News You Can Use

March 30, 2007

Mortgage Foreclosure Assistance

MAdjustable rate mortgages and rising costs for fuel and utilities, combined with other unexpected expenses, are contributing to an increase in mortgage foreclosures across the country.  Pennsylvania residents facing foreclosure may be eligible for assistance through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency's (PHFA) Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP).

The loan program is intended to protect Pennsylvanians who, through no fault of their own, face loosing their home to foreclosure.  HEMAP allows homeowners to take proactive steps to stabilize their financial position.  HEMAP was created by Act 91 of 1983 and is the only program of its kind in the nation.  For fiscal year 2006-07, Pennsylvania contributed $10 million to HEMAP.

A homeowner may qualify for one of two types of loans, each requiring repayment.  Non-continuing mortgage assistance loans bring a mortgage current, and then the homeowner is responsible for making all subsequent monthly mortgage payments to their lender along with a monthly payment to HEMAP.  With a continuing loan, the mortgage is brought current to a specified date and then HEMAP subsidizes the monthly mortgage payment to the lender.  Click here for more on terms and conditions. 

First time homebuyers are encouraged to seek the assistance of a counselor before signing a sales agreement.  Here is a list of Comprehensive Housing Counseling Agencies and HEMAP Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies.

 LIHEAP Deadline Extended 

The application deadline for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is being extended through April 13, 2007, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.  Eligible households have an additional two weeks to apply for cash and crisis grants for costs of home heating fuel sources and furnace repairs during the winter.

Eligible low-income households struggling to meet their home heating needs can take advantage of the deadline extension.  A family of four with an annual income of up to $30,000 can qualify for assistance.

Download and print the LIHEAP brochure with the phone number and address of your local County Assistance Office and eligibility details.  You may also call the LIHEAP statewide toll-free hotline at 1-866-857-7095.  Consult DPW's Energy Assistance webpage for related information including an application for the program.

New PA Travel Guide Debuts

Thrill seeker, mall shopper or antique hunter.  Whatever your cup of tea, Pennsylvania is ready to serve it up with a little help from the 2007 Travel Guide.  The latest Pennsylvania Travel Guide is brimming with dining and lodging listings, all-new road trips, detailed maps and photos from across the Commonwealth.

Order your free copy of the 238-page guide featuring 2,400 accommodations and 1,300 attractions by calling 1-800-VISITPA or place an online order for your copy of the 2007 PA Travel Guide.

Can't wait to catch a glimpse of the latest guide, start planning your next PA expedition.  

Treatment-resistant TB Calls for Renewed Awareness 

Though numbers have decreased during this decade, nearly a quarter of tuberculosis (TB) cases in 2006 were resistant to at least one traditional tuberculosis treatment medication.  In Pennsylvania, Department of Health statistics indicate 23 percent of TB cases tested were resistant to at least one traditional TB treatment medication, increasing associated costs and treatment difficulties.

Statistics reveal the airborne bacterial disease affects those of all ages, gender, and ethnicity.  It is spreads through coughing and sneezing which sends bacteria into the air.  Signs and symptoms include coughing, fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue.  While the lungs are affected, it may also damage other parts of the body.  Click here for information on TB screening and treatment.

Efforts to raise public awareness of tuberculosis (TB) and the importance of efforts to control and eventually eliminate the infectious disease are at the center of an annual campaign to eradicate the disease.  Click here for information on the PA Department of Health's TB awareness campaign. 

Peregrine Falcons Return

For the third year in a row, the first egg for Harrisburg's peregrine falcons appeared on March 25th.  The spring courtship of Harrisburg's famed peregrine falcons appears successful.  One by one the eggs are being laid in the nest on the ledge of the Rachel Carson Building in downtown Harrisburg.

When the nest is full with the anticipated 3 to 5 eggs, the Peregrine parents will commence regular brooding to ensure all hatchlings arrive in close order to ensure each has sufficient feeding sessions.

To receive email alerts of major events, sign up for FalconWire.  Check out falcon cams around the world, courtesy of GreenTreks Network, Inc. 

Smooth Operator Program  

An aggressive driving enforcement program that netted over 18,000 citations and arrests in a successful 12-county pilot program last summer is going statewide.  The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will support 15 PA State Police troops and 175 local police departments in expanding the "Smooth Operator" program.  Five weeks of aggressive driving enforcement will be conducted by police from March 25-31, July 1-7, August 5-11 and September 2-15.

Aggressive driving was determined to have played a role in 1,016 of 1,616 traffic fatalities in PA during 2005.  The $2 million investment from PennDOT to combat aggressive driving will pay for police training and overtime, and equipment such as wireless infrared speed detectors.  Local police efforts will receive a boost with the use of radar and aircraft deployed by the State Police.

Speeding, running red lights and angry responses to other's driving behaviors lead the list of targeted actions.  The Smooth Operator Program is also concerned with preventing tailgating and other reckless driving maneuvers.  Click here for more on combating aggressive driving.

PennDOT announces aggressive program.