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Next Week: Game Commission Night!
Next week, we have an exciting evening planned for hunters of all ages on Game Commission Night. This event will feature the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Laser Shot trailer, available to all junior hunters before the presentation, which will focus on predators in Pennsylvania. Check out the video above and hear from local hunter, Austin Dunham, and get a peek at some cool mounts from his hunts.
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Senior Expo Rescheduled for Oct. 27!
Help us spread the word! Tell your family, friends and neighbors that we have a new date for the much-anticipated Senior Expo. This is a great opportunity for senior citizens, their family members and caregivers to gather information, ask questions and connect with nearly 80 exhibitors from government agencies, health care and long-term care service providers, insurance and financial services, and more. No registration required.
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Leading in Legislation: Targeting Unspeakable, Unimaginable Evil
Over the last several years, I have been working hard to bring awareness to the reality of human trafficking within our community. During that time, I have worked with local prosecutors, and I have been horrified to learn that many offenders in child sexual abuse material (CSAM) cases have said it is easier to use their own children rather than employ human trafficking methods to find victims to create CSAM.
Child sex abuse of any kind is horrifying, but especially when it is perpetrated by a family member. This is a very sad and disturbing reality, and while we work to prevent this type of abuse, we must also ensure the punishment fits the crime if or when it occurs.
Under current law, there is no increased penalty for the crime of sexual abuse of children when the person convicted of CSAM crimes is a relative. I have introduced House Bill 1835 to remedy this loophole. The bill would call on the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing to provide a sentencing enhancement for the courts to consider when the child depicted is a relative.
This type of evil is unspeakable and those who engage in it must be punished accordingly. I believe this enhancement will give law enforcement and prosecutors another tool to help keep these monsters from preying on the children in our communities.
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Farm Safety Days
The Miller family hosted the first Farm Safety Days at their family farm in Columbia Cross Roads last week, and it was wonderfully attended. Robert and Amanda Miller organized this event after a near-fatal farming accident four years ago that nearly claimed Robert’s life.
Amanda mentioned that the community’s support helped them through that difficult period, and they are now using their experience to educate others about farm safety and raise awareness about the inherent dangers of agriculture work. Over 80 community members, including children who are also at a high risk for farm-related injuries, attended to receive practical, hands-on safety education.
The event featured different stations focused on specific hazards, such as tractor and machinery safety (including PTO shields and rollover protection), animal safety, silo safety, chemical and pesticide safety, and first aid. The goal of these safety initiatives is to prevent accidents before they happen, but participants also learned how to respond to an accident, including first aid, calling for help, and having an emergency plan in place.
Amanda noted that a key learning point for participants was understanding when to take specific actions, such as calling for help in situations involving gasses, rather than intervening, while addressing immediate needs, such as bleeding, where quick action is required. Community member and Boy Scout Leader Ben Johnson generously volunteered his time and provided instruction on “stopping the bleed.”
I appreciate the many people and local organizations that made this event so great. Thanks to the Miller Family, Sopertown Seed, Millerton Fire Company, Bradford and Tioga County Farm Bureaus, First Citizens Community Bank, Guthrie, and Penn State Extension for your collaborative efforts and dedication to farm safety.
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DEP Accepting Applications for Environmental Education Projects
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is now accepting applications for its 2026 Environmental Education Grants Program through Friday, Nov. 14.
Eligible applicants include public and private schools and universities, county conservation districts, nonprofit organizations and businesses. Projects must be implemented July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. There are three tiers of awards available: Seed Grants for projects up to $5,000; Grow Grants for projects between $5,001 and $30,000; and Impact Grants for projects between $30,001 and $65,000.
A free webinar about the program will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 23, from noon to 1 p.m. Registration for the webinar is required by Monday, Sept. 22.
Learn more about the grant program and how to apply here.
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PHEAA Announces Financial Aid Webinars
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is co-hosting several free financial aid webinars during September to guide college-bound students and their families in affording a higher education.
The webinar titled “Creating Your StudentAid.gov Account” will be held Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 6-7 p.m. Creating the account is necessary to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is expected to be available on Oct. 1.
The webinar titled “Searching for Scholarships” will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 10, from 6-7 p.m. and again on Wednesday, Sept. 24, from noon to 1 p.m.
To register for these webinars, and view a full schedule of future webinars, visit
www.pheaa.org/virtual.
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Key Dates for Upcoming Election
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is co-hosting several free financial aid webinars during September to guide college-bound students and their families in affording a higher education.
The webinar titled “Creating Your StudentAid.gov Account” will be held Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 6-7 p.m. Creating the account is necessary to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is expected to be available on Oct. 1.
The webinar titled “Searching for Scholarships” will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 10, from 6-7 p.m. and again on Wednesday, Sept. 24, from noon to 1 p.m.
To register for these webinars, and view a full schedule of future webinars, online voter registration website.
The last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 28. Completed ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
For more information about voting in the Commonwealth, including how to check your registration and voting location, visit
www.vote.pa.gov.
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