State Senator Lindsey M. Williams, Your District 38
Update

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*Upcoming Events**

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*Whole-Home Repairs Program Policy Hearing*

Today, February
2nd, Senators Nikil Saval, Katie Muth, Wayne Fontana, Jim Brewster,
and I will host a hearing to take a deep dive into how PA's Whole-Home
Repairs program is working one and half years after passage.
Whole-Home Repairs is a comprehensive home repair and workforce
development program. Specifically, we will explore a case study of how
the program is working in Allegheny County, from which we can pull
best practices and lessons learned. We will also get a broader view of
the program and common themes across the state.

This hearing will be
at the Allegheny County Courthouse 4th Floor - Gold Room 436 Grant
Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219. You can also attend virtually by
registering in advance at:
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[link 2]

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*Community
Office Hours Today!*

Community office hours at the Kingsley
Association are today, February 2nd from 10am - 3pm. Stop by to take
advantage of all of the services our District Office provides like:
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2023 Property Tax Rent Rebate

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Senior Photo Connect Cards

-
PennDOT Forms

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Connecting You with Resources

-
Unclaimed
Property Searches

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Voter Registration

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Free Notary Services

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And much more!

One of our Constituent Relations Specialists will be
there - no appointment necessary!

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*Good
News**

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*Indianola
Church Turns 100!*

Last Monday, I had the chance to celebrate the
100th anniversary of the Indianola United Presbyterian Church along
with several members of the congregation, many of whom are third and
fourth generation members. Thank you for inviting me to honor your
history as you look forward to the next 100 years!

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*Harvest
Moon Grand Opening in Natrona Heights!*

Harvest Moon Coffee &
Chocolates [link 3]' official Grand Opening last Tuesday was a
success! Be sure to come by for the welcome, cozy atmosphere and lots
of options for delicious beverages, foods, and goodies!
Congratulations to Desiree Singleton and her team. We're excited to
have new neighbors in the Heights Plaza!

The fabulous balloon
arrangements above were made by valley_balloons_and_blooms [link 4],
another Tarentum woman-owned business!

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*Visit
to Vintage Senior Center in East Liberty*

Last week I had the
pleasure of touring the East Liberty Vintage Senior Center for Active
Adults [link 5], a service of Familylinks. I met the staff and many
members who attend Vintage daily to enjoy their extensive programming.
I am excited to continue working with Vintage to ensure it continues
to be a safe, accessible, and engaging space for our seniors.

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*Civic
Engagement Assembly at Pine-Richland Middle School*

This week, I got
to join the 8th grade at Pine-Richland Middle School for an assembly
on civic engagement. Thank you to all of the students for asking such
thoughtful questions about what it means to be a good citizen and what
it's like to be an elected representative!

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Celebrating
Hampton Manager Chris Lochner's Retirement*

Congratulations and happy
retirement to Chris Lochner! Mr. Lochner served as the Manager of the
Township of Hampton for 38 years, and it was my honor to celebrate his
well-deserved retirement with friends, family, and colleagues last
week.

Thank you for your service to Hampton and the entire region!
Enjoy your next adventure!

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*Legislative
Update**

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*Shaler
Hampton EMS is recognized for EMS of the Year*

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*Senator
Williams at Camp Guyasuta*

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*Senator
Williams at West Deer Volunteer Fire Department #3
Groundbreaking*

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*Senator
Williams at Harrison Township Water Authority*

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*Senator
Williams Visits Pittsburgh Zoo*

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*Senator
Williams with Shaler Area Students*

*Senator Williams Announces $2.8
Million in Grant Funding for Projects Across Senate District 38*

This
month, grant funding was announced for projects across Senate District
38 from the Act 13 Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program and from
the Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund (GEDTF)
Program.

Grantees receiving Act 13 funds in Senate District 38
are:

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Cheswick Borough will receive $23,813 for the Borough Park
and Recreation Planning to create a riverfront development plan [link
6] that focuses on public access to the shoreline and helps promote
economic gains in Cheswick and Tarentum.

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O'Hara Township will
receive $80,450 for the Meadow Park Tennis Court Rehabilitation
project, which includes milling and resurfacing the courts, replacing
nets and fencing, and repairing disturbed areas. O'Hara residents can
look forward to tennis court upgrades and safer pedestrian access |
TribLIVE.com [link 7]

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Cheswick Borough will receive $204,406 for
the Rachel Carson Pavilion and Restroom Construction.

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The Rachel
Carson Trails Conservancy will receive $40,000 for the Riddle Run
Recreation and Conservation Plan, which will identify opportunities to
connect Agan Park and the Valley View Open Space by trails,
recreational spaces, or conservation.

GEDTF

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The Pittsburgh Opera
will receive $75,000 to support its operating expenses for the
2024-2025 Season.

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The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium will receive
$500,000 for renovations of the Water's Edge Exhibit, including
replacing the entire facade and boardwalk and repair of the leaks in
the sea otter tank.

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The Urban Redevelopment Authority will
receive $100,000 for the Lottery Store project. This funding will be
used to renovate 25 Meadow Street into a fully equipped commercial
building and relocating the Lottery Store so that 501 Larimer Street
can be stabilized and renovated.

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Richland Township will receive
$200,000 for installation of an ADA-accessible playground and fire pit
at the newly renovated Community Barn.

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West Deer Volunteer Fire
Company #3 will receive $200,000 for expansion and installation of the
garage bay parking pads and parking area. Growing West Deer fire
department eyes enclosed garage, live-in bunks | TribLIVE.com [link
8]

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The Richland Township Municipal Authority will receive
$200,000 to replace approximately 3000 feet of existing 6" water lines
along Chessrown Avenue and Community Center Drive.

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The Allegheny
Land Trust will receive $90,000 to obtain 27 acres of green space in
Ross Township known as the "Lowries Run Slopes Extension."

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The
McCandless Swimming Club will receive $75,000 for critical repairs to
the concrete in between the main pool and diving well and in the baby
pool. Repairs will also be performed in the pool house, pool liners,
and pool heaters.

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The Harrison Township Water Authority will
receive $210,000 to install two emergency generators.

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The Boy
Scouts Laurel Highlands Council will receive $90,000 to expand the
Seneca Program Building at Camp Guyasuta. This project will provide
much needed modern upgrades to the nearly 90-year-old facility and
will permit the Camp to use the building and expanded classroom space
for year-round programming.

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Highlands School District will
receive $57,000 to install turf and new scoreboards on the High School
Baseball and Softball Fields. When complete, this project will create
safe, reliable, and equitable facilities for physical education
classes, practices, games, school, and community youth activities.

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O'Hara Township will receive $50,000 to construct ADA-compliant access
ramps at three locations within the intersection of Freeport Road and
Fox Chapel Road. This intersection is locally known as "B'man's Corner
Office," where Bill Carney, B'man, and his family set up their "BEEP
for B'man" outings [link 9].

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Hilltop Hose Company #3 will receive
$50,000 to repave their parking lot and perform necessary upgrades to
their building, including replacing siding, ceiling, and drywall.

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The Union Hotel Redevelopment Project will receive $45,000 for facade
repairs to the Union Hotel, which are necessary to ensure the safety
of building users and pedestrians. This project is a part of the
larger Etna Business District revitalization project, which will
create new housing and business opportunities in Etna while restoring
the historic features of existing buildings.

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The Shaler Area
School District will receive $50,000 for their "Young Learners Need
Choice" program, which will provide collaborative tables, flexible
seating options, and learning centers for K-3 classrooms at
Burchfield, Marzolf, and Reserve Primary Schools.

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Shaler Area EMS
will receive $118,000 for enhancements to their existing Firefighter
Rehabilitation program. Shaler Area EMS currently supports 9 local
volunteer fire departments by medically evaluating each firefighter
after significant exertion for signs of distress or medical
compromise. This funding will be used to allow the agency to improve
equipment available to protect our volunteers and ensure their health
and safety.

I'm incredibly proud to have supported each of these
projects and advocated for state investments in our local communities.
From ensuring that our fire departments have the equipment and
facilities that they need to creating safe and welcoming recreation
spaces for everyone, our communities are doing amazing work.

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*My Office is Now Scheduling AARP Tax-Aide Appointments!
*

It is tax season and the AARP Tax-Aide Program is up and running at
the Shaler Undercliff Fire Company and the Ross Township Community
Center. This program provides free tax assistance and tax preparation
services to low- and moderate-income taxpayers, with an emphasis on
those 50 or older. To schedule your free appointment, please call the
office at 412-364-0469.

For more information, visit AARP Tax-Aide
Allegheny County, PA (taxaide-pittsburgh.com) [link 11].

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*Preparing your Own PA Taxes? Use myPATH to Get Your Refund
Faster!*

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is encouraging
taxpayers to use a *free *online option to file their Pennsylvania
personal income tax returns. Taxpayers can visit myPATH - Home [link
13] to file their PA tax returns through the department's state-only
filing system. myPATH is user friendly and can also be used to make
income tax payments.

myPATH:

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can be accessed from a computer,
tablet, or mobile phone.

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doesn't require a username or password
for functions like filing a Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax Return
(PA-40), making a payment, responding to department requests for
information, or checking the status of a refund.

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has
instructional videos [link 14] for all types of PA tax filing and
electronic devices in English and Spanish.

All taxpayers who
received more than $33 in total gross taxable income in calendar year
2023 must file a Pennsylvania personal income tax return by midnight,
Monday, April 15, 2024.

Personal income tax assistance is available
through the department's Online Customer Service Center [link 15] and
by calling 717-787-8201 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through
Friday. Taxpayers can also visit a Department of Revenue district
office [link 16] for state personal income tax filing assistance, 8:30
a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Customers are encouraged to
call ahead for an appointment.

Free tax forms and instructions are
available at revenue.pa.gov [link 17].

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*Allegheny County Conversations - Opportunity to Share Your
Thoughts*

The new Allegheny County Government [link 19]
administration wants to hear from YOU!

County Conversations are an
opportunity for the community to meet with County leadership and
discuss issues that matter most to them. Free food, music, and
childcare will be provided, and registration links are included
below.

-
Wilkinsburg - Wednesday, February 7th, 5pm - 8:30pm at
Hosanna House

Register here [link 20].

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Pittsburgh - Saturday,
February 24th, 10am - 2pm at CCAC Allegheny Campus

Register here
[link 21].

-
Mon Valley - Thursday, February 29th, 5pm - 8:30pm at
McKeesport Palisades Event Center

Register here [link 22].

Unable
to make a session? The Office of the Allegheny County Executive [link
23] wants residents to share their ideas on housing, healthcare,
safety, pollution, small business support, and more by completing a
survey at County Conversations -- Allegheny for All [link 24].

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*The
Allegheny River Wins 2024 Pennsylvania River of the Year!*

This week,
I met with the PA Fish and Boat Commission, including our Allegheny
County Waterways Conservation Officers, whose job it is to help keep
everyone safe as they live, work, and play on and around our rivers.
We're also celebrating a BIG WIN for our region-- our very own
Allegheny River being named Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources (DCNR) 2024 River of the Year [link 25]! A
record breaking 20,259 votes were cast among the 3 nominated rivers:
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8,307 - Allegheny River

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7,212 - Youghiogheny River

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4,740
- Lackawaxen River

Three Rivers Waterkeeper [link 26], who nominated
the Allegheny River, will receive a $10,000.

Leadership Grant to
fund a slate of River of the Year activities throughout 2024.
Activities will be designed to showcase the river and engage
communities in the great work being done to preserve it as a precious
resource.

Do you know...

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The 325-mile-long Allegheny River
starts as a stream in Potter County, briefly runs through New York and
then through six counties in Western Pennsylvania.

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The Allegheny
River ends in Pittsburgh where it meets the Monongahela River and
flows into the Ohio River, providing drinking water to more than one
million people and acts as an ecologically and economically precious
water trail.

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Many communities called the Allegheny River valley
home, including the O-non-dowa-gah (Seneca Nation) who call the
Allegheny Ohi:yo' (beautiful river), the Lenni Lenape (Delaware
Nation) who named it welhik-heny (most beautiful stream), and French
settlers who referred to it as La Belle Riviere.

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A series of
locks and dams were constructed in the early 20th century to make the
Allegheny River navigable for barges to transport goods, but the river
also provides swimming, boating, and fishing opportunities for
residents and visitors.

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The Allegheny River includes the
Allegheny Islands Wilderness, a seven-island, 372-acre preserve that
boasts old-growth hardwoods and prolific bird populations.

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The
Allegheny River and its environs are home to over 50 mammals, 200
birds, 25 amphibians, 20 reptiles, 80 fishes, and 25 freshwater
mussels.

DCNR's River Sojourn Program [link 27] runs guided paddling
trips from May - September across the state for new and experienced
paddlers and will have a special sojourn to celebrate the Allegheny's
River of the Year win. The 2024 sojourn schedule should be posted soon
and we hope you'll be able to paddle out to celebrate and learn about
our precious Allegheny River resource.

Thank you to everyone who
voted and congratulations to our region for this honor!

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*Upcoming PHEAA & FAFSA Webinars*

Need to learn the ins
and outs of financing your education? PHEAA [link 29] is hosting
several webinars this spring!

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FAFSA Overview- Line by Line

-
Wednesday, February 21, 6-7pm

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Tuesday, April 9, 6-7pm

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Tuesday, July 9, 6-7pm

-
Understanding & Comparing Financial Aid
Offers

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Wednesday, March 20, 6-7pm

-
Student Loans 101

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Tuesday, April 23, 6-7pm

-
Financial Aid Junior JumpStart for High
School Juniors

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Wednesday, May 8, 6-7pm

Visit Financial Aid
Webinars (pheaa.org) [link 30] to register for the webinars you'd like
to attend!

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*2024
Lyme Art Contest*

Children in grades 1-6 are encouraged to
participate in this year's Lyme Art Contest. Entries can be a short
video or poster focusing on the theme: "Protect. Check. Remove." The
annual contest raises awareness of the disease and helps students,
scout troops, and community youth programs learn how to prevent Lyme
disease by educating them about ticks, including where they live, how
to prevent bites, and how to remove ticks that do bite.

The deadline
for entries is 5:00 PM, March 15, 2024.

Contest information can be
found on the Department of Health's website [link 32].

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*Project
Prom Donations Needed*

Each year, Allegheny County Department of
Human Services hosts Project Prom, which gives eligible high schools
students the opportunity to choose free formal attire from a selection
of currently styled formal gowns, shoes, and accessories.

This year,
the Township of O'Hara [link 33] is an official drop off location for
gently used gowns, shoes, and accessories for Project Prom!

Drop off
items from Monday, January 15 through Friday, March 15! Items can be
dropped off at the Township building (325 Fox Chapel Road) on
Mondays-Fridays from 8am-4pm.

For additional donation options and
drop off locations, please visit the Project Prom website here [link
34].

Help make someone's prom affordable and fun!

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[link 35]

*New Teen Space at Sharpsburg Community
Library*

Sharpsburg Community Library's [link 36] GRAND OPENING for
their new Teen Space is Friday, February 2nd, from 6-9pm! They will
have food, art, music, video games, and more!

The Library is very
excited to offer a welcoming space for teens to call their own! The
space has comfy furniture, digital music equipment, Apple creative
software, and video game consoles in addition to our existing young
adult book collection.

Share the news with the teens in your
life!

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As
always, please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have
by phone at 412-364-0469 [link 37] (Ross Office), 724-224-2131 [link
38] (Harrison Office) or by email at
[email protected] [link 39]. My staff will return
your call/email within 24 hours (Monday-Friday).

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Senator
Lindsey Williams

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mailto:[email protected]

Contact
Information:

Website:
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Office Location:
District
Office
5000 McKnight Road
Suite 405
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone:
412-364-0469
Fax: 412-364-0928
Monday ? Friday 9-5

Harrison
Office
1826 Union Avenue
Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Phone:
724-224-2131
Fax: 724-224-2145
Monday ? Thursday 9-5

Harrisburg
Office
366 Capitol Building
Senate Box 203038
Harrisburg, PA
17120-3038
Phone: 717-787-6538
Fax: 717-787-8625
By appointment
only


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