PA State Rep. Tina Pickett

I was happy to join in last week's grand opening celebration for the new Ingersoll-Rand Federal Credit Union on Elmira Street in Athens Township, Bradford County. We also cut the ribbon for Java Junction, the coffee shop located inside operated by Penn-York Opportunities. What great additions to the community. Congratulations to all involved in the project!

𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀

HARRISBURG – A new state law that makes it easier for residents to remove squatters from their properties was supported by Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Wyoming) when it passed unanimously in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives earlier this month.

“I have heard from many residents about their concerns regarding squatters,” said Pickett. “I believe this new law will go a long way in protecting the rights of lawful property owners, rather than protecting criminals who would break the law and create chaos in our communities.”

Act 88 of 2024 provides more certainty and clarity for homeowners, landlords and law enforcement officers who must deal with squatters by codifying existing case law on the subject.

The growing problem of squatters unlawfully taking over homes poses a significant threat to the stability and security of communities nationwide. The new law clarifies the legal status of squatters in Pennsylvania and streamlines the process for removing them from residential properties.

Previously, property owners faced an exhausting and often painful journey to reclaim their properties. The requirement to issue a “notice to quit” to individuals who have no legitimate claim on a property burdened property owners both financially and emotionally.

The act will take effect in mid-September.

Congratulations to The Summit: Center for Wellness and the Loyalsock Foundation on last week's groundbreaking for the permanent driveway leading to the future site of the main building in Laporte Township.

I had the pleasure of joining Senator Gene Yaw and PA State Rep. Joe Hamm at the event, which is the exciting next step in a project I was involved with in its early stages when I represented Sullivan County.

Learn more at https://shorturl.at/1ZTtw.

Thirteen local veterans who are members of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church near New Albany were recognized at a special event following Sunday service.

The event included the presentation of state certificates from me and PA State Rep. Joe Hamm expressing our appreciation for their military service. We join the church congregation in thanking them all!

Pictured with us in the group photo, from left, are Robin Adams, U.S Army; Kenneth Adams, U.S. Army; Burton Adams, U.S. Army; and Pastor Robert Brown. Robin and Burton are brothers, and Kenneth is their cousin. Burton's three daughters, who also served in the military, were unable to attend.

🚧 These PennDOT projects could impact your daily commute this week in 𝗪𝘆𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆: https://shorturl.at/zF078.
🚨 Please drive with caution through work zones.

The PA Turnpike Commission is advising a smishing scam is again being sent to random individuals, aiming to deceive them to share their personal financial information to settle outstanding toll amounts.

Smishing is a type of cybercrime that uses deceptive text messages to trick people into sharing sensitive information or sending money to cybercriminals

The texts purport to be from “Pennsylvania Turnpike Toll Services” and center on urgent requests with the account that would result in additional charges if the overdue balance does not get settled. Similar scams have been reported recently by toll agencies across the country.

People who receive an unsolicited text, email, or similar message suggesting it is from the PA Turnpike or another toll agency should not click on the link. E-ZPass account holders and Toll by Plate customers can use approved safe methods to check their accounts such as the official PA Turnpike E-ZPass website or the PA Toll Pay app available from the Apple App Store, or Google Play store.

Those who receive a fraudulent text can file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. That is a site dedicated to sharing information on Internet crimes across law enforcement agencies.

PennDOT advises motorists that starting Monday, a pipe replacement project will close a portion of Leisure Lake Road (Route 1012) in Stevens Township, Bradford County.

Leisure Lake Road will be closed daily between Route 706 and Forker Road (T-644) while a maintenance crew replaces deteriorating pipes. A detour using Route 706 and Herrickville Road (Route 1017) will be in place while the project is underway.

Work will be performed during daylight hours and is expected to be completed by Friday, Aug. 2.

Congratulations to Zakkary Mingos of Dushore for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout! I had the pleasure of attending Zakk’s recent Court of Honor ceremony, where I presented him with a House citation in recognition of his outstanding achievement, which was also signed by PA State Rep. Joe Hamm.

To fulfill his community service requirement, Zakk made renovations to the American Youth Soccer Organization field in Muncy Valley.

He is a member of Troop 4018 in Sayre and the son of Heather and Stanley Lentz Jr.

Our office attended last week's ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Endless Mountains Pregnancy Care Center (EPMCC) in Athens. EMPCC is a nonprofit, Christ-centered mission that started in 1992, and this is its fourth location in Bradford County.

The photo includes Kelly and Jen, from my Sayre office staff; EMPCC employees; and members of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.

I had the pleasure of joining the Wyoming County commissioners in recognizing 11 county residents who were recently inducted into the Pennsylvania Voter Hall of Fame for voting in 50 consecutive general elections. We presented three of them with certificates to mark their outstanding accomplishment during a morning ceremony at the courthouse.

Pictured with me, from left, are Commissioner Tom Henry, Beverly and Timothy Poole of North Branch Township, David Wilson of Tunkhannock, and Commissioners Ernie King and Rick Wilbur.

Inductees not present include Florance Smalser of Tunkhannock, Willard Irion of Nicholson, John Bunnell of Meshoppen, Linda and Sylvester Traver of Monroe Township, Nicholas Witiak of Factoryville, Margaret Hovan of Tunkhannock and Margaret Ellsworth of Tunkhannock.

Thank you all for taking your civic duty so seriously!

🚧 These PennDOT projects could impact your daily commute this week in 𝗪𝘆𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆: https://shorturl.at/zF078.

🚨 Please drive with caution through work zones.

Any Wyoming County senior who was unable to make it to the recent in-person distribution of the vouchers for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, may fill out an application form and return it either by mail or email to the Luzerne/Wyoming County Area Agency on Aging.

The form is available here: https://shorturl.at/mLWVt

To qualify for the voucher program, applicants must be 60 or older by Dec. 31, be a resident of Wyoming County and meet income guidelines. Applicants must have a total household income, before taxes, of less than $27,861 for a single person and $37,814 for a couple. Seniors are only able to receive one set of vouchers, which will be distributed through September.

For more information, please call my district office in Tunkhannock at 570-836-4777. We also have applications and can assist in getting them to the agency.

Legislation that would make it easier for property owners to get unauthorized occupants – or squatters – out of their properties was unanimously approved by the General Assembly this week and is now awaiting the governor’s signature to become law.

Senate Bill 1236 aims to provide more certainty and clarity for homeowners, landlords and law enforcement officers who must deal with squatters by codifying existing case law on the subject.

Currently, property owners face an exhausting and often painful journey to reclaim their properties. The requirement to issue a “notice to quit” to individuals who have no legitimate claim on a property burdens property owners financially and emotionally.

Please join me in wishing Stuart and Donna Brink of LeRaysville a very happy 50th anniversary! I had the pleasure of stopping by their anniversary celebration on July 4 (their actual wedding date in 1974) and surprising them with a certificate of recognition.

Stu is a Marine veteran of the Vietnam War and retired from Jen-Weld of Wysox. Donna had worked for Down’s Accounting and Financial Services before opening her own business, Hearthstone. The Brinks have three sons and have been blessed with seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Please join me in wishing Janet Russell of Rome a very happy 80th birthday! I had the pleasure of helping to celebrate her July 4 birthday with family and friends.

Pictured with us are her son, Ray Hotaling, and his wife, Diane. Janet also has two other children and has been blessed with 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

PennDOT is advising motorists that a microsurfacing project continues in Bradford County.

Starting tonight through Wednesday, between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 p.m., the contractor will be microsurfacing Elmira Street (Route 1069) between Keystone Avenue (Route 1070) in South Waverly and Edwards streets in Athens.

Motorists can expect single lane conditions with flagging where work is being performed.

Additional work locations for this project include:
• Route 6 between Sterling Hill Road and Crossroad Road/ Shumway Road in Wyalusing and Tuscarora townships.
• Route 6 between Route 187 and Red Rock Road in Wysox Township.
• Route 6 between Valley Road (Route 1025) and Rummerfield Creek Road (Route 1021) in Wysox Township.
• Route 3027 (Center Street/Minnequa Main Road) between North Street and Route 14 in Canton Township.

Congratulations to Lorraine Brown on her recent retirement from First Citizens Community Bank (FCCB)! She started out at the Towanda branch 45 years ago and most recently served as assistant vice president/office manager.

I was unable to attend her retirement party because the House was in session, so my staff photographer, Diane Elliott (right), went on my behalf and presented Lorraine with a House citation to mark the occasion.

Also pictured, from left, are Chris Landis and Jeff Carr, FCCB executive vice presidents.

This week, I joined Gov. Josh Shapiro and a bipartisan group of lawmakers from the House and Senate for the signing ceremony of legislation that establishes standards for insurance coverage of health care services delivered through telemedicine. As Republican chair of the House Insurance Committee, I am proud to have played a role in the bill's passage.

Act 42 of 2024 is another important step in ensuring telemedicine is available as a part of rural health care accessibility. It is often difficult for certain specialists to be within a reasonable travel range for residents in rural areas. The ability to monitor medical issues to keep people in better health is also very valuable. Many Pennsylvanians, including residents of the Northern Tier, will benefit from this new state law.

PennDOT advises motorists that a portion of Route 187 will close next week in Wilmot Township, Bradford County, for an embankment stabilization project.

Starting on Monday, Route 187 will be closed between Coyle Road and Grant Hill Road while a maintenance crew begins repairs on the embankment failure. Work on the project includes excavation, rock placement, drainage work and pavement restoration to stabilize the embankment and reconstruction of the roadway.

Detours will be in place for the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of August, weather permitting.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝘆𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆, 𝗦𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘁, 𝗕𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿
JUL. 03, 2024

HARRISBURG – A low-interest loan in the amount of $450,000 has been awarded to the Meshoppen Volunteer Fire Company in Wyoming County to help fund a major building project, according to Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Wyoming) and Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20).

The fire department plans to build a 9,000-square-foot fire station with a bay area of nearly 1,400 square feet. The department has outgrown its current five-bay facility. The new building will have seven bays to house firefighting vehicles and also allows the department to move out of a flood zone.

“I am so pleased the Meshoppen Volunteer Fire Company has been approved for the loan to help pay for its new and improved fire station, which will enable the department to better serve the community,” said Pickett.

“This is a crucial investment in sustaining and expanding the ability of the fire company to respond to emergencies,” Baker said. “It is encouraging to have a volunteer unit proceed with a forward-looking development. I commend all the local leaders and residents who support our vital volunteers.”

The loan was made available through the Volunteer Loan Assistance Program administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner. Created by the Legislature in 1976, the program provides loans at a fixed 2% interest rate to fire and emergency medical services companies for the acquisition, rehabilitation or improvement of apparatus, facilities and equipment.

Congratulations to Keir Family Distillery in Warren Center on its second anniversary! I stopped by on Saturday to join in the celebration and to wish them continued success. Joining me, from left, are Jacob, Jenn, Sam and Adam Keir.

I had the opportunity to recognize Connor Thetga at his graduation party on Saturday and wish him all the best as he pursues a career in firefighting. The Athens Area High School graduate volunteers at three local fire departments and will attend Harrisburg Area Community College this fall to study fire science.

Congratulations, Connor! We need more young people like you who are interested in serving their communities as firefighters.

I had the pleasure of participating in the recent ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Comfort Inn in Tunkhannock. The "refreshed" look of the hotel, located at 5 North Eaton Road, is just fabulous. Congratulations to all!

Joining me, from left, are Scott Walburn, Rotary Club of Tunkhannock; Joe Peters, Wyoming County district attorney; Gina Suydam, Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce president; Ellie Rail, Don Sherwood, Gary Kaschak, Dr. Art Sherwood, Jen Sherwood, all with Comfort Inn; Jean Rulf, Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau; and Arile Aulisio, Comfort Inn.

We had a productive meeting this morning at the Capitol that focused on the challenges faced by our EMS services in the Northern Tier.

I was joined by PA State Rep. Martin Causer, PA State Rep. Jonathan Fritz and PA State Rep. Clint Owlett, along with officials from local EMS organizations and the PA Department of Health, for a discussion of a proposal that would improve access to Advanced Life Support care and transport in rural areas of the state.

𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘁, 𝗕𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 $𝟮.𝟱 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗮𝘀 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗪𝘆𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

HARRISBURG – Wyoming County and its municipalities will share more than $2.5 million in impact fee revenue derived from natural gas producers in Pennsylvania during 2023, according to Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Wyoming) and Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20).

Wyoming County received nearly $947,000, while Wyoming County municipalities collectively received nearly $1.6 million.

“I am pleased Wyoming County communities continue to reap the economic benefits of the impact fees created by Act 13,” said Pickett. “The extra revenue helps local governments mitigate the effects of drilling activity and also supports other local improvement projects.”

“Energy development provides a significant economic boost for the region, and these funds pay for a wide range of community and environmental protection projects,” Baker said. “I commend the communities and local groups who have assembled qualifying projects that help ensure we have a proper balance between job creation and community safety.”

Nearly $180 million was generated statewide for the 2023 production year. Since impact fees went into effect in 2012 following the enactment of Act 13, more than $2.7 billion has been returned to communities across Pennsylvania, according to the Public Utility Commission, the agency charged with collection.

Sixty percent of the total impact fee revenue is divided among municipalities with drilling activity, while the remaining 40% is collected for statewide uses through the Marcellus Legacy Fund. Local counties also see a share of that revenue.

I had a great time at Fireman's Field Days over the weekend. This was the 55th year for the annual community event, which supports the Warren Township Volunteer Fire Department and features lots of family fun.

I had the opportunity to present a state certificate to Paul Moran in recognition of his longtime service to the department, which includes 25 years of documenting the event's revenue receipts. Joining us is his wife, Nancy.

I also visited with Kyle Dewees, who was handing out the chicken dinners. Kyle is president of the Pennsylvania Maple Syrup Producers Council.