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In this Update:

• Spreading Holiday Cheer
• Beware of Scam Targeting Veterans and Military Families
• Tips for Safe Winter Driving
• Look Out for Scams, Fraud and Theft During the Holiday Season
• Fishing Gift Vouchers, Licenses on Sale
• College Application Period is Open
• Supporting our Local Libraries
• East Pennsboro Students Visit the Capitol
• Dec. 7: Remembering a Day of Infamy

Spreading Holiday Cheer

This week, I was blessed to help the Marine Corps League, Lewis B. Puller Jr, Detachment 524 distribute toys through the Toys for Tots campaign. They do great work throughout the year to collect, organize, and plan for holiday distributions. Their dedication goes a long way toward making Christmas a little brighter for kids and families in our area. Last year, more than 62,500 toys were distributed across Cumberland, Perry, and Northern Dauphin counties! 

Beware of Scam Targeting PA Veterans and Military Families

The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) has become aware of a “Savings Program” scam targeting veterans and military families.  If you are a veteran or family member unsure about a solicitation, please reach out to DMVA at: 800-547-2838 to discuss it with an accredited veteran service officer at no cost.

Tips for Safe Winter Driving

Last winter, there were more than 8,320 vehicle crashes statewide, with 2,959 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways. Sadly, those accidents resulted in 29 fatalities.

Stay safe this winter; check out the Winter Driving Guide and other suggestions from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, such as keeping an emergency kit handy.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. Free and available 24 hours a day, 511PA provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras.

Look Out for Scams, Fraud and Theft During the Holiday Season

The holiday shopping season is prime opportunity for scams, fraud and theft. Some of the most common scams to be on the lookout for include bait-and-switch scams, skimming devices and fraudulent “cybersquatting” websites.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday offered several tips to prevent scammers from taking advantage when shopping online:

• Watch out for bait-and-switch scams, where a retailer lures customers with a low price — but then substitutes a product that either costs more or is less desirable. Also be alert for scammers, known as cybersquatters, who use fraudulent internet domains that look and sound like legitimate brands or stores to trick unsuspecting customers.
• Be especially careful when paying for services or items with wire transfers, cryptocurrency or money orders. Scammers may also ask for payment for things like bills, parking tickets, etc. via a gift card, which is a big red flag — a gift card is not a normal payment method for these items.
• Do not provide your Social Security number or bank account information and be wary of emails and texts you didn’t request.
• Read the fine print. “Buy Now, Pay Later” services could have hidden fees or penalties in their agreements.

The Attorney General’s Office has set up a Scams Complaint Form residents can fill out should they encounter any scams. The FBI also provides tips on how to avoid holiday scams and identify skimming devices, which are estimated to cost consumers and financial institutions more than $1 billion per year.

Fishing Gift Vouchers, Licenses on Sale

Gift vouchers for your favorite angler, along with Pennsylvania fishing licenses and launch permits, are now available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Items for the upcoming 2026 season can be purchased at HuntFish.pa.gov or by visiting one of nearly 700 retail license issuing agents. Licenses, permits and vouchers purchased now are valid immediately for up to 13 months, from Dec. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2026.

While in-person retail purchases remain popular, online purchases can save time and help you avoid long lines, especially right before the spring trout season, which begins statewide on Sat., April 4, 2026. Customers can choose an auto-renew option at the time of purchase.

College Application Period is Open

The application period for most colleges is now open. If you’re just beginning the process, you can find plenty of resources for the college planning and application process here.

Find out about course offerings, as well as information for students with disabilities, veterans and adult students.

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency can help you access student financial aid services, including grants, loans and other funding opportunities, including the new Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program.

Supporting our Local Libraries

The recently enacted state budget includes a $5 million boost to support Pennsylvania’s 474 public libraries (630 counting satellites like branches and bookmobiles), helping them serve adults, children and families across the commonwealth. The budget also increases funding for library services for the visually impaired and disabled, a program known as the Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP).

Since the first Pennsylvania library opened in 1731 (the Library Company of Philadelphia, founded by Benjamin Franklin), libraries have served as vital community resources. Today, they’re evolving to meet the needs of modern users, including the growth of digital lending options like the POWER Library.

Check out library locations, hours, programs, and extensive resources provided in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties!  Those interested in getting a library card can visit one of our wonderful local libraries or learn about the Statewide Library Card Program.

East Pennsboro Students Visit the Capitol

Thanks to these wonderful East Pennsboro Area School District elementary students for stopping by to visit this week! I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with them about state government and our beautiful Capitol building. They asked some very thoughtful and well-informed questions. I hope everyone enjoyed the tour!

Dec. 7: Remembering a Day of Infamy

Each year on Dec. 7, we remember the 2,403 service members and civilians killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 1941. A further 1,178 people were injured in the attack, which permanently sank two U.S. Navy battleships and destroyed 188 aircraft.

We remember not just the surprise attack, but the steely resolve of Americans to do whatever it took to defeat the Axis forces of World War II.

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