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Click here to find the latest information on coronavirus from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Updates

Today is the last day for Pennsylvanians to register to vote in time for the May 17 primary elections for governor and U.S. Senate.

Public hearing on rural broadband development and policy set for May 20.

ICYMI:  Skill Games Present a Golden Opportunity for Pennsylvania.

Penn State Extension is hosting a private webinar for PA local officials to discuss concerns and answer questions related to utility-scale solar.

The 2021-2022 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) season has been extended until May 20, 2022. 

Senate Republicans Begin Series of Hearings on Combatting Rising Crime

The Senate Majority Policy Committee kicked off a series of hearings on crime and public safety during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, gathering at the Cambria County Courthouse to get input from police, prosecutors, judges and key community groups. 

Pennsylvania has the highest violent crime rate of any state in the Northeast, according to FBI data. Between 2019 and 2020, no other state reported a greater year-over-year increase in violence. Driven by spikes in aggravated assault and homicide, Pennsylvania’s violent crime rate climbed 27.1% from 2019 to 2020.

Testifiers pointed to a growing difficulty in recruiting and retaining police officers, due in part to heated anti-police rhetoric in recent years. Others noted that drugs, mental health issues and the influx of residents from high-crime areas were driving up the number of offenses.

A top priority for Senate Republicans is to ensure Pennsylvanians feel safe in the towns, cities and communities they call home. These hearings will help legislators better understand the trends in crime from law enforcement and key stakeholders, and better match the Commonwealth’s economic goals with community objectives throughout Pennsylvania.

The next hearing on crime and public safety will be held Monday, May 2 in Lancaster County.

Avian Flu in Pennsylvania: What to Know

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture confirmed the state’s first positive cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in domestic poultry in several Lancaster County farms.

As of April 26, there have been five affected commercial flocks, zero affected backyard flocks, and a total of 3.8 million birds affected in Lancaster County. The most up-to-date status of confirmed Pennsylvania cases can be viewed on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these avian influenza detections do not present an immediate public health concern. No human cases of avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States. Poultry products and eggs are safe to consume if stored and cooked at proper temperatures.

Both commercial poultry farms and Pennsylvanians with backyard chickens should be on high alert to protect their flocks from this highly contagious and fatal disease. Domestic poultry, including chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl, quail, pheasants, emus and ostriches, are most susceptible to avian influenza.

If you have domestic birds, report sick domestic birds or unusual deaths in your flock to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at 717-772-2852 option 1. The line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Information about the current state of HPAI in Pennsylvania can be found at the HPAI Address Search Application.

More information:

USDA Defend the Flock Program

PA Department of Agriculture Info on Avian Influenza

PA Game Commission Avian Influenza FAQs

Avian Influenza Resources and Response – Penn State Extension

Protect Your Flock Against Avian Flu — Center for Poultry and Livestock Excellence

Help is Available to Start a Small Business

Next week is Small Business Week in Pennsylvania and across the U.S. It’s a good time to note the entrepreneurial opportunities and local economic benefits that small businesses provide.

Pennsylvania is home to 1.1 million small businesses that employ 2.5 million workers.

The Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop has resources for planning, registering, operating and growing a business. It includes CommonGoods, a new website helping consumers find and support local PA businesses while shopping online, and an eCommerce section to help small businesses establish and grow their online presence and sales.

Shoppers can support local employers and the local economy by patronizing small businesses. For every $100 spent at a small business, $48 goes back into the local economy in which the business is located. If that same $100 is spent at a big box store or national retailer, only $14 makes it back to the local economy.

Tips on Door-to-Door and In-Person Energy Sales

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is providing consumer tips on door-to-door sales and marketing activities by agents of competitive electric and natural gas suppliers, reminding consumers of their rights as well as their options when it comes to shopping for and selecting a competitive supplier for natural gas or electric service.

With the change of seasons and more daylight, there’s an uptick in door-to-door sales and marketing activity by competitive suppliers. In Pennsylvania, from April 1 through Sept. 30, hours for door-to-door sales and marketing expand one hour, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. When a local ordinance has stricter limitations, a supplier must comply with the local ordinance.

You are not required to choose a competitive supplier for electricity or natural gas supply. Agents who conduct door-to-door activities, or appear at public events, are required to wear an identification badge. They must immediately leave a residence when requested and must honor a customer’s request to be exempted from future door-to-door sales and marketing activities. You can find tips on avoiding deceptive or high-pressure sales here.

May is Safe Biking Month

By:  Kimberly A. Smith | Safety Press Officer
PA Department of Transportation
Engineering District 3-0

Biking can be a great mode of transportation as well as a mode of exercise. Just like other types of transportation, safety should be considered first and foremost.

Safety tips for bicyclists:

• Get a bike to match your needs. Many road bikes are designed ultra-lightweight for speed. Others are not as fast but built for comfort.
• Make sure your bike fits your body. Cranks, handlebars, and the seat can be changed to fit your needs.
• Make sure the bike is in good working order. Check to ensure gears and brakes work properly. If you need help, take it to a qualified mechanic.
• If you use your bike between sunset and sunrise, it must be equipped with a front lamp and rear and side reflectors that are visible from at least 500 feet. This is both to help other motorists see you and to illuminate your path.
• A rear-view mirror will help you maneuver through traffic. Rear-view mirrors can be helmet-mounted or mounted on your handlebars.
• Be prepared for flats and other minor breakdowns by bringing a small toolkit, including a tire patch and pump.
• Fingerless cycling gloves protect your hands in case of falls and help cushion your hands on the handlebars. Wear comfortable clothing, along with proper footwear.

PennDOT recommends that all bicyclists wear helmets. According to PA law, children 12 years of age and younger are required to wear helmets.

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