Join me and my colleagues from Allegheny County as we host a Virtual Scam Prevention event in partnership with the state Attorney General’s Office. You’ll learn how to spot scams and avoid identity theft, how and why to freeze your credit report, and much more! Visit this page to register for the event, which will be held on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6 pm.

If you qualify for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, please remember that Dec. 31 is the deadline to apply for a rebate on property taxes or rent you paid in 2024. The program is available to income-eligible seniors ages 65 or older, widows and widowers ages 50 or older, and disabled residents ages 18 or older.

We recently passed legislation to increase the rebate amount, which now ranges from $380 to $1,000, and to expand eligibility for the program, which now benefits both homeowners and renters earning up to $46,520 annually.

You can read more about the program at pa.gov/PTRR. Please remember that my office can help you determine whether you qualify and, if so, we can help you apply for a rebate. You can also apply online through this page.

Seniors – this is a reminder that Dec. 7 is the deadline for Medicare Open Enrollment, when you can switch between an Original Medicare plan and a Medicare Advantage plan, change your Medicare Advantage plan, or change your drug plan.

If you’re not sure which plan is best for you, please be aware that the state provides free, confidential insurance counseling through PA MEDI. Visit this page or call 1-800-783-7067 to learn more. You can also call our Allegheny County Area on Aging at (412) 350-5460.

Thank you to the community-minded volunteers from the Beacon Coalition! After learning that some of our local food pantries were having trouble stocking peanut butter, the group collected nearly 200 jars of peanut and sun nut butter for the Wilkinsburg Community Ministry Food Pantry.

Join the fun at Churchill Borough’s second annual Holiday Party this Friday, Dec. 5, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 2300 William Penn Highway. The event will feature cookie decorating, pictures with Santa, a tree lighting by Mayor Gamrat, and food and refreshments. 

On Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to noon, Norfolk Southern will host “Delivering for the Holidays” at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, located at 1 N. Linden St., Duquesne. Attendees can enjoy treats, shop at the food bank, and take home holiday meal kits and winter essentials such as gloves, hats, and blankets.