Senator Ward, J E-Newsletter

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In this Update:

  • Happy Thanksgiving!
  • Shop Local on Small Business Saturday – Take My Survey
  • Arthur R. Walter, Jr. Bridge Dedication
  • PA Tradition: Statewide Firearms Deer Season Begins Nov. 29
  • Veteran Scams on the Rise
  • Out and About in the 30th District

Happy Thanksgiving!

On Oct. 3, 1863, months after the Battle of Gettysburg and with victory in mind, as well as its cost, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation encouraging Americans “in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea, and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a Day of Thanksgiving and prayer.”

Thanksgiving has been celebrated officially in the United States ever since.

I hope you and your loved ones have a happy Thanksgiving filled with love, gratitude and hope.

Shop Local on Small Business Saturday – Take My Survey

Small Business Saturday will be held Saturday, Nov. 29, spotlighting the role that small businesses play in our communities.  

The holiday season is a wonderful time to shop small. More than 1.1 million small businesses in Pennsylvania benefit their local economies and employ 2.5 million people.

Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit? The state offers helpful information for people who are considering starting or expanding their business. Learn more about writing a business plan, registering your business and choosing a business structure.

Do you own a business in the district? What is your favorite business in the 30th district? Take my survey and let me know your thoughts!

Arthur R. Walter, Jr. Bridge Dedication

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) designated a bridge on Dunnings Highway over Beaverdam Creek in Greenfield Township, Blair County, as the Arthur R. Walter, Jr., Memorial Bridge. I was proud to sponsor this well-deserved bridge naming an omnibus bridge naming bill which became Act 17 of 2025, that designated this bridge to Mr. Walter, who was employed as a Transportation Equipment Operator by PennDOT-District 9-0 in Hollidaysburg for 15 years. He lost his life in a vehicle accident in Brooks Mill while traveling to work on December 17, 2001.

Many Commonwealth employees face risks every day as they serve the public. This bridge designation will honor Mr. Walter and serve as a reminder to everyone who travels this road that these dedicated, hard-working men and women keep our state functioning on a daily basis.

Arthur R. Walter, Jr., was born on April 2, 1952, in Roaring Spring, PA. He was the son of Arthur R. Walter and Ida K. Dicken and stepfather Donald Schoening. He has two half-brothers, Henry Roudabush and Ray Roudabush, both of Claysburg; two sisters, Grace Helsel and Helen Betar, both of Claysburg; and two-half sisters, Mary Walter of New Jersey and Donna Vildibill of Alabama. He graduated from Claysburg-Kimmel High School in 1970 and later married Tammy J. Smith on March 18, 2000, in Claysburg. Art’s children include one son, Gabriel R. Walter of Claysburg; one stepson, Douglas P. Burket, of Claysburg; two daughters, Mariah A. and Jessie M. Walter, both of Fishertown; and a grandson, Bryce Walter of Claysburg.

In addition to his PennDOT service, Mr. Walter was a well-known PIAA basketball official, softball umpire and volleyball referee who worked for 26 years in area high school athletics in Blair and Bedford counties, in addition to working as an adult flag football official and an ASA softball umpire in the summer. He was a member of the Claysburg Church of God.

We are grateful for Mr. Walter’s years of dedicated service to our Commonwealth, and this bridge will always carry his name to show our appreciation for his service and commitment to our state.

PA Tradition: Statewide Firearms Deer Season Begins Nov. 29

Pennsylvania’s statewide firearms deer season runs from Nov. 29 through Dec. 13 and includes two Sundays, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7. More than half a million hunters are expected to take part in this traditional outdoor recreation and essential wildlife management.

If you’re taking to the field, please consider participating in the Hunters Sharing the Harvest program, which lets hunters donate deer – at no cost – at any one of more than 100 licensed butcher shops across 56 counties. Venison is then processed for distribution statewide through regional food banks in partnership with Feeding Pennsylvania and Hunger-Free Pennsylvania.

Last year’s donations led to a record 283,789 pounds of venison, which equated to about 1.1 million servings of lean, nutritious meat for food-insecure individuals and families.

Veteran Scams on the Rise

Veterans and their families continue to be targeted by increasingly sophisticated scams designed to steal personal information, benefits, and hard-earned savings. In recent years, these fraudulent attempts have grown more common, threatening the financial security of those who have served our nation.

The latest scam circulating in Pennsylvania involves a direct-mail postcard claiming to offer eligible Veterans an additional $160 per month through something called the “PA Veteran Savings Program 2025.” The postcard appears official at first glance, using formal language and referencing programs such as CHAMPVA and TRICARE for Life. It urges recipients to call within five days to “help manage call volume,” a tactic often used to pressure Veterans into responding quickly.

However, the postcard contains several red flags. It does not include a return address, and it lists a bogus phone number — 855-600-2411 — designed to lure callers into sharing personal information.

Veterans who receive suspicious mail or believe they may have been targeted by this scam, or a similar one should report it immediately to:

  • PA Office of Attorney General, Military & Veterans Affairs:

717-783-1944; PAVETS@attorneygeneral.gov

  • VA Office of Inspector General Hotline: 1-800-488-8244
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC): reportfraud.ftc.gov

Out and About in the 30th District

E. Avenue Hair Studio Ribbon Cutting

E. Avenue Hair Studio, which is located at 505 Electric Avenue in Lewistown, held their grand opening and ribbon cutting recently. They will be providing a variety of services including hair and massage therapy.

Hollidaysburg Winterfest Parade

A chilly but joyful time for the Hollidaysburg Winterfest parade! Pictured here is New Hollidaysburg Mayor, Chad Repko and Junior Mayor Emmett Ritter.

Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce After-Hours Event

Recently, the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce business after-hours was held in Downtown Reedsville. The featured stops for this event were located on Main Street in Reedsville and included: Little Genovia, a new boutique; The Melted Hive, which produces wax tarts in a variety of scents; Stone House Market, a “mom and pop” style market featuring groceries, meats and a deli counter; The Friendship Bookstore, a Christian bookstore located along this stretch of the downtown area; The Reedsville Creamery, which has been in this area for a few years now and as the name implies, they serve great ice cream as well as burgers; and East End Coffee Shop, which offers a variety of coffees and lattes.

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