(HARRISBURG) Legislation sponsored by Senator Lisa Baker (R-20) will improve emergency management and response at Marcellus Shale wellsites.

The new law requires drillers to implement the most basic rules of public safety: to plan for disaster, to share their emergency plans with the people who will implement them, and to have 911 information at their fingertips.

The act also requires drillers to inform state and local officials of wellpad locations and access roads. In this way, the Commonwealth better protects the health and safety of first responders and the public.

“Any first responder will tell you that the best weapon against injury, environmental damage, property destruction, and death is not the most state-of-the art fire truck, radio, or protective gear - it is information,” Baker said. “When something goes wrong, having emergency information posted at the site, and a plan that is shared with key emergency personnel, are vital parts of a risk reduction plan.”

The bill was signed by the governor last week.

Foster Grandparents make a difference in the life of a child by devoting their volunteer service to disadvantaged or disabled youth. Across the four counties served by the Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Tioga Area Agency on Aging and across the country, Foster Grandparents help children in many ways. Foster Grandparents offer emotional support to child victims of abuse and neglect; tutor children with low literacy skills; mentor troubled teenagers and young mothers; and care for premature infants and children with physical disabilities and severe illnesses.

Foster Grandparents are individuals age 55 and over who thrive on direct interaction with children and believe they can make a difference in their lives. Income-eligible Foster Grandparents receive a modest stipend to help offset the costs of volunteering.

The Foster Grandparent Program is hosted by the Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Tioga Area Agency on Aging and funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Bradford County United Way.

For more information on the Foster Grandparent Program and other Area Agency on Aging services please call 1-800-982-4346. The B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. is funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and the Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Tioga County Commissioners.

Harrisburg - PennDOT’s efforts to modernize and improve the way it does business - ensuring the efficient use of taxpayer dollars - are detailed on a new webpage announced by Transportation Secretary Barry J. Schoch.

These important efforts, outlined at www.dot.state.pa.us under the heading, “Modern PennDOT,” will be updated regularly as progress continues.

“PennDOT has a long-standing tradition of continuous improvement,” Schoch said. “Now, the public can more easily track our efforts to enhance customer service, save money and deliver projects more quickly.”

Efforts to implement modernization ideas recommended by PennDOT employees started early last year. While some of the additional modernization ideas suggested last year by the Transportation Funding Advisory Commission (TFAC) will require legislative action, PennDOT is moving forward with the ones that do not. To view the advisory commission’s recommendations, visit www.tfac.pa.gov, click on final report, and then click on modernization.

Some of the many modernization efforts being worked on include: continuing cooperation with the turnpike to join services and share materials and equipment; expanding the study of transit systems to possibly change from county-based to regional organizations that save money and respond more quickly to customers; and conducting a pilot study on bridge program management to bundle projects and complete them more quickly.

“Modernization items are complementing our efforts to work smarter, increase user convenience and ultimately become even better stewards of each and every available taxpayer dollar,” Schoch said.

Colorado Springs, CO - The National EMS Memorial Service announced that Robert Wood will be honored at the 2012 National EMS Memorial Service to be held Saturday, June 23 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Wood, an EMS provider with Montrose Minute Men, died in the line of duty on February 24, 1985 of an on-duty cardiac event. Wood will be honored along with 19 other EMS providers from 13 states at the annual Memorial Service to be held at 6:00 p.m. MDT at Pikes Peak Center.

The National EMS Memorial Service has, since 1992, been honoring America's EMS providers who have given their lives in the line of duty. The 20 individuals being honored this year join 581 others previously honored by the National EMS Memorial Service.

Each year, at a service held in Colorado Springs, members of the honoree's families are presented with a medallion, symbolizing eternal memory; a U.S. Flag which has flown over the Nation's Capital, symbolizing service to the country; and a white rose, symbolizing their undying love.

In addition to the presentations made during the Service, each honoree's name is engraved on a bronze oak leaf which is added to the "Tree of Life," the National EMS Memorial.

Additional information on the National EMS Memorial Service is available from its web site at http://nemsms.org.