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.