BRADFORD – State Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) will hold monthly satellite office hours on Thursday, Nov. 3, at the following locations:

• Emporium Borough Office – 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Port Allegany Borough Office – 11 a.m. to noon.

Services available include assisting constituents with state-related issues or concerns, assistance with driver license and vehicle registration applications, and help in filling out applications for various state programs, such as the senior citizen Property Tax/Rent Rebate and PACE prescription drug assistance programs.

People who cannot make the satellite sessions may contact Causer’s offices in Bradford at 78 Main St., first floor, telephone 814-362-4400; or Coudersport, 107 S. Main St., Room 1, telephone 814-274-9769; or Kane, 54 Fraley St.,, Suite 2, telephone 814-837-0880. Information is also available at www.RepCauser.com or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/RepCauser.

HARRISBURG – Continuing the effort to help the state’s vital emergency response agencies, the House and Senate have approved and sent to the governor’s desk legislation designed to help address financial and personnel challenges within the organizations, said Rep. Clint Owlett, prime sponsor of the measure.

“Our fire and ambulance companies are struggling to keep their doors open to continue meeting the needs of our communities,” Owlett said. “It’s important for state government to step up and help.”

To boost recruitment and retention of personnel, the bill provides funding for tuition and loan assistance for higher education as an incentive to students who volunteer for fire and EMS services. It also allocates $1 million to fund scholarships for EMS providers who successfully complete approved training to make that training more affordable to build the EMS workforce. The Bureau of EMS would receive $50,000 to administer the program.

“It is so important to recruit the next generation of emergency responders, and once they have gone through the necessary training, we also need them to continue their service,” Owlett said. “These types of initiatives are designed to give our first responder agencies additional tools to help with personnel needs.”

The bill also dedicates funding to helping the organizations meet growing financial demands. Specifically, the bill provides $1.5 million in additional funding for EMS companies through the annual Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program; $500,000 for a grant program to support capital improvements to first responder emergency services training facilities; $500,000 for a municipal fire department capital grant program to build, renovate or otherwise modernize facilities, and purchase or repair equipment; and $250,000 for the current firefighter online training program.

It would also provide $500,000 to bomb squads for the safe removal, transportation, storage and destruction of confiscated fireworks; and dedicate $250,000 for a public service campaign on the safe operation of fireworks.

Finally, the bill would ensure fire and/or EMS companies that have consolidated will continue for a period of 20 years to receive the same level of grant funding they would have had they not merged.

Owlett first introduced House Bill 397 to make a technical change in the law authorizing both counties and school boards to implement a tax credit program for active volunteer emergency responders. It was subsequently amended to include initiatives advanced by other members of the House to both support first responder organizations financially and provide tools to help recruit and retain personnel. Most of the measures were previously included in legislation authored by Rep. Jerry Knowles (R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill).

“This is a great example of how lawmaking should work,” Owlett said. “We brough a lot of good ideas to the table to address a very serious issue impacting communities across the state but especially in rural areas like ours. I’m pleased to see this bill heading to the governor’s desk.”

The governor has 10 days to either sign the bill into law or veto it, or he may allow it to become law without his signature.

HARRISBURG – By a unanimous vote Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Senate passed legislation sponsored by House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) that would divest the Commonwealth from Russian and Belarusian financial assets and prohibit future investment of Commonwealth funds in financial assets of those countries.
The bill now heads to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk where it awaits his signature for enactment.
“As Russia’s unprovoked aggression against the people and government of Ukraine continues to amplify, divesting Commonwealth investments from Russian and Belarusian financial assets is an even more poignant message that Pennsylvania is against this unnecessary and illegal conflict,” Benninghoff said.
“With the unanimous support of both chambers of the General Assembly on this legislation, Pennsylvania is continuing to speak with one voice against this ongoing conflict and is joining with the rest of the free world in taking steps that substantively marginalize Vladimir Putin and his domestic and geopolitical allies.”
The legislation, House Bill 2447, was introduced in March and passed the House unanimously in Apri.

Legislation to make it easier for State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities to hire campus police officers has been overwhelmingly approved by the House and Senate and is now awaiting the governor’s signature to become law.

The action was applauded by the bill’s sponsors, Reps. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter), Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest) and Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana), who represent Mansfield, Clarion and Indiana universities, respectively.

House Bill 1988 would place campus police departments and campus police officers at PASSHE schools under the auspices of the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers’ Education Training and Commission (MPOETC) for police certification, commission and training. The change would allow a campus officer to be immediately employed by a state system campus police force rather than having to go through a potentially months-long process of obtaining a commission from the governor via the state Department of Education.

Officers who complete MPOETC training can be immediately employed by municipal police departments and state-related university campuses; only those who wish to work on state system campuses are required to go through the extra step of obtaining a commission from the state. This, the lawmakers said, puts state system campuses at a disadvantage when recruiting officers.

“Campus security is more important than ever, and this simple and sensible change to the law will make it easier for campus leaders to meet the public safety needs of students, faculty and staff,” Owlett said. “I appreciate the bipartisan support for the measure and encourage prompt action by the Senate.”

“Removing this unnecessary and duplicative paperwork will help make our campuses safer because it will allow officers to get to work that much faster,” Oberlander said.

“Campuses like Indiana University of Pennsylvania and its PASSHE counterparts are experiencing staffing shortages like many other entities in today’s world,” Struzzi said. “I’m glad to see my House colleagues unanimously advance this legislation so we can move closer to full security complements and ensuring safe education environments.”   

House Bill 1988 would also ensure recent and future reforms to laws impacting law enforcement apply automatically to campus police officers. It would also authorize state system campus police officers to wear body cameras, furthering increasing campus police accountability and public trust.

Finally, the bill was amended by the Senate to permit school police officers, who were previously certified by MPOETC, to maintain their certification. Under current law, MPOETC certification expires two years from the date of issuance and, because school districts do not fall within the definition of a “law enforcement agency,” MPOETC cannot recertify school police officers.  Accordingly, MPOETC-certified school police officers lose their certification when they work for a school for over two years. 

If signed by the governor, the law would take effect immediately.

Agriculture Secretary Seeks Proposals for $200,000 in Matching Grants to Boost Hemp Sales, Exports

10/17/2022

​Harrisburg, PA – Today, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding called for proposals from nonprofit marketing and promotion organizations for projects aimed at increasing sales, export or consumer awareness of Pennsylvania hemp products. The department plans to award $200,000 in matching funds to reimburse up to half of project costs, with a minimum grant amount of $1,000.

“Hemp has presented a unique opportunity to grow an industry from the ground up, supplying seemingly limitless sustainable construction materials, fiber and food products,” said Sec. Redding. “These grants will feed a new industry that was once a staple of Pennsylvania’s economy and is again presenting opportunities for farm income and jobs as well as new possibilities for climate-friendly, environmentally beneficial products.”

The department will give special consideration to projects that leverage other funding and public-private partnerships. Eligible projects may include regional or national promotion.

Projects must have started on or after July 1, 2022 and must be completed on or before June 30, 2023.

The minimum matching grant is $1,000. Applications will be selected in a competitive process.

Qualified nonprofits may apply for grants through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development online application system. The application period closes Friday, December 2, 2022 at 5:00 PM. Full grant guidelines can be found in the October 15 issue of the Pennsylvania BulletinOpens In A New Window.

In 2021, the department awarded more than $157,000 through the program to three projects to increase consumer awareness of hemp products and increase fiber and food hemp markets and opportunities in the state.

These matching grants are one way in which the Wolf Administration has fed growth in the fledgling hemp industry, creating Pennsylvania Specialty Crop Block grants through the historic PA Farm Bill when federal funding for hemp was not yet available, and funding key R&D beginning in 2019 through the department’s research budget. Hemp-specific grant investments to date have topped $923,000.

For information about hemp in Pennsylvania, visit the department’s hemp web page and for more on grants and initiatives to grow or start your PA agriculture business visit the department’s PA Farm Bill web page. 

Harrisburg, PA – Acting Secretary of Health and Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson today announced changes to birth certificate eligibility requirements, providing access to individuals as young as 16 and creating new fee waiver options.  

“When the department learned that some minors experiencing homelessness or navigating through the foster or juvenile justice system were struggling to receive their birth certificate, we made appropriate changes,” Dr. Johnson said. “Now people as young as 16 can access their personal vital records which can help them establish their identity.” 

Earlier this month the department updated the birth certificate request process to lower the age of eligible applicants from 18 years old to 16 years old. The lower age will make it easier for 16- and 17-year-old individuals to obtain their birth certificate, which is necessary to apply for a driver’s license or college admission.  

In addition, a new fee waiver option was implemented this month to allow individuals aged 16-24 who are, or have been, involved in foster care or juvenile justice to access their birth certificate without the $20 fee. A separate fee waiver application was created for individuals experiencing homelessness.  

Each year, the department receives tens of thousands of birth certificate applications. Thus far in 2022 the department has received more than 32,000 mailed, and 35,000 walk-in applications. 

To order a birth certificate, please visit www.health.pa.gov.  

Tiadaghton Chapter #688 of Trout Unlimited will meet in person this coming Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Wellsboro Community Center at 3 Queen Street in Wellsboro or via Zoom (# 838 766 1706 – Passcode white – no caps).

There will not be a speaker. The business and general meetings are free and open to the public. Participants do not have to be a member to attend.

Discussed will be projects in progress and upcoming projects. Among them is the Darling Raffle being held to raise $2,000 to support the Potter County Anglers Club in raising the 1,000 trout stocked in the Darling Run section of Pine Creek in Ansonia earlier in October. The drawing will be held during the group’s Tuesday, Dec. 6 meeting. Ticketholders do not need to be present to win.

Raffle tickets are $20 each and are available at the Tackle Shack, from TU members, at Chapter meetings on the first Tuesday of each month at the Wellsboro Community Center and on the Chapter’s website at tiadaghtontu.com. “The Tackle Shack has donated amazing prizes for the raffle with all proceeds going to support the stocking,” said Chapter #688 President Jere White.

For more information about the meeting or the raffle, email Jere White at whitesgordonsetters@gmail.com or call him at 570-662-2167. 

Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. Initiates Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Two (2) Lots of Quinapril and Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets USP 20mg/12.5mg, Due to the Detection of N-Nitroso Quinapril Impurity

Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. has initiated a voluntary recall of two (2) lots (refer table below) of Quinapril and Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets USP 20mg / 12.5mg, to the consumer level from the US market due to presence of Nitrosamine Drug Substance Related Impurity (NDSRI), N-Nitroso-Quinapril above the proposed interim limit.

Whele LLC Announces National Voluntary Recall of Mighty Bliss Electric Heating Pad Due to Product Safety Concerns

Boston, MA, October 18, 2022 / PRNewswire / – Whele LLC, of Boston, MA, is voluntarily recalling its Mighty Bliss Electric Heating Pad, due to product safety concerns. Use of this product may lead to burns, mild shocks, or rashes/irritation.

This recall applies to 544,212 Mighty Bliss Electric Heating Pad units manufactured between 08JAN21 to 03JAN22 and distributed from 29JUL21 through 21JUL22. Product was sold via Amazon.com and Walmart.com.

Sotto I Trulli, Inc. DBA Bombolo Biscotti Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Walnut in Product

Sotto i Trulli INC/DBA Bombolo Biscotti, is recalling its Assorted Italian Cookies, because it contains Italian Wedding Cookies with undeclared walnut ingredient. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to walnut allergen, run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Mylan Institutional LLC, a Viatris Company, Issues a Voluntary Recall of One Lot of Octreotide Acetate Injection, 500 mcg/mL, Due to Glass Particulates in a Syringe

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – PITTSBURGH, October 25, 2022- Mylan Institutional LLC, a Viatris company, is voluntarily recalling lot AJ21002, exp 3/2024, of Octreotide Acetate Injection, 500 mcg/mL, packaged in a carton of ten 1mL syringes. This lot is being recalled at the user (hospital/pharmacy) level due to a product complaint of the presence of glass particles in a syringe.

Baxter Issues Urgent Medical Device Correction Regarding Potential Radio Frequency Interference With Other Devices Near Beds Installed With WatchCare System

Baxter International Inc. announced today it has issued an Urgent Medical Device Correction for the WatchCare Incontinence Management System due to potential for radio frequency (RF) interference with other medical devices. The WatchCare system is designed to discreetly alert the caregiver of an incontinence event. Although the WatchCare system has been developed to comply with the most recent RF standards, it radiates RF that might affect other devices in the vicinity, including devices on both patients and staff members. This RF interference could result in erroneous readings or additional malfunctions of these other devices and could therefore result in inappropriate medical intervention. Depending on the intended use of the device that malfunctions, there may be different hazardous situations that could occur. This product is manufactured by Hillrom, which was acquired by Baxter in late 2021.

Unilever Issues Voluntary U.S. Recall of Select Dry Shampoos Due to Potential Presence of Benzene

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 18, 2022 – Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey – Unilever United States today issued a voluntary product recall to the consumer level of select lot codes of dry shampoo aerosol products produced prior to October 2021 from Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TIGI (Rockaholic and Bed Head), and TRESemmé due to potentially elevated levels of benzene.