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In this Update:
Urging Pennsylvanians to Stay Home During Upcoming Winter Storm
As chairmen of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, I urge residents to prepare for a major winter storm forecasted to impact Pennsylvania this weekend and stay off the roads so crews can work safely and efficiently. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for much of central Pennsylvania, in effect from Saturday evening through Monday afternoon. Forecasts predict heavy snowfall totaling 10-16 inches, with the heaviest accumulation expected Sunday. Frigid temperatures will follow, with highs near 20°F and lows dipping into the teens. Avoiding unnecessary travel is critical for public safety and storm response. Every vehicle on the road during a storm slows down plowing operations and increases risk. Please stay home unless absolutely necessary — your cooperation helps road crews clear snow faster and keeps everyone safer. Remaining off the road protects drivers from hazardous conditions, allows PennDOT and local crews to clear snow and ice efficiently, and reduces accidents and emergency calls, freeing first responders for critical needs. I advise taking the following steps to prepare for the storm:
To stay informed, I also recommends monitoring updates from the National Weather Service, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and local emergency management agencies. We have a short window to prepare. Please take this storm seriously, stay home and let our crews do their jobs safely and efficiently. Safety is our top priority. America 250 Celebrations
It was an honor to speak at the America250 Celebrations in both Franklin County and Adams County for the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. These events brought together local leaders, historians, educators, veterans, and community members who share a passion for preserving our history while shaping a meaningful future. Tour of the Victory House
It was a privilege to tour the Victory House in Chambersburg, a powerful new facility focused on walking alongside veterans as they rebuild stable and fulfilling lives. The vision and compassion behind this home are deeply inspiring. Visit with Pregnancy Ministries
I had a great meeting with Susie Barry (Executive Director) and her husband of Pregnancy Ministries in Chambersburg, PA! We’re excited for what’s ahead for this incredible ministry and its impact on our community! Visit to Aurelius Brain Health & Human Performance Facility
Aurelius is a non-profit clinic in downtown Harrisburg, PA dedicated to helping veterans, special operators, and others affected by chronic Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Their mission is to accelerate healing and restore quality of life through a multidisciplinary, evidence-inspired approach that goes beyond traditional therapy. At the heart of their work is the Aurelius Protocol™, which integrates a blend of advanced and holistic modalities such as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), and performance training. This combined approach promotes lasting brain health, cognitive function, and emotional resilience with fewer side effects than many conventional treatments. Aurelius also offers structured immersion programs where participants engage in intensive therapy and support in a confidential, donor-funded environment. Many veterans travel from across the U.S. and beyond to take part in these cohorts. Thank you, Anson and Audrey, for welcoming us and for your dedication to improving the lives of our veterans through the important work happening at your facility. Franklin County Community Projects Awarded $2.4 Million in State Grants
Rep. Chad Reichard and I were happy to secure more than $2.4 million in state grants for projects in Franklin County that strengthen the foundation of our communities by improving essential services and enhancing transportation networks. The following grants were awarded through the PA Small Water and Sewer Program:
The following grants were awarded through the Multimodal Transportation Fund:
I’m proud to work alongside Rep. Reichard to deliver these resources that will help families, businesses and local governments thrive for generations to come. Low-Interest Loan Awarded to Improve Water Service in Mercersburg, PA
The Mercersburg Water Authority was awarded a low-interest loan of more than $3.8 million from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority this week to construct a new water treatment facility to replace the deteriorating Buck Run water treatment facility. The new facility will treat water from the existing Buck Run and Zimm wells using pH adjustment, oxidation and pressure filtration. Removing the Buck Run facility from service will improve the reliability of drinking water for nearby communities. These state dollars will ensure residents are not burdened with the significant cost of this important project. This water treatment facility will be an asset for our local community for years to come. Throwback!
Me (on the right) with Army buddies on a training exercise at Fort Huachuca Arizona in the 1980’s. Returning Whole Milk to Schools
Last June, I joined my Pennsylvania Senate colleagues in voting to approve a resolution urging Congress to pass the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. Whole milk provides 13 essential vitamins to help build strong bones and maintain a healthy immune system. The evidence is overwhelming that both 2% and whole milk should be offered to our students in schools. We applaud the recent enactment of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act at the federal level, which allows U.S. schools to now offer whole and 2% milk as options for students, in addition to the current reduced-fat, low-fat and fat-free milk. The bill was in response to enactment of federal legislation in 2010 that permitted only low-fat and fat-free milk options in public schools. Within the first two years of the law taking effect, 1.2 million fewer students drank milk with their lunches. Pennsylvania ranks second in the number of dairy farms and eighth in total milk production, making this change a great positive for children while also supporting our dairy farmers! Jan. 31 Submission Deadline for Student Anti-Litter Contest
Students in grades K–6 have until Jan. 31 to submit entries for the latest Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful “Litter Hawk” anti-litter campaign. This year’s theme is Celebrate America250 – Keep It Beautiful, incorporating the nation’s semiquincentennial. Students can craft their message through art, writing or video. Winners will be announced in April and will be invited to take part in a Capitol ceremony. Contest details and application can be found here. PA Department of Revenue Job Openings
Are you good with numbers? The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue lists openings for full-time, part-time, temporary and student positions. The department receives and collects all of the commonwealth’s General Fund tax revenue. In addition, it annually processes more than 10 million business and individual tax reports and payments. Positions include accountants, tax examiners, research analysts, clerical assistants and others, some of them seasonal. You can review what’s currently available and subscribe for job alerts to receive automatic email notifications when new vacancies are posted in your field of interest. Take Part in the Wild Turkey Sighting Survey
Pennsylvanians are asked to report wild turkey flocks they encounter to help the state Game Commission with winter research, population monitoring and leg-banding efforts to track survival and harvest rates. If you’d like to take part, please report the location of any turkey flocks you see through March 15 on this webpage. Game Commission crews will assess sites for the potential to trap turkeys. Turkeys will not be moved; they’ll simply be leg-banded and released on site. Trapping turkeys during winter is part of the Game Commission’s ongoing population monitoring. National Blood Donor Month
The American Red Cross reports a blood shortage as requests from hospitals exceed the available supply, drawing down the blood supply by about 35% over the past month. The shortage is especially serious for platelets and type O, A negative and B negative blood. Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses and traumatic injuries. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving relies on friends and neighbors making donations.
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