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Annual Breakfast Meeting on Agriculture

Each year, I look forward to hosting my annual “Breakfast Meeting on Agriculture,” with dozens of participants representing agriculture and agribusiness in Lycoming, Sullivan and Union counties. 

Held at Today Farm in Muncy, Lycoming County, attendees included Secretary Russell Redding of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, farmers, agribusiness professionals, FFA students, dairy royalty, teachers and elected officials. The event also featured a discussion on farm legacy and succession planning led by Penn State Extension

I’m incredibly grateful for the event’s generous sponsors, volunteers and speakers for making this another successful breakfast! 

Proud to Champion Pennsylvania’s Rural Electric Cooperatives

Photo Credit: PREA

Receiving the 2026 Rural Electric Leadership Award from the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association (PREA) is a tremendous honor. PREA serves as the unified voice for electric cooperatives in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Together, these cooperatives represent more than 600,000 consumers in over 230,000 rural households, businesses and industries in the two states.

These cooperatives play an enormously important role in keeping our communities powered and supporting Pennsylvania’s economy. I am incredibly appreciative of this recognition and remain committed to supporting reliable, affordable energy and the needs of rural communities across the commonwealth.

Local First Responders Honored for Heroic Flood Rescue

Several first responders were recently recognized for their heroic actions in rescuing a motorist trapped by rising floodwaters in Loyalsock Township on Aug. 2.

The honorees include Loyalsock Volunteer Fire Company #1 Deputy Chief Daniel Rumsey and Inspector Brenden Kriner, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Tyler Schramm, Hepburn Township Volunteer Fire Company Assistant Chief Brent Michael and SMART employees Christopher Snyder and Kyle Andricka.

Their quick response and coordinated efforts helped bring the individual to safety despite dangerous, rapidly rising water. Their courage and dedication, along with all the other first responders and departments that were on the scene, reflect the very best of those who routinely put themselves at risk to protect others. Thank you!

Lycoming Township Bridges to be Designated in Memory of Longtime County Transportation Planner

Two bridges carrying Interstate 99 over Route 973 in Lycoming Township will soon be designated the Mark Murawski Memorial Bridge. Included in an omnibus bridge-naming bill recently signed into law, the designation honors Mark’s decades of service to Lycoming County and his lasting contributions to transportation planning throughout northcentral Pennsylvania. Mark dedicated his career to improving our roads, bridges and transportation network, and this memorial will ensure his contributions and commitment to our communities are remembered for generations.

Read more on my website.

Recognizing Tim Cleveland’s Service to Tioga County Veterans

Tim Cleveland spent more than 20 years serving as director of the Tioga County Veterans’ Affairs Office and made a lasting difference for veterans throughout the region.

Following his retirement on Oct. 9, the Senate and House of Representatives recognized his decades of dedication, including expanding veterans’ services, helping connect veterans with benefits and supporting the establishment of the Wellsboro Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic. Deb Rudy of my Wellsboro office joined Rep. Clint Owlett to present Tim with congratulatory citations.

His commitment to service also includes 35 years in the military, with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Thank you, Tim, for your many years of service to our veterans and community.

Disaster Assistance Available for September Storm Recovery

Lycoming County residents affected by the Sept. 2-3 storms can still apply for assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program and Pennsylvania’s Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP).

These are the same programs offered through the Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Woodward Township. SBA low-interest loans are available to eligible homeowners, renters and businesses, while DRAP grants may help qualifying households with home repairs, temporary housing and essential personal property.

DRAP assistance is limited to primary residences in Anthony, Watson and Woodward townships and Duboistown and South Williamsport boroughs. Income limits and other eligibility requirements apply. The SBA physical-damage loan deadline is Nov. 23, and the DRAP application deadline is Dec. 24. Residents can review eligibility requirements and apply online at pa.gov/ready/drap or sba.gov.

PennDOT Driver’s License, Photo Centers Closed for Veterans Day Holiday

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that all driver’s license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.

Customers may obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications, and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website.

PennDOT Advice for Deterring an Aggressive Driver

Speeding and other aggressive driving behaviors are some of the leading factors of crashes and fatalities in Pennsylvania. To deter aggressive drivers and make Pennsylvania’s highways safer for all who use them, PennDOT partners with Pennsylvania State and local police departments to conduct aggressive driving enforcement. 

If you encounter an aggressive driver, PennDOT offers these tips to help keep yourself safe on the road:

• Get out of their way and don’t challenge them.
• Stay relaxed, avoid eye contact, and ignore rude gestures.
• Don’t block the passing lane if you are driving slower than most of the traffic.
• Do not attempt to follow or pursue the vehicle. You or a passenger may call the police. However, if you use a cell phone, pull over to a safe location.

For more traffic safety information, please visit pa.gov/dotsafety.