Dear Neighbor,
The City of Wilkes-Barre recently announced that they are accepting applications for the Hometown Heroes Banner Program! The program honors veterans (both living and deceased) and active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces from the City of Wilkes-Barre.
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Over 300 Hometown Heroes banners have been installed in Downtown Wilkes-Barre since 2021, and the city is opening the program once again to honor more military citizens. Each banner will feature the individual’s photo (provided by the family of the “Hero”), name, and branch of service.
Banners will be displayed on light poles on main streets in Wilkes-Barre. Hometown Heroes banners will be displayed throughout the City of Wilkes-Barre for a two-year period. If after being on display for two years the banners still look respectful, the banners may stay displayed for a longer period.
To qualify as a Hometown Hero, the Hero must have lived in the City of Wilkes-Barre either before or after their military service. (Heroes do not need to have been born in Wilkes-Barre).
For more information and to apply please click here or call Lisa Sanfilippo at 570.208.4157 or email her at lsanfilippo@wilkes-barre.pa.us.
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Ag Committee at Ag Progress Days
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On Wednesday, Sen. Elder Vogel Jr. (R-47) and I lead a discussion as the majority chairs of the Senate and House Agriculture and Rural Affairs committees about “The State of the Livestock Industry in Pennsylvania: Producer Perspectives” during this week’s 49th annual Ag Progress Days hosted by Penn State University.
Committee members heard from industry leaders representing the interests of PA’s dairy, beef, swine, poultry and sheep as well as U.S. Rep. Glenn ‘G.T.’ Thompson, who chairs the House Committee on Agriculture and held a similar livestock industry overview hearing at the federal level.
Across the board, the representatives spoke of the continued growth and success they have been seeing within their individual industries.
Tessa Applegate, chief financial officer for Clark’s Feed Mill, Inc., shared that “between 2017 and 2021, U.S. poultry production surged by 55%, reaching $7 million” and as of 2022 “poultry officially became Pennsylvania’s top [agriculture] sector by revenue, hitting $2.6 billion for the first time.”
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Within the sheep industry, Dan Turner, president of the PA Sheep and Wool Growers Association (PSWGA), highlighted that with sheep becoming a valued asset for land management, it shows a “significant evolution in the economic and ecological valuation of sheep in Pennsylvania and may create the largest increase in sheep numbers over the last century.” The PSWGA is based in Cumberland County and supports education and marketing of food and fiber from sheep for lamb and wool producers.
Testifiers also touched upon some obstacles they have come across, which included increased input costs, shortage of veterinarian care and burdens stemming from environmental regulation and permit requirements.
Our committees heard important testimony demonstrating how our commonwealth’s livestock producers are the backbone of our agricultural economy by providing food, creating jobs and supporting communities across Pennsylvania. It’s important that policymakers hear directly from the farmers, processors and experts who power the livestock industry – educating us on their challenges while exploring opportunities to strengthen and support this vital industry.
For those who don’t know, Penn State has been hosting this event at the Rock Springs site since 1976, showcasing the various aspects of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry as well as the most recent agricultural break throughs. It remains one of the top agricultural events in the commonwealth and is one of only three agricultural exhibitions in the country sponsored by a major university.
To view the full informational hearing, click here.
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Two Ways to Protect Your EBT Card
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Did you know that the only way to fully lock your EBT card is through ConnectEBT? The “Lock Everywhere” option is the best way to protect your benefits! Locking your EBT card everywhere when not in use maximizes protection of your SNAP and cash benefits from skimming and theft in PA, out of state, and online.
There are two lock settings to protect your benefits everywhere. EBT users can lock their card both in and out of PA.
- Lock my card everywhere, blocks all in-store and online purchases.
- Lock my card outside of PA, blocks purchases made from out of state.
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Don’t take any chances – “Lock Everywhere" and maximize your protection today.
EBT Card Lock feature is available on the ConnectEBT app or at connectebt.com.
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PennDOT Now Hiring for Winter Maintenance in Northeast PA
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Don’t Let a Life Change Disrupt Your Health Coverage
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If you’ve recently experienced a life event—such as a job change, marriage, birth, move, or loss of coverage—that has affected your health insurance, Pennie is here to help you stay covered. Pennie’s enrollment portal offers options tailored to your needs, and many customers qualify for additional monthly savings based on income and household size.
Visit pennie.com today to explore your coverage options, check your eligibility for subsidies, and enroll in a health plan that works for you and your family. Qualifying life events typically trigger a special enrollment period, so it’s important to act promptly to avoid any gaps in coverage.
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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.
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Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski
121st Legislative District
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
214 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-0686
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Plains District Office
1325 North River Street,
Suite 101A
Plains, PA 18702-1838
(570) 301-6158
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Wilkes-Barre District Office
152 South Pennsylvania Ave.
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
(570) 825-5934
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