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In this Update:
Progress at the Future Temple Dental Education Center and Student Apartments in Tamaqua
Lauren Miller from Rep. Jamie Barton’s office and I met with Dr. Amid Ismail, Dean of the Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry at Temple University, and the top members of his team to review the ongoing progress on the future Tamaqua Rural Dental Clinic and Education Center and student apartments in the downtown, slated to open in September 2026. Over lunch at La Dolce Casa’s spectacular holiday light display, we advised Alfie to begin to research the favorite pastas and pizzas of the 20 hungry and thirsty dental students who will be living in the large building next to his restaurant (locals once knew it as Tire Pros or Scheid’s), as well as the hundreds of patients who will be visiting the nearby clinic on Center Street each day. Other restaurants should begin to plan for these new customers as well! Thank you to Dean Ismail, Congressman Dan Meuser, Rep. Jamie Barton, and Micah Gursky and the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership, for working with me to turn this transformative project from a dream to a reality. So many of our local dentists and patients have shared one simple message with me: This health care is much needed, and the sooner, the better! Republican Herald Highlights the Rosalia Hotel Coming to Pottsville this Spring
The Republican Herald shared a great story on the Rosalia Hotel, coming to downtown Pottsville this spring! This MUCH-needed project, spearheaded by young entrepreneurs Bill Metzinger, Hannah Corbacio, and Nick Hair, will bring 30+ hotel rooms, new conference and wedding venue space, a day spa, and additional amenities right to the heart of downtown Pottsville, with many weddings already booked! Rep Tim. Twardzik and I were pleased to support this effort with a state grant, and it’s exciting to see real construction progress taking shape. For years, local leaders, business owners, and event organizers have emphasized the need for more local overnight accommodations for the Lager Jogger, the 70,000+ annual visitors to the nearby 1829 Yuengling Brewery, and so many other local events. This is just one part of the city’s much-needed revitalization efforts, including the expansions at the Alvernia University Pottsville CollegeTowne campus and over 60 new market-rate apartments under development in the Schuylkill Trust Company building, just across the street from my N. Centre Street office. For many years, the revitalization of downtown Pottsville has been emphasized by many different local Democratic and Republican candidates and officials, on a bipartisan basis, and this new hotel will help to move those goals closer to reality. I share the new Mayor and City Council’s vision for stronger public-private partnerships, breathing new life into Pottsville – and the sooner, the better! Discussing Growth in Hazleton with Mayor Cusat
Last Thursday, I joined Hazleton Mayor Jeff Cusat and Rep. Dane Watro for our regular update on the continuing growth throughout Hazleton region— new businesses, strengthening our local schools including Penn State Hazleton, housing needs, and the ongoing Hazleton YMCA renovations. For those of you who know the mayor, you’ll understand that these meetings are NEVER boring! Touring Progress at the Foster Township Municipal Building
I recently visited Foster Township, Luzerne County to tour completed renovations at the township municipal building and discuss plans for a new community center. I was pleased to see the progress that has been made in breathing new life into the building thanks to a state grant that I helped to secure in 2023.
During the visit, township officials also shared their plans to repurpose the former recycling center into a dedicated Community Center, providing a new gathering space for residents. Senate Committee Examines CDLs and REAL IDs Being Issued to Illegal Immigrants
The Senate Transportation Committee held a public hearing to examine commercial vehicle safety and nondomiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) following recent claims of CDLs and REAL IDs being issued to illegal immigrants. Pennsylvania law bans regular and commercial driver’s licenses for anyone unlawfully present in the commonwealth. Last month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested an illegal immigrant from Uzbekistan wanted for belonging to a terrorist organization. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) issued him a CDL with a REAL ID indication in July. The committee examined commercial vehicle safety and nondomiciled commercial driver’s licenses with driving advocates, along with officials from PennDOT and the Pennsylvania State Police. You can view the hearing and read testimony here. General Assembly Expands No-Cost Breast Cancer Screenings
Big step forward in cancer care—patients who receive abnormal breast cancer screening results will soon have access to no-cost follow-up diagnostic imaging. Early detection saves lives, and this change will help ensure no one skips important tests due to cost. Read more here. DellaCroce Dental Celebrates 100 Years!
Alex Flynn from Rep. Jamie Walsh’s office and I recently visited DellaCroce Dental in Freeland to congratulate their team on their 100th year in business! Led by Dr. John DellaCroce, the practice provides full-service dental care for residents across our region. We discussed the future Temple Rural Dental Clinic and Education Center in Tamaqua and the promise it brings for rural dentistry across our Commonwealth. Dr. DellaCroce and his team are all Kornberg School of Dentistry alumni and explained to me how much rural PA needs more dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants! Congrats on 100 years of dentistry! Panther Valley Pharmacy Opens Doors in Lansford
Brad Hurley from my Hazleton office recently joined Teddy Dacey and his team to congratulate them on the opening of Panther Valley Pharmacy in Lansford. This new pharmacy will provide an important service to residents across the region, building upon the important goals established by the Panther Valley Blueprint Community Team. Rep. Doyle Heffley and I want to continue our efforts to breathe new life into Lansford with one simple goal: the sooner, the better! Best wishes to Teddy and his team as they begin this exciting new chapter in providing important health care services to Lansford and beyond! Reminder: It’s Time to Renew Your Annual Dog License
The deadline to purchase an annual license renewal for your dog is Jan. 1, 2026. Many counties allow you to purchase a lifetime license. Licensing fees help the millions of dogs in Pennsylvania by funding the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement. If your dog gets lost, a current license is the fastest way to get your dog back home. Dogs must be licensed at the point of adoption or purchase, or at three months if no transfer of ownership has taken place. Annual licenses can be purchased online from your county treasurer in one location here. Merry Christmas!
My staff, family, and I wish you a safe and happy holiday season and a very Merry Christmas!
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