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In this Update:
Bill to Rename I-81 Exit 119 After Fallen PSP Trooper Michael E. Pahira Jr. Signed by Governor
Legislation I sponsored with Rep. Tim Twardzik to designate the interchange of Interstate 81 with State Route 4007, Exit 119, on the border of Cass and Butler Townships in Schuylkill County as the PSP Trooper Michael E. Pahira Jr. Memorial Interchange has been signed by the Governor. Trooper Pahira tragically passed away on July 1 after being struck by a tractor-trailer while conducting a commercial vehicle safety inspection along Interstate 81 in Cass Township. He joined the Pennsylvania State Police in 2007 and most recently served as a motor carrier enforcement inspector with Troop L, Frackville. Trooper Pahira represented the very best of our commonwealth, dedicating nearly 20 years of his life to serving his community and the people of Pennsylvania. Argall Report: How Local Electric Plants Help Clean Up Our Landscapes
This month’s Argall Report highlights a recent Senate Majority Policy hearing focused on electricity costs for Pennsylvanians. During the hearing, we discussed the important role coal refuse plants play in our region and across the state. These plants have eliminated more than 50% of Pennsylvania’s waste coal piles. Jaret Gibbons, executive director of the Appalachian Region Independent Power Producers Association (ARIPPA), explained the unique benefits of coal refuse-to-energy plants. These facilities use waste coal left behind by historic mining operations to generate electricity while reclaiming abandoned mine lands. He noted that Pennsylvania’s 10 coal refuse plants have removed half of the state’s coal refuse, improved 1,200 miles of impaired streams, and restored 8,000 acres of mining-affected land. Without these plants, remediating this land could cost taxpayers an estimated $9.3 billion. Alexander Brush, general manager of Gilberton Power Company and Schuylkill Energy Resources Inc., highlighted the impact of three coal refuse plants in Schuylkill County. Together, these facilities generate enough electricity to serve roughly 500,000 people—while restoring land and water damaged by historic coal mining and supporting more than 100 family-sustaining jobs. Watch the full Argall Report here. Breathing New Life into Downtown Tamaqua
The Tamaqua Area Community Partnership is continuing its efforts to revitalize Tamaqua by restoring the exteriors of several buildings along West Broad Street. Rep. Jamie Barton and I were pleased to support these efforts with a state grant.
Recently, work began on restoring the historic façade of C.H. Berry American Legion Post 173, housed in a beautiful Victorian Gothic home from the 1860s.
Working with the American Legion, the partnership is helping restore this historic building. Around the District
I was recently invited to congratulate former Schuylkill County Sheriff Joe Groody on more than 48 years of service in law enforcement. Sheriff Groody began his career with the Ashland Police Department in 1977 and was elected Schuylkill County Sheriff in 2008, serving until his retirement in December 2025. Congratulations, Joe!
I was recently invited to speak at the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce’s Workforce Development Symposium in Orwigsburg. I shared how in Carbon, Luzerne, and Schuylkill counties, we’re “growing our own” by expanding educational opportunities and connecting them directly to local workforce needs. That includes Alvernia University Pottsville CollegeTowne campus, LCCC’s Morgan Center in Tamaqua, Temple University’s new Dental Education Center & Clinic in downtown Tamaqua, and Penn State Hazleton & Penn State Schuylkill. I also highlighted efforts in Harrisburg, including the Grow PA program, which offers eligible students pursuing in-demand degrees and certifications up to $5,000 annually to encourage them to stay and work in Pennsylvania, and my Senate Bill 116, now law, which streamlines pathways to employment in long-term care. I also emphasized the importance of career and technical education (CTE). The goal is simple: give people the opportunity to learn here, train here, work here, and raise their families here. Read more about this here.
I recently met with local real estate professionals at the Schuylkill County Realtors’ Legislative Luncheon in Summit Station to discuss housing and redevelopment. At a Senate Majority Policy Committee hearing I chaired earlier this year, we heard that building housing across Pennsylvania is too slow, expensive, and uncertain. I’m working to reduce unnecessary regulatory hurdles, streamline permitting, and encourage the reuse of vacant schools and former industrial buildings. We’re already seeing progress across our region, including new apartments in the former orphanage in Orwigsburg, the Altamont Hotel in Hazleton, a former warehouse in Frackville, and the historic Mrs. C. M. Schwab High School in Weatherly. Plans are also moving forward for 60 apartments in Pottsville’s former Schuylkill Trust building, with additional redevelopment potential at the Thompson Building directly across the street. Revitalizing our communities also means fighting blight, removing buildings beyond repair, and encouraging private investment. Projects like The Miners 1928 Hotel in Pottsville, the Temple University Dental Education Center & Clinic in downtown Tamaqua, and new student housing in a former department store demonstrate how redevelopment can bring new life to vacant properties.
Rep. Jamie Barton and I were recently invited to stop by the Temple Dental Education Center & Clinic in Downtown Tamaqua with Dr. Amid Ismail, Dean of the Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry. It is incredibly rewarding to see what was once a vision become a reality. This groundbreaking facility is expanding access to much-needed dental care while educating the next generation of dentists right here in our region. One patient recently shared with us that care they received was “phenomenal.” To schedule an appointment, call (570) 225-9951.
Rep. Tim Twardzik and I recently held an Unclaimed Property Event with Treasurer Stacy Garrity’s staff at the Ashland Public Library. Special thanks to the library for hosting us and to Jolene from the PA Treasury for helping make this event a success!
Rep. Jamie Barton and I were recently invited to meet with the South Manheim Township Board of Supervisors and road crew to review their plans to purchase a new wheeled excavator for road and infrastructure projects around the township. Rep. Barton and I were pleased to secure a competitive $315,250 state grant to help with this purchase.
Rep. Tim Twardzik, Rep. Barton, and I were also asked to meet with the Plum Creek Municipal Authority to discuss plans to upgrade a water main between Running Deer Drive and Stag Drive, serving South Manheim and Wayne Townships. Rep. Twardzik, Rep. Barton, and I were pleased to help secure a $400,000 state grant for this infrastructure improvement.
I was recently invited to attend Schuylkill Community Action’s Schuylkill Food Network Volunteer Appreciation banquet at St. Nicholas Hall in Cass Township, which celebrates the people who keep the 21-pantry food network open to local residents every day. In 2025, Schuylkill Food Network volunteers provided nearly 19,000 hours of service to help provide more than 1,000,000 pounds of food throughout Schuylkill County. Congratulations to all on this incredible work and thank you for your service to our region!
Rep. Tim Twardzik and I recently joined Emily Ehlinger, founder of Schuylkill Free Shakespeare, and members of the Minersville Area High School Drama Club to celebrate the organization’s 10th anniversary. For over a decade, Schuylkill Free Shakespeare has made the magic of live theatre accessible to our local communities. Congratulations on this milestone and thank you for keeping the arts alive in our communities!
I was recently invited to join members of the West Hazleton Fire Company and volunteers from the Lowes’ Red Vest Community Impact program for their “Red Vest Day.” Lowes Company recently awarded the department $75,000 to complete upgrades and renovations to the 1888 fire station, including new doors, windows, flooring, cabinetry, painting, and new conference area. Thank you for inviting me and thank you to Lowes’ for their incredibly generous donation to our local first responders!
I was recently invited to attend the Mahanoy City Elks Lodge #695’s 125th anniversary dinner. Since 1901, the Mahanoy City Elks have served our region through charity, generosity, and community spirit. The lodge is known for its food pantry support, veterans’ support, and much more. I was pleased to present the group with a Senate citation and congratulate them on this milestone!
Congressman Rob Bresnahan, Rep. Dane Watro, and I were recently invited to the 9th International Karate Do Championship hosted by Renzoku Kai Wado Ryu Karate Do at the Hazleton Community Center. Congratulations to all the students on the hard work and dedication that brought you here! New Funding Announced for Roadwork Projects in Carbon and Schuylkill Counties
New funding to repair local roads is included in PennDOT’s first 79 “Rapid Deployment” projects, thanks to an effort led by the Senate in the recently passed state budget. Recognizing the urgent need to improve local roads, and after learning that PennDOT was sitting on more than $3.3 billion in the Motor License Fund, the 2026-27 state budget included a “Rapid Deployment” program to direct an additional $775 million to road projects throughout PA to quickly improve highway infrastructure. Local projects that were awarded funding:
While MUCH work remains, I am pleased that we were able to secure this MUCH needed funding. Temple Dental Student Community Spotlight: Meet Schuylkill County Native Brian Boyle
Welcome to our Temple Dental Student Community Spotlight, where each week, we feature interviews with students from the new Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry Rural Dental Education Center and Clinic in Downtown Tamaqua. This week, we spotlight Brian Boyle. A Barnesville native, Boyle graduated from Mahanoy Area in 2019 before attending Temple University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in biology. He is now in his final year of dental school at the new Temple location in Tamaqua. Dentistry runs in Boyle’s family—his father, Dr. Kenneth Boyle, owns a practice in West Hazleton. “My dad has been the biggest inspiration for me when it comes to why I wanted to get into the dentistry field,” said Boyle. “During COVID, I was able to really help him out by being his main assistant. So, I was able to see a lot of different cases and assist him chairside. It was a great experience, and it really did inspire me to want to be a dentist myself in the future, and I am almost there.” As someone who grew up in the region, Boyle is grateful for the chance to serve patients in his own community, especially those in urgent need of dental care. “I honestly wish there were more of us because there is no shortage of work or care here. I think having this clinic is just great for the community because we’re helping so many people that truly need the help,” added Boyle. “And I know all of us students are so happy to provide the access to care. That’s really what is so important about the clinic in Tamaqua: it’s so welcoming to everyone that needs dental care.” After graduating from Temple’s Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, Boyle plans to join his father’s practice, Pavlick Boyle Dentistry, and continue serving the local community. Focusing on Our Local Communities: Meet Beaver Meadows’ Justin Malega
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 Luzerne counties. This week, we’re focusing on Beaver Meadows Borough Councilman Justin Malega. A Beaver Meadows native and a Republican, Malega graduated from the Hazleton Area Career Center with a concentration in electrical studies and additional coursework in welding and mechanics. He went on to earn an associate degree from McCann School of Business before spending 10 years working in the maintenance field. He now works at Small Town Auto Sales in Hazleton, where he serves as a mechanic, welder, collision specialist, and customer service representative. Malega was appointed to the Beaver Meadows Borough Council in January 2026 and is currently midway through a two-year term. “Someone on council moved into a different position, which opened up a seat,” Malega said. “The council members were looking for candidates, and a few of them mentioned my name. I was then appointed. For me, it was an opportunity I jumped at. Growing up in town, I always looked up to our community leaders. The recreation board and council made Beaver Meadows a great place to grow up for my generation, and I wanted to give back and show my gratitude by getting involved. I want to work hard to give our citizens what they deserve.” Since joining council, Malega has hit the ground running, helping to advance several projects aimed at improving the borough. “We’ve been working hard to secure grant funding for a number of projects. The police station needs a new heater for its garage, and our borough building is in dire need of renovations,” added Malega. “I also think our recreation board and volunteers are doing a great job of creating more community events. Our concerts in the park are something residents really enjoy, and we want to continue building on that by offering even more events for the community in the future.” Remember to Vote! Election Day is Tues., Nov. 3
Tuesday, Nov. 3 is Election Day, your chance to weigh in on state and federal elections. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For those voting by mail, county election offices must receive completed ballots by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Find your polling place and other voter information here. Quote of the Week
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African Proverb |
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