A hero’s goodbye; the skinny on REAL ID; older artists competition seeking entries

A hero’s goodbye; the skinny on REAL ID; older artists competition seeking entries – and more!

Rep. Abigail Salisbury March 17, 2025 | 4:32 PM

GOODBYE TO A HERO

Our legislative district lost a true hero recently with the death of 8-year-old police K9 Atlas, who served the Swissvale Police Department with tireless courage and enthusiasm. You can read more from the Swissvale Police K-9 Unit here.

DO YOU NEED A REAL ID?

The sample license above with the star in the top corner is an example of a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license. Do you need one?

Getting a REAL ID-compliant license or photo ID card is purely optional but having one may come in handy depending on your lifestyle.

Beginning May 7, anyone wishing to board a domestic commercial flight or visit a military base or federal building that requires ID will have to present identification that meets heightened security requirements. That means that your regular state driver’s license or photo ID card will no longer suffice – you must show either a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or photo ID card or some other form of federally accepted ID, such as a passport or military ID.

If you fly often and want to continue using your PA driver’s license as identification, you may decide it makes sense to upgrade to the REAL-ID compliant version.

PennDOT is holding REAL ID Days to help people apply for and obtain a REAL ID. Check out the events below, and please remember to review this page beforehand to see what documents are needed to apply.

STUDENT TEACHER STIPENDS AWARDED ON FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS

If you are eligible for the PA Student Teacher Support Program, please be aware that awards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis, so you should not wait to apply. You can learn more and apply at this page.

OLDER ARTISTS OF PA SHOWCASE IS SEEKING ENTRIES!

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts are calling for art submissions from Pennsylvanians 60 and older for the first-ever Older Artists of PA Showcase. Winning pieces will be displayed in the State Capitol East Wing Rotunda during the month of May, which is observed nationally as Older Americans Month.

You can read more here and find detailed submission guidelines and entry forms here. The deadline for submissions is Friday, April 4.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wood Towers residents – my staff will be on site Thursday, March 20 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to help you with state services, including filing for a Property Tax/Rent Rebate. Please remember to bring the documents listed above if you are seeking help filing for a rebate!

This is a reminder that the Allegheny County Health Department, the Department of Human Services, and the Wilkinsburg Public Library are hosting an Overdose Prevention Resource Fair on Wednesday, March 26 from noon to 3 p.m. at the library, located at 605 Ross Ave.

Join folks from Humane Action Pennsylvania on Saturday, March 29, at 10 a.m. for the next Swissvale Pollinator Garden Volunteer Day! Volunteers are needed to remove litter and freshen up the pollinator parklet to get it ready for spring. The park is located at 7702 Edgewood Ave. between Lucci’s Collision and Arby’s. Visit this page to register.

Job seekers: the JFCS Pittsburgh spring job fair will be held on Friday, April 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall located at 300 Beechwood Ave. in Carnegie. Attendees will have a chance to network with more than 30 employers and find other career resources. Scan the QR code above to learn more and register.

FINDING FUNDING – AND STATE SERVICES

The state has a handy tool to help you search for grants. Visit this page to search or this page to see a list of all the latest programs.

Finally, please remember that my staff is here to help you with a wide range of state services, from filing for a Property Tax/Rent Rebate to obtaining a disability placard or senior bus pass – to name just a few. Please contact us or stop by to see how we can help!

You can read my e-newsletter in a way that’s preferable to you by visiting my legislative website here and clicking on the accessibility icon in the lower right corner.