Local investments, housing relief efforts & what’s happening in our communities

Rep. Tarah Probst September 18, 2026 | 3:41 PM

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Funding local projects

I’m proud to announce more than $1 million in state funding for projects and organizations across Monroe and Pike counties.

These grants will support emergency services, critical infrastructure, community facilities, animal welfare, wildlife rehabilitation, the arts and local historical organizations.

The projects and organizations receiving funding include:

American Legion Post 851 Heat Upgrade Project — $26,785: Replacing the aging heating and cooling system to make the facility more comfortable, reliable and energy efficient.
East Stroudsburg Borough Wastewater Treatment Plant — $279,145: Upgrading equipment at the borough’s wastewater treatment plant.
Lehman Township — $100,000: Helping Lehman Pike EMS replace aging ambulances so emergency crews can respond quickly and reliably when residents need help.
Bushkill VFC Firehouse and Emergency Shelter Renovations — $200,000: Making critical improvements to the firehouse, including new garage doors, HVAC upgrades and accessible bathrooms, while preserving its role as a regional emergency shelter.
AWSOM Animal Shelter Expansion — $50,000: Expanding the shelter in Stroud Township to create additional space to care for animals and better serve local families.
Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center — $130,981: Repairing and improving the facility to provide better treatment and care for injured and orphaned wildlife.
Sherman Theatre Building Renovation Project — $200,000: Addressing structural, HVAC, roof and utility needs while adding a natural gas generator to help keep the historic theater operating safely during power outages.
Monroe County Historical Association — $9,500: Supporting operations and staff salaries at the Stroud Mansion Museum and Library and its new Heritage Center.
Pike County Historical Society — $9,500: Helping support maintenance, utilities and payroll while the society continues preserving and sharing Pike County’s history.

The first seven projects are being supported through the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Local Share Account Statewide program, which uses gaming revenues to fund community projects across Pennsylvania. The grants to the Monroe County Historical Association and Pike County Historical Society are part of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s Cultural and Historical Support Grant program, which provides operating support to qualifying museums and historical organizations.

Securing state funding for local priorities is an important part of my work as a state representative. I’ll continue advocating for investments that address needs in Monroe and Pike counties, strengthen our communities and help reduce the financial burden on local taxpayers when major improvements are needed.

I’m grateful to my colleagues and local partners who helped make these investments possible. I’m proud to support these projects and organizations and look forward to seeing the impact of this funding across our communities.

Tell the Senate to act on housing relief bills
before session ends

I’m continuing to push for action on two bills that address important financial pressures facing Pennsylvanians — House Bill 1257 and House Bill 1250.

HB 1257, of which I am the prime sponsor, would expand property tax relief to veterans who are at least 50% disabled, regardless of whether their disability resulted from combat service. It would also extend those protections to eligible surviving spouses.

The House passed HB 1257 by a vote of 202-1 in July, and it is now before the Senate State Government Committee. Because this legislation proposes a constitutional amendment, it must pass the General Assembly in two consecutive sessions before it can go before voters.

HB 1250, which I cosponsor, would address excessive lot rent increases in mobile home parks. The bill passed the House in June and is currently before the Senate Urban Affairs & Housing Committee.

These bills address different issues, but both deal with the ability of Pennsylvanians to remain in their homes and communities while facing rising costs.

With the legislative session nearing its end, residents who want to share their views on these bills can contact the appropriate Senate committee chairs:

Sen. Cris Dush, chair of the Senate State Government Committee, regarding HB 1257.
Sen. Joe Picozzi, chair of the Senate Urban Affairs & Housing Committee, regarding HB 1250.

Residents in our region can also contact Sen. Rosemary Brown, who represents Monroe County, and Sen. Lisa Baker, who represents Pike County, to share their views on both bills.

You can find contact information for all Pennsylvania state senators through the Senate member directory.

I’ll continue working to make sure these issues receive consideration in the Senate and to keep our communities informed about where these bills stand.

Mark your calendar – Senior Fair is Sept. 25

Join us from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at the Bushkill Outreach Center, 216 Lehman Park Rd., for a day of valuable resources and information for seniors, caregivers and the community.

We will have free health screenings, information for seniors and caregivers, representatives from local agencies, and more.

Registration is still open for exhibitors who would like to participate. Organizations can complete the registration form here.

Free transportation to the event is also available. Please scan the QR or contact Pike County Transportation to register.

Help make East Stroudsburg even more beautiful

Volunteers are needed this weekend for East Stroudsburg Borough’s Beautification Day. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Saturday morning at the Dansbury Park Pavilion. Property owners and volunteers can sign up by emailing esborough@gmail.com. Grab a friend and lend a helping hand.

Make your plan to vote

As we approach the General Election on Tuesday, November 3, here are some key dates to remember:

Monday, Oct. 19 – Last day to register to vote
Tuesday, Oct. 27– Last day to apply for an absentee or mail-in ballot
Tuesday, Nov. 3 – Election Day: Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Voters must be in line by 8 p.m. to cast their ballot.
8 p.m. on Nov. 3 – Deadline for mail-in and absentee ballots to be received

To find your polling location, update your voter information or for more voter services, visit vote.pa.gov.

My office can help you!

In the Community

It was an honor to attend and speak at the Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Company – Station 28, along with the Bushkill Volunteer Fire Company’s 9/11 ceremony.

There are no words that can fully express the sadness and empathy we feel for the first responders, their families, and all those who lost their lives that day, as well as those who have since passed away from illnesses connected to the attacks. It was a moving reminder that we will never forget the lives lost and the sacrifices made.

It was also a reminder of how strong our nation can be when we come together. In the aftermath of that tragedy, we stood as one—with compassion, respect, and love for one another. We were ONE then, and despite the chaos that surrounds us today, we are still ONE. For those who were alive on September 11, 2001, the memories remain as vivid as if it were yesterday.

The Pocono Family YMCA has broken ground on a major renovation and expansion project that will help strengthen the community for generations to come.

The YMCA has long been a place where families come together, children learn and grow, and neighbors build meaningful connections. I learned to swim there and participated in sports there, and it was an important place for me growing up as the child of a single mom. This project will create new opportunities for health, wellness, recreation, and community programming throughout the Poconos.

I’m proud to see the YMCA, Valley Health Partners, Lehigh Valley Health Network, community leaders, and so many dedicated partners come together to make this vision a reality. The project is an investment not just in a facility, but in the people, families, and future of our community. I look forward to seeing the impact this new space will have as the project moves forward.

What a day! It was a full one in the Poconos, starting with a meeting of the Greater Pocono National Council of Negro Women, followed by IrishFest in Stroudsburg Borough, hosted by the Pocono Irish American Club. It has been an honor over the last several years to be a “target” in the dunk tank for charity.

From there, it was off to East Stroudsburg University for LatinFest, then to The Gallery at 530 Main to support its “animal” show benefiting AWSOM Wellness Center and the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center. The day wrapped up back at IrishFest, where we caught the band Flyin Blind to close out the festival. All in all, it was a busy weekend filled with events, including the Jazz Festival in Delaware Water Gap, which lasted throughout the weekend and brought in tourists from all over the country.

Celebrating the 11th annual Raise Your Glass to the Past event benefiting the Monroe County Historical Association at beautiful Skytop Lodge.

This is the largest fundraiser of the year where so many people and businesses come together to make sure our history is preserved.

Community members, veterans, and local leaders gathered in Stroudsburg for the official ribbon cutting of the Women’s Veterans Museum.

The opening marks the creation of a space dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories, experiences, and contributions of women who have proudly served our country. The museum provides a meaningful tribute to generations of women veterans and helps ensure their service, sacrifice, and legacy continue to be recognized and remembered.

Congratulations to everyone whose dedication and hard work helped make this vision a reality—and a special congratulations to Sergeant Major Claudette Williams!