Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania sends $6M for these homeless services
(The Center Square) – About two dozen grants totaling $6.3 million will go to 25 counties in Pennsylvania to combat homelessness.
The Emergency Solutions Grants, issued by the Department of Community and Economic Development, can be used for prevention, emergency rehousing, street outreach, emergency shelter, and related uses.
“The funding approved today will go to trusted community organizations to assist individuals and families experiencing or facing homelessness,” department Secretary Rick Siger said in a release. “The Shapiro administration is committed to helping the most vulnerable members of our communities, and ESG funding provides local governments and nonprofits across the commonwealth with the tools they need to help unlock critical housing resources to support them.”
ESG is an acronym used in conjunction with environmental, social, and governance policies in investments.
The largest grant, $1.5 million, will cover a baker’s dozen of counties in western Pennsylvania. Lawrence County Social Services and a dozen other recipients will use the money to fund existing homelessness services in the area. The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence will receive $750,000 for statewide efforts to provide emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and homelessness prevention.
The Center for Community Action will also receive $490,000 for homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, and emergency shelter services in central Pennsylvania. A full list of awards is available on Department of Community and Economic Development’s website.
The money follows a September announcement that the Department of Agriculture provided $1.6 million for dozens of soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters to shore up access to emergency meals.
Experts have said homelessness is driven by restraints on getting new housing built, as The Center Square previously reported. Pennsylvania’s home prices have crept up in recent years, whether in urban, suburban, or rural parts of the commonwealth, and in response, state legislators have proposed some wide-ranging reforms to make it easier to get housing built.
However, despite those pressures, homelessness has decreased in some parts. The Department of Community and Economic Development estimates about 15,000 Pennsylvanians are homeless. In Philadelphia, homelessness fell by 22% from 2018 to 2022, along with a 19% reduction in chronic homelessness. In 2021 and 2022, however, chronic homelessness numbers started to rise again.
Administrative issues could make the problem worse in Pennsylvania’s largest city, too: its Office of Homeless Services overspent its budget by $15 million and faces an investigation over the scandal.
Don’t get fooled: Here’s 24 scam texts I received in just one month
Although some may be humorous, others appear legit. Here are 24 texts I received in just one month’s time, as well as one I’m surprised I never got.
Spam texts are listed in the same order that was received.
Gallery Credit: Mike Brant
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Hersheypark in Pennsylvaniacould be forced to close this summer amid a dispute between the site’s operators and union employees, according to a report.
The amusement park is scheduled to open seven days a week starting May 21 in a shift from its weekend-only operation before the summer, despite a looming vote among employees about whether to go on strike.
Over 200 union maintenance employees at Hersheypark, The Hotel Hershey and Giant Center rejected a contract offer from Hershey Entertainment & Resorts on May 7, according to Inside the Magic. The park’s operators described the proposal as their “last, best and final” offer.
Over a three-day period this week, employees will vote on whether to strike after rejecting the offer, which is the third from the park’s operators. A strike could close the park just in time for the start of the busy summer season when families head on vacation.
The list of employees considering going on strike includes ride mechanics, electricians, plumbers, welders, painters, machinists, utilities technicians, carpenters, garage auto mechanics and sign artists.
In mid-March, the union and Hershey Entertainment & Resorts agreed to extend a former contract for 60 days to allow for continued negotiations.
According to Inside the Magic, union workers are seeking fair wage increases, more affordable care plans and higher pay premiums for less-desirable shifts. The union has also said that it will reject new contract offers that lower professional standards, devalue skilled trades or open the door to lower wages in maintenance roles in the future.
The Independent has contacted Hershey Entertainment & Resorts for comment about the possible strike.
Hersheypark, located 15 miles east of Harrisburg, is the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania. Founded in 1906, the 121-acre site boasts more than 70 rides, a water park with 17 water attractions and an 11-acre North American Wildlife Park, according to Hersheypark’s website.
It’s named for and themed in conjunction with the popular candy company.
However, a different park in the Keystone State was named as the top amusement park in the U.S. on TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best list.
It was Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, 42 miles north-northeast of Harrisburg, that topped the list. In doing so, the little-known park was ranked higher than Dollywood, Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure that also made the top 5.
“It’s got it all: roller coasters, kid-friendly rides (bumper cars, a haunted mansion), swimming, camping, a mining museum, and even a championship 18-hole golf course,” TripAdvisor wrote. “The accommodating staff, clean facilities, and fun attractions make for a memorable family-friendly visit.”
Knoebels is the U.S.’s largest free-admission park, although tickets for individual rides cost a fee.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on cast vote records creates uncertainty for counties
NEW CASTLE, Pa. (MyValleyTributes) – Charles “Yami” Frederick Jamison, age 83, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, formerly of Warren, Ohio, passed away, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Haven Convalescent Home.
Mr. Jamison was born December 2, 1942, in New Castle, a son of the late Charles N. and Anna (Callihan) Jamison and was a 1960 graduate of New Castle High School.
Charles worked as an order checker clerk for Packard Electric Company, Warren, Ohio, for 31 years, until his retirement in 1999.
A proud veteran, he served his country in the United States Navy.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Church, Warren, Ohio and also attended Mass at Holy Spirit Parish – St. Mary’s Church.
Charles spent his free time hunting and playing Euchre.
He is survived by his four sisters, Margaret I. Klann, Mary E. DeMarco and Catherine “Kay” A. Houk (Robert), all of New Castle and Susan J. Olson (Donald), Winfield, Illinois; his brother, Richard Jamison (Linda) of New Castle; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the City Rescue Mission, 319 S. Croton Ave., New Castle, PA, 16101, and the Salvation Army, 240 W. Grant St., New Castle, PA, 16101.
The family would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to the Haven Convalescent Home for the care and support that Charles received over the years.
Calling Hours will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 111 W. Falls St., New Castle.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on 10:30 a.m., Wednesday May 13, 2026, in Holy Spirit Parish – St. Mary’s Church, 124 N. Beaver St., New Castle, with Rev. Aaron Kriss, as celebrant.
Interment: Castleview Memorial Gardens, Neshannock Twp.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles F. Jamison, please visit our flower store.
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