Day: February 25, 2016

Theo tin PR NewswirernrnHARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 24, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's (PFBC) popular Mentored Youth Trout Days program has proven that kids are eager to fish, especially when they have a special opportunity to spend a day with their mentors before the traditional rush of the regional and statewide opening days of trout season.rnrnLast year, more than 28,000 kids signed up to participate, either by purchasing a $1 voluntary youth fishing license or by acquiring a free mentored youth fishing permit.rnrnPFBC Executive Director John Arway expects even more mentors and kids to come out this year and participate in the growing program, which is scheduled for March 26 and April 9. And, as it has done each successive year, the PFBC has fine-tuned the program based on angler feedback. For this year, only kids will be allowed to keep two trout.rnrn"Without a doubt, the mentored youth program has been a huge success, growing each year as we listen to anglers and make changes to improve the experience," he said. "This year we are refining it again by allowing only kids to keep two trout. Mentors can fish but cannot keep any trout."rnrn"This is a very popular program designed to encourage kids to take adults fishing," he added. "Mentors can show kids that fishing is fun, and at the same time promote active, outdoor recreation. Adult mentors are encouraged to fish with the children and provide encouragement and tips, but we're asking them to release their catch to the water unharmed."rnrnOn these two days, participants can fish in any PFBC stocked trout water. Kids can keep two trout, which must measure at least seven inches. Mentors must have a fishing license and trout stamp.rnrnThe March 26 Mentored Youth Trout Day takes place in 18 southeastern counties, including: Adams, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York.rnrnThe following weekend – April 2 – kicks off the Regional Opening Day of Trout Season in the same 18 southeastern counties.rnrnA second Mentored Youth Trout Day will be held on April 9, the Saturday before the April 16 statewide opening day of trout season.rnrn"Trout season is a great cure for cabin fever and an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the Commonwealth's abundant natural resources," Arway added. "It's also a perfect time to share your excitement with others by 'Paying it Forward,' and doing a good deed."rnrn"Maybe you help bait someone's hook, offer to take a shore angler out on your boat, or even buy someone a fishing license," he said. "The idea is that we all benefit when we do good deeds for others."rnrnA majority of the trout waters will be stocked in advance of the mentored youth days. But some of the waters may not be stocked in time due to weather, water conditions and scheduling logistics. Also, special regulation areas, like Catch and Release Fly-Fishing Only or Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only, are not included in the mentored youth program.rnrn"It's important for anglers to visit the PFBC stocking page for an updated list so they know exactly what waters are being stocked," said Brian Wisner, Director of the PFBC Bureau of Hatcheries. "We don't want mentors and kids inadvertently showing up at waters which have not been stocked."rnrnTo participate, adult anglers (16 years or older) must have a valid fishing license and trout/salmon permit and be accompanied by a youth. Youth anglers must obtain a free PFBC-issued permit, or a voluntary youth fishing license. Both are available at www.GoneFishingPA.com or at any of the more than 900 licensing agents across the state.rnrnMore than 9,200 voluntary youth fishing licenses were sold last year, and another 18,858 mentored youth permits were issued.rnrnFor every voluntary youth license sold, the PFBC will receive approximately $5 in federal revenue from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Sport Fish Restoration Act program, which provides funds to states based on a formula that includes the number of licenses a state sells. All revenues earned from a voluntary youth fishing license will be dedicated to youth fishing programs.rnrnThe PFBC annually stocks approximately 3.2 million adult trout in more than 700 streams and 120 lakes open to public angling. These figures include approximately 2 million rainbow trout; 642,000 brown trout; and 522,000 brook trout.rnrnMedia Contact: rnEric Levis, Press Secretaryrn717.705.7806 or elevis@pa.govrnrnPR011-2016-02-24rnrn rnrnSOURCE Pennsylvania Fish & Boat CommissionrnrnrnrnRELATED LINKSrnhttp://www.gonefishingpa.com

Theo tin Phila.govrnrnCITY OF PHILADELPHIArnDEPARTMENT OF LICENSES AND INSPECTIONSrnrnFor Immediate Release: February 24, 2016rnContact: Karen Guss, 267-239-4251, karen.guss@phila.govrnrnUnsafe, Illegal Residence at Site of Frankford Area ConflagrationrnShut Down by L&I Action Prior to FirernrnPHILADELPHIA – Citing the lack of a fire alarm, among other code violations, an L&I inspector had evacuated the second floor of a Frankford area commercial building being unlawfully operated as a residence ten weeks before the building was consumed by a fire that also destroyed several neighboring homes. The Philadelphia Fire Department announced today that the source of the blaze was a wood stove or heater in the commercial building. Commissioner David Perri expressed relief, noting that if not for the decisive action of the inspector, tenants could have been in the building when the fast-moving, wind-aided fire broke out on February 13, 2016.rnrnThe space being rented to tenants had holes in the ceiling and floor, crumbling walls, insect and rodent infestation, significant plumbing leaks, lacked required life protection systems, and was missing a window. The building owner did not have a rental license and the space was not zoned for use as a residential rental property. Upon discovering the illegal rental, an L&I inspector issued violations and warned the owner of his obligation to bring the property into compliance with code.rnrn“The outcome the Department tries to achieve is for the space to be made legal and brought up to code so that it becomes a fit place to live,” Commissioner Perri explained. “If the residents had good options they wouldn’t tolerate the terrible living conditions; they’d have already gone elsewhere.” Perri noted that the City Office of Supportive Housing is a resource when it does become necessary to remove residents from unfit homes for their own protection.rnrnWhen subsequent visits to the Frankford property revealed no improvement, the L&I inspector and her supervisor concluded that the situation could not be allowed to persist. To give them an opportunity to find alternative housing, tenants were given advance notice that the residential use would soon be ended or “ceased”.rnrnTwo weeks later the inspector returned, ensured that the last resident was out of the building, and closed the space down, posting a large, highly visible red and white striped “cease order” on the door announcing that residential occupancy of the building was prohibited as of December 10, 2016. As is standard practice, the inspector then alerted the police about the cease order so that the police could assist in enforcement.rnrn“The L&I inspector was thorough and persistent and used good professional judgment in evacuating the illegal rental space,” said Perri. “Especially with no fire alarm there, her actions may have saved lives.”rnrnPOSTED ONrnFebruary 24, 2016rnFROMrnOffice of the Mayor