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In this Update:
- Honoring Three Former Members of the Cambria County Sheriff’s Office
- Honoring Gerald “Jerry” Confer
- Veterans Breakfast Events
- Press Conference at Concurrent Technologies Corporation
- Upcoming License Plate Replacement Events
- Upcoming Blood Drive
- Protecting Yourself from Cybercriminals
- Families Can Begin Applying Now for 2023-24 College Aid
- Schools have Until Friday to Apply for Farm-to-School Grants
- Statewide Litter Clean-up Efforts Underway
Honoring Three Former Members of the Cambria County Sheriff’s Office
What a beautiful morning at the Cambria County Courthouse honoring Ross W. Dixon, John “Sonny” Kuhar, Jr. and Sheriff Bob Kolar, Sr. On May 24th, the Senate unanimously passed legislation naming three bridges after these former members of the Cambria County Sheriff’s Office. On June 10th, this was signed into law as Act 23. Please join me in saying thank you for the many years of service and commitment to Cambria County that will be remembered for years to come.
Honoring Gerald “Jerry” Confer
It was an honor to join family and friends of Gerald “Jerry” Confer to officially designate a bridge in his honor. The bridge carrying Pennsylvania Route 879 over the West Branch Susquehanna River, Lawrence Township, Clearfield County, is now designated as the Gerald “Jerry” Confer Memorial Bridge. Mr. Confer was employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and worked for the Systematic Technique to Analyze and Manage Pennsylvania’s Pavements Program. On September 18, 1984, Mr. Confer, along with his coworker, James Bennett, sustained critical injuries when their PennDOT vehicle was struck in the rear by a truck at Exit 16 on Interstate 80 resulting in Mr. Confer’s death on September 19, 1984. I hope this dedication serves as a constant reminder of Mr. Confer’s sacrifice to our Commonwealth as well as a reminder to always proceed slowly in work zones.
Veterans Breakfast Events
Centre and Clearfield Veterans Register Here
Bedford and Cambria Veterans Register Here
Press Conference at Concurrent Technologies Corporation
I was pleased to take part in the Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) press conference this week announcing $1.9 million in funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. I am happy to advocate for funding that will have such a profound impact on the 35th Senatorial District, as well as the Commonwealth. This grant will continue CTC’s work in advancing Pennsylvania’s nuclear energy manufacturing industry. Furthermore, it will enable exciting research involving rare earth elements, which could potentially benefit Pennsylvania’s economy through private investment in new industries and the associated potential job growth.
Upcoming License Plate Replacement Events
Free License Plate Replacement events are happening in both Johnstown and Clearfield! Is your license plate hard to read? Stop by one of these events and let us help you get it replaced for FREE! If you have questions or can’t make one of these events and still need your plate replaced give my office a call 814-266-2277.
Blood Drive
When you donate blood you give the gift of life. Join us for a blood drive on November 1, 2022, at Richland Fire Hall on Scalp Avenue in Johnstown. The need for blood and platelet donations continues to be urgent. You can schedule your appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org and enter: RICHLAND or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Protecting Yourself from Cybercriminals
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a good time to brush up on the tips for staying one step ahead of criminals intent on stealing your personal information and committing other online crimes.
There are four easy ways to protect yourself online:
- Think Before You Click: If a link looks a little off, think before you click. It could be an attempt to get sensitive information or install malware.
- Update Your Software: If you see a verified software update notification, act promptly and turn on automatic updates.
- Use Strong Passwords: Use passwords that are long, unique and randomly generated. Use password managers to generate and remember different, complex passwords for each of your accounts. A passwords manager will encrypt passwords, securing them for you.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication: You need more than a password to protect your online accounts, and enabling MFA makes you significantly less likely to get hacked.
You can find more detailed information on these and other cybersecurity issues in this Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency public toolkit.
Families Can Begin Applying Now for 2023-24 College Aid
PA college students have left millions of dollars in aid on the table by not completing their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Families can get a head start on the 2023-24 FAFSA now.
The FAFSA is an application required to apply for federal student aid such as federal grants, work-study and loans to help pay for college. To apply and qualify for a Pennsylvania state grant, learners must have their FAFSA on file as well.
The high school class of 2021 left behind an estimated $3.75 billion in Pell grants nationwide by not completing the FAFSA – dollars that students do not have to repay. The General Assembly approved a $220 million increase in funding for higher education institutions in the 2022-23 state budget.
Schools Have Until Friday to Apply for Farm-to-School Grants
Schools have until 5 p.m. Friday to apply for Farm-to-School Grants aimed at improving access to healthy, local foods and increasing hands-on learning experiences for children.
The Pennsylvania Farm Bill Farm-to-School Grant Program strengthens the connection between families and local producers of fresh, healthy food, increases access to markets for local farms, and exposes children early to agriculture, agriculture careers and healthy food choices.
Any school district, school, charter school, private school, or center with prekindergarten, kindergarten, elementary, or middle school classes through eighth grade that participates in a Federal Child Nutrition Program is eligible to apply.
Projects should identify local farmers to supply fresh, in-season products to support educational programming, or cultivated their own school gardens.
Statewide Litter Clean-up Efforts Underway
The annual Pick Up Pennsylvania fall campaign is underway and runs through Nov. 30. Individuals, families, neighbors, students, civic organizations and local governments are invited to participate in this anti-litter effort.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spends nearly $14 million a year cleaning up litter along state roadways. This money could be better spent on maintaining and improving our transportation network.
Residents can use this Events Calendar to join Pick Up Pennsylvania cleanup events in their community. Those who’d like to register their own local cleanup event can do so at Organize an Event. Registered events are provided with free trash bags and gloves.
During the 2021 Pick Up Pennsylvania fall campaign, nearly 14,000 volunteers canvassed their communities to remove 745,380 pounds of trash and 99,200 pounds of tires from lands, waterways and coastal regions.
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