Apr. 27—WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Department of Aging this week showcased the services and resources it makes available to older Pennsylvanians during a two-day Aging Network Volunteer Conference, which presented information to individuals who give their time and talent to deliver aging services offered by PDA the Department through Pennsylvania’s 52 Area Agencies on Aging.
The Department welcomed more than 200 volunteers and staff from 47 counties to Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square for the conference, which also provided an opportunity to celebrate the work accomplished by volunteers.
“This conference is a unique forum for our volunteers to meet with their fellow volunteers from across the Commonwealth in the same program areas while engaging, recognizing and strengthening their skill sets,” said Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. “Our aging network couldn’t deliver the services that it does without the support of nearly 26,000 volunteers. This year’s conference theme is ‘Volunteers are Everyday Heroes,’ and the caring individuals who volunteer are heroically making a difference in older Pennsylvanians’ lives. They help older adults stay informed, healthy, independent and in their communities. I commend all the Pennsylvanians who devote countless hours to volunteering. I also invite anyone who may be thinking about volunteering to join our robust group of aging network volunteers. It’s an opportunity to make a difference not only in the lives of older adults, but also in their own lives.”
In early 2025, the Department launched the Comprehensive Agency Performance Evaluation — a complete overhaul of the Department’s system for monitoring the performance of the 52 Area Agencies on Aging.
In May 2025, the Department will launch a caregiver toolkit to support the needs of PA’s 1.5 million unpaid caregivers.
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal includes $2 million to increase accountability and oversight of the AAA network, and a $20 million investment for those AAAs so they can continue to provide key services to older adults.
The nearly 26,000 aging network volunteers across the Commonwealth donate an estimated 1.6 million hours of service a year with an estimated value of more than $53.4 million.
Culver announces free license plate replacement events
State Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver, R-Northumberland, this week announced she will host two free Damaged License Plate Replacement Events for area residents in May.
The events are scheduled for Thursday
,
May 1,
in Drums, and Thursday, May 8, in Milton.
The events aim to help constituents replace standard Pennsylvania license plates that have become damaged or difficult to read due to loss of reflectivity, peeling, blistering, or discoloration. Driving with an illegible plate — unreadable from 50 feet — can result in traffic stops and potential fines under state law.
“Replacing a damaged license plate is important for vehicle compliance and avoiding unnecessary fines,” Culver said. “These events, held in partnership with local law enforcement, offer convenient, no-cost opportunities for residents to have their plates checked and get the replacement process started easily.”
During the events, local police officers will be present to examine license plates. If a plate is deemed eligible for free replacement under PennDOT guidelines, officers will assist the owner in completing and submitting the necessary PennDOT form (MV-44). The replacement plate will then be mailed directly to the vehicle owner by PennDOT. There is no charge for this service or the standard replacement plate obtained through this process.
Constituents interested in utilizing this free service must bring their vehicle registration card to the event. Pre-registration is encouraged for planning purposes.
Information about the Drums event:
—Date/Time: 10 a.m. to noon Thursday,
May 1,
.
—Location: Butler Township Municipal Building, 83 Corporate Drive, Drums.
—To pre-register: Visit SenatorCulver.com/events or call 570-387-4267.
Walk-ins will be accommodated as space and time permit.
Culver invites women veterans to Capitol ceremony
Culver will welcome Pennsylvania women who served in the armed forces to a special ceremony at the state Capitol at noon Tuesday, June 10, honoring their service and sacrifice.
Registration for this event is open until May 9.
This ceremony offers a special opportunity to recognize the courage and dedication of Pennsylvania’s women veterans, from World War II to the present day. Culver encourages women veterans from all branches of the military across the Commonwealth to register and participate in this meaningful event.
“Our women veterans have served with distinction and honor, often overcoming unique challenges,” Culver said. “This ceremony is a heartfelt ‘thank you’ from the Commonwealth for their invaluable contributions to our nation’s security and freedom. I am truly looking forward to welcoming them to the Capitol and recognizing their stories.”
PSP reports 532 crashes, 282 DUI arrests
The Pennsylvania State Police conducted its Easter holiday enforcement and released the results as part of its ongoing commitment to public safety.
From Friday, April 18, to Sunday, April 20, PSP investigated 532 crashes, which resulted in six fatalities.
Troopers responded to 95 crashes involving injuries. Intoxicated driving was a factor in 45 crashes.
Troopers arrested 282 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and issued 11,138 traffic citations.
FBI releases annual Internet Crime Report
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) released its annual report.
The 2024 Internet Crime Report combines information from 859,532 complaints of suspected internet crime and details reported losses exceeding $16 billion — a 33% increase in losses from 2023.
Nationwide, the top three cyber-crimes, by number of complaints, reported in 2024 were: phishing/spoofing, extortion, and personal data breaches. The top three crime types reported by victims of fraud loss were: investment scams, business email compromise, and tech support scams.
Cryptocurrency fraud continued to be a devastating crime. In 2024, the IC3 received over 149,000 complaints with $9.3 billion in total losses, representing a 66% increase from 2023.
For individuals over the age of 60, the IC3 received over 147,000 complaints spanning across all cyber scams, with losses totaling $4.8 billion. This is a 46% increase in complaints from 2023 and a 43% increase in losses from 2023. The average loss was $83,000.
Pennsylvania was in the top 10 states by number of complaints to IC3 as well as the top 10 states by losses. In reported complaints per state, Pennsylvania was 5th overall with over 27,000 reports. In reported losses, Pennsylvania was 8th overall, with losses of over $400 million.
“Since our founding, the FBI has vigorously pursued complex financial crimes. While the methods have evolved, the motives remain the same — criminals seeking to exploit others for profit. Today, fraudsters are using advanced digital tools to scale their schemes and target victims around the globe,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, special agent in charge of FBI Philadelphia. “Whether you’re an individual consumer or a large corporation, the threat is real — and growing.”
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.