Heating Assistance Program to Close Soon

Heating Assistance Program to Close Soon

Residents who are struggling with their home heating bills should apply for assistance from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) before Friday, April 6, when the program closes.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps individuals and families pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants. It also provides crisis grants to help in the event of an emergency or if a resident is in danger of losing his or her heat due to broken equipment, lack of fuel or termination of utility service.

The income eligibility guidelines for LIHEAP are set at 150 percent of the federal poverty income level. For example, the income limit for an individual is $18,090; for a couple, the limit is $24,360; and for a family of four, it is $36,900.

Residents may apply for LIHEAP online or by contacting the County Assistance Office in their county of residence.

New Motorcycle Safety Clinics Offered
PennDOT is offering new Motorcycle Safety Program (PAMSP) clinics in 2018 that are designed to focus on developing operator proficiency among prospective, experienced and new Pennsylvania riders. Clinics are offered free of charge to Pennsylvania residents who have a motorcycle learner’s permit or motorcycle license.

PAMSP will offer five revamped training syllabuses tailored not just to hone riders’ knowledge, but to test their ability to physically manipulate a motorcycle properly.

All training clinics are conducted under the supervision of certified instructors at one of numerous riding ranges located throughout the state. Three of the clinics – the Beginning Rider Clinic (BRC), the Intermediate Riding Clinic (IRC) and the 3-Wheel Riding Clinic (3WRC) – offer a pathway to earning a motorcycle license.

Act 84 of 2012 requires that all permit holders under age 18 successfully complete the BRC to receive their motorcycle license.

For more information or to enroll in a clinic, visit www.pamsp.com or call 1-800-845-9533. 

‘Cashless’ Tolling to Expand Soon on PA Turnpike

Cashless tolling pilot projects on the Findlay Connector section of the Southern Beltway (PA Turnpike Route 576) in Washington and Allegheny counties and at the Clarks Summit and Keyser Avenue tolling points in Lackawanna County on the Northeastern Extension (Interstate 476) will be implemented at those locations on April 29.

“Cashless” means there will be no coin baskets or toll collectors along the roadway; cash will no longer be accepted.

Motorists with E-ZPass will not notice a difference and will continue to use the process with which they are familiar. For motorists who do not have E-ZPass, an image of their license plate is captured as they travel through a cashless facility. Using the address on file with PennDOT, a toll bill is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle — a cashless procedure known as “PA Turnpike TOLL BY PLATE.”

With the conversion of these two locations, the turnpike will have four cashless tolling locations, with existing locations at the Beaver Valley Expressway (Toll 376) and near the turnpike bridge over the Delaware River.

For more information on the projects, including videos about how cashless tolling works and location specifics, visit www.nocashzone.com.

Small Games of Chance Seminar Set for April 
 
Join us for a Small Games of Chance Seminar, featuring Todd Merlina, an enforcement supervisor with the Bureau of Liquor Enforcement. Merlina will share useful information for nonprofits, sports leagues, churches, parent-teacher organizations and more. Learn about the laws governing small games of chance in Pennsylvania. Seating is limited and registration is required. To register, call 570-643-7683 or visit www.RepRader.com.

Around the 176th 

Over the weekend, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monroe County held its annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake event at Sky Lanes Bowling Center in East Stroudsburg. There was a great turnout, and I am proud to support this organization. Pictured is this year’s legislative team, which consisted of Lovely, a little sister in the program; Devin Munoz; Taylor Munoz from Sen. Scavello’s office; Tyler Day from my office; Maria Temples; and Allison Simon from my office. To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit www.beabigmonroe.com.

Jennifer DeLeo, from my office, joined Monroe County Meals on Wheels volunteers Mary Ann Carter and Joanne Pitzer to help deliver meals on Tuesday as part of Community Champions Week.

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