, Rep. Torren Ecker, and Rep. Thomas Kutz will also be present at the event. Media coverage is invited and encouraged, with interested parties directed to RSVP to Jason Gottesman at...

Medium rm25m1bg9ete53i5p32y79kmzm8p

Local Government

Senate Approves Mastriano Bill Enhancing Overdose Tracking and Lifesaving Response

By South Central PA News | Mar 20, 2024

HARRISBURG – The state Senate today unanimously approved legislation introduced by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) that would ensure known or suspected drug overdoses treated by emergency medical services (EMS) providers are recorded in a statewide tracking system known as the Overdose Information Network (ODIN).Sen. Doug Mastriano highlighted the importance of the bill, stating, "When EMS personnel encounter an overdose, that information doesn’t automatically go into the statewide tracking system." He emphasized the need to close the gap in data collection to provide health...

Medium rm25m1bg9ete53i5p32y79kmzm8p

Local Government

Mastriano to Host Medal of Honor Service Wednesday

By South Central PA News | Mar 19, 2024

HARRISBURG – Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) will host a Medal of Honor service on Wednesday, March 20, at 10 a.m. at Soldiers Grove across from the fountain behind the state Capitol in Harrisburg. The event will feature retired Army Col Walter J. “Joe” Marm Jr., the sole living Pennsylvanian Medal of Honor recipient, delivering the keynote address.The Medal of Honor, the country’s highest award for military valor in action, was created during the U.S. Civil War. Sen. Mastriano, who is the chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and a...

Medium rm25m1bg9ete53i5p32y79kmzm8p

Local Government

Senate Approves Mastriano Measure to Send PA National Guard to Defend Texas Border

By South Central PA News | Mar 19, 2024

In a recent development, the state Senate has given the green light to a resolution put forth by Sen. Doug Mastriano, urging the governor to deploy the Pennsylvania National Guard to bolster security along Texas's southern border with Mexico as part of Operation Lone Star."Pennsylvania families are being harmed by the influx of immigrants and illegal drugs resulting from lax federal border security measures," expressed Sen. Mastriano, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. He further highlighted the collaborative efforts of states in compensating for the federal...

Medium rm25m1bg9ete53i5p32y79kmzm8p

Local Government

Senate Committee Advances Mastriano Measure to Send PA National Guard to Defend Texas Border

By South Central PA News | Mar 18, 2024

HARRISBURG – Sen. Doug Mastriano and a majority of his colleagues on the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee today approved a measure he introduced calling on the governor to deploy the Pennsylvania National Guard along Texas’s southern border with Mexico as part of Operation Lone Star."Pennsylvanians have an interest in protecting our nation’s southern border and preventing an influx of immigrants and illegal drugs from reaching our communities," said Mastriano, who serves as chairman of the committee. "Some of the fentanyl that is killing our...