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In this Update:
Scouts, PSU Coach Mike Rhoades Honor Schuylkill County Volunteers
Yesterday’s 11th annual Service to Youth and Community Breakfast hosted by the Hawk Mountain Council honored volunteers who go above and beyond in their work to support scouting and build a stronger community.
We were joined by a very special guest: Mahanoy City native Mike Rhoades, the head coach of the Penn State Men’s Basketball team. Coach Rhoades shared how the leaders in his life shaped his perspective on coaching and guided him to his current role. Schuylkill County is VERY proud of him. His father, the late Sen. Jim Rhoades, was a cub scout many years ago, as you can see from the picture above. Mike Hammer was this year’s Distinguished Citizen Honoree. Mike serves as the vice president and general manager for Hydro, which employs more than 1,200 people at its Cressona plant. He’s a very active member of the Schuylkill County community and spoke about his faith and belief in servant leadership. Maxwell Masser, an Eagle Scout from Troop 662, Sacramento, was our scout speaker and gave remarks about how the lessons of scouting shaped his life and goals for the future. His comments showcased the positive impact scouting has on our young people. Watch the comments here. Funding Blight Demolition Across Pennsylvania
My bill to provide funding to demolish blighted buildings was approved with bipartisan support by the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee this week. While everyone can agree that we should tear down vacant, rat-infested, and decaying buildings in our communities, finding the dollars necessary can be difficult. To solve this problem, I introduced legislation in 2016 to create county demolition funding programs.
Since 2016, 28 counties, including Schuylkill and Carbon, have created these funds, raising millions of dollars to fight blight. More Town Hall Meetings on the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in State GovernmentI held three more town hall meetings this week to hear from the people of this large Senate district.
On Wednesday night, more than 6,300 people joined my telephone town hall to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of our state government. We talked efforts to reduce the waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars and how to fix more of our roads and bridges, as well as how my offices can assist with solving state-related problems. If you missed it, listen here. I asked four poll questions during the call – here are the results:
On Thursday night, I participated in a second telephone town hall meeting hosted by Rep. Dane Watro to hear from our constituents in Luzerne and northern Schuylkill Counties.
On Friday morning, Rep. Jamie Barton and I met with our constituents at the Tuscarora Fire Company. Happy Retirement, Judge Miller! Thank You for Helping us Save our Local Penn State Campuses!
Congratulations to Judge Charles M. Miller, who recently retired on the Court of Commons Pleas of Schuylkill County. Judge Miller served for many years on the Penn State Schuylkill Advisory Board and was a key partner in our recent efforts to keep the campus from closing. This was one of the single greatest threats our local economy and educational opportunities faced in many decades. Rep. Tim Twardzik, Commissioner Boots Hetherington, and I congratulated him for his tireless efforts on behalf of Schuylkill County. Eckley Miners’ Village Hosts Patchtown Days
Visit Eckley Miners’ Village Museum near Weatherly for Patchtown Days this weekend! The festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15. It’s one of my favorite annual celebrations of the coal region at the site of the only remaining authentic 19th century company mining town. This year’s event features more than 20 craft vendors, broom-making workshops, a Civil War hospital by the 143rd volunteer infantry, and two stages with traditional music and ethnic dance. Just like neighboring White Haven, Jim Thorpe, Pottsville, and Tamaqua, Eckley showcases the history of our region. It’s one of the many attractions that continues to bring visitors to the area to appreciate the unique culture of the region that helped drive the Industrial Revolution. New Trail from Pottsville to Tamaqua to Jim Thorpe?
We’re fortunate to have some excellent trails available to enjoy the beauty of our area – the Schuylkill River Trail, the Delaware and Lehigh (D+L) Trail, the Appalachian Trail, and so many more. These destinations provide us with opportunities for outdoor recreation and boost our local economy. The September 11th National Memorial Trail is considering a new trail from Pottsville to Tamaqua to the Panther Valley to Jim Thorpe, connecting the D+L Trail to the Schuylkill Valley Heritage Trail and beyond. Last night, they hosted a public meeting, which was very well attended, to hear from residents of nearby communities. Last night’s feedback was valuable as we consider how to turn this idea into a reality. Breathing New Life into Southern Schuylkill County
Rep. Tim Twardzik and I attended a public meeting of the South Schuylkill United Committee for Economic Revitalization to learn more about their work to revitalize the area. The first phase of their plan focuses on improving downtown Schuylkill Haven by reconfiguring the Parkway as an arts district, improving Dock Street, and linking the downtown to Island Park. Future phases will focus on the surrounding townships. We’ve seen in communities like Pottsville, Tamaqua, and Jim Thorpe how dedicated volunteers working together can make transformative changes. I look forward to supporting South Schuylkill United’s efforts – after the information they presented yesterday, it’s clear they are well positioned for success. June 15: Tamaqua Summerfest Featuring Diesel Train Rides
Don’t miss Tamaqua Summerfest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 15! In past years, thousands of people visited Tamaqua’s revitalized downtown for this event. This year will feature vendors, crafters, live music, and 70-minute round-trip diesel train rides departing from the historic Tamaqua Train Station at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. thanks to Reading and Northern Railroad. Local restaurants, breweries, and attractions will also be open throughout the day. Protecting Public Safety in McAdoo
Rep. Dane Watro and I visited the McAdoo Police Department to see their brand-new police cruiser and thank them for their tireless efforts to keep residents of the borough safe. We secured highly competitive state funding to assist them with the purchase of this vehicle, which will allow them to serve their community more effectively. Also pictured here are Mayor Bernard Vilcheck, Council President Bill Slovik, Councilwomen Mary Labert and Alberta Bumbulsky, and Police Chief Anthony DiVirgilio. Recognizing 2025 Summer InternsI recognized four summer interns on the floor of the Senate this week.
Jonathan Ulicny from Tamaqua is interning in my Mahanoy City Office and attends Susquehanna University, where he majors in political science and legal studies and minors in pre-law and management. He serves as the vice president of the Student Government Association and treasurer of the Pre-Law Society. Additionally, he won the Urey Moot Court Competition last semester and was an editor for the Susquehanna University Political Review.
Mike Lippert from Thompsontown is interning in my Harrisburg office and will be a senior at Penn State Harrisburg, where he is majoring in political science and hopes to attend law school. He serves as the president of the Young Americans for Freedom chapter and the men’s group leader for the Penn State Harrisburg On-Campus Ministry. Micheal Shartle, a resident of Camp Hill, just finished his second year at West Chester University of PA, where he is majoring in marketing. At West Chester, he is a member of Sigma Pi fraternity and serves on the men’s mental health committee. He’s interning for the Policy Development and Research office. Oliva Helms of Mechanicsburg is a rising senior at Messiah University, where she is majoring in political science and minoring in human development and family science. She is active in her community by serving as a coach for the varsity girls lacrosse team at Cumberland Valley High School. She’s also interning for the Policy Development and Research office. Maj. Gen. Laura McHugh Visits the Capitol
I met with Major General Laura McHugh, the Deputy Adjutant General for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and a resident of Pine Grove, at my Capitol office this week. Maj. Gen. McHugh was here to participate in the 2025 Women’s Veterans Day Ceremony hosted by Senator Tracy Pennycuick. To all our women veterans: thank you for your service and sacrifice on behalf of our great nation. Educating Seniors About Scams in Pine Grove
Thank you to everyone who joined Rep. JoAnne Stehr and me at our scam seminar in Pine Grove. Special thanks to Nora Haynos, who serves as an Education and Outreach Specialist for the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, for her thorough presentation about how to avoid falling prey to the latest scams targeting seniors. We’ll be hosting more of these events soon in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties. Stay tuned! Senate Committee Votes to Expand No-Cost Breast Cancer Screenings
Building on Pennsylvania’s landmark law that provides no-cost breast cancer screenings for high-risk individuals, the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee this week unanimously advanced legislation to expand diagnostic screening coverage. Senate Bill 88 would make diagnostic screenings free for anyone who finds an abnormality on a supplemental screening. The bill expands the number of supplemental screenings available and ensures no-cost diagnostic imaging for patients. It would ensure coverage for those at average risk of developing breast cancer and expand access to lifesaving early detection tools for many Pennsylvanians. The measure advances to the full Senate for consideration. Happy Father’s Day!
On Sunday, we recognize the love, hard work and dedication of the dads and father figures in our lives. We appreciate their leadership that guides our families and shapes our lives. Warm wishes for a peaceful Father’s Day filled with cherished moments.
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