Dear Neighbor,

I’m extremely excited to share that earlier this week over $2 million was awarded to fund projects in our area through the Local Share Account

The grant awards include:

• $346,144 for the purchase of five police vehicles to be used in Wilkes-Barre City. Many of the current police fleet vehicles are outdated and the addition will assist the police department officers who need reliable vehicles.
• $300,000 to purchase new seating for R/C Wilkes Barre Movies 14. An evaluation of the theater complex indicates a need to replace the existing theater seating with more modern and luxurious accommodations.
• $205,500 for the purchase of four 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Regular Cab 4x4 Dump Trucks. Each truck will be outfitted with diesel engines as they are much more durable and run for many more miles than typical gasoline engines.
• $200,000 for improved accessibility to The Wright Center for Community Health building by constructing new five-foot-wide sidewalks spanning 400 feet and replacing ramps and railings at the facility’s main entrance.
• $200,000 to improve the safety and security of King’s College by installing streetlights, blue lights/emergency call boxes, emergency radios, and security cameras.
• $200,000 to restore a minaret at the Irem Temple.
• $199,081 for the purchase of equipment to address drainage and safety issues at the golf course at the Wilkes-Barre Golf Club.
• $131,388 to construct a single-family home at 43 Monroe Street and to expand access to affordable housing in the area.
• $120,685 for renovations of the three-story commercial office building located at 35 E. Northampton St.
• $115,000 for first and second floor renovations to the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic building.
• $100,000 for the construction of a new police station adjacent to the existing municipal building along Main Street.
• $100,000 to renovate the Plains American Legion Post 558 building including a new chair lift for the handicap-accessible entrance, a new roof, camera system, and flooring.
• $73,437 for the purchase of gym equipment for the Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA.
• $70,000 for the rehabilitation of the demolished South Franklin Street lot. After the removal, green space and rain gardens will be added to assist with water runoff and prep the area for future construction of Bulldog BBQ.
• $63,764 for the purchase of a label maker and oil filling machine to be used at Mia Bella’s Gourmet Candles, created by Scent-Sations Inc.
• $62,946 for the laying of a concrete floor, running solar electricity, and installing a rainwater collection system at the Public Works pole barn.
• $61,924 for the purchase of a monitor/defibrillator for the City of Wilkes-Barre Fire Department/Emergency Medical Services.
• $50,000 to renovate the Planters Peanuts building into a local Christian Theater of the Arts center.
• $38,225 for renovations to the Northeast Counseling Services building.

Most of these projects are to renovate buildings and areas in the community as well as to purchase new equipment to keep crucial departments up to date. As a state legislator, I am always looking for ways to make improvements to our community. It’s important that our infrastructure is safe, our first responders have the equipment they need to serve residents here and that the quality of life is being improved. I also want to thank Sen. Marty Flynn for his help in acquiring this funding for our community.

Local Share Account grants are funded by gaming revenue and may be used for economic and community development and other public interest projects within host and contiguous counties.

The Area Agency on Aging for Luzerne and Wyoming counties will be distributing the annual Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) vouchers provided by the United States and Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture.

To be eligible for this program, you must meet all three requirements below:

• Be a resident of Luzerne or Wyoming Co.  
• Be at least 60 years of age by December 31, 2025.
• Meet income guidelines based on 2025 Total Household Income: (All income is included, i.e. Social Security, Pension, Unemployment Compensation, interest on Savings, Veterans payments, Public Assistance, Child support, Annuities, Net Rental income, Wages).

The 2025 household income eligibility is:

• 1 Person/Household – $28,953 or less.
• 2 People/Household – $39,128 or less.
• 3 People/Household – $49,303 or less.
• 4 People/Household – $59,478 or less. 
• 5 People/Household – $69,653 or less.

Distribution sites and dates are available below:

Please note that any eligible senior who is unable to pick up their vouchers in person may have a proxy pick them up with a signed proxy form, which is available here. Any questions, please call any Luzerne County Active Adult Centers or the Area Agency on Aging at 570-822-1159.

More details are available here.

The state has launched a new security feature that allows recipients of public benefits to lock their EBT cards when not in use. This tool is designed to protect benefits like SNAP and TANF from theft – especially from card skimming, a growing problem nationwide.

The free ConnectEBT app allows users to lock their card to prevent unauthorized use and unlock it before making purchases. Users can choose to lock their card everywhere or only outside Pennsylvania. An optional auto re-lock feature adds even more protection. Visit this page to learn more, and click on the image above to watch a video about the new tool.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has announced $2 million in funding to cover the cost of high school equivalency exams for eligible residents. Pennsylvanians can now take the GED or HiSET tests free at public testing sites or through online proctoring, while funds last. Visit this page to learn more.

This weekend, we honor and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Memorial Day Weekend is not just another long weekend, but a time for us to all renew our promise to never forget those who gave their life so that we could be free to live ours in our great democracy. Without their sacrifices, we wouldn’t be here today to enjoy all the wonderful aspects of our lives and all the many freedoms that come with living in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

It’s thanks to the unimaginable sacrifices of our armed forces who uphold their promises to our country that we continue to live in a democratic nation where the people select their leaders.

That freedom comes with the responsibility to respect the rule of law and honor our pledge and oath to this country, just as they honored theirs, the brave men and women who gave their life for us must never be forgotten. That’s why each year this weekend is dedicated to honoring their memories and supporting the families and communities they left behind. Let us remember our servicemen and women who give their lives not just once a year, but all year.

Please note that my offices will be closed Friday, May 23 through Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. We will reopen for regular business on Tuesday, May 27.

Let us continue to work together to build a stronger and safer America by searching for the TRUTH and finding the FACTS to guide our words, and our actions. Please, STAY STRONG and SAFE! Our democracy needs us to come together for the good of all.

Sincerely,

Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski

121st Legislative District