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In this Update:
Focus on the 46th
On Monday, we celebrated an exciting milestone at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Washington with a ribbon cutting and tour of their newly renovated medical oncology office. Thanks to a $3.75 million investment, the center now offers more treatment chairs, additional exam rooms, private spaces, and even a new “fast-track” option to reduce wait times, making care more comfortable and efficient for patients right here at home. UPMC Hillman is one of only 57 National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the country, which means families in Washington and Greene counties have access to world-class care and clinical trials without having to travel far. Since UPMC Washington joined UPMC last year, we’ve already seen major investments like this renovation and a $6.5 million expansion of radiation oncology services now underway, bringing cutting-edge technology and expanded access to care across our region. Congratulations to the entire UPMC Hillman team on this achievement, and thank you for your commitment to providing top-level cancer care close to home. The ribbon cutting photo is courtesy of UPMC. Pictured L-R is my staffer Brian Tirpak; Amy Obusek, Sr Practice Manager; Melissa Nestler, RN, Nurse Manager; Dr. Nitin Kapoor, UPMC Hillman medical oncologist; Beth Wild, President, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center; Brook Ward, President UPMC Washington & UPMC Greene; Chuck Flack, VP & CFO, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Thank you to all the wonderful people and vendors who came down to the Senior Expo this week! I am already looking forward to doing it again next year. It was an honor to help coordinate this year’s event with the Southwestern PA Area Agency on Aging, State Rep. Tim O’Neal, and the Washington County Board of Commissioners.
Congratulations to Charleroi Area Elementary Center on being one of only 13 schools in Pennsylvania selected as a 2025 Blue Ribbon School. The school’s ROARS Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program (Respect, Ownership, Attitude, Responsibility, and Safety) has helped reduce discipline referrals and boost student attendance, fostering a safe and engaging environment for learning. Charleroi also implemented a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) across all grade levels, ensuring timely academic and behavioral interventions to meet each student’s needs. The Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon Schools Program celebrates schools for overall academic achievement and progress in closing learning gaps, while creating welcoming spaces where students can thrive. Well done, you are setting the standard! PA Treasurer 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. Remembering Three Police Officers Killed in the Line of Duty
Three police officers were killed and two wounded serving a warrant Sept. 17 in York County, a heartbreaking reminder of the risk faced every day by those standing on the thin blue line between order and chaos. The fallen officers, Detective Mark Baker, Sgt. Detective Cody Becker and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser, were members of the Northern York County Regional Police Department. Their shocking deaths highlight how crucial it is to stand behind law enforcement officers and give them the tools and support they need to serve communities in the safest manner possible. May their families find comfort in this incredibly trying time. Open Government: How to Access Senate Bills, Votes and More
Pennsylvania Senate votes, debates, bills and much more can be accessed via the General Assembly’s website. Citizens can learn who represents them, read bills and amendments, review text of floor debates in the official Senate Journals, and see how senators voted on bills in committee and before the full Senate. The committee meeting schedule is also available, along with co-sponsorship memos and monthly expense reports for each senator. Senate sessions are livestreamed, and video from previous sessions is available back to Jan. 2025. Pennsylvania statutes (our state laws), the state constitution, recently enacted laws, rules and regulations (PA Code), the PA Bulletin, and more can be viewed by going to the Statutes section. Reporting School Threats Anonymously
Another school year is underway, and the Safe2Say Something program is available to train students and school employees how to recognize warning signs from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others, and to anonymously report the threat before it is too late. Once a tip is reported, a crisis center assesses it and sends it to school administrators and/or law enforcement for intervention. This youth violence prevention program is run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Since 2019, the Safe2Say Something tipline has received more than 178,000 tips covering threats to schools, bullying and potential self-harm. Don’t be Fooled by Fraudulent Ticket Sellers
The arrival of the NFL and college sports seasons is a good time to check out the playbook for avoiding fraudulent ticket sellers. Attorney General Dave Sunday offers these suggestions to avoid being scammed:
To report a scam, or if you believe you have been scammed, file a complaint at www.attorneygeneral.gov or by calling 717-787-3391. Resource for New Moms: Maternal Mental Health Hotline
New moms can experience mental health challenges during or after pregnancy. Some common signs of postpartum depression are:
Call or text the Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) for free, confidential support 24/7. Find out more here. Prostate 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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