My rescheduled town hall on cell phones in schools, a scam alert, and more

Rep. Mandy Steele January 23, 2026 | 9:42 AM

Feb. 24: My rescheduled town hall on cell phones in schools

On Feb. 24, I will be hosting my rescheduled town hall on cell phones in schools, an important educational issue. It will be 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24 at Cooper-Siegel Community Library.

My bipartisan H.B. 1814, currently pending in the House Education Committee, would require all public schools in Pennsylvania to restrict student cell phone possession and use during the school day, with exceptions for certain emergency and medical needs approved by school authorities. If enacted, Pennsylvania would join more than 20 other states that prohibit student phone use during the school day.

Beware of this bitcoin scam involving legal matters

Harmar Township Police are warning residents to beware of scammers who are asking people to deposit money into a bitcoin machine to address a legal matter. The scammer claims to be from the courthouse or sheriff’s department and tells the victim that they missed a court hearing or a relative has been arrested. The scammer then says the bitcoin deposit is needed to take care of the matter.

If you receive a call like this, call your local police department.

$4.1 million in grants for the 33rd District

I’m always happy to help municipalities secure state funding, because they need it for a range of purposes. This week I announced $4.1 million in new grants that will help pay for streetscape improvements and water and sewer projects across the district. I encourage any local officials to reach out to my office if they believe they can benefit from state funding.

Read more about this week’s grant awards here.

For winter travel info, check 511PA

When winter weather hits, you can check www.511pa.com before you travel. You can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles. 511PA also shows plow-truck locations and details of when state-maintained roadways were last plowed.

For more tips on winter driving, check out PennDOT.pa.gov/Winter.

Game Commission considering earlier deer hunting season

The PA Game Commission will consider preliminary seasons and bag limits for 2026-27 at its meeting today and tomorrow, and two proposals for the start of the firearms deer season are before the commission.

The first would open the season on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The second would maintain the current structure, with the season opening on the Saturday following Thanksgiving.

The board will hear public comments at its meeting on Saturday. If you’re unable to attend this meeting, you can send your questions, comments, or concerns on this proposed change to the board.

Read more about the meeting here. You can also watch the meeting live on the Game Commission’s YouTube channel.

Concealed carry seminar on March 21

I’m partnering with the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department for my annual Concealed Carry Permit and Safety Seminar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 21. It will be at Harrison Township Citizens Hose Fire & EMS, 965 Burtner Rd., Natrona Heights.

You can obtain or renew your concealed carry permit from the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department and learn more about the rules and regulations regarding firearm transport and safety.

My staff and I will also be on hand to assist with any state-related issues or concerns.

Visit here to RSVP. Please bring your completed application for a PA license to carry firearms from the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department, which is available here. You also may stop by my office to pick up an application.

New location and hours for my mobile office

I have a new location and expanded hours for my mobile office. It is in the Sharpsburg Borough Building, 1611 Main Street. The hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break, every Wednesday.

Feel free to stop by for assistance with any state-related service or program, and my staff will be happy to help!

My office is collecting food donations

With more families struggling to put food on the table, my office is serving as a drop-off site for food donations. If you are able, please consider donating non-perishable food items, which we will deliver weekly to food banks and pantries in our area. Stop by any weekday between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at my Cheswick office at 1296 Pittsburgh St.

Veterans services at my office

Twice each month, a Veterans Service Officer will be at my office to help veterans with a host of services. The VSO will be at my Cheswick office, 1296 Pittsburgh St., on the third Wednesday and Thursday of the month.

Call to schedule an appointment at (723)826-5151.