President Barak Obama has issued a disaster declaration for Susquehanna and 19 other Pennsylvania counties due to the emergency conditions resulting from the remnants of Hurricane Lee. The declaration makes federal aid available to individuals and businesses in Adams, Bradford, Columbia, Cumberland, Daphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Union, Wayne and York counties as well as Susquehanna.

The White House says assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and businesses recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties within the Commonwealth.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says that residents and business owners who sustained losses in Susquehanna and the other designated counties could begin applying on Wednesday, September 14, by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll free numbers will operate from 7 a. m. to 10 p. m. seven days a week until further notice.

FEMA and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) say you should always ask for identification if someone approaches you about your personal or business disaster losses. If the person claims to be from a government agency they will have an official ID. It is very important not to give out personal or business information unless you are presented with an ID. If you have any questions, ask if you can call the person's office for identification.

CHICAGO - More than one-third of people age 65 and older fall each year, and those who fall once are two to three times more likely to fall again, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These falls can result in serious injuries and even death. In fact, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries for senior citizens. Yet many falls can be prevented through a number of steps - including regular eye care.

Prevent Blindness America, the nation’s oldest eye health and safety organization, joins the Falls Free™ Coalition, to declare September 23, 2011 as National Falls Prevention Awareness Day in an effort to raise awareness of the dangers of falls. The Falls Free Coalition consists of 34 states and 70 national organizations, professional associations and federal agencies dedicated to reducing fall-related injury and death among older adults.

“Falls can have a traumatic and devastating impact. But the good news is that many falls are preventable!” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America. “By taking the necessary steps, including regular eye care, we can help to avoid these types of accidents.”

Those with vision impairment are more likely to experience falls and injuries. Visual impairment due to many factors including decreased visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, depth perception, and visual field has been found to influence the risk of falls. For example, visual impairment makes a person more likely to trip over objects they are unable to see in their walking path and uncertain about their movement because of unreliable or missing visual information about their surroundings.

In addition, the “Vision and Falls in Older People: Risk Factors and Intervention Strategies” study found that multifocal glasses can add to the risk of falls because the near-vision lenses impair distance-contrast sensitivity and depth perception in the lower visual field, reducing the ability of an older person to detect environmental hazards.

The CDC recommends the following steps that should be taken to prevent falls: begin a regular exercise program; make your home safer; have your healthcare provider review your medicines; have your vision checked.

For more information about National Falls Prevention Awareness Day, general eye health or details on Medicare benefits in relation to vision care services, please contact Prevent Blindness America at (800) 331-2020 or preventblindness.org.

Harrisburg - Because of recent flooding in some parts of the commonwealth, Transportation Secretary, Barry J. Schoch, P.E. announced that PennDOT will offer flood victims replacement driver license and vehicle products at no charge.

Driver license products include duplicate licenses, learner’s permits and photo identification cards. Motor vehicle products include replacement license plates and stickers; registration cards; duplicate titles and person with disability placards.

As part of the Governor’s response to flood damaged areas in the commonwealth, effective Sept. 8; PennDOT has authorized an extension of the expiration dates for licenses, identification cards and vehicle inspections/registrations. The expiration date for vehicle registration and inspections scheduled to expire on Sept. 30 has been extended until Oct. 14. The expiration date for driver licenses and identification cards scheduled to expire between Sept. 8 and Oct. 13, has been extended until Oct. 14.

Only those customers in areas identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as having been affected by flooding are eligible for the extension. Please visit the FEMA website for identified areas at www.fema.gov or the Pennsylvania Emergency Management (PEMA) website at www.pema.gov.

PennDOT services for flood victims are available at Photo License Centers around the state but also, to assist flood victims with their motor vehicle and other disaster-related issues, FEMA and PEMA have established Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs). DRCs are currently located in the following counties: Bradford; Columbia; Dauphin; Luzerne; Lycoming; Sullivan and Wyoming.

To apply for a replacement driver license or motor vehicle products, customers need to complete a PennDOT MV-Flood form, available at disaster recovery centers or online at http://www.dmv.state.pa.us. Note that products will not be issued on site at the DRCs. Products will be mailed or made available for pick-up at local Driver Licensing Centers.

Drugs are very present in Susquehanna County. That was one of the underlying messages of a special presentation on September 14, at the Susquehanna Community High School auditorium. District Attorney Jason Legg, Trehab Drug and Alcohol Clinical Supervisor Traci Decker, and Trehab Prevention Specialist Andrew Granick spoke at the meeting, providing parents and community members with prevalence statistics, signs of addiction, information on drug progressions, and practical tips for preventing and addressing substance abuse in a loved one.

Misuse of substances in Susquehanna County is under recognized, and it is growing. Five years ago heroin use was not notable in the area; now local hospitals have reported increasing overdose numbers and deaths have occurred. Fifty percent of recent referrals through the Susquehanna Office of Drug and Alcohol programs involved this drug. The speakers tied this trend to adolescent prescription medication abuse. Youth addicted to prescription pills will often eventually turn to heroin for economic reasons.

Marijuana is the most abused drug among adolescents, and is often a gateway drug. The speakers showed two videos in which anonymous clients agreed to be interviewed regarding their adolescent drug use. Both began by drinking and smoking marijuana, but in time progressed to harder drugs such as prescription pills, heroin, and cocaine.

Parents were presented with some of the physical and behavioral warning signs of addiction, which included: excessive sweating, spastic shaking, drowsiness, mood changes, a loss of interest in personal appearance, and lying and not accounting for time. Tips for preventing and addressing substance use included denormalizing the behavior, setting limits, monitoring medications, and acting as role models. Parents were encouraged to make use of Student Assistance Programs, and to contact the school or another service organization for help if necessary.

District Attorney Legg addressed the judicial side of the matter, stating that most of the county's crime was directly related to drug use. He differentiated the juvenile justice system from the adult system, explaining that the purpose of juvenile justice was to protect the community while rehabilitating the child. He urged parents to look at the juvenile justice system as a resource not an enemy, explaining that the number one priority of juvenile probation workers was the good of the child.

Perhaps this was the message, woven throughout the evening, which seemed to resound most clearly: as adolescent substance use continues to grow, and new substances are created to bypass state and federal laws, everyone must work together - parents, schools, the judicial system, community members, and non-profit entities - if youth are to be protected. Those having questions about this presentation, or desiring to host a similar discussion in a school or community group can contact Trehab's prevention department at (570) 278-5237.

HARRISBURG - Many Pennsylvania residents and business owners suffered losses following recent floods. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) want those who were affected to know more about grants and low-interest loans for which they may be eligible. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about disaster assistance: How do I apply?

Residents and business owners are encouraged to apply online at DISASTERASSISTANCE.GOV or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov. Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and who use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly. For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. Operators will assist you seven days a week between the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

How do I know I can apply for Assistance?

Anyone who had flood related losses and who lives or works in an area covered by a disaster declaration may apply for aid.

What kinds of assistance are available?

The Individual Assistance program includes grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other aid programs. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance. Grants do not have to be repaid, but loans from the SBA must be repaid. If you receive an SBA Disaster Loan application in the mail, you must complete and return it in order to be considered for a loan and other types of assistance. For small businesses only, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. For SBA questions, contact the SBA Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955.

Am I eligible for Individual Assistance if I already have insurance?

You should apply for assistance even if you have insurance, because many people find they are under-insured or have unmet needs after their insurance settlement. If you have not already contacted your insurance agent to file a claim, please do this as soon as possible. Failure to file a claim with your insurance company may affect your eligibility for assistance. Insurance is your main source for funds to put your life back in order after a disaster. But there are things insurance does not cover; disaster assistance may be able to help.

I have registered. What happens next?

After you apply, FEMA will mail you a copy of your application and a copy of "Help After a Disaster: Applicant's Guide to the Individuals and Households Program," which will answer other questions you may have. This useful publication explains how FEMA's disaster assistance program works; describes how you may be eligible for help from other federal, state and voluntary agencies; and gives you many important tips on how to make all these programs work for you.

Will someone from FEMA inspect my damages?

If your home or its contents are damaged an inspector will contact you within a few days after you apply to schedule a time to meet you at your damaged home. All inspectors carry photo ID that shows they are affiliated with the U.S. government.

How can I check the status of my case?

Go to the same sites you used to register for assistance. If a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is open in your area, you may visit the center to check the status of your application. If you still have questions, you can visit a DRC and speak to a disaster recovery specialist. They can also help anyone who has trouble submitting an application. Check the FEMA website or call the toll free number above to find a center near you.

Do I have to be a legal U.S. resident to receive Individual Assistance from FEMA?

Yes. To be eligible for cash assistance from FEMA you must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien. A qualified alien generally includes individuals who are lawful permanent residents (possessing an alien registration receipt card) or those with legal status. Check with an immigration expert if you have questions about your legal status.

Is there any FEMA assistance available for undocumented immigrants?

You may apply for Individual Assistance on behalf of your child who is a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien. Or another adult household member may qualify for household assistance if he or she is a documented immigrant. You may also be eligible for cash assistance under programs run by state, local and voluntary agencies. Undocumented immigrants may be eligible for short-term, non-cash emergency help from FEMA.

I don't want an SBA loan. Why do I have to return the SBA application?

FEMA does not require that an applicant file for an SBA loan. However, an applicant must complete an SBA loan application to be eligible for assistance under the Other Needs Assistance program that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses. An applicant may also be eligible for grants for transportation expenses, medical and dental, and funeral and burial expenses. FEMA processes temporary housing applications whether or not the applicant has applied for an SBA loan. Temporary housing assistance is not held up based on completing an SBA application.

Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate's activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

FEMA's mission is to support citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

SBA is the federal government's primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 1-800-659-2955.

Tunkhannock PA - Due to the recent flooding, the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau is extending the deadline for the Room Tax Grant Applications. All submitted grant applications must be postmarked by Tuesday, October 25.

There is still time for non-profit organizations in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties to apply for grant monies available through that county’s room tax fund to help finance their tourism-related projects. There is only one grant round each year, making this the only opportunity to apply for funds for 2012 projects.

The Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau is accepting the applications to help fund cultural, historical, and recreational projects - such as special events, exhibits, or publicity initiatives - as well as for marketing and promoting projects, wayfinding aides, and historical preservation projects that will increase tourism to an area and/or attraction.

Grant applications and program requirements are available through the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau and may be obtained by calling the bureau at 570-836-5431, emailing jean@endlessmountains.org, or stopping by the office at 4 Werks Plaza, Route 6 East, Tunkhannock. The same information can also be found on the visitors bureau website, www.EndlessMountains.org, under the “media” section.

Room Tax money is collected by lodging establishments from their overnight guests and is used to promote tourism in the Endless Mountains Region.

For more information, contact the visitors bureau at the number listed above.