August 1, 2018
McKeesport – Aug. 1, 2018 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today that “The Wall That Heals” Vietnam Veterans Memorial Replica and Mobile Education Center is coming to McKeesport’s Renziehausen Park.
Funded by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the Wall That Heals is a three-quarter sized replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C.
The Wall will be escorted to its place in Renziehausen Park on Aug. 7 by more than 200 motorcycle riders and police. The procession will begin at 5 p.m. at Olympia Shopping Center in McKeesport and move to the park where wall setup will begin on Aug. 8.
The wall will be displayed at Jimmy Long Field in Renziehausen Park from Thursday Aug. 9 to Sunday Aug. 12. The opening ceremony will be at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 9. At the opening ceremony, there will be a pinning presentation honoring more than 40 Vietnam veterans.
Reading of the names will take place at various times on Aug. 10 and Aug. 11.
The closing ceremony will be on Sunday, Aug. 12 at 11 a.m. Admission is free, and visitors are welcome around the clock.
What: “The Wall that Heals”
When: Opening Ceremony, Thursday Aug. 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Jimmy Long Field, Renziehausen Park | 2100 Eden Park Boulevard | McKeesport, PA
March 2, 2018
Harrisburg – March 1, 2018 – Lt. Gov. Mike Stack and state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) will visit Twin Rivers Elementary School in McKeesport tomorrow at 1 p.m. as a part of National Read Across America Day.
Brewster and Stack will read books to kindergarten and first grade students. They will be joined by McKeesport Mayor Mike Cherepko and McKeesport Area School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Holtzman.
Who: Lt. Gov. Mike Stack
Sen. Jim Brewster
Mayor Mike Cherepko
Dr. Mark Holtzman
What: National Read Across America Day
When: Friday, March 2, 1 p.m.
Where: Twin Rivers Elementary School
1600 Cornell St.
McKeesport, PA
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February 28, 2018
Harrisburg – February 28, 2018 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today announced three state grants to local entities totaling $75,000 to develop and market the Pennsylvania beer industry.
“The Pennsylvania Malt and Brewed Beverages Industry continues to grow, create jobs and contribute to our economy,’ Brewster said. “I’m pleased that these state grant dollars will be used locally to foster interest in this growing industry.”
The grants include:
- $35,000 to the Pittsburgh District of the Master Brewer’s Association of Pennsylvania for its Professional Development and Education Program: The funds will be used to provide professional speakers, technical seminars and other professional development opportunities to help local brewers improve the quality and marketing of beer;
- $30,000 to the Pittsburgh Brewers Guild to create an innovative and interactive online and print guide for breweries across Allegheny County — focused on increased knowledge of unique local brewing traditions, tourism and economic impact. The senator discussed the grant recently with guild members at the Rivertowne Brewing Company in Export, Westmoreland County, recently; and
- $10,000 to Hops on Lots Pittsburgh to work with the community to create of an urban hop farm to supply a local brewer that could brew a truly local beer for the community.
The grant program was established by Act 39 of 2016. These grants were part of the 13 announced statewide today.
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February 26, 2018
Harrisburg – February 26, 2018 – State Sen. Jim Brewster today announced $122,000 grant to upgrade traffic signals and warning devices with LEDs located throughout Allegheny Township.
“This funding program improves safety at signalized intersections through automated enforcement at locations where data shows red-light violations have been a problem,” Brewster said. “The funds should also help with safety, mobility and relieving traffic congestion.”
The Automated Red-Light Enforcement program is administered by PennDOT. The Allegheny Township grant was one of 41 issued today.
“I will continue to seek state support for projects that improve highway safety and efficiently moderate the flow of traffic,” Brewster said.
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January 11, 2018
McKeesport – Jan. 11, 2018 – On the heels of Gov. Tom Wolf announcing a disaster declaration for the heroin and opioid epidemic, Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today called on the governor to go even further and endorse mandatory treatment for any person charged with a non-violent crime who is treated by first responders for an overdose or addiction.
“The governor has been very aggressive in taking executive action to battle heroin and opioid abuse,” Brewster said. “We need the governor to recognize that mandatory treatment is the most significant and effective step that can be taken to resolve the problem once and for all.”
Brewster has put his ideas concerning mandatory treatment into bill form. He introduced a package of legislation (Senate Bills 710-712) called “Prevention, Recovery and Enforcement Act” that is designed to address each component of the crisis. His legislation includes measures that would limit opioid prescriptions, impose mandatory treatment, and add stiff penalties for drug pushers who possess illegal guns.
“The governor’s disaster declaration will open up resources that can be used in the fight to stop opioid and heroin abuse and I am very pleased that he took this step,” Brewster said. “It focuses energy and attention on the problem. The next phase in dealing with the crisis is getting at the root cause and addressing it through mandatory treatment of those who are treated by first responders or face criminal charges.”
Brewster said there should be both civil and criminal referrals for mandatory treatment. He also supports Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa’s (D-Allegheny) legislation that would enable family members to seek mandatory treatment for loved ones.
The McKeesport lawmaker said that it was clear to him that long-term mandatory treatment is necessary given the recidivism of those who complete short-term treatment regimens. He said that testimony of experts from the medical community at Senate hearings indicates that at least nine months of treatment for those addicted is necessary.
“Whether long-term treatment is offered at a residential treatment facility or through an intensive outpatient process that is heavily monitored, it’s clear that what is being done now is not sufficient and too many loved ones are being lost to the drug abuse,” Brewster said.
Brewster said he realizes that there are costs involved in mandatory treatment, but noted that many patients could be covered through Medicaid and that other funds could be released through a redirection of drug forfeiture funds and savings from reduced corrections costs.
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October 30, 2017
Harrisburg – October 30, 2017 — Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) reminded individuals and families who need health coverage through the Affordable Care Act for 2018 that the open enrollment period begins on Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 15.
“It is important for individuals and families to understand that they can access health care through the insurance marketplace,” Brewster said. “With the attempted repeals of the Affordable Care Act, there has been a great deal of confusion about the future of the marketplace. The marketplace will be open for enrollment in November.
“The fear is that those who can access health care through the marketplace will not sign up for coverage.”
Brewster said that lawmakers need to reverse the impression that access to health care coverage is not available.
Individuals can re-enroll or enroll for coverage by visiting HealthCare.gov or call the Marketplace Call Center 24 hours a day at 1-800-318-2596.
The Affordable Care Act has helped more than a million Pennsylvanians receive health care. More than 700,000 individuals gained coverage through Medicaid expansion and another 400,000 purchased coverage on the individual marketplace.
According to the Wolf Administration, the state’s rate of uninsured Pennsylvanians is at 5.6 percent, its lowest level ever.
“Taking a moment of time to explore the insurance marketplace to find the right insurance plan for your family is a good investment,” Brewster said. “Health insurance provides life-saving access to care and saves individuals and families money when they face medical issues.
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June 21, 2017
Harrisburg – June 21, 2017 – The 2nd Annual “Going for the Goal Sprint Triathlon” will get underway on Sunday, June 25 at 8:00 a.m. at McKeesport High School in McKeesport, Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said today.
“This event attracts exceptional athletes from all over the country to compete and experience the beauty of the Mon Valley,” Brewster said. “While an athletic competition, the triathlon has also become an exciting way to showcase the many resources and opportunities in the McKeesport area.”
The triathlon consists of three events: 300-yard swim in the high school swimming pool, 8.5-mile bike ride through the Great Allegheny Passage trail and a 5K run through beautiful Renziehausen Park.
If you are interested in signing up, individually or as a team, simply go to www.parunners.com to register. Same day registrations will also be accepted. Any questions contact Event Coordinator Alison Piccolino at 412-398-1256.
The triathlon will benefit the McKeesport Trail Commission and programs operated by the McKeesport-White Oak Kiwanis.
Brewster has partnered with the McKeesport Hospital Foundation, McKeesport Area School District, City of McKeesport, the McKeesport Trail Commission and McKeesport-White Oak Kiwanis to put the program together.
“There has been a lot of teamwork involved by all partners and supporters of the triathlon,” Brewster said. “We have worked together to create a health and wellness event that people of all ages can enjoy.”
This year’s “Going for the Goal Sprint Triathlon” will also be the kick-off for “Live Well City of McKeesport”.
This initiative made possible by the City of McKeesport and McKeesport Area School District’s collaboration with the Allegheny County Health Department’s Live Well Allegheny campaign.
This initiative focuses on bringing awareness to building healthy lifestyles for all residents in the city. County Executive Rich Fitzgerald will be joining the event this year to congratulate the community on focusing on an important county campaign while also cheering on the triathlon participants.
“We are all looking forward to a competition that harnesses the energy of the region, creates good will for local residents and highlights the growth of the area,” Brewster said.
The triathlon has significant local support from businesses and community groups.
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