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In this Update:
Catch Up with PA Elk Herd at SenDush.com
The wait is over! Live from Benzette, Elk County, wildlife enthusiasts can conveniently check in on the PA elk herd from the comfort of your own home or business by clicking on the Pennsylvania ELK CAM icon on my home page at SenatorDush.com. The Pennsylvania Game Commission, in partnership with HDOnTap and the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission, has installed a camera on Elk County game lands that are typically a hub for elk activity as the bugling season heats up. Log on to the ELK CAM to possibly spot a harem of elk, sparring bulls, grazing white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, or coyotes passing through—you never know what you’ll see! Bringing you accessible, real-time glimpses into the PA Wilds, the camera is on 24/7, so tune in day or night. The best times to view elk are dawn and dusk. If you’d like to see the bugling season in person, the Pennsylvania Game Commission reminds visitors to always be “Elk Smart.” Give elk space, never feed elk and do your part to ensure the welfare of the herd. Never Forget, Honor and Sacrifice
Thank you to all the veterans and community members who joined with PA State Rep. Martin Causer and I over the weekend to officially dedicate the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge in Kushequa. It has often been said that the only thing worse than having no heroes is to have them and forget them. During the ceremony, we specifically honored the 19 service members from McKean County who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War: Floyd Studer, Michael Cuneen, Ronald Herbstritt, James V. Ralston, Terrence G. Dixon, James R. Worrell Jr., James J. Oxley, Daniel Cappello, Christian F. Feit III, Charles L. Gregory, Lawrence G. Grassi, Bruce A. Cobb, Quenton E. Slocum Jr., Archie Culver, Robert D. Morris, Stephen J. Keesler, Albert Bachman Jr., Francis E. Klaiber and Frank Pascarella. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge is located on Kushequa Avenue (State Route 3009) over the Kinzua Creek in Hamlin Township, near the Kushequa Union Church. When you cross it or any other bridge or road that has been named in honor of our fallen heroes please take the time to say a prayer for the families and to Thank God for all those who paid that price for your freedom and liberty. Celebrate Victory over Japan Day (80th Anniversary) at Eldred World War II Museum
On Aug. 14, 1945, the world breathed a collective sigh of relief as Japan announced its surrender, bringing the deadliest conflict in human history—World War II—to an end. Now, 80 years later, Sen. Doug Mastriano, chairman, Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee, and I invite you to join us in celebrating Victory Over Japan Day (V-J Day) and reflecting on this legendary moment of peace, triumph and transition. Beginning promptly at 11 a.m., the ceremony will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 2 at the Eldred World War II Museum, located at 201 Main St. Eldred, PA. We need to remember what happened on days such as VJ-Day, or lest we forget and soften our resolve to conserving our Constitutional Republic. The casualties, atrocities and sacrifices of war remind us of the incredible value of the American rights we hold dear. It is always worth the time to visit Eldred’s WWII Museum and Boalsburg’s PA Military Museum, both located in Senate District 25. Improving Public Safety
Public safety is one of my top priorities, and the Senate has taken many important steps this year. We passed new laws closing a legal loophole to require sports officials and nonprofit volunteers and employees convicted of sexual assault to register as sexual offenders, and improving the enforcement of Protection from Abuse petitions. To boost fire protection, we enacted measures targeting Pennsylvania’s volunteer firefighter shortage, fixing issues with emergency services funding and making it less cumbersome for firefighters to obtain their certification. Legislation passed by the Senate and awaiting action in the House of Representatives includes a bill prohibiting non-monetary bail for the most dangerous individuals and cracking down on thieves using new technology to steal vehicles by spoofing key fobs. I’ll keep working hard to make our communities safe. You can review other measures we passed to increase public safety and address other subjects here. Senate Acts to Help Charitable Organizations Raise Funds
More Pennsylvanians are using cashless payments for transactions, so we approved legislation to allow charitable organizations to accept electronic payments, such as credit cards and Venmo, to raise funds. Senate Bill 416 would allow nonprofits such as volunteer fire companies, youth sports leagues, churches and veterans’ groups to accept electronic payments for raffle tickets. Under current law, nonprofits are limited to accepting only cash or checks for these transactions, which has made it harder to raise funds in today’s increasingly cashless society. The legislation also adds safeguards to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of digital payment methods. Organizations must still comply with the Small Games of Chance Act. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Social Media Safety and Parental Awareness Week in Pennsylvania
It’s Social Media Safety and Parental Awareness Week in Pennsylvania – the first initiative of its kind in the U.S. A Senate resolution would address the alarming rise in online child exploitation and help schools, parents and community leaders promote education and prevention of internet dangers to children. Some resources include:
The resolution builds on recent legislative efforts to protect children from threats online. Act 125 of 2024 criminalized the creation and distribution of an intimate or sexual deepfake of a person and classified explicit deepfakes of minors as child sexual abuse material. Act 35 of 2025 classified digital impersonation and deepfakes as a form of criminal forgery giving law enforcement new tools to combat online abuse. Summer Boating Safety: Life Jackets Save Lives
Boating is a popular pastime across Pennsylvania, particularly in the summer. While it comes with some risk, there is one step we can take to help keep the danger away from the fun. Approximately 80% of boating fatalities happen to boaters who are not wearing a life jacket. Under state law, all boats must have a regulation life jacket on board for each person. Children ages 12 and younger must wear a life jacket in all canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and boats 20 feet long. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission lists detailed information about proper use of life jackets, and what state law requires, to help you enjoy the waterways safely. August is Back to School Month
As we head into the late stretch of summer, children and parents across our area are preparing for the return to school. It’s a time filled with lots of excitement and more than a little nervousness. Please keep an eye out for more child pedestrians along the roads, particularly around bus stops. Here’s to a new year of learning and making memories!
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