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In this Update:
* Nearly 1,000 Attend Annual Senior Expo
* Remembering 9/11 25 Years Later
* Faus Farms Recognized as Farmer of the Year
* Celebrating Ralpho Township All Home Days
* Shamokin Honors World War II Hero Albert Francovich
* Join Me for Two Luzerne County Events Oct. 9
* Fire and EMS Companies Can Apply Now for State Assistance
* New Funding Available for Long-Term Care Facilities
* DCNR to Hold Grant Workshop for 2027 Applicants
* New Law Cracks Down on Robocalls, Scam Texts and Caller ID Spoofing
* Protecting Children and Families from AI Deception

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** Nearly 1,000 Attend Annual Senior Expo
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On Wednesday, nearly 1,000 seniors joined Rep. Joanne Stehr and me for our annual Senior Expo at Knoebels Amusement Resort.

The event brought together organizations, agencies and businesses that provide information and services for older Pennsylvanians, giving residents an opportunity to learn more about resources available to them in one convenient location.

Thank you to everyone who attended, all of the vendors and organizations who participated and Rep. Stehr and her staff for partnering with us again this year. A special thank you to Knoebels for once again hosting us and another big thank you to Service First Federal Credit Union, Wise Snacks, Geisinger Health Plan, and Weis markets for sponsoring our event as well.


** Remembering 9/11 25 Years Later
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Last weekend I attended a First Responders’ Appreciation Service at Mooresburg Presbyterian Church in Danville as the community marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

The service provided an opportunity to thank the first responders who continue to serve our communities and to remember the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.

Twenty-five years later, we also remember the courage shown by first responders and ordinary citizens that day, as well as the way Americans came together in the days that followed.

As more time passes, it remains important that we continue to share the stories and lessons of Sept. 11 with future generations and remember those whose lives were forever changed.


** Faus Farms Recognized as Farmer of the Year
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I recently visited Faus Farms in Sunbury to congratulate the Faus family on being named Farmer of the Year by the Northumberland County Conservation District.

The family-owned operation includes a dairy farm and grows corn, wheat, soybeans and sorghum. Faus Farms has also supported the Conservation District’s Annual Farmer Field Day, participated in the county’s conservation cover crop program and is a member of the Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance.

It was a beautiful morning to spend on the farm with William, Mahlon and Grant Faus and learn more about their operation. I was honored to present a Pennsylvania Senate citation recognizing the family for this well-deserved award and their commitment to agriculture and conservation in Northumberland County.


** Celebrating Ralpho Township All Home Days
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I had a great time at Ralpho Township All Home Days and especially enjoyed participating in the parade. I was thrilled to be lined up behind the Southern Columbia Area High School band and enjoyed hearing them perform as we made our way along the parade route.

The tradition began in 1919 as a celebration welcoming home Ralpho Township residents who served during World War I. More than a century later, All Home Days continues to bring the community together around Labor Day while honoring township residents who have served or are serving in the military.

Thank you to the Ralpho Township All Home Days Association and everyone who helps carry on this tradition each year.


** Shamokin Honors World War II Hero Albert Francovich
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Croatian Ambassador Pjer Šimunović recently visited Shamokin for a wreath-laying ceremony honoring Shamokin native Albert A. Francovich at the Price of Freedom Veterans Memorial.

Francovich, a Croatian American who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the Solomon Islands Campaign. A U.S. Navy vessel, the USS Francovich, was later named in his honor.

The ceremony was part of the Croatian Embassy’s America250 initiative recognizing Croatian Americans who served with distinction in the U.S. Armed Forces.

It was a fitting tribute to Francovich’s service and Shamokin’s Croatian American heritage.


** Join Me for Two Luzerne County Events Oct. 9
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Upcoming Events

I will be hosting two events in Luzerne County on Friday, Oct. 9 providing residents an opportunity to connect with me and access a helpful state service.

At 10 a.m., join me for a Coffee and Conversation Event at the Conyngham Borough Building, 215 S. Main St., Conyngham. Residents are invited to stop by for coffee and a conversation about state government and issues affecting our communities.

Later that day, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., I will be holding a Damaged License Plate Replacement Event at the Wright Township Municipal Building, 321 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top. Residents with damaged or difficult-to-read Pennsylvania license plates can have their plate reviewed by law enforcement and receive assistance with the replacement process at no cost.

Registration information for both events is available on Senator Culver’s Event Page ([link removed]) or by calling 570-784-3464.


** Fire and EMS Companies Can Apply Now for State Assistance
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Local fire companies, emergency medical services and volunteer rescue squads can now apply for the latest round of the state Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program.

The funding can be used to help pay for facility construction and renovation, equipment, training, debt reduction and other eligible expenses.

Providing communities with fire, medical and rescue services comes with a considerable price tag, especially for volunteer organizations. The General Assembly funds these grants to help ensure these life-saving services remain available.

Applications are due Thursday, Oct. 22.

Fire and EMS organizations can find eligibility information and apply through the Pennsylvania Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program website ([link removed]) .

To receive updates about grant opportunities available to local governments, organizations and community groups, sign up on the Grant Funding Newsletter page on Senator Culver’s website ([link removed]) .


** New Funding Available for Long-Term Care Facilities
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The Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Long-Term Care Transformation Office is accepting applications for its Quality Investment Program.

The program will provide funding to long-term care facilities for investments addressing workforce and infrastructure needs.

Applications opened Sept. 1 and are due Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7 a.m.

Long-term care providers can find application requirements and additional information through the Pennsylvania Quality Investment Program e-Marketplace listing ([link removed]) .


** DCNR to Hold Grant Workshop for 2027 Applicants
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Local governments and organizations interested in applying for a Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant in 2027 can take part in a virtual workshop hosted by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

The workshop will be held Thursday, Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to noon and will cover what applicants need to know when preparing a C2P2 grant application.

DCNR is making several changes to application questions and selection criteria for 2027, so both new and returning applicants are encouraged to participate. The workshop will also include tips for submitting a competitive application.

Interested applicants can find additional information and register on the DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grant Workshop page ([link removed]) .


** New Law Cracks Down on Robocalls, Scam Texts and Caller ID Spoofing
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Legislation passed unanimously to enact stronger protections from deceptive telemarketing practices will take effect next month.

Under Act 47 of 2026, Pennsylvania’s telemarketing law will now cover modern forms of solicitation, including text messages, voicemails, ringless voicemails and robocalls. It also establishes stronger rules for when and how telemarketers can contact Pennsylvanians, including:
* Prohibiting telemarketing calls before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m. and on Sundays.
* Requiring prior express written consent for most robocalls and telemarketing text messages.
* Prohibiting telemarketers from falsely identifying themselves or using deceptive caller ID information, including spoofed numbers.
* Requiring telemarketers to stop a solicitation when a consumer asks them to do so.

The legislation also prohibits the use of AI-generated messages to deceive consumers. The new law takes effect Oct. 19.

Residents can review Act 47 of 2026 on the Pennsylvania General Assembly website ([link removed]) .


** Protecting Children and Families from AI Deception
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It’s critical for state laws to keep up with fast-evolving Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, especially as it relates to protecting our children online.

I’m proud of our work to address the alarming rise in AI-generated sexual images of children, as well as non-consenting adults, through Act 125 of 2024, which gives prosecutors the ability to go after criminals who create “deepfake” AI images of minors and child sexual abuse materials.

Previously, Pennsylvania law made it illegal to share intimate images without consent, and Act 125 took it a step further to combat the use of AI technology for this purpose and prohibits AI from being utilized to generate child sexual abuse material.

As technology continues to advance, we must be vigilant in making sure proper safeguards are put in place.

Residents can review Act 125 of 2024 on the Pennsylvania General Assembly website ([link removed]) .

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Bloomsburg, PA 17815
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Shamokin Dam
48 Orchard Drive, Suite 1
Shamokin Dam, PA 17876
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Luzerne County
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