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In this Update:

• More Than $34,000 in Unclaimed Property to Washington County Municipalities
• Focus on the 46th
• New Law Creates Rape Kit Tracking System
• Bill Giving Parents Info About Student Tick Removal Now Law
• Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5
• Time to Turn Clocks Back This Weekend

More Than $34,000 in Unclaimed Property to Washington County Municipalities

The Pennsylvania Treasury announced this week that more than $11,500 in unclaimed property has been returned to Canonsburg and an additional $22,800 was returned to Chartiers Township, also in Washington County. While we typically think of individuals with unclaimed property, this is a great reminder that municipalities and even nonprofits might have funds available to claim. I am pleased that this money is being returned and can be used for the benefit of residents – making the municipalities even better places to live.

Treasury is working to return more than $4.5 billion in unclaimed property to its rightful owners, including more than $38 million owed to Washington County residents. More than one in ten Pennsylvanians is owed unclaimed property, and the average claim is worth about $1,600.

To learn more about unclaimed property or to search Treasury’s database, visit patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property.

Focus on the 46th

Recently I had a site visit with RES regarding their Cokeburg Abandon Mine Lands Reclamation Project. The reclamation is in cooperation with the Natural Streams Foundation, North Bethlehem Township, and RES will address stabilizing the area and restoring essential wildlife habitats. By removing hazardous materials and managing erosion, the project aims to prevent harmful runoff into nearby streams, which can damage water quality and aquatic life.

Thank you for the tour and I look forward to the progress of your good work. Pictured with me from left to right is Erik Ross [Milliron & Goodman], Phil Wrona [Client Solutions Manager, RES], Shawyn Yeamans [Project Manager, RES]

The Greene County Association of Township Supervisors Annual Convention took place last month. I was pleased to serve on a panel and answer some great questions regarding issues facing our townships. I also had an opportunity to provide some updates from Harrisburg and visit with vendors who were at the show.

Thank you to Dawn Horr, from Center Township, for coordinating the Convention and to Jeff Sholtis, from Morgan Township, for moderating todays discussion.

Pictured with me from left to right is Jeff Soltis [Supervisor], Dave Sanko [Executive Director PSATS], Greene County Commissioner Betsy McClure, Greene County Commissioner Jared Edgreen, and Greene County Commissioner Blair Zimmerman

The 46th Senatorial District is the true epicenter of gas & oil production and soon a major player in maintaining the integrity of wells will be moving their headquarters to Washington County. As co-chair of the Senate Gas and Oil Caucus, I wanted to get a closer look at the current Workover Solutions (WOS) facility in Imperial, Allegheny County. Mark Miller, CEO, employs about 160 people at eight different locations across the United States and one location in Saudi Arabia. Their current 16k square foot headquarters will soon be moving across the county line to a brand new custom built 45k square foot facility on 7.5 acres of property in Washington County.

Workover Solutions is barely 10-years-old and is expanding at breakneck speed. They focus predominantly in subsurface well operations, from the beginning of the well to the end of the well, they provide various services along the line. For example, they have a water line division that perform diagnostic testing inside older wells and find issues to address, such as leaks or corrosion. WOS also manufactures critical well tools, like new-well drilling bits. WOS prioritizes and invests a significant amount in their own research & development team, keeping WOS on the cutting edge of innovation. They currently hold 30 patents in the United States.

I can’t say enough wonderful things about Trinity Area School District and the investments they’re making in their students. Last month I was treated to a tour of the recently renovated and expanded Middle School including the new 26,000 sq ft Athletic Complex, ESports Arena, and multi-media workspace. Teachers and students also contribute to a food & clothing closet for those in need.

We then ventured over to the brand new state-of-the-art Intermediate Center. I visited the STEAM classrooms, an outdoor classroom, media center, the gymnasium which can serve as a storm shelter, handicapped-inclusive playground, and more. In my opinion, the school district is very deserving of being the recent recipient of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE Distinguished District Award) for its innovative use of technology and excellence in education. They are the first school district in Pennsylvania to receive ISTE’s national award.

Pictured with me from left to right is Dr. Michael Lucas [Superintendent], Lindsay Benzenhoefer [Intermediate School Principal], Craig Uram [Assistant Superintendent], and Dr. Donald Snoke [Assistant Superintendent and now retired, congratulations!] – Not in the group picture but thank you, Paul Kostelnik [Middle School Principal]

I would like to thank Alicia Young and her Bentworth School District second grade class for making me this wonderfully spooky artwork! I have it proudly displayed in my office.

Alicia was representing Teach Plus Pennsylvania, and stopped by to discuss improvements in educational policy and instructional practice that impact our students. She is part of a group of 45 excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers from across the Commonwealth advocating for students, all while continuing to teach full-time.

I am really excited to learn about the revitalization of Wash Arts and their Residency Program that’s being offered for the spring of 2025. Wash Arts is currently accepting applications for an Artist, Musician, Designing Coordinator, and Chef Resident ranging anywhere from 2-3 months. These Residents will offer creative classes for the community of all ages and abilities. If that sounds like you, you can visit their website by clicking this link.

Thank you [pictured left to right] Allison Evans (Wash Arts Director) and Mark Kennison (Local Business Owner) for taking time to share all of this great news. I’m looking forward to seeing the program launch.

New Law Creates Rape Kit Tracking System

Having received unanimous support from the General Assembly, a bill to establish a statewide rape kit evidence tracking system is now law.

Act 122 of 2024 allows survivors to track the status of their rape kits throughout the testing process, from collection to destruction. With this legislation, Pennsylvania joins 35 states and the District of Columbia that have already implemented rape kit tracking systems.

It brings Pennsylvania into compliance with the Fairness for Rape Kit Backlog Survivors provision of the recent Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization. To comply with VAWA, the law provides a waiver for survivors who file untimely claims for compensation due to delays in rape kit testing. Survivors would not need to undergo an appeal process for consideration of this waiver.

Bill Giving Parents Info About Student Tick Removal Now Law

Legislation giving parents the opportunity to access important information about their child’s health was approved by the Senate and is now law. It requires schools to notify a parent or guardian if a tick is removed from a student and provide the tick to them for testing.

When discovering a tick on yourself, a family member or a pet, it’s important to send it to the Pennsylvania Tick Research Lab at East Stroudsburg University. For free, the tick can be tested for common illnesses to provide you and your health care provider with valuable information about potential exposure.

For more than a decade, Pennsylvania has had more cases of Lyme disease than any other state in the nation. While Lyme disease is reason enough to take precautions, ticks also carry a host of other illnesses with undesirable symptoms.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5

Election Day is on Tuesday, Nov. 5, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you are in line by 8 p.m., you will be able to vote.

If you would like to vote with a mail-in or absentee ballot, your county election office must receive it by Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 8 p.m. Track your ballot to confirm it was received.

Any voter who requested to vote using a mail-in or absentee ballot but would prefer to vote in person may do so. Bring the ballot and the envelope to surrender at the polls. If you don’t have those materials, you may vote using a provisional ballot. Call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) if you experience any issues.

Time to Turn Clocks Back This Weekend

Daylight saving time will end at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3, so Pennsylvania residents should turn their clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday night.

Biannual time changes can be a great reminder to check or change the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms should be replaced every 10 years and located near bedrooms and on each level of the residence.

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