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November 13, 2018

Thank you to Community College of Beaver County, WQED Pittsburgh, all of our volunteers and all who attended our annual Veteran’s Breakfast this year. We were treated to special guests this year thanks to WQED, who led an insightful panel discussion on veterans coming home and transitioning back into civilian life.

Senate Bill 1092 – Additional Charges for Domestic Violence

PA Senate Bill 1092 is now law, increasing penalties for domestic violence when it is committed in front of children. It makes an occurrence of domestic violence in front of children a sentencing enhancement for the offenses of simple and aggravated assault, the two most commonly charged domestic violence offenses. One in 10 children are exposed to domestic violence, and the majority are under age six. Such children are more likely to be abused or become abusers as adults.

There is a devastating impact on children who witness domestic violence. The short-term consequences include increased anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, aggression, difficulty concentrating, social isolation, and lack of empathy. The long-term consequences are similarly troubling. For more information on Senate Bill 1092, please click here.

LIHEAP

  Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2018-19 heating season. LIHEAP helps families living on low incomes pay their heating bills in the form of a cash grant ranging from $200 to $1,000 based on household size, income, and fuel type.  The grant is sent directly to the utility company/fuel provider to be credited on the family’s bill.

Eligibility guidelines for LIHEAP are set at 150 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines. The chart below shows the LIHEAP income limits for 2018-19.

Households experiencing a heating crisis may be eligible for additional benefits through the LIHEAP crisis program. Emergency situations include:

• Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced
• Lack of fuel
• The main heating source or second heating source (a source that is used to operate the main heating source or used if the main heating source is not working) has been completely shut-off
• Danger of being without fuel (less than a 15 day supply)
• Danger of having utility service terminated (you’ve received a notice that service will be shut off within the next 60 days)

Applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are also available at county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies. Applicants may also call 1-866-857-7095.

Veterans Trust Fund Application

Veterans’ service organizations and counties have until Nov. 30 to apply for state Veterans’ Trust Fund grants that will be competitively awarded for programs and services benefiting Pennsylvania veterans. Organizations could receive assistance for programs focusing on veteran homelessness, behavioral health initiatives and veterans’ courts. County applications should focus on initiatives addressing newly identified, unmet or emerging needs of veterans and their families.

A combined total of $800,000 in grant funding is available for the 2018-19 grant cycle.

• $650,000 in funding is available for grants of up to $50,000 for the following types of eligible applicants:
  • Veterans’ service organizations (VSOs) with 501(c)(19) status by the Internal Revenue Code
  • Non-profit organizations with a mission of serving Pennsylvania veterans granted 501(c)(3) status under the Internal Revenue Code

• $150,000 in funding is available for the following types of eligible applicants:
  • Individual eligible counties may receive up to the maximum of $20,000 per grant cycle
  • The State Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs may be awarded up to the maximum of $150,000 per grant cycle

For more information on the grant application procedures or the program, please click here.

Act 159 – School Bus Traffic Safety

A new state law aims to curtail vehicles illegally passing school buses in Pennsylvania. Act 159 allows school districts to place stop-arm cameras on school buses to record vehicles illegally passing school buses. The law also establishes a grant program, funded by a portion of fines collected from violations, to help defray the cost for school districts to install stop-arm cameras.

Current law requires the school bus operator to report violations to the police within 48 hours if the school bus driver observes a violation. The information that the school bus operator must provide includes information pertaining to the identity of the driver, license number and color of the vehicle involved in the violation, time and location of the violation, identification of the vehicle type and other relevant information. If the report by the school bus operator to the police establishes a sufficient basis for the issuance of a summons, a summary traffic offense citation will be issued against the driver.

Some school districts in Pennsylvania have already started using this technology. This legislation encourages more school districts to take advantage of this technology, which will increase the enforcement of violations. For more information on Act 159, please click here to visit its webpage.

Wreaths Across America

On December 15, more than 8,000 volunteers will place wreaths upon veterans’ graves at PA’s Indiantown Gap National Cemetery as part of Wreaths Across America. The goal is to place a wreath on each of the 38,000 military graves, and more than 25,000 wreaths are needed to reach the goal. The group came up more than 7,000 wreaths short last year.

To sponsor a wreath or get more involved, please click here to visit their webpage.

A very special thank you to Rich Kozak of Conway and his family for inviting us to join them in welcoming home the recently discovered remains of World War II Veteran Mr. Walter Mintus, US Navy, after 74 years MIA.

Welcome home, Mr. Mintus. May you rest in peace.

DEP Tips to Avoid Home Heating Spills

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recommends residents to inspect and assess home heating oil tanks before the upcoming heating season to avoid leaks or spills that can be prevented. Nearly one in five Pennsylvania households uses heating oil to stay warm in the winter. Owners of home heating oil tanks should inspect indoor and outdoor tanks for potential problems.

Leaking heating oil tanks can contaminate drinking water and soils, diminish indoor air quality, create the potential for fires and explosions, and subject tank owners to very expensive cleanups, which may not be covered by homeowner insurance policies. With proper tank management, spills and leaks can be avoided. Tank owners who think their oil tank may have a problem should immediately contact their oil company for help.

DEP encourages home heating oil tank owners to routinely inspect the exterior of the tank and all attached equipment and follow these tips:

• For safety reasons, always assume the tank contains at least some oil
• Check for signs of rusting on the tank and its structural supports
• Examine the tank’s fill line and feed line to the furnace for leaks
• Check for signs that the vent line is clogged by debris such as spider or bee nests
• Recognize that wet spots or odors near the tank may signal a problem
• Never tip over or empty a tank onto the ground
• Enlist a professional to perform maintenance or alterations to a heating oil tank system

Tank owners should make certain that the home address is clearly visible and the tank’s fill line is clearly marked when heating oil is delivered. If a tank owner cannot be home when heating oil is delivered, mark the fill pipe with a red flag or marker and inform the oil company of its location. Residents should ensure that any disconnected fill pipes that remain above the ground are permanently sealed and cannot be opened.

If a leak or spill occurs, tank owners should do the following:

• Find the source of the spill or leak and stop or contain the release, using absorbent material like cat litter, sawdust, peat moss or newspaper to stop the release from spreading

• Call the heating oil distributor to remove as much oil from the tank as is necessary to prevent further release
• Immediately notify the municipality and DEP.
• If heating oil odors are getting into the house, ventilate affected areas, and close off unaffected areas
• Contact environmental professionals to begin the cleanup
• Keep detailed, accurate records
• Contact the insurance provider

For more information on home heating oil tanks, visit the new Home Heating Oil web page on DEP’s website by clicking here.  

I had the pleasure of joining PA State Rep. Jim Marshall to celebrate Ms. Viola Blinn’s 100th birthday at St. John’s Burry’s Church. Thank you for inviting us. Happy birthday, Viola!

Capitol Tour App

If you plan on visiting the historic State Capitol, check out the new app for self-guided tours, with maps and interactive games and other items to make the visit worthwhile. The self-guided tour includes the massive Rotunda, House and Senate Chambers, and Supreme Court. Explore the Capitol at your leisure between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on regular weekdays

To download the app or get more information, please click here to visit the webpage.

Winterize your Home

Warmer than usual fall temperatures lend themselves to doing some weatherization around your home, according to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. 

Replace old weather-stripping around windows and doors and seal air leaks with the appropriate caulking compound while temperatures permit.  When temperatures drop, try some additional tips to save energy.  Turn down the temperature on your water heater and only wash full loads in washers and dishwashers. 

Consider a few investments to further reduce home energy costs, including a thermal blanket for your hot water tank, installation of a programmable thermostat and replacement of old appliances with Energy Saving units. Along with routine maintenance of your furnace, following these tips will result in reduced energy bills.

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