Latest news with #PSATS
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Richland Township board of supervisors chairman elected to Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors
Robert B. Heffelfinger, chairman of the Richland Township board of supervisors, was elected to a second one-year term as secretary-treasurer of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, a press release from PSATS said. The secretary-treasurer is a member of the association's executive board with full voting rights. The board, which is made up of PSATS' five officers, seven executive committee members and the past president, is responsible for managing the affairs of the association, PSATS said. Heffelfinger is a member of PSATS' Grassroots Advocacy Network, which addresses legislative issues that affect every Pennsylvanian who lives in a township of the second class. He previously served on the association's Townships Over 10,000 Population Committee and is a workshop moderator during PSATS' Annual Educational Conference and a former member of the Annual Conference Planning Committee, the release said. Heffelfinger is deputy chief of the Richland Township Fire Department, president of the Cambria County Association of Township Officials and Cambria County 911 Advisory Board, member of the Cambria County Metropolitan Planning Organization and president of the Highland Community Library. He also serves on the PAC Committee for the Hiram G. Andrews Center, is involved with Crime Stoppers, and is a speaker at various educational and business organizations in the community. He previously served as fire chief, president and various other administrative and officer positions with the Richland Township Fire Department. Heffelfinger, executive vice president of Advanced Office Systems Inc., resides in Johnstown.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP: PennDOT invests $468M for roads, bridges
Mar. 8—WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation this week announced its investment of $468 million to help municipalities across the Commonwealth maintain their roads and bridges. These investments — which come from state gas tax revenues — help municipalities pay for things like snow removal and road repaving. "Our roads and bridges are vital to connecting Pennsylvanians with services and opportunity," said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. "Investments in municipal roads and bridges is a top priority for this administration and are critical to maintaining safe and connected communities." There are nearly 121,000 miles of public roads in Pennsylvania. More than 2,500 municipalities manage approximately 78,000 miles of roadway and more than 6,600 bridges. "With township and local governments responsible for two-thirds of Pennsylvania's road miles, we recognize the critical role of liquid fuels funding in maintaining our roadways," said David Sanko, PSATS executive director. "However, as vehicles are more fuel-efficient, these funds are diminishing, so we are optimistic for the EV fee implementation to be successful and the additional revenue they will bring to our local governments. We appreciate PennDOT's recognition of local governments as essential partners in the Commonwealth's transportation network and look forward to continuing our collaboration with PennDOT and the General Assembly to find innovative solutions, ensuring our roads remain smooth, safe, and ready for future journeys." Chris Cap, Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs executive director, said, "Borough communities across Pennsylvania will continue to maintain our portion of the local transportation network and we highly value our exceptional relationship with PennDOT." In addition to this distribution, local officials can take advantage of several options to help improve their infrastructure. For example, counties can implement a $5 fee for each vehicle registered to an address within the county and use the funds to help maintain their roads and bridges. Currently, 24 counties have implemented this fee, and $293.8 million has been collected and distributed. Additionally, local governments may apply for low-interest loans from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Bank, which helps fund and accelerate transportation projects as well as spur economic development. State leaders work to improve health of mothers, babies Shapiro Administration officials from the departments of Human Services (DHS), Health (DOH), and Drugs and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) this week highlighted Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposal in this year's budget to implement universal postpartum depression screenings for all Pennsylvania moms. Leaders shared how postpartum depression can occur weeks and months after childbirth, where mothers experience a broad range of symptoms including but not limited to sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, change in appetite, difficulty in sleep, mood swings and thoughts of self-harm that may make it difficult to carry out daily tasks, including caring for themselves and their babies. Postpartum depression affects one in eight mothers across the country. It not only impacts the well-being of Pennsylvania mothers, but also has profound effects on their families and communities. "For more than two decades, as a pediatrician, I worked with new mothers and their babies and saw firsthand the impact pregnancy-related depression has on women and their families," said Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. "Implementing universal postpartum depression screenings and referrals to evidence-based treatment options for all Pennsylvania mothers is a meaningful action we can take to ensure women receive the care they need during a critical time in their lives." Many mothers experiencing postpartum depression may not fully recognize the symptoms. Universal screening ensures that all mothers are assessed regardless of background or risk factors and provided information and resources. Early identification of postpartum depression is crucial for timely intervention, and like other health conditions, it can be effectively treated. Since taking office, Gov. Shapiro has charged his Administration with finding ways to improve the health of mothers and babies. The Administration has prioritized using data and recommendations from the Pennsylvania Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC), feedback from a statewide survey, and regional listening sessions to develop a multi-agency Maternal Health Strategic Plan. Officials urge Pennsylvanians to prepare now for May 7 REAL ID deadline With just two months remaining until the May 7 federal REAL ID enforcement deadline, officials from PennDOT, the Pittsburgh International Airport, American Automobile Association (AAA), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are encouraging Pennsylvanians to prepare now to ensure they can fly domestically without disruptions. Getting a REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania, but beginning May 7, travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card, or another form of federally-acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight, and enter military bases and other federal facilities that require ID at the door. More than 2.5 million Pennsylvanians have gotten a REAL ID driver's license or ID card since they became available in the state in 2019. "As the weather starts getting warmer, we know many Pennsylvanians have made exciting travel plans," said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. "With federal REAL ID enforcement beginning on May 7, your travel planning should include making sure you have proper ID to fly. If you want to keep using your driver's license or photo ID card to fly domestically, you'll need to upgrade to a REAL ID if you haven't already." Federal REAL ID regulations require that PennDOT must verify the below documents: Proof of identity: examples include an original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the State Office of Vital Records/Statistics with a raised/embossed seal, or a valid, unexpired U.S. Passport. Proof of Social Security number (proof must display currently legal name and full nine digits of the Social Security Number): examples include a Social Security card, a W-2 form, a SSA-1099 form, a non-SSA-1099 form, or a pay stub. Two proofs of current, physical PA address: examples include a current, unexpired PA driver's license or identification card, vehicle registration, or a utility bill with the same name and address. Proof of all legal name changes (if current legal name is different than what is reflected on proof of identity document): examples include certified marriage certificate(s) issued by the County Court for each marriage, court order(s) approving a change in legal name, or adoption decree issued by your county's family court. Note: If current name is the same as what is reflected on the proof of identity document (usually birth certificate or passport), proof of legal name change does not need to be shown. When a customer gets their first REAL ID product, they will pay a one-time fee of $30, plus the applicable renewal fee (the current renewal fee is $39.50 for a four-year non-commercial driver's license and $42.50 for a photo ID). Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
