Abandoned mine bill introducedU.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-15th, introduced legislation with Matt Cartwright to reauthorize the Abandoned Mine Land trust fund.The fund was originally established in 1977, and the bill will help clean abandoned coal mines and foster economic development in impacted communities. Forty-three out of 67 counties have abandoned mine land sites. In announcing the reauthorization, Thompson called for environmental restoration.

Sen. Pittman plans town hall this weekState Sen. Joe Pittman, R-41st, will be holding a town meeting on Wednesday in Saxonburg. The public meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at the Saxonburg Museum/Cooper Hall at 199 N. Rebecca St.

State police wants more horsesThe Pennsylvania State Police wants your horses.The department maintains a stable at its academy in Hershey and holds up to 28 horses for searches, crowd control and security, as well as patrolling remote areas. Draft and draft-crosses are the preferred breed. Thoroughbreds and other “hot bloods” are less desirable.Additionally, since they will be part of the force, they do not want horses who have stable vices and are quiet and of sound disposition.The state police want geldings between the ages of 5 and 15 years old. Once the horses are retired, residents can have them back unless they don’t want them.