NEWS

Port Allegany School District

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTION CEREMONY

On Wednesday evening, The Port Allegany Chapter of The National Honor Society inducted nine new members who were selected based on their outstanding scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

Front row: Saxon Palmer, Isaac Barber, Peyton Stiles, Levi Wilfong, and Henry Kisler

Back row: Braylon Button, Julia Postlewait, Amber Funk, and Miska Young

Thank you to Mrs. Fischer for the pictures.

View this email with images.

Facebook Website Bio Latest News State Forms Photo Gallery Contact Capitol Update Friday, December 2, 2022 The latest news from the State Capitol  Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account. You are welcome to contact me through this link.   Students, Seniors from Oswayo Valley Visit State Capitol

This week, students from Oswayo Valley School District and members of the Oswayo Valley Senior Center, led by Senior Center Director Mary Jones, travelled from Shinglehouse to the State Capitol in Harrisburg for a tour. The seniors made Christmas ornaments that were recently hung on the Capitol Christmas tree in the Main Rotunda. I was glad to join them during the tour and take them in the House Chamber. It’s always great to have folks from back home visit the state Capitol!

Welcome Back Galeton, Pike Township!  Click here to see larger map. Effective Dec. 1, the communities of Galeton and Pike Township in Potter County return to the 67th Legislative District I represent. A decade ago, these communities were shifted into the 68th Legislative District as part of the redistricting process. However, due to population changes identified in the 2020 U.S. Census, they were moved back into the 67th as part of the recent redistricting process. I am pleased to welcome back the residents of these two municipalities and to now represent all of you who reside in Cameron, McKean and Potter counties. My offices in Bradford, Coudersport and Kane, as well as Harrisburg, stand ready to help you with services such as:   •   PennDOT paperwork, including driver’s license and vehicle registration applications and renewals.   •   Information and applications for senior citizen benefit programs, including Property Tax/Rent Rebate and PACE/PACENET prescription drug programs.   •   Information and applications for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).   •   Help with securing birth and death certificates (photo identification required).   •   Information about legislation.   •   Assistance with resolving matters relating to state agencies. Visit my office online at www.RepCauser.com or contact us as follows:   •   78 Main St., first floor, Bradford – 814-362-4400.   •   107 S. Main St., Room 1, Coudersport – 814-274-9769.   •   54 Fraley St., Suite 2, Kane – 814-837-0880.

FCC Broadband Coverage Map to Aid Expansion Plans in PA The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently released new broadband maps in which website visitors can enter an address to learn about the availability of high-speed internet service at that location. You can find the maps here.   The new National Broadband Map will be used to better assess which Pennsylvania communities are underserved or not served at all – a phenomenon sometimes called “the digital divide.” Some estimates place the number of Pennsylvanians without access to broadband at more than 800,000. The FCC says the new tool contains more location-specific data than what was previously available. Individual users can submit their thoughts about potential inaccuracies directly through the map program until Jan. 13. Pennsylvania has a newly developed Broadband Development Authority seeking to invest federal aid to deploy broadband services where they are needed most.

Maximizing PA Lottery Benefits for Seniors Legislation to maximize the amount of money generated by the Pennsylvania Lottery for the Commonwealth’s senior citizens has been signed into law. The General Assembly set the statutorily mandated minimum profit margin for the Pennsylvania Lottery at 20% until June 30, 2024. Act 137 of 2022 will extend this 20% profit margin another five years until June 30, 2029. This allows the Pennsylvania Lottery to increase overall profits by targeting how much they can sell of certain games. In turn, the lottery can invest more in the programs that benefit our senior citizens, including the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, prescription assistance through PACE and PACENET, free and reduced-fare shared rides, and funding for Area Agencies on Aging, which provide services such as delivered meals, program referrals, health insurance counseling, legal assistance, transportation, protective services and more. Learn more about the lottery here.

Reminder: Get Ready for REAL ID The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is reminding residents that enforcement of the federal REAL ID Act will begin May 3, 2023. As of that date, you will have to present a federally accepted form of identification to board a commercial domestic flight or visit a secure federal building that requires ID at the door. Federally accepted forms of identification include a Pennsylvania REAL ID driver’s license or ID card, a U.S. Passport or Passport Card or a military ID. To date, approximately 1.6 million Pennsylvanians have chosen to get a REAL ID product. However, REAL ID is not mandatory. PennDOT continues to offer standard-issue driver’s licenses and photo IDs. Full enforcement of the law has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was hindering efforts to process REAL ID applications across the country. To learn more about REAL ID and how to obtain one, visit www.penndot.gov/REALID.

Deadline Nears for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Older adults and Pennsylvanians with disabilities have until Dec. 31 to apply for the state’s 2021 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program. Remember, assistance through my office(s) is always free. You need not pay a private firm for assistance. The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded. For additional information and applications, click here,  or contact my offices for assistance.   •   78 Main St., first floor, Bradford – 814-362-4400.   •   107 S. Main St., Room 1, Coudersport – 814-274-9769.   •   54 Fraley St., Suite 2, Kane – 814-837-0880.

Coudersport artist, Laurie Angood is offering two classes this month for young students, 8 years old and up. A holiday painting party will be held Thursday, December 8 from 3:00 pm to 4:45 pm and Saturday December 10, from 1:00 to 2:45 pm at the Potter County Artisan Co-op located at 227 N. Main Street, Coudersport. Students will be designing and painting a 3”x3” canvas in acrylic. Class size is limited. Registration is required. Cost is $15.00 and all materials are included. To register, call the Artisan Co-op at 814-274-8165 or Angood at 480-459-1503.

Cherry Springs State Park is presenting three free programs for the public in December. The first two programs are virtual and the last one will be held in person at the park.

“Meteors Demystified” is Tuesday, Dec. 13 

There’s a meteor, and another, and another! Through the timely 30-minute virtual program “Meteors Demystified” being held on Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. learn about the Geminid Meteor Shower, such as the causes of the Geminids and other meteor showers and our fascination with “shooting stars.” The Geminid Meteor Shower peaks in mid-December just days after this program and is one of the most reliable meteor showers of the year, producing as many as 120 meteors per hour. Find out what you can expect to see during the Geminids Meteor Shower, and come away with some viewing tips and better insight into why it’s all happening. After registering, you will receive an email with the link to join the program. This presentation is best viewed on a desktop or larger tablet. Note: This program does NOT take place at the park. Register at events.dcnr.pa.gov by searching for the park and program title.

“Know Before You Go – Stargazing” is Dec. 20 at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The 30-minute virtual program “Know Before You Go – Stargazing,” designed for first-time or novice stargazers, is being held twice on Tuesday, Dec. 20, from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The programs are identical. Find out what you need to know about Cherry Springs State Park before you visit, such as what to bring, how to best plan for an evening of stargazing, and how to observe several objects in the night sky. After registering, you will receive an email with the link to join the program. This presentation is best viewed on a desktop or larger tablet. Note: This program does NOT take place at the park. Register at events.dcnr.pa.gov by searching for the park and program title.

In-Person New Year’s Eve Stargazing Walk is Saturday, Dec. 31

Wrap up 2022 with a starry evening stroll along crisp, wintery landscape on Saturday, Dec. 31 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Cherry Springs State Park at 4639 Cherry Springs Road, Coudersport, Pa. 16915. The park is 12 miles from Route 6 in Galeton via West Branch Road and 15 miles from Coudersport via Route 44. People of all ages are invited to join the park educator for the one-hour, in-person, 1.5-mile New Year’s Eve Stargazing Walk along level ground in the night sky public viewing area. Snowshoes will be available if conditions require. Learn about winter constellations and folklore along the way with a laser-guided tour of the night sky. The program will end by 7:30 p.m. leaving time for New Year’s Eve plans. Wear warm clothes and sturdy winter boots. Registration is NOT required. 

If there is a problem with registering online or for information about these free programs, call (814) 435-1037 or email cherryspringsee@pa.gov.

Open Arms Church will host its annual Christmas Eve’s Eve services on Dec. 23.

The services will include music and message at  6 pm and 8 pm at 1289 E. Main St. in Foster Township, and videos at 6 pm at 105 Smith Avenue, Port Allegany.

“We celebrate every year as a church on Christmas Eve’s Eve to come together to remember the birth of our Savior, the light in the darkness,” said Lead Pastor Zoe Hatcher.“We will have a great time of worship, message and reflection. We encourage you to bring friends and family to join us.”

Transportation is being provided for the 6 pm service to Open Arms Bradford. Pick-up times and locations are 5:30 pm at the Barbour Street public housing area near the VFW Bradford Post 212; 5:35 pm at Marilyn Horne Hall at Marilyn Horne Way; 5:40 pm at the Tops entrance at 150 East Main St.; and 5:45 pm at Togi’s Sub Station at 402 East Main St.

The 6 pm service will also be streamed on the church’s Facebook and YouTube pages for Open Arms Bradford. 

For more information, call the church office at 814-368-8846, or visit http://christmaseveseve.com.

Liberty Township

ATTENTION LIBERTY TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS:

The regular monthly meeting for December of the Liberty Township Supervisors is cancelled for Thursday and will be held on Friday, December 9, 2022 at 8:30 A.M.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (Nov. 30) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today announced that none of the water samples collected in Presque Isle Bay, Erie County, during October 2022 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) contained environmental DNA (eDNA) of Silver Carp or Bighead Carp.

Invasive carp, including Bighead Carp and Silver Carp, pose a significant threat to the Great Lakes ecosystem, the $7 billion-fishery, and other economic interests dependent on the Great Lakes and its tributaries.  Bighead and Silver Carp compete with native and recreational fish species and are known to quickly reproduce.  Anglers are urged to become familiar with the identification of invasive carp, including both adults and juveniles, as the spread of juvenile invasive carp using live bait buckets has been identified as a potential point of entry into Great Lakes waters.

To learn more about invasive carp and other aquatic invasive species, visit the PFBC website (Fishandboat.com) or www.invasivecarp.us.  Members of the public can report sightings of aquatic invasive species to the PFBC using an online form: https://pfbc.pa.gov/forms/reportAIS.htm.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (December 1) – Whether it’s the holiday season or next year’s fishing season already on your mind, anglers can start gearing up today by purchasing their 2023 Pennsylvania fishing license, permits, and gift vouchers!

Beginning December 1, 2022, fishing licenses, permits, and vouchers for the 2023 season can be purchased through the HuntFishPA online portal on the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) website (Fishandboat.com), on your smartphone using the FishBoatPA mobile app, or by visiting one of nearly 700 retail license issuing agents. 2023 licenses, permits, and vouchers purchased now are valid immediately for up to 13 months, from December 1, 2022, through December 31, 2023.

“A fishing license is truly your ticket to outdoor fun for the whole year,” said Tim Schaeffer, PFBC Executive Director.  “Whether you’re purchasing a license for yourself, or a voucher to give as a gift to a family member or friend, you’ll be opening the door to fishing adventures that can become lifelong memories.  Purchasing a license now ensures that you’ll be covered for every fishing season for the rest of this year and next year.”

Fishing licenses, permits, and vouchers can be purchased easily, conveniently, and safely online from your computer or smart phone.  Licenses may be printed immediately upon purchase or saved digitally to a smart device which serves as proof of possession.  While many customers still prefer to purchase fishing licenses in person from local issuing agents, online purchases can save time and help you avoid long lines, especially right before the spring trout season, which begins statewide on Saturday, April 1, 2023.

In addition to licenses and permits, such as the trout or Lake Erie permits, customers may choose to purchase vouchers that can be given as gifts and be redeemed by recipients.

“Introducing someone new to fishing can be very rewarding and purchasing a fishing license gift voucher is an easy way to get a new angler started,” added Schaeffer.  “Vouchers are also great gift ideas for active anglers, or maybe someone who likes to fish but hasn’t been out on the water for a while.  The gift of a voucher might be just what they need to rediscover their passion for fishing and join you next season.” 

Once again for the 2023 license year, customers can purchase a collectible fishing license button.  This year’s button features a vibrant yellow background with the PFBC logo.  In 2023, a limited-edition production of 10,000 buttons will be produced, and customers will receive a randomly numbered button between 00001-10000.  Please note that buttons are not issued at the time of purchase and will be mailed to the buyer.

In 2023, anglers who visit a license issuing agent in person can receive the Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook free of charge.  The book outlines current fishing and boating regulations, seasons and creel limits, and safety information, and includes advertising and coupons.  A digital version of these publications can be viewed and printed for free on the PFBC website, or viewed on the FishBoatPA mobile app.  Customers should note that 2023 Fishing Summary/Boating Handbooks are still being shipped to retail locations in early December and may not be immediately available at all locations.  Customers should access the free online version or return to a retail location later for a free printed copy.

Voluntary Permits

Customers who purchase a 2023 fishing license can once again support their favorite PFBC programs through the purchase of voluntary permits for Bass, Musky, Wild Trout/Enhanced Waters, and Habitat/Waterways Conservation. These permits are not required for fishing and carry no additional privileges, but all funds generated through them are reinvested into their respective program.  Thanks to the generosity of anglers, the PFBC has invested more than $520,000 into special projects funded by the sale of voluntary permits since 2019.

While youth anglers under age 16 do not require a fishing license, they must have either a Voluntary Youth Fishing License or a free Mentored Youth Fishing Permit to participate in any special youth opportunities throughout the 2023 season.  This includes the statewide Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

The PFBC is a user-funded agency that operates primarily on funds generated through the sale of fishing licenses, boating registrations, and associated fees.  The PFBC receives no Pennsylvania General Fund tax revenue to support its programs.

The PFBC reminds anglers and boaters to protect themselves by always wearing a life jacket during the fall and winter months.  From November 1 through April 30, all boaters aboard boats less than 16 feet, including all kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, are required to wear a life jacket.  Anglers should also wear a life jacket while ice fishing.

Important 2023 Fishing Dates:

December 1 (2022) – 2023 Pennsylvania Fishing Licenses, permits, and vouchers on sale

March 25, 2023 – Statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day

April 1, 2023 – Statewide Opening Day of Trout Season

November 1, 2022, through April 30, 2023 – Mandatory Life Jacket Requirement in effect

2023 Fishing Summary: https://www.fishandboat.com/Fish/FishingRegulations/Documents/2023summarybook.pdf

2023 Boating Handbook: https://www.fishandboat.com/Fish/FishingRegulations/Documents/2023BoatingHandbook.pdf