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Senator Argall's TV Report Highlights Energy Pool State Senator David G. Argall (R-29) will discuss the energy crisis facing Pennsylvania and the opportunities for businesses and non-profit organizations to join "energy pools" with special guest Bob Carl, Executive Director of the Schuylkill Chamber, during his October television report. The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce is participating in an Energy Pool program through a buying consortium to deal with PPL deregulation scheduled for January 1, 2010. Currently, 17 Chambers statewide are participating in the pool, within the PPL service area. "These days we are all trying to find ways to save money, and that includes businesses and non-profit organizations," said Argall. "Many of us are facing considerable cost increases for energy from 25 to 40 percent and many organizations can be helped by the energy pool consortium," Argall added. The Argall Report is carried by local cable companies free of charge. The program will air on:
The program is also available on Service Electric Cable TV in Mahanoy City, Shen-Heights TV and WLYN TV 35 in Hazelton. Please check local listings for air times. District residents can also view Senator Argall's report online at www.senatorargall.com. PennDOT Launches 5-1-1 Travel Information System, 511PA The Federal Communications Commission designated 511 as the nationwide three-digit number for traveler information, and 35 states are already using the system. 511PA provides free, 24-hour information that includes traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, regional tourism information, and links to transit agencies and major airports. The service is available by dialing 511 from cellular phones or landlines or on the Web at www.511PA.com. Cell phone users may incur local airtime or roaming charges from their provider. Users are also able to register online to receive personalized traveler alerts by e-mail and text message. Standard text messaging rates may apply–participants should consult their cellular phone provider regarding their text messaging plan. The 511PA roadway network includes all 1,759 miles of Pennsylvania's interstates, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike, as well as other major roadways in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Real-time information will be available about traffic accidents, construction activities and winter road conditions.
Dog Law Strengthened After strengthening legislation to improve kennels and outlaw puppy mills during last year's legislative session, the General Assembly has once again taken strides to reform dog cruelty laws throughout Pennsylvania. It has become practice for some breeders and dog owners to perform surgical procedures on their dogs, however a new law will outlaw such actions in the near future. The new law will make it illegal for anyone but a veterinarian to perform surgical procedures on a canine. The law includes removing dew claws on dogs more than five days old, ear cropping, debarking, docking or cutting off the tail, and caesarean births. Additional improvements to the law will require owners to supply proof the surgeries were performed correctly under the scope of the law. Owners must provide detailed records of the procedure to dog wardens or Humane Society police officers for as long as visible surgical wounds appear on the dog. Those records would include the name and license number of the veterinarian, location, and date of the procedure. Violations of the new law will be a summary offense and the law will not apply to animals that already have been altered. The new law also addresses animal fighting and makes it unlawful for a person to steal or acquire an animal for fighting. A person in violation of animal fighting commits a felony of the third degree. Having one of the strongest dog protection laws in the union, Pennsylvania's new law strengthens measures to ensure the health and safety of animals that will someday serve as pets for families across the Commonwealth. Emergency Medical Services Law Improves Patient Care and Public Safety On August 18, 2009, Senate Bill 240 was signed into law. The new law will update and improve Pennsylvania's existing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Act. This important piece of legislation has been debated for 10 years and reflects input from numerous providers and concerned organizations. The EMS system consists of first responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, nurses, and physicians. These professionals staff the nearly 3,500 ground ambulances and emergency aircrafts, hospitals, poison control centers, trauma centers, and other EMS systems across Pennsylvania. The act is intended to achieve a higher quality and better organized EMS system in Pennsylvania. Key changes in the law require ambulance drivers to be state-certified for the first time, by the Department of Health and for all EMS systems to have a medical director. This act requires medical directors to provide oversight to EMS systems to ensure patient care. Under this act, Physician Assistants are eligible to become medical directors based on their experience and education. Previously, only medical doctors held this capacity. The law will bring improvements to the EMS system including new, high-tech education opportunities, the implementation of statewide treatment protocols and improved abilities to support emergency response to hazardous and terroristic threats. Under the new law, there is flexibility for EMS to go through the rulemaking process as opposed to the statutory process. In 2008, Pennsylvania's EMS system responded to a dispatch every 18 seconds, so it is essential that the system work efficiently and effectively. Emergency medical personnel are routinely called upon to perform extraordinary acts and this legislation will improve many aspects of their duties. State government is committed to addressing the challenges that our EMS practitioners and first responders face on a daily basis. Refresh Your Memory on School Bus Safety Parents, students, teachers, administrators, motorists, and bus drivers are encouraged by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to take a little refresher course in school bus safety as our kids return to school. Observing the Department's first recommendation, parents and students are encouraged to get to the school bus stop five minutes early to prevent having to carelessly dash across the road to catch the bus. The students’ waiting line should remain at least five giant steps away from the curb or the roadway before the bus arrives. Once the bus has arrived and students have safely boarded, PennDOT recommends a number of behavioral guides for safe transport. Motorists encountering a school bus with red lights flashing and an extended STOP arm must stop at least 10 feet away from the vehicle. Whether following or traveling alongside a school bus, motorists must remain at a stop until the red lights cease flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety. Motorists are reminded to stop when they are behind the bus, meeting the bus, or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped. In instances where physical barriers such as grassy medians, guide rails, or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping. Those convicted of violating Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Law face penalties, including a $250 fine, five points on their driving record, and a 60-day license suspension. Fall Family Fishing Program Catch a cool autumn breeze and a couple of fish as part of your next family outing. The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PF&BC) offers programs to engage your family in a little fishing fun – without a fishing license or equipment. Participants in the Family Fishing Program learn basic fishing skills like knot tying, casting, baiting the hook, and taking a fish off the hook. To be eligible to participate in one of the Family Fishing events held in October, there must be both an adult and a child participating.
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