Pennsylvania

Universal Preschool Proposed In PA

Published

2 years ago

December 12, 2022

PENNSYLVANIA — A brand new invoice citing varied long run financial advantages would mandate a long-discussed proposal that public faculties in Pennsylvania present pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. The proposal comes because the state sees a $79 million funds improve that may already permit some 2,300 extra youngsters entry to pre-k within the 2023-24 faculty yr.

Supporters level to early socialization that results in higher and extra dynamic social and life expertise in youngsters.

“Though there are confirmed financial advantages to early teaching programs that may assist college students develop into contributing members of society, the objective of pre-kindergarten and different early academic packages is to create academic environments and experiences that nurture youngsters’s general well-being and development,” State Rep. Kevin J. Boyle mentioned in a co-sponsorship memorandum asserting the laws.

Officers estimate that at the least 40 p.c of eligible pre-schoolers haven’t got entry to high quality care and studying. That is partly as a consequence of financial disadvantages, nevertheless it’s additionally partly as a consequence of availability. Merely put, there aren’t sufficient preschools for the variety of preschool aged college students within the state.

The motion has a robust undercurrent of assist. The group Pre-Okay for PA labored intently with legislators in supporting and designing the assist for added pre-k funding mirrored in subsequent yr’s funds.

It is unclear precisely what the extent of assist for the invoice can be within the legislature. Pre-Okay for PA says that polling signifies that 90 p.c of registered voters assist the thought. Nevertheless, main state Republican candidates getting into the 2022 midterm election cycle advocated for a lower in class funding.

“Yearly, our vacation want is for lawmakers to make critical investments in our youngsters to proceed to maintain early studying robust — and Governor Wolf and the Basic Meeting did simply that,” Steve Doster, the state director of Mission: Readiness, one in every of Pre-Okay for PA’s companions, mentioned in an announcement.

Particularly, the invoice would formalize the requirement that each one faculty districts provide pre-k for kids who haven’t but attended kindergarten, and kindergarten for kids between the ages of 4 and 6. “The pre-kindergarten packages shall be an integral a part of the elementary faculty system of the district,” the textual content of the invoice reads. “And be saved open for not lower than two and one-half hours every day for the total faculty time period as supplied.”

Native faculty boards can be empowered to repair the variety of pre-k packages and their actual hours.

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Pennsylvania

How to be a poll worker in Pennsylvania

Published

1 hour ago

September 28, 2024

Press Room

Who can I contact if I have more questions?

You can call 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or email ra-voterreg@pa.gov with questions about the poll worker interest form. You can also reach out to your local county’s election office for more details. For the Greater Philadelphia area, the contacts are the following:

Bucks County

Elections & Voter Registration

55 E. Court St.

Doylestown, Pennsylvania, 18901

Phone: (215) 348-6154

Email: elections@buckscounty.org

Chester County

Elections

Karen Barsoum

Government Services Center

601 Westtown Road, Ste. 150

PO Box 2747

West Chester, Pennsylvania, 19380-0990

Phone: (610) 344-6410

Email: ccelectionofficials@chesco.org

Voter registration

Stephanie Saitis

Government Services Center

601 Westtown Rd., Ste. 150

PO Box 2747

West Chester, Pennsylvania, 19380-0990

Phone: (610) 344-6410

Email: ccelectionofficials@chesco.org

Delaware County

Elections

Laureen Hagan

Chief Clerk/Director

201 W. Front St.

Government Center Building

Media, Pennsylvania, 19063

Phone: (610) 891-4673

Email: DelcoElection@co.delaware.pa.us

Voter Registration

Crystal Winterbottom

Interim Voter Registration Director

201 W. Front St.

Government Center Building

Media, Pennsylvania, 19063

Phone: (610) 891-4659

Email: DelcoElection@co.delaware.pa.us

Montgomery County

Elections & Voter Registration

Montgomery County Voter Services

One Montgomery Plaza

425 Swede St., Suite 602

Norristown, Pennsylvania, 19401

Phone: (610) 278-3280

Email: montcovotes@montgomerycountypa.gov

Philadelphia County

Elections

Philadelphia County Board of Elections

142 City Hall

1400 JFK Blvd.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107

Phone: (215) 686-3469

Voter Registration

Voter Registration Office

520 N Columbus Blvd.

5th Floor

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19123

Phone: (215) 686-1590

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Pennsylvania

Remnants of Hurricane Helene will pass close to rainy Pennsylvania

Published

9 hours ago

September 28, 2024

Press Room

Remnants of Hurricane Helene will pass close to rainy Pennsylvania

Hurricane Helene hit Florida as a powerful Category 4 storm on Thursday, and while it’s weakened since, it’s still bringing heavy rain to some states.

The storm center isn’t tracking to Pennsylvania, according to the National Hurricane Center, but it will be close. Related flash-flood warnings have been issued in Ohio and West Virginia, and Pennsylvania will continue to get rain.

More: Statewide weather alerts

That includes the Harrisburg area, where it’s been raining all week — and more wet days are ahead. The National Weather Service forecast calls for rain in central Pennsylvania through at least early Wednesday.

Live radar over Pennsylvania:

On Saturday, the National Weather Service says, the Harrisburg area is expected to have rain on and off, especially in the morning. The Weather Channel shows less than a 20% chance of rain much of the day. The high temperature is forecast to be around in the low 70s.

Stevie Nicks is set to perform in Hershey tonight, at the outdoor stadium, rain or not. Anyone heading to other outdoor events should check for changes in plans or venues.

Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, September 2024

Helene has led to the deaths of at least 44 people in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Millions are without power, and countless buildings and roads have been destroyed or damaged.

The forecast in central Pennsylvania for the next few days:

Today: Showers, high 74, low 65
Sunday: Showers, high 69, low 63
Monday: Showers, high 69, low 61
Tuesday: Rain, high 68, low 59

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Pennsylvania

Busy on phone Pennsylvania dad arrested after toddler, 2, shoots self with gun lying on bed

Published

17 hours ago

September 28, 2024

Press Room

Busy on phone Pennsylvania dad arrested after toddler, 2, shoots self with gun lying on bed

Luis Marin, a Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, father was recently taken into custody after his two-year-old son shot himself with a gun that was lying close to him.

Luis Marin, a 34-year-old Pennsylvania father, was arrested on September 25, 2024, and subsequently arraigned in connection with a May incident. His toddler shot himself with a gun left on the bed in May.(Montgomery County Press Release)

The 34-year-old man turned himself over to the police on Wednesday, September 25. He was subsequently arrested on charges of felony endangering the welfare of a child and recklessly endangering another person for allegedly leaving a loaded firearm unattended on his bed, which his toddler used to shoot himself. The frightening incident happened at home in Pottstown on May 15.

Marin was purportedly “playing on phone” as the horrifying incident transpired, The Mirror US reported. In a subsequent investigation, authorities found out that the man went to a bedroom on the second floor before the shooting. He was there to collect a crossbody bag he was going to lend his nephew. Marin’s two handguns and ear protection, which he put on the bed, were usually kept in the same bag.

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Injuries sustained by the two-year-old toddler who shot himself

After the two-year-old shot himself, his father quickly grabbed him and ran outside while applying pressure to the wound. During that time, the toddler’s mother also arrived home and his parents rushed him to Pottstown Hospital. He eventually transferred to Lehigh Valley Hospital. The staff later told the police, who were called just before 5 pm, that the baby’s self-inflicted gunshot had resulted in broken ribs and a fractured scapula.

The harrowing development had also damaged his left lung. Other injuries included burnt skin, which was also stippled, suggesting the gun had been in close contact with his skin when he shot himself.

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The way forward: What awaits Pennsylvania father Luis Marin who left a gun on the bed

Despite the heart-rending injuries, the two-year-old baby has survived the gunshot, District Attorney Kevin Steele revealed in a statement. “This shooting is a frightening reminder to parents that children, even very young children, can and do find unsecured firearms in a home, and their inclination is to play with them,” he added.

Meanwhile, a preliminary hearing for the infant’s father has been scheduled for October 8, 2024. If found guilty, Marin could face five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. For the time being, Magisterial District Judge Jody L. Griffis set his bail at $50,000 unsecured and demanded that no firearms be held in Marin’s house.

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