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In this Update:
Progress in Fighting Retail Theft, Thanks to My Bipartisan Bill
Real progress has been made in the fight against organized retail theft. The Attorney General has charged more people with operating a complex criminal enterprise targeting retailers thanks to my legislation that created the Organized Retail Crime Unit last year. Attorney General Dave Sunday applauded how this new unit has worked with local law enforcement to target criminal organizations and make our communities safer. These changes have made a serious impact, demonstrating why my bill received strong bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House. In Philadelphia, retail theft is down by 13% and arrest rates are up by 40% in the past year. Thank you to Attorney General Sunday and the 15 professionals who make up this unit for your tireless work to protect our communities. Visiting Catholic Social Services in Hazleton
I recently met with the leadership team at the Catholic Social Services Family Center in Hazleton to learn more about the services they provide to our region. The center partners with various nonprofits and agencies to deliver vital services including a food bank, relief services, and more. For assistance, you can contact the center at 570-455-1521. Red Carpet Breakfast with the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce
I recently attended at the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce’s latest Red Carpet Breakfast, which featured Rep. Jamie Walsh as the keynote speaker. He focused his remarks on issues affecting our local area, including the pros and cons of possible new data centers proposed for northeastern PA. Rep. Walsh and I both represent Dennison Township, Foster Township, Freeland, Jeddo, Penn Lake Park and White Haven in Luzerne County. Connecting Seniors with Resources in Pine Grove
Thank you to the hundreds of local people who attended Friday’s senior expo hosted by Rep. JoAnne Stehr at the Pine Grove Hose Hook & Ladder. More than 40 vendors were there to showcase their services, including Melanie Weikel and Colleen Koppenhaver from my Pottsville office. If you missed this event, my team and I will be attending similar events in the coming weeks. Stay tuned! Argall Report: Carbon County and Beyond Regional Tourism Summit Update
The October edition of my local TV program reviews our Carbon County and Beyond Regional Tourism Summit Update at the historic Mauch Chunk Opera House. The bottom line: tourism and its very significant financial benefits, while very welcome, are also impacting parking, traffic congestion, and housing affordability for Jim Thorpe residents. The Plan: encouraging visitors to check out many other surrounding communities, BUT only with the appropriate planning and investments. Over 100 people attended our summit, with presentations by the Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau, Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, Panther Valley and White Haven Blueprint Community groups, Greater Hazleton Civic Partnership and the 9-11 National Memorial Trail Alliance. Decades ago, a similar meeting in Tamaqua resulted in the transformation of the abandoned junior high school where my parents once taught into the Lehigh Carbon Community College Morgan Center and the renovation of the historic 1874 train station that was very close to demolition. Thanks to these continued revitalization efforts, in the next few years, Temple University will open a first of its kind, rural dental college in downtown Tamaqua, and we believe that future Temple dental students will come here in part because of the revitalization of Jim Thorpe and some of our other towns. We learned many years ago that while blight is sadly contagious, so is the revitalization of so many of our local communities! Welcome to the Team, David!
David Krammes of Pine Grove recently joined my Harrisburg office as my newest intern. David is a Public Policy Major at Penn State Harrisburg. Since joining my team, David has assisted with various projects and has been doing research with the Senate Majority Policy Committee. Welcome, David! If you are a college student interested in interning with my office, either locally or at the Capitol in Harrisburg, please contact any of my offices. Connecting Veterans with Benefits & Resources
My office hosts monthly Veteran Service Officer Day’s to help veterans and their loved ones navigate and apply for benefits earned through military service. Our next scheduled date is Tuesday, October 28th, in my Mahanoy City Office. For an appointment, please call (570) 773-089. Treasurer Stacy Garrity Announces Short-Term Funding for Head Start, County Services
The Pennsylvania Treasury Department will make $500 million available for Pennsylvania’s Head Start providers and county governments, helping to keep essential services funded while the 2025-26 state budget is finalized. The funds will be distributed via short-term investment loans which recipients will be required to pay back following enactment of a state budget. Treasurer Stacy Garrity said that to be eligible for this program, Head Start providers and county governments must indicate the investment will be used for immediate operating expenses. More information is available from the Pennsylvania Treasury Department. Applications Open for Local Fire & EMS Grants
Local fire and EMS companies have until Oct. 20 to apply for state grants to help pay for facility improvements, equipment purchase and repair, debt reduction, training and certification, and more. Details and applications here. Upcoming Concealed Carry Seminar, License Plate Replacement, Senior Scam Seminar EventsMy office regularly hosts outreach events to connect residents of Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties with state services and information. See the full list of my upcoming events here.
Is your license plate damaged or worn out? You can get it replaced for free at an event Rep. Tim Twardzik and I are hosting on Friday, October 10. For more information or to RSVP, call 570-773-0891.
Rep. Joanne Stehr and I will host a concealed carry seminar on Thursday, October 9 at the Hegins Township Municipal Building to educate gun owners about state laws regarding firearms. Those interested in attending should RSVP by calling 570-773-0891.
Rep. Dane Watro and I will also host a concealed carry seminar on Wednesday, October 22nd at the Silverbrook Gun Club in McAdoo. Those interested in attending should RSVP by calling 570-453-1344.
Rep. Dane Watro and I are hosting a scam seminar on Tuesday, October 14 at 10 a.m. at the Mahanoy City Senior Center. With scammers becoming increasingly brazen and creative, we all need to be aware of how to protect ourselves from falling prey to these criminals. Please call 570-453-1344 to reserve your spot today. Key Dates for Upcoming General Election
The 2025 Municipal Election is coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Municipal and school board positions will be on the ballot, along with statewide judicial elections. Voters will fill one open position each on the Commonwealth and Superior courts and consider retention of three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices and two appellate court judges. If you are not already registered to vote, the deadline to do so is Monday, Oct. 20. You may register in person at your county elections office, by mail or by visiting the state’s online voter registration website. The last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 28. Completed ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4. For more information about voting in the Commonwealth, including how to check your registration and voting location, visit www.vote.pa.gov. Apply Today: America250PA Scholarships
America250PA is awarding $250,000 in scholarships to Pennsylvania high school seniors heading to in-state colleges and universities for the 2026/2027 academic year. There will be 25 scholarships worth $10,000 awarded to successful applicants. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of Pennsylvania’s legacy as we commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. Apply today by clicking here. Apply Today: Keystone State Challenge Academy
A National Guard program, KSCA, uses a military academy training model to provide structure and discipline for youth between the ages of 16 and 18. If this sounds interesting, prospective cadets can apply online now for the Jan. 2026 class at Ft. Indiantown Gap. There’s no cost. Learn more here. Closing Out Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: Early Detection is Key
About 13% of American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point during their lifetimes, making it the most common cancer in men after skin cancer. Early detection and treatment are crucial for improving outcomes. Learn about screening options and more here.
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