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This Week: Raising Awareness About Human Trafficking
Join me Thursday, Oct. 29, at North Street Community Church in Canton for a Human Trafficking Awareness event focused on recognizing the signs of trafficking, online grooming and exploitation of children, and ways to protect loved ones. Speakers include Wyoming County District Attorney Joe Peters; Korrin Moon, president and founder of Lantern Rescue; and Debbie Colton, founder of Oasis of Hope in Canton.
RSVP at www.RepOwlett.com/events or by calling the Wellsboro office at 570-724-1390 or Troy office at 570-297-3045
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Meet the Good and Mullin Families of Bradford County
Come along with me and learn more about the dairy industry in North Central Pennsylvania and discover how Good View Farm is making a difference right here in our region.
Agriculture and dairy farming are an important part of our community, providing the food we enjoy and supporting our local economy. We all like to eat, so let’s remember to support our local farmers, appreciate the hard work they do every day, and thank them for helping keep our communities thriving!
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Cow-Side Conversations: The Story of Sugar Branch Farm
It’s always inspiring to see how local businesses adapt to changing circumstances, find new opportunities, and make the changes necessary to keep their businesses and family livelihoods going.
Amanda Miller of Sugar Branch Farms in Bradford County recently shared her family’s story with the Center of Dairy Excellence on an episode of Cow-Side Conversations.
From adjusting the size of their dairy herd to exploring new income opportunities, Amanda shares how her family navigated unexpected changes in their dairy operation. Their experience highlights the importance of family, community, and adaptability in the ever-changing world of agriculture.
Stories like theirs are a powerful reminder of the resilience, creativity, and determination that keep our local businesses, farms, and agricultural communities thriving.
You can listen to her story here.
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Volunteer Opportunity at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Calving Corner
Looking for a unique and rewarding way to volunteer? The Calving Corner is returning to the 2027 Pennsylvania Farm Show in January, and the Center for Dairy Excellence is looking for volunteers to join their team!
Here is a chance to be part of something special and give Farm Show visitors a memorable, up-close look at the miracle of life on the farm!
There are shifts available for all experience levels. You can click here to sign up for a shift.
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Bill to Restrict ‘Flock’ Cameras Passes House
Amid growing concerns about the use of automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology, I joined a majority in the state House last week in voting to restrict its usage and help protect people’s privacy.
House Bill 2771 would restrict government use of plate readers to specific law enforcement activities, including criminal investigations and some types of parking enforcement, as well as controlling access to secured areas. The bill would require data captured by the cameras to be deleted within 72 hours if not relevant to an investigation or enforcement issue.
The measure would also prohibit selling, trading or sharing data captured by ALPRs, which are commonly referred to as “Flock” cameras because it is the most common brand of reader used in the United States.
The measure now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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House Approves School Cell Phone Ban
Legislation that would require schools across the Commonwealth to ban the use of cell phones during the school day was approved last week by the House and Senate and is awaiting the governor’s signature to become law.
Senate Bill 1014 includes some exemptions, including students who require a mobile device due to a medical condition of the student or an immediate family member; students who have individual education plans that require them to use their phones; English-language learners who use their phones for translation services; and students who receive permission from the teacher when certain criteria are met.
A school entity would be required to inform parents, guardians, teachers and students about the policy at the beginning of each school year. The policy would have to include information about how parents or guardians can sign up for emergency notifications and how they can contact their child during the school day.
If Senate Bill 1014 is enacted, a school entity that adopted a policy related to mobile devices prior to the bill’s effective date would be required to amend its policy to comply with this bill no later than the start of the 2027-28 school year.
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New Law Cracks Down on Deceptive Telemarketing Schemes
A new law modernizing the Commonwealth’s regulation of telemarketing took effect last week with the goal of cracking down on spoofing, robocalls, scam texts and more.
Act 47 of 2026 prohibits telemarketing calls before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m., and at any time on Sundays and legal holidays. It requires prior express written consent for most robocalls and telemarketing text messages for those on the Do-Not-Call List and prohibits deceptive or fraudulent practices used to obtain a consumer’s consent.
The law also prohibits telemarketers from falsely identifying themselves or using deceptive caller ID information, including spoofed numbers. It allows consumers to opt out of telemarketing text messages by responding with commonly recognized terms such as “STOP,” “QUIT,” “END,” “CANCEL” or “UNSUBSCRIBE.” Finally, it requires telemarketers to stop their solicitation when a consumer asks them to do so.
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DEP Accepting Applications for Environmental Education Projects
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is now accepting applications for its Environmental Education Grants Program through Friday, Nov. 13.
Eligible applicants include public and private schools and universities, county conservation districts, nonprofit organizations and businesses. Projects must be implemented July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028. There are three tiers of awards available: Seed Grants for projects up to $5,000; Grow Grants for projects between $5,001 and $30,000; and Impact Grants for projects between $30,001 and $65,000.
Learn more about the grant program and how to apply here.
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