AAA: More than 91,000 Wilkes-Barre area residents to travel this week

AAA projects that more than 91,000 Wilkes-Barre area residents will travel a distance of 50 miles or more over the Independence Day Weekend — up 5.2% over last year and setting a new record for the holiday.

For the first time, AAA looked at the entire July 4 week, plus the Saturday before and the Sunday after the holiday.

More than 83% of travelers — or nearly 76,000 Wilkes-Barre area residents — will be hitting the road for the holiday — up 4.5% over last year.

Air travel is up 8.2% over last year, with AAA projecting nearly 9,000 Wilkes-Barre area residents — 9.5% of local travelers — will take to the skies.

And, travel by other modes of transportation, which was slowest to recover from the pandemic, is up 10.4% over last year, with nearly 7,000 Wilkes-Barre area residents — 7.3% of local travelers — training, busing or cruising to their holiday destinations.

“With school out for the summer and remote work flexibility for many people, this July 4th week will be the busiest ever as Americans prioritize extended travel opportunities around the holiday,” said Jana Tidwell, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “Independence Day is always the busiest travel holiday of summer, with this year looking at the highest number of travelers on record.”

Rep. Cabell to host Senior

Expo Aug. 1 at Misericordia

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of life for older residents, Rep. Mike Cabell, R-Butler Township, will host a Senior Citizens Expo on Thursday, Aug. 1, in Dallas.

The expo will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Misericordia University’s Insalaco Hall, 301 Lake St.

“My staff and I are looking forward to hosting this popular, free event,” said Cabell. “We encourage seniors and their caregivers to make plans to join us and take advantage of this one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn more about the programs and services available to them in our area.”

The expo will feature dozens of exhibitors from nonprofit agencies; local, state and federal governments; and area businesses that will provide information on benefits and services available to older residents on a wide range of topics, including health care, insurance, nutrition and exercise, fire safety, financial planning, fraud protection, government, personal safety and more.

Free health screenings will be offered, courtesy of area health care providers, including blood pressure and hearing. Special sessions will be available with experts on specific topics such as cyber security, financial scams, elder law and senior driving laws.

Seniors can also take part in a tai chi presentation, which is a form of “gentle exercise” that benefits physical and mental health.

Finally, a Treasury Department representative will be on hand to help seniors search for any unclaimed property being held by the state.

For more information, contact Cabell’s district office in Dallas at 570-675-6000.

Sen. Casey continues to push for

passage of the Railway Safety Act

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, this week applauded Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHSMA) final rule to require railroads to proactively provide first responders with real-time, electronic information about rail hazmat shipments involving hazardous materials as soon as the railroad is aware that an accident or incident has occurred.

After Sen. Casey urged the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to advance the rule to protect first responders, the Biden Administration finalized the rule this week.

In the wake of the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) final meeting in East Palestine, OH and the release of part of the agency’s forthcoming report on Norfolk Southern’s disaster, Sen. Casey continues to push for the bipartisan Railway Safety Act to prevent future train disasters like the derailment that devastated Darlington Township, PA.

“Norfolk Southern’s information-sharing failure placed Pennsylvania first responders in needless, irresponsible danger,” Casey said. “This final rule is an important step to protect our first responders, but we need to pass legislation that protects our communities from train derailments. I will keep fighting for the Railway Safety Act for as long as it takes so we can ensure that no community suffers through the devastation Darlington experienced.”

State announces opportunity to

grow meat-processing businesses

Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding this week announced the opening the 2024-2025 Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Reimbursement Grant Program.

The grant program supports the development and expansion of current or future meat and poultry processing operations across Pennsylvania, offering reimbursement funds to cover costs associated with opening or expanding operations, or obtaining grant of inspection from the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service.

“Pennsylvanians are seeking out local farms more than ever, and this grant directly addresses that desire by helping small meat and poultry processors meet the growing demand for local foods,” said Secretary Redding. “By investing in local agriculture, the Shapiro Administration is not only helping farmers and processors stay competitive, we’re shortening supply chains, reducing costs, and ensuring a more reliable, sustainable food source for our Commonwealth.”

A total of $500,000 is available for 2024-25, with a maximum grant amount of $100,000. Applications can be submitted through the Single Application for Assistance online applications system, and are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2.

Pa. legislators announce re-launch

of the Nuclear Energy Caucus

Pennsylvania state Senators John Kane (D-9) and Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-27) and state Reps. Robert Matzie (D-16) and Tom Mehaffie (R-106) on Monday announced the re-launch of the Nuclear Energy Caucus.

“Nuclear energy has powered Pennsylvania’s homes and businesses for decades with reliable, carbon-free electricity,” said the members of the caucus. “We are re-launching the bipartisan, bicameral Pennsylvania Nuclear Energy Caucus to ensure we keep this tried-and-true clean energy contributing to our baseload power for generations to come.”

Pennsylvania is the birthplace of the nuclear power industry, with the first commercial nuclear power plant beginning operations in 1957 in Shippingport.

Pennsylvania’s eight nuclear reactors at four facilities today produce one-third of all electricity generated in the commonwealth.

America’s nuclear power plants faced significant economic and financial challenges in the 2010s, which led to the premature closure of many nuclear plants across the country, including Three Mile Island near Harrisburg in 2019.

A Joint State Government Commission report on nuclear energy found the closure resulted in an 8% reduction in Pennsylvania’s nuclear energy output and hundreds of lost jobs.

Task force finalizes report on flood

insurance access and affordability

The Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner, on behalf of the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force (Task Force), has presented Gov. Josh Shapiro and the General Assembly with the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force Final Report.

The report includes recommendations designed to improve the affordability and accessibility of flood insurance, bolster flood resiliency, increase flood risk mitigation, and protect Pennsylvanians from incurring flood damage that often results in thousands of dollars of uncovered losses.

Gov. Shapiro signed HB 735 into law as Act 22 in November 2023 after it passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan support, establishing the Task Force and directing it to study flood insurance issues and make recommendations to help improve affordability and expand access to flood insurance coverage for Pennsylvania communities. Act 22 charged the Task Force to deliver a report with its recommendations by July 1, 2024.

“As we prepared this report, we heard firsthand from Pennsylvanians about their lived experiences and suggestions on obtaining and paying for flood insurance, giving us the chance to develop a report with concrete solutions that are guided by the people of Pennsylvania,” said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner and Task Force Chair Michael Humphreys.

The report’s recommendations encompass key pillars of affordability, risk mitigation, incentives, and education and outreach.

“Pennsylvania is one of the most flood-prone states in the nation, and recovery is often a years-long effort,” said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. “Any steps that we can take to promote flood mitigation activities and assist homeowners and renters with obtaining affordable flood insurance will hasten recovery efforts and benefit our communities and our citizens for years to come.”

Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, said the many destructive weather events experienced across Pennsylvania over the past decade present difficult challenges for communities and families.

“The frequency of high damage events and the rising costs of recovery efforts are roiling insurance markets,” Baker said. “In other states, we have seen insurance companies pull out, restrict coverage, and raise premiums beyond the ability of many households and small businesses to pay. This is a crucial juncture for us to consider some fundamental changes before our situation deteriorates into crisis. There are broad questions about flood protections, mitigation measures, and financial coverage that require practical and effective answers. This task force was a good avenue for giving all sides the chance to participate, raising the discussion above partisan or philosophical considerations.”