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In this Update:

• Argall Report: Revitalization Efforts in Downtown Lehighton
• Around the District
• Boosting Bipartisanship Locally
• Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline Extended to December 31
• School Bus Safety Legislation Awaits House Action
• Upcoming Events in Carbon, Luzerne, & Schuylkill Counties
• Eckley Miners Village to Host Events Throughout Fall & Winter Season
• Consider a Future as an Emergency Medical Services Provider
• Focusing on Our Local Communities: Meet Penn Lake Park’s Lisa Stuart
• Quote of the Week

Argall Report: Revitalization Efforts in Downtown Lehighton

This month’s Argall Report highlights ongoing revitalization efforts in Downtown Lehighton.

Recently, Rep. Doyle Heffley and I toured several businesses that received support through the borough’s Façade Grant Program, which was made possible by a $250,000 state grant that we secured for the borough. 14 façade improvement projects along First Street and Stanley Hoffman Boulevard received funding. Upgrades included fresh paint, new windows, updated siding, new awnings, and more.

At a time when we are encouraging visitors to Carbon County to explore Jim Thorpe and the county’s other towns, these grants made a big difference! The transformation is remarkable—especially when you compare the buildings’ before-and-after photos.

Breathing new life into a community in this way brings new energy to the area for residents and visitors. Watch the full Argall Report here.

Around the District

I was recently invited to attend the 72nd Annual Schuylkill County Firefighters Convention Delegates Banquet at Catalpa Grove. The host of this year’s convention was Ryan Township Fire Company.

Thanks to all the dedicated firefighters and other volunteers for their efforts to keep our area safe!

Rep. Jamie Barton, Rep. Tim Twardzik, and I were recently invited by the Bridge Foundation to attend an EITC Scholarship Presentation at Saint Jerome Regional School in Tamaqua.

Over $60,000 in scholarships for local families attending St. Jerome School, St. Joseph’s Center for Special Learning, Assumption BVM Catholic School, Marian Catholic High School, Nativity BVM High School, and Saint Nicholas School were possible through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program.

Congratulations to everyone who received an award at this year’s Schuylkill Conservation District Awards Ceremony and Dinner at the Sweet Arrow Lake Clubhouse! Mary Beth Dougherty from my office attended the event on my behalf.

Notably, William “Bill” Reichert was honored with the Conservation Hall of Fame Award. Many years ago, when much of the Schuylkill River ran black and orange and was considered one of the most polluted waterways in the country, Bill stepped up as a citizen advocate. He went on to lead Schuylkill Headwaters, securing funding and helping implement major restoration projects across the county.

Bill’s dedication to restoring the Schuylkill River and protecting our natural resources is an inspiring example of what committed local leadership can accomplish.

Boosting Bipartisanship Locally

Sometimes the best way to find common ground is to get in the same boat—literally!

I recently joined people from across PA and beyond for a rafting trip on the Lehigh River focused on listening, conversation, and building connections across our differences. We may not always agree, but we can still work together, learn from one another, and move forward, as this rafting trip showed us.

Thanks to RAFT for America for bringing people together in such a unique way! You can read more about the experience here.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline Extended to December 31

My team has completed over 650 Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications to date! If you were not one of those 650 and are 65 and older, widowed (aged 50+), or living with a disability, and have an income of $48,110 or less, you may be eligible for a rebate up to $1,000.

To see if you qualify or to schedule an appointment with my office for assistance completing your application, please contact any of my offices. The deadline was extended to December 31, but don’t wait!

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.

Upcoming Events in Carbon, Luzerne, & Schuylkill Counties

In partnership with the Schuylkill Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance, Rep. Tim Twardzik and I are hosting a scam seminar on Monday, August 31 at 1 p.m. at the Frackville Elks Lodge.

With scammers becoming increasingly brazen and creative, we all need to be aware of how to protect ourselves from falling prey to these criminals. David Shallcross, the Director of the Senior Protection Unit of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, will lead the discussion.

RSVPs are required for this event. Please call 570-773-0891 to reserve your spot today.

Concerns about state government? Rep. Jamie Walsh, Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, and I are hosting a “Coffee & Conversation” event on Tuesday, September 1 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Bear Creek Township Building (3333 Bear Creek Blvd, Bear Creek Township, PA).

Registration is required. Please call (570) 773-0891 to secure your seat

Did you know one in 10 Pennsylvanians have unclaimed property waiting to be claimed?

Unclaimed property can include things such as forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payments, utility deposits, or the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes that have been turned over to the state for safekeeping.

To return this property to its rightful owners, Rep. Doyle Heffley and I will partner with the Pennsylvania Treasury to host an unclaimed property event on Wednesday, September 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Palmerton Library. Questions and to RSVP—call (570) 773-0891.

Attention Local Municipal Leaders: Join me for my upcoming Blight Summit on Wednesday, September 2 at 6:00 p.m. at Lehigh Carbon Community College (234 High Street, Tamaqua). This event will provide refreshers on the laws, programs, and incentives developed over the past decade to help municipalities combat blight and strengthen local code enforcement.

RSVPs are required. Please call 1 (877) 327-4255 or email mdougherty@pasen.gov to reserve your seat.

Mark your calendars: Rep. Doyle Heffley and I are hosting our annual Senior Citizens Expo on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Co. in Lehighton.

Exhibitors from local, county, and state agencies will be on hand with information about the services they provide. Free flu shots will also be available! Last year, we had more than 1,000 people join us – don’t miss it! For more information, please call 570-521-9441.

Is your license plate worn out? Rep. Tim Twardzik and I are hosting a Free License Plate Replacement Event on Thursday, September 10, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Citizens Fire Company #1 of Gordon.

A local police officer will be on-site to inspect your license plate and determine if it qualifies for a free replacement. For more information or to RSVP, call 570-794-4039.

Eckley Miners Village to Host Events Throughout Fall & Winter Season

Eckley Miners’ Village is hosting several events in the coming months! Eckley, founded in 1854, is an intact 19th-century company-owned patch town located in Luzerne County, roughly 9 miles east of Hazleton. Today, it is preserved as an outdoor museum.

To learn more and see what’s coming up, visit their website here.

Consider a Future as an Emergency Medical Services Provider

You could have a future in Emergency Medical Services, a critical component of healthy communities.

Find out what it takes to be an EMS provider and get your start with the state Department of Health’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. The site includes EMS education, information and resources, regional EMS council contact information and more.

Focusing on Our Local Communities: Meet Penn Lake Park’s List Stuart

Welcome to the latest edition of “Focusing on Our Local Communities,” where we interview, on a bipartisan basis, a key local leader in one of the 102 municipalities that I represent in Carbon, Schuylkill, and southern Luzerne counties.

This week, we focus on Penn Lake Park Borough Councilwoman Lisa Stuart. A Democrat and originally from the Boston area, Stuart came to Pennsylvania to attend Penn State University, where she earned a mechanical engineering degree in 1985. She has called Pennsylvania home ever since. Stuart spent most of her career with Boeing, retiring in 2021.

Stuart first became connected to Penn Lake Park in Luzerne County through a summer home in 2015. She became a full-time resident in 2021. Her involvement in the borough began when she joined a committee formed to address repairs needed for the Penn Lake dam, a role that eventually led to her appointment to the borough council.

“I was asked to serve on the dam committee, and I was honored to accept,” said Stuart. “I was able to work with so many talented and dedicated people. One of my main goals was encouraging our residents to reach out to Senator Argall and our state representative, and we succeeded. I want to thank the senator for all his assistance in helping us acquire funding to help move the dam repairs process forward. Later, our council president at the time gauged my interest in joining council because he was considering leaving after his many years of service. After he left, I served the remainder of his term, then ran again unopposed and here I am. It’s been a truly rewarding experience, and I love contributing to our community.”

In retirement, Stuart also became active in the neighboring White Haven community through the Chamber of Commerce and by opening her own business on Main Street. Her company, Thimble Makes Quilt Company, specializes in digital edge‑to‑edge quilting services.

“I really believe that if you don’t reach out beyond the borders of your own town, you can miss out on a lot,” Stuart added. “That’s why I started a business based on something I’m passionate about. As soon as I opened, I became very active in the White Haven Chamber. I enjoy the work I do there, and I’ve been heavily involved in helping with the Jam Below the Dam event, which has become a major event for our area.”

Quote of the Week

“America is exactly as strong as the initiative, courage, understanding, and loyalty of the individual citizen.” – President Dwight D. Eisenhower