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In this Update:

• Gebhard Calls for Stronger Response to Political Violence
• Congratulations to Bryn Brandt and Travis Furnaski
• WellSpan Opens Behavioral Health Rooms
• Tips for Safe Winter Driving
• Look Out for Scams, Fraud and Theft During the Holiday Season
• Fishing Gift Vouchers, Licenses on Sale
• College Application Period is Open
• Dec. 7: Remembering a Day of Infamy
• Local Events

Gebhard Calls for Stronger Response to Political Violence

This week, I sent Attorney General Dave Sunday a letter requesting he begin a formal investigation into the growing patterns of organized and targeted political violence.

Over the past few years, our commonwealth and nation have been rocked by consistent politically motivated acts of violence, which violate the rule of law and our sacred democratic principles. The recent targeted attack of two National Guardsman in our nation’s capital is the latest example of this violence.

The letter outlines the rise in antisemitism and targeted acts of violence against federal officials and conservative-leaning organizations in recent years, with the most visible tragedies being the assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University and the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.

I specifically requested that Attorney General Sunday investigate funding sources and financial networks and review existing intelligence regarding organizations linked to political violence. I also requested enhanced protective measures for ICE personnel and community members.

I recently introduced Senate Bill 1021 to strengthen penalties for criminals who commit offenses against federal immigration enforcement officers and agents operating in Pennsylvania.

Congratulations to Bryn Brandt and Travis Furnaski

I was proud to present Senate citations to two outstanding student-athletes from the Cornwall-Lebanon School District whose accomplishments this season are truly exceptional.

Travis Furnaski, a senior at Cedar Crest High School, captured the 2025 PIAA State Class AAA Boys’ Individual Cross Country Championship, finishing with an impressive time of 15:34.

Bryn Brandt, a freshman at Cedar Crest High School, earned the 2025 PIAA District III Class AAA Girls Individual Golf Championship, showcasing remarkable talent and composure throughout the tournament.

WellSpan Opens Behavioral Health Rooms

I was glad to join WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital this week for the ribbon-cutting of its new Behavioral Health Rooms in the Emergency Department.

These dedicated spaces will provide safer, more appropriate care for patients experiencing a behavioral health crisis. I’m proud to have advocated for—and helped secure—the state funding that made this important investment in our community’s health and safety possible.

Tips for Safe Winter Driving

Last winter, there were more than 8,320 vehicle crashes statewide, with 2,959 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways and 29 fatalities – 17 of those fatalities were attributed to crashes where a driver was going too fast for conditions and drove out of their lane.

For safe travels this winter, check out the Winter Driving Guide and other suggestions from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, such as keeping an emergency kit handy.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. Free and available 24 hours a day, 511PA provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras.

Look Out for Scams, Fraud and Theft During the Holiday Season

The holiday shopping season is prime opportunity for scams, fraud and theft. Some of the most common scams to be on the lookout for include bait-and-switch scams, skimming devices and fraudulent “cybersquatting” websites.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday offered several tips to prevent scammers from taking advantage when shopping online:

• Watch out for bait-and-switch scams, where a retailer lures customers with a low price — but then substitutes a product that either costs more or is less desirable. Also be alert for scammers, known as cybersquatters, who use fraudulent internet domains that look and sound like legitimate brands or stores to trick unsuspecting customers.
• Be especially careful when paying for services or items with wire transfers, cryptocurrency or money orders. Scammers may also ask for payment for things like bills, parking tickets, etc. via a gift card, which is a big red flag — a gift card is not a normal payment method for these items.
• Do not provide your Social Security number or bank account information and be wary of emails and texts you didn’t request.
• Read the fine print. “Buy Now, Pay Later” services could have hidden fees or penalties in their agreements.

The Attorney General’s Office has set up a Scams Complaint Form residents can fill out should they encounter any scams. The FBI also provides tips on how to avoid holiday scams and identify skimming devices, which are estimated to cost consumers and financial institutions more than $1 billion per year.

Fishing Gift Vouchers, Licenses on Sale

Gift vouchers for your favorite angler, along with Pennsylvania fishing licenses and launch permits, are now available from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Items for the upcoming 2026 season can be purchased at HuntFish.pa.gov or by visiting one of nearly 700 retail license issuing agents. Licenses, permits and vouchers purchased now are valid immediately for up to 13 months, from Dec. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2026.

While in-person retail purchases remain popular, online purchases can save time and help you avoid long lines, especially right before the spring trout season, which begins statewide on Sat., April 4, 2026. Customers can choose an auto-renew option at the time of purchase.

College Application Period is Open

The application period for most colleges is now open. If the process is new to you, you can find plenty of resources for the college planning and application process here.

Find out which colleges have your major, as well as information for students with disabilities, veterans and adult students.

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency can help you access student financial aid services, including grants, loans and other funding opportunities, including the new Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program.

Dec. 7: Remembering a Day of Infamy

Each year on Dec. 7, we remember the 2,403 service members and civilians killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 1941. A further 1,178 people were injured in the attack, which permanently sank two U.S. Navy battleships and destroyed 188 aircraft.

We remember not just the surprise attack, but the steely resolve of Americans to do whatever it took to defeat the Axis forces of World War II.

Local Events

Friday, December 5 & 6: 2025 Jingle Bell Trolley
68 N Church St, Ephrata (Lancaster, PA)
Click here

Friday, December 5 & 12: Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides in Downtown Lebanon
31 S. 8th St, Lebanon (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

Saturday, December 6, 10am-1pm: Hamburg Christmas in the Square
222 State St, Hamburg (Berks, PA)
Click here

Saturday, December 6, 9am-1pm: Stoneridge Breakfast with Santa
440 East Lincoln Ave, Myerstown (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

Saturday, December 6, 9am-2pm: Cornwall Manor Society Cookies, Crafts, & Carols
1 Boyd St, Cornwall (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

Saturday, December 6, 8am-2pm: Bernville Christmas Shopping Tour
536 North Main St, Bernville (Berks, PA)
Click here

Saturday, December 6, 9am-2pm: HGA Annual Christmas Craft Bazaar
3125 Kutztown Rd, Reading (Berks, PA)
Click here

Saturday, December 6, 10am-2pm: 2025 Lebanon Christkindl Market
1400 W. Maple St, Lebanon (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

Sunday, December 7, 12-4pm: Cram a Bearcat Toys for Tots Event
1745 Quentin Rd, Lebanon (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

Saturday, December 13, 11am: Lebanon Community Library Holiday Celebration
125 N. 7^th St, Lebanon (Lebanon, PA)
Click here

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