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In this Update:
Honoring Staff Sgt. Norman Reifsnyder
This week, I had the honor of dedicating a portion of Pennsylvania Route 183 from Mount Pleasant Road to the southbound bridge over Licking Creek in honor of Staff Sgt. Norman Reifsnyder, a U.S. Army veteran who bravely served in World War II. Norman W. Reifsnyder was born in North Heidelberg Township and graduated from Penn Bernville High School in 1939. He served in the U.S. Army’s 80th Division as a staff sergeant in radio communications during World War II. His service took him through France, Luxembourg, the Battle of the Bulge and Rhineland, Germany. He was awarded both the Bronze Star and the Soldier’s Medal for his bravery and dedication. Following his military service, Reifsnyder and his family operated a dairy farm for 21 years and were named the Reading Fair Outstanding Farm Family in 1962. He was also active in the Penn State Berks County Master Gardener Program and was a lifelong member of the North Heidelberg Church. He passed away in February 2025 at his Bernville home at the age of 103. His life reminds us what it truly means to live with faith, service, and purpose. I hope these signs ensure that future generations will remember his name and the values he embodied. Tour of the Lebanon County Career & Technology Center
I joined Logan Hoover from U.S. Senator Dave McCormick’s office for a tour of the Lebanon County Career & Technology Center, along with Rep. John Schlegel, Rep. Russ Diamond, and Madison Colaco from Congressman Dan Meuser’s office. As demand for technical education continues to grow, LCCTC is planning for the future. Currently, nearly 300 students are on a waiting list due to space limitations — a clear sign of the need to expand. I fully support their mission and look forward to working with all stakeholders to make that expansion a reality. Thank you to the LCCTC team for showcasing their programs and vision for growth. Technical education is essential to ensuring employers have access to job-ready workers and to strengthen our local workforce and economy. Senate Acts to Expand Access to Midwife Maternal Care
The Senate approved legislation to strengthen maternal health care in Pennsylvania by expanding access to midwife services. Senate Bill 507 would modernize licensure requirements for certified midwives, improve collaboration between midwives and physicians and update prescription authority – particularly for the treatment of substance use disorders. Midwives provide care for women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period, as well as newborn care during the first 28 days of life. Many also offer routine reproductive health services, including prenatal care, clinical exams, screenings and patient education. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Measure to Alleviate Corrections Officer Shortage Passed by Senate
The Senate approved legislation targeting the staffing crisis facing the state’s correctional institutions. Senate Bill 111, supported by the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association, would expand the pool of qualified candidates to help fill critical vacancies in Pennsylvania’s correctional facilities. Corrections officers across the commonwealth have faced unprecedented challenges in recent years – including mandatory overtime, increased stress and a rise in violent incidents – that have strained morale and operations. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Bill Protecting Privacy of Lottery Winners Passes Senate
Legislation that would protect the privacy of Pennsylvania Lottery winners who receive prizes of $100,000 or more was approved by the Senate. Senate Bill 73 would keep the names, addresses and other personal identifying information of these winners confidential, unless they choose to make it public. The measure allows the Pennsylvania Lottery to continue operating transparently by releasing the winner’s county and municipality of residence and the prize amount. Half of all states already provide either full or partial anonymity for major lottery winners to shield them from harassment, scams and unwanted attention after winning large sums of money. Watch Out for Increased Deer Activity on Roads
The number of deer-related crashes in Pennsylvania has been on the rise since 2020, with last year’s total of 6,426 setting a five-year high, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Autumn means increased deer activity on roads. Deer become more active at dawn and dusk, and if you see one, there are usually more. PennDOT advises motorists involved in a deer-related crash to assess the situation to determine whether they need to contact local authorities. Pennsylvanians can report a dead deer for removal from state-maintained roads by calling 1-800-FIX-ROAD or submitting feedback through the PennDOT Customer Care Center. A Special Thanks to All Veterans
We set aside Veterans Day to acknowledge and celebrate our fellow citizens who answered the call to serve in the military, securing and defending freedom we enjoy year-round. We owe a debt of gratitude to veterans locally and across this great nation. One way we show our appreciation is through the Veterans Trust Fund, which supports organizations that assist Pennsylvania veterans and their families in need of housing, financial help, food, training, recovery and more. Find out how you can donate to this fund here. Veterans Appreciation Breakfast
Join me along with State Representatives Russ Diamond, Tom Jones, and John Schlegel for a special breakfast honoring our veterans. The event is free and will be hosted at the Campbelltown Fire Hall on Saturday, November 15 at 9 a.m. Veterans may register themselves and one guest by calling 717-274-6735 or online at: https://senatorgebhard.com/psrc-events/veterans-breakfast-111525/. Local Events
Friday, November 7-8: Heidelberg Heritage Society Christmas Bazaar Friday, November 7-9: Distelfink Country Christmas Saturday, November 8; 9am-2pm: Annville-Cleona Holiday Craft Show Saturday, November 8; 9am: Artisans of the Woodlands Saturday, November 8: Conrad Weiser Craft Show Sunday, November 9; 7:30-11:30am: Strausstown Volunteer Fire Company’s Breakfast Friday, November 15, 8am-2pm: St. Paul the Apostle Church
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