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In this Update:

• Thank You for Joining Us in Bedford County!
• Celebrating a Bicentennial Farm in Fayette County
• Somerset’s Newest Eagle Scout
• School Bus Safety Legislation Awaits House Action
• Schools Can Apply Now for Safety, AED Training Grants
• Strategies to Prevent Electric Bill Spikes Highlighted at Senate Hearing
• What to Know About Teen Gambling
• Elk Cam Shows Largest Free-Roaming Elk population in Eastern U.S.

Thank You for Joining Us in Bedford County!

Thank you to everyone who joined Rep. Jesse Topper and me for our senior expo in Alum Bank!

We’re grateful to the organizations that shared their valuable resources and services with Bedford County seniors and families. It was great connecting with so many of you!

A big thank-you to all the volunteers who helped make our Senior Expo a success! We truly appreciate your time.

Celebrating a Bicentennial Farm in Fayette County

The Cook family has called their farm in Belle Vernon home for 250 years. The historic house began construction in 1772, was completed in 1776, and has remained in the Cook family ever since. Col. Edward Cook, a Revolutionary War soldier and confidant of George Washington, welcomed Washington to the home twice.

Congratulations to the Cook family, and thank you for preserving this incredible piece of Pennsylvania history and agricultural heritage. It was an honor to celebrate this remarkable milestone with you!

Somerset’s Newest Eagle Scout

Congratulations to Jude Glover of Friedens on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout!

Jude’s leadership in Troop 152 is evident. His Eagle Scout project, rebuilding a wagon for the Somerset Historical Society, will help support tours at the Historical Center for years to come. Great work Jude, well deserved!

School Bus Safety Legislation Awaits House Action

Over the past five years, 25,136 Pennsylvania drivers have been cited for school zone violations, including 8,302 for overtaking or illegally passing a school bus. The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania breaks down the numbers here.

In September 2025, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 65, Enhancing the Safe Transportation of School Children, which would extend the stopping distance requirement from 10 feet to 15 feet before reaching the bus when the red signal lights are flashing and the side stop arm is activated. It also develops a tiered penalty system for a second or subsequent offense. Current law does not penalize repeat offenders.

With the start of a new school year nearly a year later, it still awaits a vote by the full House of Representatives. Read more about this effort to boost school bus safety here.

Schools Can Apply Now for Safety, AED Training Grants

School districts can apply now for the latest round of funding to improve safety, including an initiative passed by the General Assembly to increase the presence of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at school events.

Under the School Safety and Mental Health Grant Program, school districts, career and technical centers, intermediate units, charter schools and cyber charter schools are eligible for funding to use for safety and security assessments, staff training and more. It can also be used to improve CPR training and AED preparedness.

In addition, nonpublic schools can apply for CPR/AED Training for Nonpublic Schools Grant Program that can be used for CPR and AED training.

The AED funding is made available through Greg Moyer’s Law, named in honor of Pennsylvania student-athlete Greg Moyer, who died after suffering sudden cardiac arrest during a high school basketball game.

Strategies to Prevent Electric Bill Spikes Highlighted at Senate Hearing

Strategies to increase energy production and lower utility bills for Pennsylvanians were the focus of a public hearing by the Senate Majority Policy Committee.

The committee heard from energy generators, utilities, business groups, taxpayer advocates and more. Pennsylvania is the top electricity exporter and supplier of natural gas, but the retirement of generation sources is driving up prices and risking electric grid reliability.

Testifiers noted the commonwealth needs to build more reliable baseload generation to keep prices stable and ensure access to energy. Read more and access hearing video here.

What to Know About Teen Gambling

Just because teens aren’t allowed to gamble doesn’t mean they don’t.

Gambling among teenagers is a growing problem. Information is available to learn what teen problem gambling is, how to recognize the warning signs and where to go for help. 

Topics include: Why do people gamble? The “gambler’s fallacy,” and Who’s at risk? Learn more here from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Elk Cam Shows Largest Free-Roaming Elk population in Eastern U.S.

Elk were once native to Pennsylvania but disappeared in the 1800s due to overhunting and habitat loss. Today, Pennsylvania is home to 1,300 to 1,400 elk, making it the largest free-roaming elk population in the eastern U.S.

Live from Elk State Forest in northern PA, the Elk Cam is a window into the world of these impressive animals, as well as turkey, deer and other wildlife. Best viewing times are mornings and evenings.

The livestream is provided by HDOnTap and made possible with the help of the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission.