Unclaimed property event returns thousands of dollars to area residents

Rep. Robert Merski February 21, 2025 | 4:26 PM

$$$$$ money returned to residents

Valentine’s Day was a sweet one for me and my staff because we were able to return thousands of dollars in unclaimed property to area residents during our Valentine’s Day Unclaimed Property Search held in the office.

Unclaimed property may include forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks or any other financial asset that rightfully belongs to you. Although we had a representative from the Treasurer’s Office in our Erie office on Friday, our office can help you anytime if you think you may have unclaimed property. Visit this link or reach out to our office to check and we can help you claim it!

And, remember, thanks to a new law -- PA Money Match law -- I helped to pass, any unclaimed property valued at $500 or less owned by a single owner automatically will be returned to you. Eligible property owners will receive a letter to confirm their address and a check about 45 days later. So, keep an eye on your mailboxes!

Give your input on development of former Erie Coke site

Plans to improve the Erie waterfront at the former Erie Coke site are being made. If you would like to have your say on its development and future use of the area, consider attending the Community Open House between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. today, Feb. 20, at the Erie Center for Arts & Technology, 650 East Ave. You also may provide feedback online here.

Keeping you moving

My offices are here to help you. We provide a wealth of information and state assistance on all kinds of state issues, programs and resources, including PennDOT. Check out the graphic above to see the variety of PennDOT issues we can help with.

REAL ID DAYS

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will begin enforcement of REAL ID requirements beginning May 7. This means that to board a domestic flight, enter a military base or a federal facility that requires identification at the door, you will need a REAL ID unless you have a U.S. passport, military ID or other federally acceptable identification.

To help ensure residents in our area can secure a REAL ID by the deadline, PennDOT will open its Erie Driver License Center at 7200 Peach St., Suite 480, on the following Mondays: March 3, April 14 and May 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If you have any questions concerning REAL ID, visit PennDOT.pa.gov/REALID or contact one of our offices.

Pennsylvania Game Commission 2026 ‘Working Together for Wildlife’ Art Contest Open for Submissions

The PA Game Commission is looking for entries for its annual Wildlife Art Contest. This year’s featured species is the barn owl.

Submissions may be of one or more barn owls featured in an original horizontal artwork measuring exactly 22 ½ by 15 inches, or a vertical artwork measuring exactly 15 by 22 ½ inches. Each artwork must be surrounded by a 3-inch white border or mat, which is in addition to the listed dimensions.

ALL NEW this year: All submissions for the 2026 contest must be submitted by EMAIL to rebawillia@pa.gov by 4 p.m. on May 2, 2025.

Artists may submit more than one piece of work, but for each submission, there is a non-refundable $50 entry fee. Artists 18 and younger can enter for free. All entry fees must be mailed to the Pennsylvania Game Commission at ATTN: 2026 WTFW Contest, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110. Artists should include their name with payment.

Check out this link for full contest details.