SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE TOURS LOCAL RAIL

After the Transportation Committee hearing, Senator Ward, Senator Kearney, Senator Saval, and staff toured Curry Rail Services and got to take a ride on the Everett Railroad. Curry Rail Services stands out as a leader among repair and maintenance with deep roots in the industry. Through their lifelong relationships with their customers, suppliers, and industry partners they ensure quality, and facilitate an efficient rail transportation network. The Everett Railroad is a 23-mile freight railroad servicing Blair County’s I-99 corridor, including the communities of Altoona, Hollidaysburg, Roaring Spring, Martinsburg, and Claysburg. Pictured with us is Alan Maples. Thanks for the ride Alan!

 

To highlight EMS Week and all the wonderful work our first responders do, FAME EMS offered tours and visits. They are located in Lewistown. Granville Township Supervisor, Jim Smith, along with Mike Coldren and Pat Shoop of FAME, are photographed.

 

 

The Senate Maternal and Infant Health Caucus went on the road and took a tour of Bright Hope Pregnancy Support Center in Allentown. It was incredible to see the various ways they are lifting women up and providing help and hope for them and their baby. To date, Bright Hope has supported more than 96,000 families, serving over 550 women last year alone across 1,350 appointments. Their whole-person approach empowers women with the tools, knowledge, and support to make fully informed decisions regarding their pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care—helping to ensure the best possible outcomes for both mothers and their children. In attendance were Representatives Twardzik, Cutler, and McNeill, and Senator Pennycuick.

 

 

I visited and toured the Mifflintown Airport, where the owner, Bruce Lisle, showed me around the area. Pictured with me are Bruce Lisle and Eric Lunger.

 

 

 

I visited and toured the Embassy Theater located in downtown Lewistown. “Friends of the Embassy” have been working to restore this theater for over 30 years. A lot of work to shore up the building has been done to this point.

 

 

Congratulations to Gracie Civitts, who received the 2025 Distinguished Graduate Award at this year’s Senior Awards presentation at Belleville Mennonite School. The distinguished graduate award is given to a student who demonstrates academic excellence, involvement in scholastic and community activities and is a remarkable student and citizen.

 

 

Congratulations to Rural King in Altoona, who held their grand opening recently with a ribbon cutting ceremony!

 

 

Blair County held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the designation of County Bridge #69 carrying Everett Road over South Dry Run in Freedom Township as the SFC Thomas V. Dodson Memorial Bridge. SFC Thomas V. Dodson served our country in three separate enlistments, was declared missing in action in 1950 and presumed dead in 1953, and received multiple military honors, including a Purple Heart. Joined by Keller Engineers, Charles J. Merlo Construction, local elected officials, and member of the Dodson family, the Commissioners led the ceremony and unveiling of the sign.

 

  

 

It was my pleasure to participate, along with Representative Rich Irvin, in the dedication of the newly reconstructed Veterans Honor Roll in Dudley Borough, Huntingdon County. When the original memorial was damaged beyond repair last year, leaders in this community stepped up and led the effort to replace this special landmark to pay tribute to the heroes from the area who served our country. Congratulations to Dudley Borough on the completion of this new memorial where residents and visitors can come to remember and pay tribute to local veterans.

  

 

It was a blessing to be able to join with the community in recognizing Memorial Day and all those who heroically sacrificed for our country. The Annual Altoona Memorial Day Parade went through downtown Altoona and ended with a flag raising ceremony in honor of the late Llyod Peck, who honorably served our country in the armed forces. A big thank you to Justin Leamer, who drove me in the parade!

   

 

This week was the Reedsville Takeover, where Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce and Ben Franklin Technology jointed together for a unique evening designed to bring together 150 plus of Central PA’s entrepreneurs, business leaders, and economic development folks. This was a networking event that involved complimentary food and drink at five of Reedsville’s small business venues, including, Revival Kitchen, Reedsville Creamery, East End Coffee, Stone House Market and Pass the Dutchie. Folks enjoyed food and drink together as well as relaxing conversation.

 

 

I was honored to be able to get the chance to speak at the 2025 Aerium Summit in Johnstown. Aerium is a 501(c)(3) organization revolutionizing aviation technology, innovation, and workforce development in Pennsylvania and beyond. I look forward to continuing to learn more about the aviation industry in my role as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.

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