[naviga:h3]State senate OKs bill for VFDs, care homes[/naviga:h3]

When state Sen. Joe Pittman, R-41st, introduced Senate Bill 1122, the measure was intended to provide financial relief to Pennsylvania’s struggling volunteer fire companies and EMS stations.

The version of the bill passed Tuesday by the Senate does that, and provides support for nursing homes, long-term care facilities and other vital senior citizens’ services.

Senate Bill 1122 appropriates $507 million from Pennsylvania’s share of federal CARES funding to support a variety of programs and services for senior citizens and $31 million for a one-time grant program for volunteer fire and EMS companies.

From the $507 million, $245 million would be given to nursing homes, $140 million to personal assistance services, $50 million to Community HealthChoices managed care organizations, $50 million to assisted living centers and personal care homes, $13 million to adult day care services, $8 million to LIFE (Living Independence for the Elderly) providers, and $1 million for residential habilitation.

The bill will go to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Pittman’s district covers about half of Butler County, part of Westmoreland County, and all of Indiana and Armstrong counties.

[naviga:h3]Water rescue called to lake for kayaker[/naviga:h3]

Members of the Butler County Water Rescue Team 300 responded to a kayaker who fell into the water around 3 p.m. Wednesday while paddling on Lake Arthur in Moraine State Park.

“He was in a new kayak and he was out fishing,” said Team 300 Assistant Chief Gregory Dindinger.

Dindinger said as he arrived, park rangers had shifted from their search at McConnells Mill and already had the man out of the water. He said a ranger had a boat available and was able to tow the man to safety using a life-preserver ring.

“(The man) did not need medical attention,” Dindinger said.

[naviga:h3]Search continues at McConnells Mill[/naviga:h3]

The search for Jeffery Hanby II, 38, of Meadville, who fell into Slippery Rock Creek in McConnells Mill State Park in Lawrence County on May 2, will continue Thursday after Wednesday’s search found nothing, according to Dustin Drew, manager of McConnells Mill and Moraine state parks.

Hanby was walking on the Kildoo Trail downstream of the Covered Bridge with others when he fell into the creek.