WHAT’S NEWS IN WEST COUNTY
Pennsylvania’s public and private
college and universities enroll nearly
250,000 students, including more than
62,000 who live on campus.
LOCAL UNIVERSITIES
RECEIVE $60,000 IN
GRANTS AS PART OF
STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN
TO PREVENT CAMPUS
SEXUAL ASSAULTS
Mercyhurst and Gannon universities
have each received a $30,000 grant under
Pennsylvania’s “It’s on Us” initiative to
keep college campuses free of sexual
assault and harassment, state Reps. Bob
Merski and Pat Harkins, both announced.
“Our colleges should be places where
young people thrive as they work toward
chosen career paths,” Merski said. “The
specter of sexual assault or other violence
destroys that environment and turns
places of learning into places of fear. I’m
thankful that our local universities
will share in this funding to raise
awareness about and prevent sexual
assault and violence.”
Harkins agreed, adding, “No student or
educator should ever have to feel unsafe
where they learn or teach. In addition to
training and awareness programs, this
funding will help us get the message out
that sexual violence or harassment will not
be tolerated on our campuses.”
The funding is part of a $1 million
package of grants to 36 postsecondary
schools statewide. Schools use the funding
for programs ranging from campus-wide
training for students, educators and staff
to campaigns to raise awareness about the
reporting process and resources that are
available to those victimized by
sexual assault.
It’s on Us started as a national campaign
in 2014. Pennsylvania quickly took the
initiative, becoming the first state to
establish its own statewide program, “It’s
on Us PA.”
4
724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
❘
STATE
FUNDING
MORE THAN $144,000
IN FIRE COMPANY,
EMERGENCY MEDICAL
SERVICE GRANTS
AWARDED
Volunteer fire companies and
emergency service providers were
awarded state funding from the
Office of the State Fire Commissioner’s
Fire Company, Emergency Medical
Service Grant Program, announced
Rep. Ryan Bizzarro.
“These grants provide much-needed
funding to emergency service providers
including firefighters and EMTs. These
providers are always ready to answer the
call to protect others from harm and in
emergent situations.,” Bizzarro said.
Bizzarro said he was proud to work to
secure funding for the following local fire
and emergency service providers:
• Central Erie County Paramedic
Assoc. Inc., $9,192.44.
• Edinboro Fire Department,
$23,440.47.
• Emergycare Inc., $9,192.44.
• Fairview Fire Department,
$21249.61.
• Franklin Township VFD, $11,646.38.
• Kearsarge Fire Department,
$13,015.67.
• Lake City Fire Company, $21,523.47.
• Lake Shore Fire Department,
16517.68.
• McKean Hose Company $21249.61.
• West County Paramedic Association,
$9,192.44.
• West Lake FD, $13,974.17.
• West Ridge FD, $14,248.03.
icmags.com
Funds will be used to maintain and
improve facilities; purchase or repair
equipment; debt reduction for facility
and equipment improvements; training
certifications; education, and career fire
departments may use funds to assist
with overtime costs associated with
backfilling positions while firefighters
are in training.
“I’m proud to share the news of your
tax dollars returning to our community
and directly improving public safety
efforts and supporting those who
willingly enter dangerous situations for
the well-being of others,” Bizzarro said.
“I urge any eligible emergency service
providers and fire companies to apply
for these funds.”
SPRING PROGRAMS
AT TOM RIDGE
ENVIRONMENTAL
CENTER
Exhibit: Erie’s Shipbuilding History
Discover Erie’s shipbuilding history
in a new exhibit at the Tom Ridge
Environmental Center. Daily through
March 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Create a Cavity Nesting Gourd
Birdhouse
As spring is around the corner, it’s
time to bring out our feathered friends
who will be returning for their nesting
season. Join the Park Naturalists at the
TREC. Learn about the cavity nesting
birds in the area and participants will
have an opportunity to paint their own