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News You Can Use

June 13, 2008

Pennsylvania Tomatoes Deemed Safe

Pennsylvania tomatoes have been cleared in the recent salmonella outbreak, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) in announcing the Food & Drug Administration's (FDA) determination.

Whether you want round, Roma, or plum red tomatoes, the PDA wants consumers to feel confident in buying PA produce especially that included in the PA Preferred Program.  Greenhouse tomatoes are currently being harvested in PA and will be ripening through late June in high tunnels and unheated greenhouses around the state.  Field-grown tomatoes will be available in July.

PA ranks eighth in the nation for the production of fresh market tomatoes.  By acreage, tomatoes rank fifth among vegetable crops in the state and are worth $24 million annually.  Access a list of PA Preferred Fruits & Vegetables to ensure your family is getting fresh produce.

PA State Police Update "10 Most Wanted Poster"

Long before television started airing shows on wanted fugitives, the "10 most wanted fugitive poster" was helping law enforcement locate horrifying criminals.  The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) is updating this important law enforcement tool and making it available in print and online.

Nine of the 10 most wanted fugitives were last known to have resided within Pennsylvania.  Crimes committed by the 10 most wanted fugitives include rape, attempted homicide, and homicide.

Additional PSP Most Wanted Lists include those for Troop P - Wyoming, Troop K - Philadelphia, and Troop R - Dunmore.  All PSP lists provide a photo, eye and hair color, height, weight, race, sex, and age, along with a synopsis of the crime committed.  The poster was prepared by the State Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit and will be disseminated by law enforcement agencies around the state.

Citizens with information crucial to law enforcement are encouraged to call the PSP Terrorism/Fugitive Tipline at 1-888-292-1919.  Anyone requiring immediate help is reminded to call 911.

Prevent Heat-Related Illness

Just as the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was reporting March-May of 2008 represented the 36th coolest spring season on record for the contiguous United States, scorching temperatures settled in across the East Coast taking a toll on Pennsylvanians.

Spring in Pennsylvania, according to NOAA, was much cooler than average and ranked eighth coolest among the states.  By announcement time, temperatures took a sharp upswing leaving many with sunstroke and heat-related illnesses.

As we prepare for hot summer temperatures, health officials are offering a few tips to stay safe.  The NOAA's "Heat Wave – A Major Summer Killer" discusses watches and warnings for excessive heat.  It goes on to shine some light on what happens to the body when exposed to excessive heat.  Find discussion on those most vulnerable – children, the elderly, those suffering from medical issues, and our pets.  Learn how to respond to heat-related problems, including sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

PA Health officials are promoting prevention as the best defense against heat-related illness.  Find Links to related information from the Centers for Disease Control, the PA Department of Aging, and the PA Emergency Management Agency.

DMAP Application Deadline Looming

Landowners interested in assistance managing deer on their property have until July 1, 2008 to apply for the Pennsylvania Game Commission's (PGC) Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP).

Coupons for DMAP antlerless deer harvest permits may be issued to landowners at a rate of one coupon for every 5 acres in agricultural operations or one coupon for every 50 acres for all other land uses.  The coupons are then distributed by the qualifying landowner to individual hunters, who may receive no more than 2 coupons per DMAP property.  Landowners may not charge or accept any contribution from a hunter for a DMAP coupon.

The application process requires the hunter to complete the coupon and mail it along with a check for $10 for residents and $35 for nonresidents.  The PGC will, in turn, mail a DMAP Harvest Permit to the hunter who can then use it to harvest an antlerless deer on the specific DMAP property.  Regardless of harvest success, the hunter must return the DMAP Harvest Report Card to the PGC. 

For questions about the application process or required materials, contact the Bureau of Wildlife Management at 717-787-5529.  Questions may also be directed to any of the PGC's six regional offices: 

• Northwest Region - Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango and Warren counties:  814-432-3188 
• Northcentral Region - Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga, and Union counties:  570-398-4744 
• Northeast Region - Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties:  570-675-1143 
• Southwest Region - Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland counties:  724-238-9523 
• Southcentral Region - Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry and Snyder counties:  814-643-1831 
• Southeast Region - Berks, Bucks, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York counties:  610-926-3136

PA Auto Thefts Decline

More than 52,000 vehicles were stolen in 1994, prompting the Pennsylvania Legislature to create the Auto Theft Prevention Authority.  Last year, less than 26,000 vehicles were stolen, representing a 51 percent drop since the legislation was first enacted, according to the PA Office of Attorney General and the PA State Police.  By comparison, auto theft dropped nationally only 23 percent from 1994 through 2006.

From 2006 to 2007, the reduction in auto theft resulted in an annual savings to Pennsylvanians of more than $19.5 million.  Total savings since inception of the Authority in 1994 has been more than $96 million.

The continued effectiveness of the Pennsylvania Authority when broken down by region reveals auto thefts dropped from 8 to 18 percent from 2006 to 2007. 

• Central PA's theft rate went down 8%

• Southeast PA's theft rate went down 8%
• Northeast PA's theft rate went down 14%
• Western PA's theft rate went down 18%

Pennsylvania's Auto Theft Prevention Authority is charged with establishing, coordinating, and funding activities in Pennsylvania to prevent, combat, and reduce auto theft.  The Authority provides financial support to law enforcement, correctional agencies, and prosecutors for programs intended to reduce auto theft and improve administration of auto theft laws.  Financial support is also extended to other governmental agencies, and community, consumer, and business organizations.  Reward programs leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals and organizations engaged in auto theft are among those supported by the Authority.

No tax dollars are used to support the Authority.  Funds are raised through annual assessments paid by nearly 400 auto insurance companies doing business in PA.

The Authority offers a website dispelling the myths surrounding car theft, tips for protecting yourself against auto theft, and showcasing related events, such as VIN engraving or to get a kit to do it yourself.  Find additional information to avoid auto theft. 

State Water Plan Update

Pennsylvania has at least one region in drought warning conditions on average once every two years and in drought emergency conditions once every three years, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources (DEP).

With the increased use of water from 5 gallons per person per day in 1900 to an average daily use of 62 gallons per person per day, Pennsylvanians may find themselves in conflict over the same source of water.  The state adopted Act 220 of 2002 requiring DEP to update the State Water Plan by March 2008, and every 5 years thereafter.

The final State Water Plan will offer tools and guidance for all who make decisions affecting the Commonwealth's water resources or who make decisions based upon the availability of water of adequate quantity and quality.

See Act 220 - The Water Resources Planning Act, Questions and Answers -- 3900-FS-DEP3104 or for information on meetings contact Susan K. Weaver, Division Chief, Division of Water Use Planning, P. O. Box 8555, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8555, (717) 783-8055, suweaver@state.pa.us.