Bullskin Township Community Fair Next Week
The Bullskin Township 89th annual Community Fair is scheduled for Aug. 13-19, at 895 Pleasant Valley Road, Wooddale. More information about the fair is available here. Sen. Pat Stefano and I will be sharing a booth to provide information about state-related services. Our booth will be available starting Monday, Aug. 14. I look forward to seeing you there.
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White House Internship Program Accepting Applications
The White House Internship Program (WHIP) is now accepting applicants for its Spring 2018 Class, which will run from Jan. 10 through April 27, 2018. The deadline to apply is Friday, Sept. 9. White House internships are full time and unpaid, and interns are responsible for finding and funding their own housing.
Interns must be at least 18 years old and meet at least one of the following criteria:
• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at a college, community college or university.
• A graduate from an undergraduate or graduate degree program at a college, community college or university no more than two years before the internship start date.
• A veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces who possesses a high school diploma or its equivalent and has served on active duty – for any length of time – in the two years preceding the internship start date.
Interns will primarily be placed in one of 20 offices. More information and the application are available here.
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State Reports Increase in Lyme Cases in 2016
Pennsylvania leads the nation in the number of confirmed cases of Lyme disease, which was confirmed by an approximate 20 percent increase in people infected by the tick-borne illness last year. In total, more than 11,443 cases were reported in 2016, according to a report released this week by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Locally, Fayette County reported 46 cases, while Westmoreland County had 577 cases. Each county in the Commonwealth is confirmed to have a high risk of Lyme. Legislatively, the House passed House Bill 174, which would require health insurers to cover treatment plans for Lyme disease or related tick-borne illnesses as prescribed by a patient’s health care practitioner, regardless if the treatment plan includes short-term or long-term antibiotic treatment. The bill is now with the Senate. The best prevention against Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses is to avoid tick-infested habitats, such as areas dense with shrubbery or tall grass. Proper use of personal protective measures such as repellents and protective clothing, and checking for and removing attached ticks are also important deterrents to tick-related complications. Other prevention tips are available here.
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Protecting You from Scams
To better protect consumers from financial scams, the Office of Attorney General has created a unit dedicated to consumer financial protection. The effort will focus on lenders that prey on seniors, families with students, and military service members, including for-profit colleges and mortgage and student loan servicers. If you think you’ve been scammed, call the attorney general’s office at 1-800-441-2555 or send an email to scam@attorneygeneral.gov. In 2016, the Office of Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Bureau handled 19,727 consumer complaints and returned a total of $8.5 million in restitution to consumers.
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Live Free, Ride Alive
Motorcycle riders, per vehicle mile traveled, are 35 times more likely to die in a crash than people traveling in cars, according to PennDOT. The Live Free, Ride Alive website offers valuable information, resources, videos and tips for riding and equipping a bike to both beginning and expert riders, along with a list of rides and other events. The site also includes information on permits and licenses, along with details about free training courses that are available through the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program (PAMSP). Samples tests are also included on the site.
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Ag Progress Days Hosts Fun, Education for All Ages
One of the largest outdoor agricultural expositions will draw more than 45,000 people to central Pennsylvania next week to learn more about the science and business of agriculture production during the annual Ag Progress Days near State College. Sponsored by Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences, the event attracts nearly 500 exhibitors from 34 states and Canada, with more than 60 percent directly or indirectly involved in ag production. In addition to the exhibits and trade show, attendees can participate in crop displays, machinery demonstrations, guided research tours, family and youth activities, horse exhibitions and workshops. While there, the House and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs committees will hold an informational briefing on watershed improvement plans related to the federal Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts. No admission fee is charged, and parking is free. For more information, visit the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences.
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Out and About!
Last week, I visited the Fayette County Fair. First, I participated in opening ceremonies with the Fayette County commissioners, fellow members of the House of Representatives, a representative of the Department of Agriculture and fair officials. Later, I returned with my son, Ben. He was excited to finally get to see the “moo cows.” Thank you to everyone who stopped by the booth I shared with Rep. Matt Dowling.
Recently, the staff at Camp Carmel in Dunbar gave me a tour of its facilities. I’m working with the Christ-centered summer camp to receive a grant from the Pennsylvania Game Commission for road improvements. The camp was founded in 1953 and offers a variety of different age-group camps throughout the summer.
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