Upcoming Events

August Community Days

Come on out to Aspinwall Big Night Out tonight and East Deer’s Summer Celebration later this month to enjoy the food and fun. While you are there, stop by our table. We will be there to hear what is important to you and to provide information and state resources to the community.  

Congressman Deluzio Veterans Resource Fair
Tuesday, August 13, 5-7pm, West View VFW, 386 Perry Hwy, West View

We will be at Congressman Chris Deluzio’s Veterans Resource Fair on August 13th. Service men and women can meet with veteran’s organizations, government organizations, veteran service officers and more. Come by our table if you need information or help with Pennsylvania resources. We look forward to meeting you! 

School Supply Drive
5000 McKnight Rd. Ste 405, Ross Twp or 1826 Union Ave. Natrona Heights
August 1 - 15, 2024, M-Th, 9 am - 5-pm

It is hard to believe, but back-to-school time is around the corner. As you are shopping for the students in your life, pick up a few extra supplies for kids in need in our community. We are collecting backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and more for children of all ages at either our Ross Township or Natrona Heights office open 9-5, Monday - Thursday. We are accepting donations through August 15.

Questions? Call 412-364-0469 (Ross) or 724-224-2131 (Harrison) or email us at [email protected].

Free Paper Shredding Event!
1826 Union Ave, Natrona Heights, Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 9 am - 11 am

Have you been cleaning out your old paperwork? Dispose of your personal documents safely and securely at my *free* paper shredding event with Rep. Mandy Steele on Saturday, September 7 from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at Heights Plaza in Natrona Heights! 

Each car can shred up to two bankers boxes of paper (for reference a bankers box is about the size of a microwave). Please remove all metal fasteners other than staples before the event!

Shredding will be performed on site. Bags and boxes will be returned to the car after they are emptied. 

Good News

Conference on Career and Technical Education

On July 25th, I joined the Pennsylvania Association of Career & Technical Administrators (PACTA) for their annual Leadership Conference to talk legislative updates in the world of Career and Technical Education.

The 24-25 budget saw a $25 million increase in the CTE subsidy, as well as a $5 million increase in the CTE equipment grant line item! Also, my legislation that helps CTCs with funding predictability was incorporated into this year's School Code!

This is amazing news for our 88 CTCs and 142 high schools that provide CTE courses across the state-- and this is just the beginning of the work to ensure that all students have access to these incredible learning experiences.

Sharpsburg Stormwater Project Receives Federal Infrastructure Dollars

On July 26th I joined Congressman Chris Deluzio in Sharpsburg to talk about the stormwater improvements the Borough is planning and to celebrate the federal infrastructure dollars that will make it possible. Congratulations to Sharpsburg!

News You Can Use

The Student Teacher Stipend Program is Open!

Our recently passed state budget included $20 million for the Student Teacher Stipend Program - a 100% increase! This program is designed to address the current Pennsylvania teacher shortage by reducing the financial stress that student teachers feel. The program incentivizes completion at Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and non-public schools that struggle to attract educators. See the graphic above for eligibility. 

2024-25 Student Teacher Stipend Program Award Year Deadlines:

• Application Deadline: December 15, 2024
• 2024 Fall Term Placement: July 1, 2024*
• 2025 Spring Term Placement: December 1, 2024*

*Any placements established after these dates can be appealed for eligibility.

Locations include school districts, intermediate units, non-public schools, area career and technical schools, charter schools, regional charter schools, or cyber charter schools.

To learn more and to apply, click here.

Free FAFSA Help Desk

The Pennsylvania Department of Education and uAspire have teamed up to launch a FREE statewide helpline for questions about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)! The FAFSA form gives students access to federal student aid like federal grants, loans, and work-study funds to help pay for college or career/trade school.

PA students, parents, and practitioners supporting them can text 313- PA FAFSA (313-723-2372) any time to get connected to a FAFSA expert, ask questions, or set up personal advising sessions for free - as many times as needed to complete their application.

For more information go to: uAspire - Pennsylvania launches new free resource to help students, families fill out FAFSA form.

PHEAA’s Free August Webinars

Back to School season is approaching, and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) has FREE financial webinars ready to go!

• Deep Dive into Covering the Gap
  • Thursday, August 22nd, 6:30pm
• Financial Aid Timeline- know what to do when
  • Thursday, August 8th, 6:30pm
  • Tuesday, August 20th, 12pm

To register go to Financial Aid Webinars (pheaa.org).

PA Attorney General Launches Online Airline Complaint Form

Have a problem with a recent flight? You can now file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s office. This new form is part of an ongoing effort with federal partners to hold airlines accountable when they mistreat consumers. Pennsylvania travelers can file complaints for issues like flight delays, cancellations, or boarding problems. 

File online or print out a form at: Aviation Consumer Complaint – PA Office of Attorney General.

Read more at Have a gripe about your flight? Pa. AG launches online aviation complaint form | TribLIVE.com.

August Raccoon Rabies Vaccination Baiting

Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) and U.S. Department of Agriculture began their raccoon rabies vaccination distribution program on August 5th!

While the risk of adverse effects to humans and animals from exposure to the vaccine is minimal, it's best to avoid contact with the bait. ACHD is asking the public to keep their dogs on a leash, indoors, or confined to their property as much as possible during baiting and the week after.

A vaccine is a blister packet coated in fishmeal or a vanilla flavored, waxy substance. The scent attracts the raccoons to eat the bait and vaccine, resulting in the development of antibodies to the rabies virus. The vaccine cannot cause rabies. 

Health Department staff and volunteers will distribute more than 300,000 baits in all 130 Allegheny County municipalities. Bait will be spread by hand Monday, August 5 through Friday, August 9. Aircraft, including helicopters and fixed-wing airplanes, will distribute bait until August 30th. Residents might see low-flying, slow-moving aircraft pass over the same area multiple times.

For more information go to: Annual Raccoon Rabies Vaccination Initiative Begins August 1st - Allegheny County, PA. 

Duncan Park Work Days

Looking for an opportunity to give back to the Lawrenceville Community? Come to a Duncan Park Workday! Stay for the whole event, or for as long as you can. Snacks, water, and tools will be provided. 

Registration is not required. If you have any questions, contact Emma at 412-802-7220 or [email protected]. 

Tree Tender Course from Tree Pittsburgh

Want to know more about the trees in your neighborhood? Want your community to enjoy the benefits of healthy trees? Become a Tree Tender! Tree Tenders is a course from Tree Pittsburgh that teaches about trees in urban or built-up environments - collectively termed the urban forest.

The course is two-part and held on consecutive Wednesday evenings in September: Sept. 4 and Sept. 11, 6-8:30pm. Course format includes indoor and outdoor instruction (weather permitting), with the majority of time spent indoors. 

For more information and to register go to: Tree Tender Course, 2-part, September 2024 by Tree Pittsburgh (givelively.org).

 

Water Trail Clean Up In Tarentum

Volunteers with Friends of the Riverfront’s Water Trail Care pilot program will be cleaning up portions of the Three Rivers Water Trail by boat on August 29th. The program is starting with a kayak-based cleanup at the area beneath the Tarentum Bridge. 

Volunteer spots filled up quickly for the Tarentum cleanup, but Friends of the Riverfront is always looking for help. If you are interested in getting involved with cleanups by boat or along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, you can register at friendsoftheriverfront.org. For questions about this or other volunteer opportunities, email [email protected]. 

Read more about the Water Trail Care pilot program at: Friends of the Riverfront seeks volunteers to clean the Tarentum waterfront by kayak | TribLIVE.com.

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

Senator Lindsey Williams