>> COMING UP ON PBS 39 NEW TONIGHT.

>>> WE CARE ABOUT OUR COUN JOBS IN A RESIDENCE.

SO WE ARE WILLING TO TRY T WORK TOGETHER.

>> HOW THOSE WHO WORK AT T COUNTY OWNED NURSING HOME ABOUT A POTENTIAL SALE.

>>> CATCH-22.

THE CONUNDRUM PLAGUING THE PHILLIPSBURG APARTMENT.

>> PAYROLL THIS YEAR IS PROBABLY GOING TO DOUBLE COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

UNLESS WE REALLY DO RESEAR AND TRY TO ATTRACT MORE VOLUNTEERS.

>> I SAID MOM, I'M NOT GOI BACK TO HIGH SCHOOL.

SHE SAID, EXCUSE ME?

>> SKIPPING SENIOR YEAR OF SCHOOL AS POSSIBLE.

AND ONE TEEN FROM OUR AREA DOING THAT NOW.

WE WILL SHOW YOU HOW.

>>> THE FATE OF BERKS HIGH NURSING HOME CONTINUES TO IN THE BALANCE AS BERKS CO COMMISSIONERS TRY TO DETER WHETHER OR NOT THE COUNTY FACILITY IS FINANCIALLY VI MEANWHILE, NURSES WHO WORK CONTINUE THEIR FIGHT TO TR KEEP IT COUNTY OWNED.

>> I LOVE MY JOB AT THE HE I HAVE WORKED IN THE FACILITIES, AND IT IS NIGH DAY.

I LOVE MY JOB AND I LOVE T CARE OF MY RESIDENCE.

>> Reporter: FOR 25 YEARS, LPN -- HAS WORKED IN BURNS TOWNSHIP OUTSIDE THE SPORT >> I HAVE WORKED IN PRIVAT FACILITIES, AND THE QUALIT CARE WE GIVE AREAS DIFFERE OUR RESIDENTS ARE VERY WEL TAKEN CARE OF.

THY LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING >> Reporter: SHE IS 12 THE OF SENIORITY.

THE LONGEST NURSE BEING EMPLOYED AT THE HEIN FOR 4 YEARS.

NASS PATEL, WHO WAS ALSO T UNION SEI YOU CHAPTER PRES SAYS THE LACK OF TURNOVER IS JUST ONE OF THE REASONS WANTS HER PLACE OF EMPLOYM TO STAY COUNTY OWNED.

>> WE ARE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY AND WE'RE HOPING FO GOOD OUTCOME.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER REASO THE QUALITY OF CARE PROVID NEARLY 420 RESIDENCE YEAR, COMPARED TO PRIVATELY OWNE NURSING HOMES.

>> POOR STAFFING, POOR BENEFITS, FOR PAY.

THINGS WE FOUGHT FOR, TO H HERE AT BERKS I'M.

VERY H WITH HAVING SEIU AS OUR UN FOR 16 YEARS HERE.

>> PRIOR TO THIS, I DID WO PRIVATE FACILITY.

WHICH TOTALLY IS NIGHT AND THE STAFFING IS BETTER HER THE CARE IS BETTER HERE.

IT IS MUCH CLEANER, AND IT SMELLS BETTER.

>> IT IS CLEAN WHEN YOU CO HERE.

THERE ARE NO ODORS.

THE STAFF IS JUST PLEASANT HELPFUL.

AND, THERE IS ENOUGH STAFF HELP WITH CARE.

>> Reporter: THREE IN HER AND HER COLLEAGUES ARE FIG TO KEEP IT THAT WAY AS COU OFFICIALS TRY TO FIGURE OU NEXT STEPS.

>> FIRST TIME TO US -- BERKSHEIM TO US MEANS HOME GERMAN.

BERKSHEIM MEANS HOME TO OU RESIDENCE.

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO KEE COUNTY OWNED .

BERKSHEIM.

NOT A PRIVATE FACILITY, NO- PROFIT FACILITY.

I THINK IT REALLY NEEDS TO IN COUNTY HANDS.

>> Reporter: THE PROBLEM T COUNTY FACES IS THE MEDICA REIMBURSEMENT RATE.

AND THE THOUGHT THAT IT WO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION.

COMMISSIONERS EXPECT THE H TO BE MILLIONS IN THE RED 10 YEARS.

>> JUST TO PUT IN PERSPECT COUNTY NURSING HOMES, OVER LAST 12 YEARS, HAVE SEEN APPROXIMATELY A 7.7% INCRE IN THE MEDICAID REIMBURSEM RATE.

THAT SAME PERIOD, INFLATIO GENERAL INFLATION, IS APPROXIMATELY 20%, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT MORE.

AND, HEALTHCARE INFLATION AROUND 30%.

SO, THE MEDICAID REIMBURSE RATE IS NOT EVEN CLOSE.

>> Reporter: THESE ARE EVE PEOPLE.

80% OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE MEDICAID.

SO, THEY DO DEPE THE COUNTY HOME, TO PROVID CARE FOR THEM.

AND, WE PROVIDE VERY GOOD FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: AS THEY CONTI TO LOOK AT ALL OPTIONS, 5 POTENTIAL SUITORS HAVE PLA TOUR THE FACILITY BEFORE M A BID TO POTENTIALLY TAKE OPERATIONS.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE NURSE DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES TO THIS COUNTY OWNED FACILITY WAY IT IS.

>> WE CARE ABOUT OUR COUNT HOME IN OUR COUNTY JOB AT RESIDENCE.

SO WE ARE WILLING TO TRY T WORK TOGETHER.

>> THE COUNTY OF BERKS AND OF THE LARGEST WORKERS UNI AT THE HEIM ARE UNDER NEGOTIATIONS, TALKING ABOU CONTRACTS.

MEANWHILE, POTENTIAL BIDDE ARE SCHEDULED TO TOUR THE AND POTENTIALLY MAKE A BID WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND S WHAT HAPPENS.

IN BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVA I AM BRITTANY SWEENEY, PBS NEWS TONIGHT.

>>> AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S PARTIAL SHUTD DRAGS ON, PEOPLE WHO DEPEN FOOD STAMPS MAY NEED TO FI ANOTHER SOURCE OF NUTRITIO THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, WHICH RUNS TH SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISANCE PROGRAM, OR SNAP WAS ABLE TO USE A LEGAL LOE TO DISPERSE FEBRUARY BENEF AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

BUT IT IS UNCLEAR HOW OR I MARCHES BENEFITS WILL BE FUNDED.

>> IT'S ALREADY A SITUATIO WHERE PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLIN MEET THE BASIC NEEDS.

AND THIS IS A SITUATION TH EXACERBATING THE PROBLEM.

>> 1.8 MILLION PENNSYLVANI RECEIVED THE FEBRUARY SNAP BENEFITS ON FRIDAY.

WEEKS EARLIER THAN SCHEDUL BUT, THE EXTRA MONEY LOADE ONTO RECIPIENTS ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER CARDS CAM WITH A WARNING.

TO MAKE IT LAST.

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVIC SECRETARY, TERESA MILLER, IN A STATEMENT, THEY WILL TO MAKE THIS PAYMENT LAST AN UNDEFINED PERIOD, AS TH SHUTDOWN CONTINUES.

>> FOOD DISTRIBUTION ORGANIZATIONS LIKE MARCUS MARTHA'S CHOICE MARKET PAT MART -- ARE PREPARING FOR INCREASE IN PATRICK USERS.

THEY ALREADY DISTRIBUTE 85 POUNDS OF FOOD EACH YEAR.

AND SERVE ABOUT 900 FAMILI PER MONTH IN MONTGOMERY CO >> I THINK THE WHOLE THING REALLY GOOD.

HELPING PEOPLE AND EVERYTH AND VOLUNTEER PEOPLE, THAT REALLY NICE.

>> Reporter: PATRICK MANAG PATRICK WALL, SAYS HE HAS RECENTLY SEEN A MARKED INC IN THE NUMBER OF NEW APPLICANTS.

HE CAN'T DEFINITIVELY SAY BUT SUSPECTS SOME NEW APPLICANTS COULD BE GOVERN EMPLOYEES AFFECTED BY THE SHUTDOWN.

OR, SNAP RECIPIENTS PREPAR FOR A LONG PERIOD WITH OTH BENEFITS.

>> YESTERDAY, THERE WAS A OF BRAND-NEW PEOPLE THAT A REGISTERED.

BUT NEW PEOPLE REGISTER EV SINGLE DAY.

>> COUNTRY USER, WAR AND L SAYS COMING INTO GETTING F CAN BE UNCOMFORTABLE FOR S PEOPLE.

ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE USED A FOOD PANTRY BEFORE.

>> I THINK THERE IS A FAIR NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE EMBARRASSED TO COME.

THEY DON'T WANT TO TELL PE TO COME HERE.

THEY MADE THINK IT WOULD B EMBARRASSING TO THEM.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

>> Reporter: BUT, HE ASSUR THEM, THERE IS NOTHING TO ASHAMED A.

>> NO.

I DON'T THINK IT IS EMBARRASSING.

I THINK THE ONLY THING THA WOULD BE EMBARRASSING WOUL IF I GOT THIS FOOD AND WAS IT OR THROW IT AWAY OR I D UTILIZE IT.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE EMBARRASSING.

>> Reporter: IT'S UNCLEAR MANY MORE PEOPLE WILL NEED ASSISTANCE, SHOULD THE SHU CONTINUE.

AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOT THAT THE EARLY FEBRUARY BENEFITS WERE SIMPLY PAINT THEY ARE NOT AN ADDITIONAL BENEFIT.

AND PEOPLE NEED TO MAKE TH LAST.

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE T TO REDUCE THE CONFUSION BY URGING CONGRESS TO END THE SHUTDOWN.

SECRETARY MILLER SAID IN A STATEMENT, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MUST COME TO A SOLUTION, SO PEOPLE WHO AL FACE FOOD INSECURITY DON'T CONTINUE TO BE CAUGHT IN T MIDDLE OF A SITUATION THAT DID NOT CREATE.

FOR PEOPLE ON THE GROUND, KNOWING WHERE THEIR FOOD W COME FROM IS CAUSING A LOT STRESS.

>> CURRENTLY, WITH THE UNCERTAINTY, GOING ON AND OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, WE PUTTING PEOPLE WHO ARE ALR IN A TIGHT SPOT, A LOT OF - WORKING FAMILIES, PEOPLE W DISABILITIES, SENIOR CITIZ AND AN EVEN MORE UNCERTAIN VULNERABLE POSITION.

>> Reporter: COMPLICATING MATTERS FOR MARXIST CHOICE MARKETPLACE, THE USDA ALSO DELIVERED AN EXTRA 1600 PO OF PORK LAST WEEK.

AS PART OF THE FEDERAL TAR MITIGATION PROGRAM, TO HEL FARMERS HURT BY FOREIGN TERRORISTS ON THEIR PRODUC MARTHA'S CHOICE HAD TO FIN REFRIGERATION BASE FOR THE WITH LITTLE NOTICE.

WHICH WALSH SAYS COMPOUNDE SENSE OF CONFUSION AND STR >> WE CERTAINLY WANT TO MA BEST USE OF THE SURPRISE RESOURCES THAT CAME TO US 40 HOURS NOTICE.

BUT CONSISTENCY AND PROACT THIS WOULD BE HELPFUL.

>> Reporter: ONE CONSTANT DOES SAY REMAINS, HOWEVER, THE NEED IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND THEIR DETERMINATION TO HELP.

>> ONE OF THE MOST IMPACTF THINGS THAT GOES ON HERE, THE, ARE THE RELATIONSHIPS ARE BUILT BETWEEN MEMBERS THIS COMMUNITY AT MONTGOME COUNTY.

>> Reporter: IN NORRISTOWN PENNSYLVANIA, I AM HARRI L FOR PBS 39 NEWS TONIGHT .

>>> WITH THIS YEAR'S MARTI LUTHER KING SERVICE HILL T PAST WEEKEND, IT IS IMPORT TO REMEMBER, THAT VOLUNTEE IS NEEDED YEAR-ROUND.

HERE IN BROOKS COUNTY, AT AREA AGENCY ON AGING, THEY STILL SEEKING VOLUNTEERS T HELP SUPPORT THE VARIETY O SERVICES THAT THEY PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY ON A REGULAR BASIS.

>>> THE AREA AGENCY ON AGI WORKS TO SUPPORT BUCKS COU RESIDENTS OVER THE AGE OF HELPING THEM LEAD HEALTHY, ACTIVE LIVES.

AND SUPPORT IN LIVING INDEPENDENTLY.

BUT, THEY DO SO MUCH MORE.

THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROGR THE AGENCY ORGANIZES MORE 450 VOLUNTEERS A YEAR.

AND LAST YEAR, THERE VOLUN PROVIDED MORE THAN 63,000 OF SERVICE TO THE COUNTY.

BUT, THAT IS SIMPLY NOT EN >> THERE IS ALWAYS A NEED VOLUNTEERS.

IN MANY ASPECTS.

BECAUSE PROGRAMS CHANGE.

PROGRAMS COME.

PROGRAMS GO.

FUNDING CHANGES.

SO THEREFORE, NEW PROGRAMS BEGIN.

SOMETIMES, YOU DO GET VOLUNTEERS THAT ACTUALLY R. AND, THE VOID IS LEFT THER THAT IF THE NEED CHANGES A YOU ARE USED TO HAVING SOM WITHIN THAT POSITION, BUT YOU HAVE GOT TO REFILL IT.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP TH NUMBERS WHERE THEY ARE.

TO MAINTAIN THE CONTRIBUTI THAT WE DO IN THE COMMUNIT >> VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED A AREA AGENCY ON AGING, TO SUPPORT A WIDE VARIETY OF PROGRAMS.

FRM TUTORING SCHOOLCHILDRE THE UPRISE PROGRAM, WHICH WITH SENIORS THROUGHOUT FO COUNTY TO HELP THEM NAVIGA COMPLICATED MEDICAREAND HEALTHCARE ISSUES.

>> THE UPRISE MEDICARE VOLUNTEER COUNSELORS HELP PEOPLE TO DECIDE WHICH SPE MEDICARE PROGRAMS MEET THE OWN PERSONAL MEDICAL NEEDS >> THE AGENCY ON AGING PRO MANY SERVICES.

FROM THE ANNUAL SENIOR GAM SPORTING EVENTS, TO VISITI LOCAL SCHOOLS, WHICH ALL VOLUNTEERS SAID, IS SOME O MOST REWARDING WORK THEY H EVER DONE.

>> I ENJOY THE KIDS, AND I KEEPS ME BUSY.

IT GIVES ME REASON TO HAVE SOMEONE AGO.

>> Reporter: THE AGENCY ON AGING ALSO HAS A GROUP AFFECTIONATELY CALLED THE BUNCH, THAT WORK AS MENTOR AREA SCHOOLCHILDREN.

BUT THERE IS A WIDE VARIET OPTIONS FOR THOSE WHO WANT VOLUNTEER.

>> WE SEE THE MATURE AND CHANGE.

OVER THE YEARS.

THE SAME CHILDREN COME BAC AND THEY KNOW US.

THEY WILL SEE US ON THE ST AND GIVE US A HUG.

INTRODUCES TO THEIR PARENT AND THAT MAKES YOU FEEL GO >> I WAS RAISED BY MY FAMI TO GIVE BACK.

TO MY COMMUNITY.

AND I THINK THERE WAS A TI PERIOD, AND MAYBE IT IS ST TRUE, WHEN PEOPLE WERE SO CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING, RECEIVING, GETTING AS MUCH THEY COULD.

THAT RUNS COUNTER TO THE W WAS BROUGHT UP.

I WAS BROUGHT UP TO, YOU G BACK.

AS MUCH AS YOU CAN.

>> IT'S JUST AN OPPORTUNIT IT'S NOT ABOUT CHASING DOL BUT IT'S ABOUT TRYING TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO PEOPLE AND OF ALL THE THINGS THAT HAVE DONE IN MY LIFE, CAREERWISE, THIS, HONESTLY BEEN THE MOST MEANINGFUL.

>> IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT HOW TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE BUCKS CO AGENCY FOR AGING, VISIT BU COUNTY'S WEBSITE@BUCKSCOUNTY.ORG FO MORE INFORMATION.

FROM PENNSYLVANIA, I AM HA NIVEN FROM TRENTON.

>>> -- PBS 39 NEWS TONIGHT >>> HEALTH AND WELLNESS C IS ABOUT TO CUT THE CORD O LARGE PART OF ITS POWER SU THE HEALTH COMPLEX OFFERED IN CLINTON TOWNSHIP HAS PARTNERED WITH TWO ENERGY- RELATED BUSINESSES TO BUIL 1.9 MEGAWATT SOLAR FIELD T WAS TO EMPOWER THE FACILIT MOST OF THE DAY.

AS PART OF THE DEAL, HUNDR OF HEALTHCARE WAS NOT REQU TO PAY UPFRONT COSTS TO IN THE SYSTEM.

IT WILL BUY POWER GENERATE THE SOLAR FIELD UNDER A 20 CONTRACT THAT THE COMPANIE WILL SAVE THE HEALTH FACIL AS MUCH AS $4 MILLION.

HAD CONTINUED TO PAY TRADITIONAL UTILITY RATES - TIME.

WHEN TAMARA CAMPANELLA, TH ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR AT HEALTH AND WELLNESS FIRST THE IDEA SHE SAID SHE WAS INTERESTED.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SAVING MONEY IS A GOOD THI ESPECIALLY WHEN WE WORK FO NOT-FOR-PROFIT HOSPITAL SY LIKE HUNDRED 10.

IN ADDITION, THE BUILDING ITSELF THAT THIS IS HELPIN SUPPORT IS NEARLY 100,000 SQUARE FEET WITH MULTIPLE PRACTICES, AND BUSINESSES THIS CAMPUS, THE CLINTON H CAMPUS, IT WILL GO A LONG IN HELPING TO OFFSET SOME OUR EXPENSES IN ORDER THAT CAN REINVEST ANOTHER PROGR >> Reporter: THE HEALTH AN WELLNESS CENTER FOCUSES ON DISEASE MANAGEMENT AND HEA ENHANCEMENT.

IT OFFERS PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAMS, AND AQUATIC AREA WORKING CLASSES, AND OTHER -- HEALTH RELATED CLASSES.

JOHN KILLIAN OF EASY ENERG FIRST REACHED OUT TO HUNTE HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER ABOUT SAVING MONEY ON ITS UTILITY COSTS.

>> I CONTACTED THEM AND MENTIONED TO THEM THE SAVI THAT COULD BE INVOLVED.

BECAUSE, NATURALLY, A HOSP AND THEIR ASSOCIATED FACIL USE AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT O POWER.

SO, WHEN I TOLD THEM HOW SUCCESSFUL WE WERE WITH OT COMMERCIAL ACCOUNTS, THEY VERY INTERESTED.

BYE AS PART OF THE DEAL, HUNTERTON HEALTH CARE WAS REQUIRED TO SIGN A POWER PURCHASE AGREEMNT.

THAT ALLOWS THE WELLNESS C TO PAY FOR ONLY THE POWER SYSTEMS PRODUCE AT AN ELEC RATE AT THE COMPANY SAYS - LOCAL UTILITY COMPANY.

EXACT TERMS WERE NOT DISCL THE HEALTH COMPLEX IS NOT CUTTING THE CORD WITH JCP ENTIRELY.

IT WILL CONTINUE TO RELY O COMPANY FOR POWER AND OFF- AREAS.

BUT THE SOLAR FIELDS COVER MORE THAN SIX ACRES WILL S THE LION'S SHARE OF ELECTRICITY.

EASY ENERGY PRESIDENT JAME BROWN SAID HE WAS DELIGHTE THAT THE PARTIES CAN REACH DEAL.

>> EASY ENERGY IS THE BUIL SO WE ARE ENGINEERING, PROCUREMENT AND CONSTRUCTI COMPANY.

EPC.

SO WE BUILT THE SYSTEM.

NG, NORTH AMERICA PAID US BUILD THE SYSTEM.

AND SO, ROUGHLY A $4 MILLI INVESTMENT THEY MADE HERE THE HOSPITAL.

>> Reporter: TO GIVE AN ID THE POWER CAPABLE OF BEING GENERATED, 1.9 MEGAWATTS I EQUIVALENT OF ENOUGH JUICE POWER 280 HOMES PER YEAR.

THE SOLAR POWER SYSTEM INC SOLAR ENERGY MONITORING TH PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FO CUSTOMERS, STAFFERS AND TH COMMUNITY TO LEARN FIRSTHA ABOUT SOLAR ENERGY.

THEY COULD SEE HOW MUCH PO IS BEING GENERATED THROUGH OFF-SITE DISPLAY AND MONIT SYSTEM.

WITH ALL OF THE PROJECTS ELEMENTS COMBINED, THE SYS IS EXPECTED TO PREVENT -- GREENHOUSE GASES FROM ENTE MR.

ACCORDING TO THE COMPA THE SOLAR PANELS IN YOUR W GENERATE THE EQUIVALENT OF POWER PRODUCED THERE MORE 200,000 GALLONS OF GASOLIN >> AS YOU KNOW, SOLAR IS A GREEN ENERGY.

CAPABILITY.

SO NOT ONLY ARE WE SAVING FOR THE HOSPITAL, BUT NOW, THEIR CARBON FOOTPRINT IS REDUCED, AND THAT THEY ARE LONGER USING A FOSSIL FUEL ENERGY TO PROVIDE ELECTRIC TO THE BUILDING.

SO, THESE SYSTEMS PROVIDE ENERGY, AND THE BENEFITS T ENVIRONMENT FOR THAT.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW, TH SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM IS TUR ON IN TESTING.

IT IS EXPECTED TO BE FULLY OPERATIONAL BY FEBRUARY 1.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, NEW JERS ERIC ANDREWS, PBS 39 NEWS TONIGHT.

>>> THE BUCKS COUNTY SPCA SEEKING HOMES FOR A WIDE VARIETY OF ANIMALS AFTER A UNUSUALLY BUSY JANUARY.

THIS MONTH, THE ANIMAL SHE IS SEEKING HOMES FOR CATS, RABBITS, AND SOME COWS.

>> WE HAVE HAD AN UNUSUALL BUSY FIRST THREE WEEKS OF JANUARY WITH THREE CASES ALREADY.

WHICH IS WHY WE ARE REALLY PUTTING OUT THE REQUEST TO COMMUNITY FOR HELP.

>> Reporter: THE SPCA RECE RECEIVED 30 RABBITS THAT W SEIZED FROM THE HOME AND L MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP LAST WE OFFICIALS SAID THAT THE RA WERE FOUND IN UNSANITARY CONDITIONS.

AND AS THE TEMPERATURE DRO THIS WEEK, THE SHELTER THE WERE KEPT IN ON THE PROPER WAS NOT SUFFICIENT FOR THE ENDURE THE FREEZING TEMPERATURES.

>> SOME OF THEM WERE IN ME WIRE CAGES, AND HAD NOWHER HIDE OR TO BE PROTECTED FR THE WIND, THE COLD, ANY SL SO, THEY WERE NOT REAL CLE CONDITIONS, AND THEY WEREN PROPERLY SHELTER.

THIS PERSON, WE HAD ACTUAL TAKEN 20 RABBITS FROM THEM IN 2014.

AND THEY HAVE SOME OTHER CHARGES FROM NEW JERSEY PENDING.

SO, THIS IS A CHRONIC SITU THAT WE HAVE BEEN TRYING T RECTIFIED.

AND, JUST REMAINED A PROBL AND IT BECAME A REAL IMMIN CONCERN FOR THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS.

>> Reporter: THESE RABBITS JUST A SAMPLING OF SOME OF MANY ANIMALS THAT THE BUCK COUNTY SPCA HAS TAKEN AN T MONTH ALONE.

>> IT BEGAN WITH 34 CATS T WE RESCUED FROM A HOARDING SITUATION, WHERE PEOPLE HA JUST GOTTEN IN OVER WHAT T COULD MANAGE.

WE HAVE ALSO BROUGHT INTO HORSES THAT WERE VERY UNDERWEIGHT.

THEY COME TO NEAR STARVING SITUATION.

AND NOW, THE 30 RABBITS.

WE HAVE A BUSY DECEMBER.

WE HAVE JUST HAD A LOT IN SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.

>> Reporter: THE BUCKS COU SPCA CURRENTLY HOUSES MORE 200 ANIMALS.

THAT INCLUDES 37 CATS THA WERE TAKEN IN A RECENT SEI 30 BUNNIES, EIGHT COWS, TW HORSES, AND ONE PIG.

>> WE LEARNED ABOUT THE CO BECAUSE PEOPLE IN THE COMM WERE AWARE OF THEIR CONDIT AND THEY WERE LIVING IN RE POOR CONDITIONS.

THEY WERE NOT WELL FED.

THEIR STALLS WERE REALLY UNCLEAN.

THEY WERE LIVING IN THEIR WAYS.

THEY WERE VERY SICK.

AND SO, AFTER MULTIPLE ATT TO GET THE OWNER TO CORREC SITUATION, AND IT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL, WE REMOVED T COWS AND BROUGHT THEM HERE THE SAFETY OF OUR BARN, WH THEY HAVE GOTTEN EXCELLENT VETERINARY CARE.

AND NOW, 6 OF THE 8 ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR PLACEMENT.

WE WOULD LOVE TO FIND AN A SANCTUARY, OR A SMALL LOCA FARM THAT WOULD BE WILLING TAKE TWO OR THREE OR ALL O THESE COWS.

WE REALLY NEED THE COMMUNI HELP FINDING GOOD PLACEMEN THESE COWS.

BECAUSE, IT IS EXPENSIVE A TAXING FOR OUR STAFF TO DO OVER THE LONG HAUL.

>> Reporter: THE SPCA ALSO A FRIENDLY PIG NAMED BEBOP WILL SOON BE UP FOR ADOPTI HE HAS BEEN AT THE SHELTER SINCE LAST SUMMER.

AND HE IS TRAINED, AND CAN DO TRICKS.

>> HE ACTUALLY IS UNDERGOI LITTLE MEDICAL TREATMENT A WELL.

THAT SHOULD WRAP UP IN ABO ANOTHER WEEK.

HE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION.

>> Reporter: THE BUCKS COU SPCA HAS TWO LOCATIONS.

AND THEY MAKE ADOPTIONS FR BOTH.

JUST LIKE BEBOP, MOST OF T ANIMALS RECEIVED THIS MON ARE STILL GOING UNDERGOING MEDICAL TREATMENT.

OFFICIALS SAY MANY OF THE RABBITS CAME IN WHAT I ISS OR EAR MITES.

WHILE SOME OF THE CATS HAV UPPER RESPIRATORY AND FENN ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE THEY CAN PUT UP FOR ADOPTION.

THE MEDICAL TEAMS AT THE S HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVE ANIMAL HAS A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH.

AFTER THAT, KELLY SAID, AL THE ANIMALS WOULD MAKE GRE PETS.

>> ALL OF OUR ANIMALS COME WITH THE HELP OF A GREAT VETERINARY TEAM.

THEY MAKE SURE THEY GET WH THEY NEED SO THEY ARE READ BE ADOPTED AND TAKEN HOME SAME DAY.

>> RABBITS ARE GREAT INDOO PETS.

THEY CAN BE LITTER BOX TRA SOME PEOPLE HANG OUT AND W TV WITH THE RABBIT ON THE THEY CAN BE GREAT INDOOR P RABBIT IS BEING KEPT OUTSI IT NEEDS TO HAVE A PROPER OF HUTCH.

SOMEWHERE THEY CAN HIDE.

SOMEWHERE THEY CAN BE WARM THEY ARE A PREY SPECIES.

IF THEY ARE JUST LEFT EXPO IT CAN BE REALLY STRESSFUL THEM, AND REALLY UNHEALTHY THEM.

>> WAS SOME OF THE CATS AN RABBITS THAT WERE RECENTLY TAKEN INTO THE BUCKS COUNT SPCA'S CARE ARE ARE STILL UNDERGOING MEDICAL TREATME MANY ARE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HO CAN ADOPT, VISIT THE BUCKS COUNTY SPCA'S WEBSITE AT B SPCA.ORG.

FROM QUAKERTOWN PENNSYLVAN AM HAYDEN NEWMAN, PBS 39 N TONIGHT.

>>> THE STAGE HAS BEEN SE 100 COMMUNITIES TO COMBAT PROBLEM THAT HAS ONLY GROW THE YEAR.

THE EVER INCREASING WHITE TAILED DEER POPULATION.

OFFICIALS IN CLINTON TOWNS HELD A PUBLIC HEARING RECE TO LAY OUT THEIR PLAN FOR úAUTHORIZE HUNTS TO TRIM T HERD.

THEY SAY THE DEER HAVE BEC SO PREVALENT, THAT THEY AR SAFETY HAZARD ON ROADS.

THEY HAVE DESTROYED UNDERG IN FOREST, ULTIMATELY PREVENTING NEW GROWTH TO REPLACE OLDER TREES AS A D >> THIS TOWNSHIP IS A FAIR LARGE TOWNSHIP.

AND I GOT INVOLVED ABOUT A AGO AND TALK TO SOME OF TH PEOPLE.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT TOWNSPEOPLE WERE BRINGING WAS THAT THE DEER WERE SO THE DEER POPULATION IS SO PROFUSE YEAR, THAT THEY WE NOTICING THAT THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF DAMAG THE FORESTS.

SO I ASKED THE PEOPLE AND TO SOME SEMINARS AND FOUND THAT IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM, IT IS NOT JUST A VISUAL LO IT IS ACTUALLY TO THE POIN WHERE IT IS THREATENING TH WELFARE OF THE FOREST.

>> Reporter: SHAW SAID, NE JERSEY STATE -- POPULATION NOT MORE THAN 10-15 DEER P SQUARE MILE.

IT IS ESTIMATED CLINTON TOWNSHIP, WHICH HAS ABOUT 13,000 RESIDENTS, HAS AS M 50-60 DEER PER SQUARE MILE THAT IS UPWARD OF 2000.

SHAW SAID THAT ALSO CREATE SAFETY HAZARDS FOR DRIVERS IN 2016, THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATI REPORTED THAT 6525 DEER CARCASSES WERE COLLECTED F ROADS ON WHICH IT HAS JURISDICTION.

MORE THAN 900 WERE KILLED HUNTERDON COUNTY ALONE.

MAKING IT THE SECOND HIGHE NEW JERSEY BEHIND MONMOUTH COUNTY.

>> BOTH I AND MY WIFE HAVE SIGNIFICANT DEER COLLISION WITH OUR CARS.

OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

AND, IN THOSE CASES, IT WA JUST UNAVOIDABLE.

THERE WAS JUST, A MATTER O TIME BEFORE YOU HAVE THEM.

WE HAVE HAD QUITE A BIT OF DAMAGE IN ONE OF THE ACCID NOBODY WAS HURT.

BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN A P BAD ACCIDENT.

>> Reporter: LESTER DC WAS CLINTON TOWNSHIP AND ALSO SUPPORTS THE NEED TO CONTR THE DEER POPULATION.

>> I HAVE LIVED IN THIS AR SOME YEARS, AND IN THE LAS THINK I HAVE HAD 4 DEAR ACCIDENTS.

AND, IN THE LAST TWO YEARS HAVE CONTRACTED LYME DISEA THREE TIMES, AND I AM CURR ON ANTIBIOTICS RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE OF A FLAREUP OF TH LYME DISEASE.

AND IT IS PARTIALLY THROUG DEER AND THE CYCLE OF GOIN THROUGH THE DEER.

>> Reporter: BOTH BELIEVE HAVING TARGETED HUNTS WILL BRING THE NUMBER OF DEER D TO A LEVEL THAT CAN BE MAN SHAW SAID THE FIRST STEP W BE TO CONDUCT STUDIES TO DETERMINE THE TRUE POPULAT OF DEER IN THE TOWNSHIP.

>> AND SO, THE FIRST THING ARE DOING, IS, WE ARE GOIN PUT IN PLACE A MEASURING PROGRAM.

AND THEN, THIS COMING FALL ARE GOING TO START A HUNTI PROGRAM ON THE TOWNSHIP'S SPACE PROPERTIES.

ON SOME OF THEM.

TO WEAR, SELECTED HUNTERS, HAVE VERY STRONG TRACK REC AND ARE SELECTED, ARE GOIN GO OUT ON SOME OF THE OPEN SPACE PROPERTIES, AND COAL DEER.

WE WILL BE TRACKING THE PERFORMANCES OF THESE HUNT AND, TRACK TO MAKE SURE TH ARE GETTING A GOOD REDUCTI THE DEER POPULATION ON THO >> THEY SAID THAT BY LOWER THE NUMBER OF DEER, THE FO UNDERGROWTH CAN REGENERATE ITSELF AND 10-15 YEARS.

>> WE ARE NOT TRYING TO GE OF YOUR.

DEER AND ALL THE ANIMALS A VALUABLE RESOURCE.

WE ARE TRYING TO GET THING BACK INTO BALANCE AGAIN.

150 YEARS AGO, THERE WAS PROBABLY NO DEER IN NEW JE THEY WERE INTRODUCED AROUN 1900.

AND THE POPULATION HAS EXPLODED.

>> Reporter: DC SAID ONE O REASONS THE NUMBERS ARE SO HIGH, IS THERE ARE FEW NAT PREDATORS IN HUNTERDON COU TO LIMIT POPULATION GROWTH WITH DEER THAT ARE TAKEN I SPECIAL HAND, THE TOWNSHIP PLANS TO DONATE MEET HUNTE HELPING THE HUNGRY.

NONPROFIT THAT WORKS WITH BANK THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

LAST YEAR HUNTERS DONATED THAN 800 DEER, SUPPLYING 1 POUNDS OF VENISON AND 124, MEALS, ACCORDING TO THE ST IN CLINTON TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY, ERICA ANDREWS, PB NEWS TONIGHT.

>>> THIS WAS A VERY COLD N RAIN AND SLEET.

WHEN SHEWAS PUSHED OUT OF CAR, SHE WAS BASICALLY ON OWN.

AND LUCKILY, SOMEBODY SPOT IT, NOTIFY THE POLICE, THE POLICE RESPONDED RIGHT AWA CALLED US TO HELP.

>> THIS IS WHAT BABY GIRL LOOKED LIKE WHEN SHE WAS BROUGHT TO THE CARBON COUN ANIMAL SHELTER LAST MONTH.

ACCORDING TO POLICE, SHE W DROPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE EAST ABBOTT STREET IN LANS >> SHE WAS VERY UNDERWEIGH RIBS WERE SHOWING.

BUT BESIDES THAT, SHE WAS A LOVING DOG, ALMOST RIGHT THE START.

>> YOU ADOPT A PET, ESPECI AT.COM YOU'RE TALKING 8, 1 12, 15 YEAR COMMITMENT.

FOOD, MEDICAL EXPENSES, LICENSING, CARE EVERYDAY.

AND THAT IS THE HUGE PROBL ARE DEALING WITH IN THIS A >> Reporter: CARBON COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER DIRECTOR, T CONNORS, SAYS ANIMAL ABUSE BIG PROBLEM IN CARBON COUN >> MY PROBLEM IS THAT WE F LOT OF DOGS WHO ARE LEFT B IN HOMES WHEN THE TENANTS OUT.

AND TWO MONTHS AGO, WE HAD THREE DOGS IN OUR SHELTER WERE IN THAT SITUATION.

SO, THE PROBLEM COMES WITH LAWS.

THEY HAVE TO BE STRICT ENO AND THEY HAVE TO BE ENFORC AND WITHOUT THAT, IT IS NE GOING TO CHANGE UNTIL THEY HANDCUFFS ON SOMEONE AND PROSECUTE THEM.

THIS IS NOT GOING TO CHANG >> Reporter: LANSFORD POLI ARE NOW OFFERING A $500 RE TO ANYONE WITH INFORMATION LEADS TO PROSECUTION IN TH CASE.

LANSFORD POLICE CHIEF, JAC BARRICK, SAYS OFFICIALS AR CREATING A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.

>> HOPEFULLY, THERE IS A G STARTED HERE IN LANSFORD F DOGS AND CATS, THAT WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO START A FO THANKS FOR THE DOG THAT PE CAN'T AFFORD TO FEED THE D HELPING TO SHELTER FOSTER, REHOME THEM, BUT IF WE CAN WE HAVE GOT TO GET THIS UN CONTROL.

>> Reporter: AS FOR BABY G A RETRIEVER MIX, HER STORY A HAPPY ENDING.

WHEN THE ANIMAL SHELTER PO HER PICTURE ON FACEBOOK, I STIRRED UP A LOT OF ATTENT PEOPLE FROM AS FAR AS GETTYSBURG CALLED THE ANIM SHELTER TO CONTRIBUTE TO H MEDICAL EXPENSES.

BUT AFTER THREE WEEKS OF R AT THE SHELTER, SHE HAS BE ADOPTED BY OFFICER AMY BAR ONE OF THE LANSFORD POLICE OFFICERS THAT SAVED HER ON COLD DECEMBER NIGHT.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS FANTAS I WORK WITH A LOT OF POLIC DEPARTMENTS, ALL OF THEM THROUGHOUT CARBON COUNTY.

THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME TH OFFICER ACTUALLY ADOPTED O OUR DOGS THAT WE HELPED SA TOGETHER.

SO, I THOUGHT IT WAS A GRE THING.

I KNOW SHE'S GOING TO BE A GREAT MOM TO THAT DOG.

AND THAT DOG COULD NOT HAV WENT TO A BETTER HOME.

>> Reporter: IF YOU HAVE A INFORMATION ON WHO MAY HAV DROPPED THIS DOG, YOU ARE TO CALL LANSFORD POLICE.

IN LANSFORD, PENNSYLVANIA, HALEY O'BRIEN.

PBS 39 NEWS TONIGHT .

>>> ANSWERING THE CALL FOR SERVICE IS BECOMING A LOT DIFFICULT, AND EXPENSIVE T DAYS FOR THE PHILLIPSBURG EMERGENCY SQUAD.

STAFF THAT IS 90% VOLUNTEE WITH 10 PAID MEMBERS.

THIS SQUAD RESPONDED TO A RECORD 3498 CALLS IN 2018.

134 OF THOSE, RELATED TO OVERDOSES.

THAT WAS THE HIGHEST NUMBE OVERDOSE CALL THEY HAVE EV GOTTEN IN ONE YEAR.

>> THIS CAUSER A CONCERN T BECAUSE, I WAS BORN AND RA YOU.

SO I KNOW WHAT -- IS ALL A IT CONCERNS ME HOW BAD IT BECOME, THE EPIDEMIC, ACRO THE COUNTRY.

BEING IN YOUR OWN HOMETOWN HOW SMALL PHILLIPSBURG IS, IS CONCERNING TO ME, WE AR GETTING MORE AND MORE THES CALLS BECOME RIGID BUT THE HIGHER NUMBER OF CALLS COM HIGHER RISK SITUATIONS.

>> ONSET CONDITIONS ARE BASICALLY FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ASSAULT CALLS, SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE P DEPARTMENT.

SOMETIMES WE DO HAVE PATIE WHO FIGHT THE EMS AGENTS I BACK OF THE AMBULANCE IS.

GOING ON MORE OVERDOSE CAL AND WE HAVE EVER DONE BEFO ESPECIALLY IN 2018.

SOME INSTANCES, WE WILL GE THEM BACK TO CONSCIOUS AND THEY ARE ACTUALLY FIGHTING BECAUSE WE TOOK THE HIGHWA SO THERE WAS A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES OF THAT AT THE TH THE POLICE HAD TO GET INVO IN.

ALMOST PUT THEM IN HANDCUF THAT THEY WERE UNCONSCIOUS WE GO INTO SITUATIONS WHER THERE ARE NEEDLES ON THE F THE NUMBERS YOU HAVE GOT T CAREFUL OF, THAT HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS.

SOME OF THESE PLACES, THES HOUSES YOU GO INTO, HAVE A OF BEDBUG PROBLEMS, THAT MEMBERS HAVE TO WALK INTO DON'T KNOW ABOUT.

>> Reporter: ALL OF THAT H TAKEN A TOLL ON MEMBERSHIP SQUAD THAT ONCE SAW AN AVE OF 1000-1200 CALLS ANNUALL IN NEED OF MORE WORKERS.

BUT, LEE SAYS, IT IS NOT E TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN VOLUNTEERS.

>> GETTING YOUR EMT CERTIFICATION IS NOT EASY.

IT IS 190 HOURS THAT YOU H TO DO.

IT IS EQUIVALENT TO 6 COLL CREDITS.

HARD TO GET A TRAINED EMT VOLUNTEER.

YOU HAVE TO START FROM SCR WILL FIND SOMEBODY, TRYING MY FOR STATE AND CPR, THEY DESCENDED TO EMT CLASS WHI CAN TAKE UP TO SIX MONTHS.

THAT ONE PERSON CAN TAKE E MONTHS TO BECOME AN EMT.

>> WE HAD A SHARP DECLINE AGO.

WE GOT IT BACK.

AND THEN, IT IS KIND OF GO DOWN AGAIN, BECAUSE OF HOW THE PHILLIPSBURG MERCHANT IS.

BECAUSE OF THE TRAINING YO HAVE TO HAVE AS ANY EMPTY.

THERE'S A LOT THAT GOES IN IT.

AND YOU ARE HERE 12 HOURS DAY.

WE ARE STAFFED 24/7.

THE VOLUNTEERS ACTUALLY SL OVER EVERY NIGHT ACROSS TH STREET IN A BUNKER.

TO ENSURE FASTER RESPONSE >> Reporter: THAT'S WHY LE SAYS HE IS AFRAID THE SQUA WILL HAVE TO BECOME A FULL PAID STAFF.

SO THAT THERE CAN BE ENOUG SQUAD MEMBERS WHO CAN STAR RIGHT AWAY.

BUT, THERE IS A CATCH.

A CATCH 22, THAT IS.

>> BECAUSE, WE HAD TO HIRE EMTS, IT IS --.

LOOKING AT PAYROLL THIS YE PROBABLY GOING TO DOUBLE COMPARED TO LAST YOU.

UNLESS WE REALLY DO RESEAR AND TRY TO ATTRACT MORE VOLUNTEERS PEOPLE.

THE TOWN OF -- PAY FOR VEH INSURANCE.

AND, ALPHA BURRELL GIVES U $50,000.

AND -- COUNTY GIVES US 50, DOLLARS.

>> Reporter: THAT IS STILL ENOUGH FOR THE SMALL CHANC >> -- WE DON'T GO TO COLLECTIONS WITH ANY RESID SO, IF YOU GET A $600 BILL YOUR INSURANCE PAYS THE MAJORITY OF IT IN YOUR CO- LET'S SAY, IS $200 OR $400 WRITE THAT OFF IN BAD DEBT >> RE-SAYS THE PHILLIPSBUR WROTE OFF $800,000 IN BAD LAST YEAR.

MONEY IT DID NOT GET, AND CANNOT USED TO FUND OPERAT TO TRY TO RECOVER SOME OF LOSSES, THE PHILLIPSBURG EMERGENCY SQUAD BECAME STA CERTIFIED IN BOTH NEW JERS AND PENNSYLVANIA.

IT COMES WITH ITS BENEFITS >> WE ARE STARTING NEXT MO FEBRUARY 1, WE ARE GOING T START A TRANSPORT CREW.

FROM 3:00 P.M.

TO 11 A CLOCK P.M.

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY TO H OUT ST.

LUKE'S, AND POSSIB EASTON HOSPITAL HELPING WI TRANSPORTS.

THAT WILL ALL SAID SOME FU FOR US.

HOPING IT WORKS OUT FOR US CONTINUE TO PAY THE PAID S BECAUSE PAYROLL IS NOT CHE WE ALL KNOW THAT.

NEW JERSEY WILL BE $15 AN SOON AND THE EMTS HAVE TO WAY MORE THAN THAT.

WE ARE TRYING TO OFFSET OU PAYROLL WITH TRANSPORTS.

HOPEFULLY THAT WILL HELP U OUT.

>> Reporter: BUT IT ALSO C WITH ITS COSTS.

>> THAT WERE STATE CERTIFI THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY AN ACTUALLY THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, WE HAVE TO H THEM TO EMTS ON A TRUCK.

THAT KIND OF TOOK A TOLL O BY TAKING THAT PERSON WHO NOT 100% QUALIFIED AS AN E BUT CAN HELP TO FIRST AID CPR.

NOW WE HAVE TO HAVE 2 TRAI TO FULLY TRAINED EMTS ON A TRUCK.

MAGICALLY SAYS HE HAS A CO- EFFECTIVE SOLUTION TO THIS GIANT CATCH-22.

AND HE WANTS OFFICIALS TO NOTE.

>> EMERGENCY SQUADS JUST S TO MERGE, TO MAKE ONE BIG INSTEAD OF MULTIPLE LITTLE TEAMS.

BECAUSE THERE IS SOME SPOT WARREN COUNTY WHERE THE SQ CAN'T GET OUT TO THE CALL.

BY THE TIME YOU GO THROUGH CHANNELS, YOU COULD BE WAI 20 MINUTES FOR AN AMBULANC >> Reporter: FOR NOW, LEE HE AT LEAST WANTS WARREN C RESIDENTS TO BE AWARE OF T GROWING EMS CRISIS.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING OUT AND SERVING WI THE PHILLIPSBURG EMERGENCY SQUAD, YOU CAN FIND OUT MO WWW.PHILLIPSBURG.EMS.ORG.

IN PHILLIPSBURG NEW JERSEY AM KARISHMA DESAI, PBS 39 TONIGHT.

>>> LATER ON, >> FROM SITTING BEHIND BAR A NORTH CAMPTON COUNTY JAI TRAVELING THE COUNTRY AS A STANDUP COMEDIAN.

ONE EASTON RESIDENT HAS PERSEVERED THROUGH RECOVER WHILE MAKING PEOPLE LAUGH.

>> IF YOU CAN LAUGH AT SOMETHING, YOU CAN GET THR IT.

IT IS PART OF THE HEALING PROCESS.

AND WHEN YOU CAN'T FIND TH LAUGHTER, THAT IS USUALLY YOU ARE IN THAT DARK, DARK PLACE.

>> WHAT WE DID IS, WE MADE PART OF OUR SUCCESS EQUATI WE HIRED ABOUT 80 PEOPLE T HAVE HAD SECOND CHANCE LIG THROUGH THE PRISON SYSTEM.

>> A CHANCE TO START OVER.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THIS IN A DOWNTOWN SETTING IS G OUT TO ITS EMPLOYEES.

>>> DANIEL BEERS IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AND HUNTINGTON COUNTY HOUS AUTHORITY.

HE'S IS THE PARTIAL GOVERN SHUTDOWN IS KEEPING THE AUTHORITY SECTION 8 HOUSIN NATURAL PROGRAM IN LIBERAL >> OUR RELATING LIST IS TO LONG ALREADY.

WE ARE NOT ISSUING NEW VOU BECAUSE OF FUNDING CONSTRA WE HAVE BEEN WORKING PRETT HARD OVER THE YEARS TO BUI RESERVE, IN ORDER TO MAINT THE BUILDING'S.

WE MAKE IT THROUGH THE SHUTDOWN.

FUNDING HAS BEEN INCONSIST AND UNPREDICTABLE, AS DID BYE THE CHOICE VOUCHER PRO HELPS 550 FAMILIES TO PAY RENT AT PRIVATELY OWNED RE UNITS ACROSS THE LEHIGH VA NO NEW VOUCHERS ARE AVAILA AT THIS TIME.

>> THEY LIVE PRETTY MUCH W THE RESTRICTED INCOME.

MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR THE PAY THE RENT.

WE MAKE PAYMENTS OF ABOUT $345,000 PER MONTH.

TO BENEFIT THOSE FOLKS.

THOSE FUNDS WILL RUN OUT A WON'T BE ABLE TO MAKE THOS RENTS PAYMENT TO THE PROPE OWNERS.

>> Reporter: AS OF RIGHT N FUNDING TO THE AUTHORITY F THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF HOU AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, OR IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TH THE END OF FEBRUARY.

>> OBVIOUSLY, IT COULD BE PROBLEM.

NOT JUST FOR THE RESIDENTS CERTAINLY FOR THE PROPERTY OWNERS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF MOM-AND-P PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE COU THEN MAYBE ON 1, 2, 3 APAR UNITS, AND THEY DEPEND ON STREAM OF INCOME TO PAY TH MORTGAGE, PAY THEIR UTILIT PAY THE TAXES.

THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

THE PEOPLE THAT WE ASSIST DEPEND ON THAT ASSISTANCE.

THEY LIVE PAYCHECK TO PAYC THE PROPERTY OWNERS DEPEND OUR ASSISTANCE FLOWING SO THEY CAN MAKE ENDS MEET.

>> Reporter: COUNTY EXECUT LA MAMA COOLER, SAYS HE IS UP WITH THE PARTIAL GOVERN SHUTDOWN.

>> OVER THE LONGER-TERM, W EXPECT THERE WILL BE A GRE MANY DISRUPTIONS OF OUR SERVICES.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HIS T IS MEETING WEEKLY TO DISCU HOW TO HANDLE THE STALEMAT WASHINGTON.

>> WE ARE CAREFULLY MONITO THE NATIONAL SITUATION, IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF THER WILL COME A TIME OR WE WIL NEED TO MOVE RESOURCES ARO >> Reporter: ANOTHER HUD SPONSORED PROGRAM HAS ALSO PUT ON HOLD.

THE BETHLEHEM EASTON NORTHN COUNTY LED COALITION, OR B WHICH REMOVES PAINT HAZARD WITH CHILDREN LIVING IN TH NO COST TO THE HOMEOWNER.

POISONING FROM LEAD PAINT CAUSE BRAIN DEVELOPMENT IS IN CHILDREN.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, T RENTS ARE BEING DELAYED.

>> Reporter: NORTHAMPTON C RECEIVED $1.5 MILLION FOR LEAD REMOVAL INITIATIVE IN.

BUT McCLURE SAYS WITHOUT A EMPLOYEE TO RUN IT, NO FUN CAN BE SPENT.

FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE ST CRIMINAL ALIEN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, OR SCOUT, WAS EXP TO BE PUT ON HOLD.

BUT THE CHECK CAME IN A FE DAYS AGO.

SCAT PROVIDES FEDERAL PAYM FOR PRISONS THAT ACQUIRE ADDITIONAL >> HAS IS A DOZEN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF CRIMES WITHIN COUNTY LIES.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GET THAT MONEY OUT TO US.

>> Reporter: IN LIGHT OF T SHUTDOWN, NORTHAMPTON COUN IS OFFERING DAILY FREE HOT LUNCHES TO SENIORS AT SENI CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

>> IF THEY RUN OUT OTHER S BENEFITS, THEY CAN COME TO OF OUR SENIOR CENTERS THAT LOCATED THROUGHOUT NORTHAM COUNTY.

AND GET THE WARM MEAL, IF NEEDED.

>> AT 34 DAYS IN COUNTY, T IS THE LONGEST SHUTDOWN IN HISTORY.

>> IT IS TIME TO GET THAT GOVERNMENT OPEN.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA, I AM BACON FRYING FROM PBS 39 N TONIGHT.

>>> THE SPRING SEMESTER B THIS WEEK AT LEHIGH CARBON COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

AND LIKE ALL OTHER COLLEGE STUDENTS, SAGE HOOKAH HAS BUY HER TEXTBOOKS.

>> CHEMISTRY, BIOLOGY, WOM STUDIES.

I HAVE A PHILOSOPHY CLASS.

>> Reporter: BUT HOOKAH IS UNLIKE THE OTHERS IN THE W SHE GOT HERE.

THE 18-YEAR-OLD IS TECHNIC A SENIOR AT JIM THORPE ARE HIGH SCHOOL.

BUT SHE IS TAKING CLASSES TRI SEEN FULL-TIME.

>> I REALIZE THAT I ONLY N ONE CREDIT GRADUATE.

AND I WAS SITTING THERE AN WAS LIKE, DO I REALLY WANT SPEND A FULL YEAR TO GET O CREDIT?

LIKE, THAT IS NOT REALLY G TO END UP BENEFITING ME.

I WILL JUST END UP TAKING OF FILLER CLASSES THAT I D REALLY CARE ABOUT.

>> Reporter: HOOKAH STARTE TAKING COLLEGE CLASSES HER JUNIOR YEAR THROUGH THE JU DUEL AROMA PROGRAM, WHICH BRINGS PROFESSORS TO THE H SCHOOL TO TEACH CLASSES FO COLLEGE CREDIT.

>> SAGE, SHE WANTED MORE.

SHE LIKED THE EXPERIENCE, LIKED ACADEMIC RIGOR OF TH COURSES.

SHE LIKED HAVING A LITTLE OF ABILITY TO PICK SOME OT THINGS.

SO SHE STARTED EXPRESSING INTEREST IN TAKING THINGS THE SUMMER.

AT THAT POINT IN TIME, WE WORKED ON DISCUSSING AND APPLYING TO THE HONORS COL PROGRAM.

THIS IS A COLLEGE SCHOLARS AVAILABLE TO 44 STUDENTS P YEAR.

>> Reporter: SAGE WAS ACCE INTO THE HONORS PROGRAM, A RECEIVED A FULL SCHOLARSHI EARN HER ASSOCIATES DEGREE EL TRI SEE.

SHE IS TAKING 15 CREDITS T SEMESTER AND WHEN SHE GRAD FROM JIM THORPE AREA HIGH SCHOOL IN THE SPRING, SHE HAVE 41 COLLEGE CREDITS ON TRANSCRIPT.

>> AND ASSOCIATE DEGREE AT COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS USUAL SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 60 AND 6 CREDITS.

SO, SHE HAS ABOUT A SEMEST A SEMESTER POINT AND A HAL FROM THAT DEGREE.

>> NOT ONLY DOES A DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAM HELP STUDENTS GET AHEAD WITH CO CREDIT, SAVING THEM TIME A MONEY, BUT LIVING THE COLL LIFESTYLE CAN HELP THE MAT AND SAGE SAYS, SHE IS A MU BETTER LEARNER IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.

>> IT PUSHES ME A LOT HARD I THINK THAT THE STUDENT- TEACHER RELATIONSHIP IS A BETTER.

THAN IT IS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: YES, THEY SAV TIME.

YES, THEY SAVE MONEY.

BUT IF YOU SEE THEIR CONFI GROW, LIKE I SEE IT WILL, KNOW THAT THEY MAY HAVE CO MAYBE UNSURE, MAYBE NOT RE TO MAKE THIS MOVE, BUT BY END OF THE SEMESTER, THEY WHOLE DIFFERENT KID, MANEUVERING AROUND THE HAL AND THE L TRACY PORTAL.

>> Reporter: SAGES MOM SAY NOTICED SAGES IN A BETTER >> SHE IS SO MUCH HAPPIER.

SHE IS SO MUCH LESS GROUCH GRUMPY.

>> Reporter: AND, DIRECTOR HIGH SCHOOL CONNECTIONS, JENNIFER TUKWILA SAYS, TAK COLLEGE COURSES CAN HELP COLLEGE STUDENTS -- HIGH S STUDENTS TRY DIFFERENT CLA BEFORE COMMITTING TO COLLE AND DECLARING A MAJOR.

>> IT'S EYE-OPENING FOR STUDENTS TO SAY I THOUGHT REALLY LIKE THIS.

I'M NOT SO SURE.

BUT WAIT A MINUTE, I DID R LIKE THIS.

SO WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIK GOING FORWARD?

SO IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO OF TRY SOMETHING OUT.

AND MAYBE NOT AT $40,000 A FROM THEIR MOM AND DAD.

>> Reporter: DUAL ENROLLME L TRACY IS AVAILABLE FOR H SCHOOL STUDENTS IN LEHIGH COUNTY, CARBON COUNTY, AND PARTS OF SCHOOL COUNTY.

I HAVE ALMOST 2000 HIGH SC STUDENTS THE TAKING CLASSE TEACHER.

STUDENTS WHO ATTEND SPONSO SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAM, C TAKE CLASSES WITHOUT PAYIN FEES, AND GET A DISCOUNT O TUITION.

>> $55 PER CREDIT.

AT -- A THREE CREDIT INTRODUCTION COURSE WILL R YOU $165 TUITION PLUS THE TO BUY OR RENT A TEXTBOOK.

IT IS A VERY GOOD DEAL.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU TALK A THOSE CREDITS THEN TRANSFE INTO A FOUR-YEAR SCHOOL.

AND YOU NOT HAVING TO PAY THERE.

>> I THINK THAT, IF THE ST IS READY, AND THEY HAVE DO THE WORK, THAT THIS SHOULD BE A SIMPLE, OPEN-DOOR POL FOR ANY STUDENT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.

>> Reporter: SAGES ALREAD LOOKING AT OTHER SCHOOLS, HOPES TO BE A PHYSICIANS ASSISTANT ARE DR.

>> I ALREADY HAVE THE SKIL BE SUCCESSFUL IN A COLLEGE SETTING.

AND I WILL HAVE GOTTEN THO SKILLS WITH A LITTLE BIT M HANDHOLDING AND A LITTLE B MORE SUPPORT THAN IF I JUS WENT STRAIGHT INTO A FOUR- COLLEGE AWAY FROM HOME.

>> Reporter: SAGE SAYS SHE THANKFUL FOR HER EXPERIENC EL TRI SEE BECAUSE IT HAS HER THE CONFIDENCE TO SUCC AND SCHNECK STILL, PENNSYLVANIA, I AM HALEY O'BRIEN.

PBS 39 NEWS TONIGHT .

>>> LIZ RUSSO.

>> WHAT'S UP, EVERYBODY?

>> LIZ RUSSO'S LIFE HAS NO BEEN AN EASY ONE.

BUT THE EASTON RESIDENT AN STANDUP COMIC IS NOW MAKIN NAME DOWN.

AND THERE IS ONE THING THA SETS HER APART FROM THE RE SHE IS USING HER STRENGTH HER LONG-TERM RECOVERY FRO ALCOHOLISM TO HELP PEOPLE.

WHILE MAKING THEM LAUGH.

>> -- THAT'S AWESOME, ESPECIALLY AS A RECOVERING ALCOHOLIC.

THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A WEE >> I THINK THROUGH MY ADDICTION, AND THEN FIGHTI WAY THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE THAT, IF YOU CAN LAUGH AT SOMETHING, YOU CAN GET THR IT.

IT'S PART OF THE HEALING PROCESS.

AND, WHEN YOU CAN'T FIND T LAUGHTER, THAT IS USUALLY WHEN YOU'RE IN THAT DARK, PLACE.

I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO KIND SEE THE SUNLIGHT ON THE OT SIDE AND COME THROUGH IT.

>> Reporter: LIZ HAS BEEN COMEDY SINCE 2000.

THANKS TO AN UNCOMFORTABLE MOMENT AT A COLLEGE SHOW.

>> I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD STANDUP COMEDIAN.

BUT I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A L BIT OF A HAM.

AND I HAVE A DONE LIKE MUSICAL THEATER THROUGHOUT HIGH SCHOOL AND THAT.

THAT KIND OF STUFF.

AND THAT IN COLLEGE, I GOT INVOLVED WITH AN IMPROV GR LIKE A WHOSE LINE IS IT AN KIND OF THING.

AND THEN, I TRANSITIONED I STANDUP COMEDY, BASICALLY A HECKLER.

I HAD A HECKLER AT A COLLE SHOW THAT I DID THAT WAS IMPROVISATION.

SOMEONE CALLED ME THE FAT FROM WILSON PHILLIPS.

WHICH WAS HORRIFYING TO ME AND I WAS REALLY UPSET, BU ROLLED WITH IT AND DIDN'T IT SHOW THAT IT BOTHERED M AND I WENT BACK TO MY DORM AND I TRIED AND ATE A CAKE >> I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE.

YEAH.

>> Reporter: WITH THAT CAK CAME INSPIRATION.

>> I WROTE SOME MATERIAL T WAS A LITTLE SELF-DEPRECAT BUT ALSO, CHALLENGING HIM WHAT HE DID TO ME.

SO, I GOT UP ON STAGE WITH OF MY VERY FIRST JOKES.

AND CAME OUT SINGING HOLD FOR ONE MORE DAY WITH A BI OF DONUTS.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE HECKLER ACTUALLY CAME UP TO ME AFT THE SHOW, AND HE GOES, I R RESPECT THAT.

YOU CAN MAKE FUN OF YOURSE HE WAS LIKE, I WAS JUST TR TO BE FUNNY.

I THINK YOU'RE GREAT.

AND THEN LIKE A LITTLE LIG BULB WENT OFF, AND I WAS L OH.

THIS IS WHAT I WANTED TO P WANT TO CHALLENGE PEOPLE'S PERSPECTIVE BY USING HUMOR >> SOMETHING ELSE BUT I GI ALCOHOL.

THANK YOU FOR THE APPLAUSE SOMEONE FOR MY MEETING.

>> Reporter: NOW LIZ IS TRAVELING THE COUNTRY ON H OWN AND HOSTING SHOWS IN H OWN NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> I'M COMING UP ON MY NUM EIGHT YEARS OF SOBRIETY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND FOR MY NUMB FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY, I DECIDED TO COMEDY SHOW, AND GET BACK ORGANIZATION, ACTUALLY THE FIRST YEAR WE GET BACK TO LIVING GREEN FOUNDATION, W WAS MY REHAB DOWN AND THEN SALEM.

ALL THE COMICS ARE CLEAN A SOBER COMICS.

IT WAS SO SUCCESSFUL FOR M NUMB FIVE YEAR SOBER ANNIVERSARY, WE JUST DECID MAKE IT AN ANNUAL THING, A LONG AS I SAID STOVER.

SO THAT'S GOOD.

>> Reporter: LIZ IS HOSTIN SHOW THIS THURSDAY.

IT IS CALLED DRY HUMOR, STANDARD FOR RECOVERY.

IT WILL BE HELD AT 7:30 P. AT THE ARTS QUEST B7 EPIC COMEDIANS IN RECOVERY WILL GET PERFORMANCES.

WE HAVE PATRICK COLBERT, W A GREAT FEATURE COMIC ON T AND HE IS SOBER AS WELL.

AND THEN WE HAVE DAVE LAND OUR HEADLINER, WHO IS AMAZ HE HAS BEEN ON LAST COMIC STANDING.

AND COMEDY CENTRAL.

AND HE IS REALLY, REALLY, KNOW, BLOWING UP RIGHT NOW HE WAS ARRESTED 13 TIMES.

AND SO I ACTUALLY USED BOT OUR MUGSHOTS AND SOME OF T PROMOTIONAL STUFF.

BUT YEAH, WE HAVE SOME GRE STORIES THAT WE ARE GOING WORK INTO THE SHOW.

AND I AM REALLY EXCITED TO THEM.

>> REPORTER:, MUD SHOT, TO BEAUTIFUL HEADSHOT.

MANY HAVE FOUND INSPIRATIO LOSES STORY.

>> I SPENT A YEAR IN NORTH HAMPTON COUNTY PRISON.

ADOBE SCARE.

I FEEL VERY SAFE.

>> GOOD.

>> SO, THAT WAS SOMETHING WAS PRETTY DEVASTATING.

IT DID NOT KEEP ME SOBER W GOT OUT OF JAIL, I WENT BA DRINKING.

BECAUSE, THAT IS HOW STRON ADDICTION IS.

AND, I GOT A COUPLE OF PUB DRUNKENNESS CHARGES WHILE PAROLE, WHICH IS NOT ALLOW APPARENTLY.

AND THEY GIVE ME THE OPTIO YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO JAI AND I WAS LIKE, OR?

WHAT ARE MY OTHER OPTIONS?

AND LUCKILY ENOUGH, HE ACT SAID, IF YOU GET YOURSELF REHAB, I WILL ACCEPT THAT.

>> EAMON: YEARS LATER, LIZ STILL HAS A RELATIONSHIP W THE MAN WHO PUT HER IN HANDCUFFS.

>> ONE OF MY ARRESTING OFF WILL BE AT THE SHOW.

>> I ACTUALLY, I GIVE UP T ALCOHOL, NOT FOR THE WEIGH LOSS, I GAVE UP BECAUSE TH LEGAL SYSTEM AND I HAD A L CHAT.

>> AND HE IS ONE OF THE PE I AM REALLY HAPPY HAS BEEN OF MY JOURNEY.

WHEN HE ARRESTED ME FOR TH PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS THAT I HE WAS LIKE, I DID NOT UNDERSTAND IT.

YOU SEEMED LIKE SUCH A NIC GIRL.

YOU ARE SO FUNNY.

I AM IN HIS TOP 10 ARRESTS WHICH IS AWESOME.

GIVE ME A LITTLE STREET GR >> Reporter: AND SO, SHE K FIGHTING, AND SHE KEPT LAUGHING.

>> ON NOW THAT I'M SOBER, WILL TELL YOU SOMETHING.

BEING SOBER IS GREAT FOR O REALLY GOOD REASON.

THAT IS NOW, WHEN I HAVE T PEE, I USE THE BATHROOM.

LADIES, WHEN WE DRINK TOO AND WE HAVE TO PEE, IT CAN HAPPEN.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE IT IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THERE BATHROOM ARE NOT.

OF WALL, FRIENDS AROUND US EVERYBODY MAKE A CIRCLE.

MAKE SURE NO ONE CAN SEE M >> Reporter: ONE THING SAI HER IN THE PAST AS A FROM REMINDER, SHE IS DOING THE RIGHT THING.

>> HE SAID, WHEN I SAW YOU THE NEWSPAPER THAT YOU'RE THIS GREAT COMEDY SHOW, I RECOGNIZED YOU, AND USUALL WHEN I RECOGNIZE SOMEONE T ARRESTED IN THE NEWSPAPER, IN THE OBITUARY SECTION.

>> Reporter: YOU EVER TAKE MOMENT TO SIT BACK AND JUS REMEMBER THE MOMENTS YOU H HAD, YEARS AGO WITH YOUR ADDICTION, TO WHERE YOU AR NOW, AND JUST KIND OF THIN BLESSED YOU ARE?

>> YEAH.

YEAH.

A LOT, ACTUALLY.

ESPECIALLY HOLIDAYS AND TH LIKE THAT.

I TURNED 30 IN NORTHAMPTON COUNTY PRISON.

AND I TURNED 40 IN THE BAH FOR TWO WEEKS, TELLING JOK A COMEDY CLUB.

SO, 10 YEARS JUST MADE A DIFFERENCE.

SO THAT'S PRETTY AMAZING.

>> Reporter: IN 2019, THE IS THE LIMIT FOR LIZ RUSSO WELL, EXCEPT THE PRICE OF TICKETS.

>> WELL, I AM TRAVELING A WHICH CAN BE FUN.

BUT I'M NOT QUITE FAMOUS E FOR THE AIRFARE.

SO, I AM DRIVING TO KANSAS IOWA AND DOWN TO GEORGIA.

AND THAT WAS JUST, YOU KNO WITHIN A MONTH.

SO IT'S A LOT OF TRAVEL.

AND A LOT OF WORK AROUND I THERE IS NOTHING I WOULD R DO.

I LOVE MAKING PEOPLE LAUGH I WOULD LOVE TO BE DISCOVE ONE DAY.

IF ANYONE IS OUT THERE THA WOULD LIKE TO DISCOVER ME, WOULD BE GREAT.

>> Reporter: TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LIZ RUSSO'S JOURNEY RECOVERY TO DISCOVERY, YOU CHECK HER OUT@THELIZRUSSO.

FOR PBS 39 NEWS TONIGHT, I TRACY OSCO.

>>> THE STORIES ARE SIMILA CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> ABOUT 35 YEARS OLD, I STARTED USING DRUGS WITH M- HUSBAND.

HE WAS VERY ABUSI AND MY CHILDREN ARE GROWN.

HE WANTED TO, WELL, HE'S G TO GO GET HIGH.

AND I JUST STARTED GETTING WITH AN.

AND IT PROGRESSED.

I DIDN' EVEN LIKE IT AT FIRST.

AND IT JUST PROGRESSED UNT WAS ADDICTED TO IT.

>> Reporter: KIM BOWMAN'S ADDICTION LANDED HER IN JA FOR TWO YEARS.

WHEN SHE GOT OUT, SHE TURN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY FOR EMPLOYMENT.

>> ONCE I STARTED MAKING M MONEY, NOW I'M GOING TO CR >> Reporter: NOW EIGHT YEA CLEAN, BOWMAN IS THRIVING BANQUET CAPTAIN AT THE DOUBLETREE BY HILTON IN DOWNTOWN REDDING.

>> JUST BEING HERE FOR THE TWO YEARS, I BOUGHT MY FIR HAD CARS, BUT THEY WERE, W DO YOU CALL JUNKER CARS?

$1000 HERE.

UP ON THE WENT TO THE TOYO PLACE AND GOT A HYUNDAI SO 2007, BUT IT'S A BEAUTIFUL >> Reporter: SHE SAYS SHE BEEN GIVEN THE TOOLS TO SU -- TO THRIVE THANKS TO GEN MANAGER, GRATFUL.

>> I WAS TOLD BY MY BOSS, WILL COME AROUND THAT HE L TO PEOPLE.

WHEN HE HAD ME THE FIRST T I WAS THINKING, THIS MUST WHO I'M TALKING ABOUT.

>> POOL IS THE DRIVING FOR BEHIND THE PENN STREET BUSINESSES SUCCESS, AS HE WORKED IN MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES FOR MORE THAN YEARS.

>> THIS HOTEL WAS BUILT BY ALBERT BOSS COUGH, IT WAS DREAM TO BUILD A HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN REDDING IN A MARGINALIZED CITY.

HE USED THIS HOTEL IS A CATALYST OF CHANGE.

FOR A CITY THAT NEEDS SOME DESPERATE CHANGE.

>> Reporter: COUGH I HAVE A DREAMER, BUT POOLE, WHO ALSO PRESIDENT ARRESTED RE HOSPITALITY LLC IS THE DRE MAKER.

>> WHEN YOU'RE IN A MARGINALIZED COMMUNITY, YO HAVE PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD, POSSIBLY PRISON SENTENCES HOMELESSNESS, OR EVICTIONS THEY HAVE HAD A DIFFERENT OF LIE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS, THIS THE NUMBER 1 DOUBLETREE IN COUNTRY.

AND HE CREDITS THAT TO A BUSINESS MODEL THAT GIVES PEOPLE FROM THE SURROUNDIN NEIGHBORHOODS A JOB.

>> 200 OF THEM ARE WALK TO WORK, MEANING THEY LIVE IN DOWNTOWN REDDING.

>> Reporter: EVEN, IF THEY A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND.

>> WHAT WE DID, AS WE MADE PART OF OUR SUCCESS EQUATI WE HIRED ABOUT 80 PEOPLE T HAVE HAD SECOND CHANCE LIG THROUGH THE PRISON SYSTEM.

>> I'M HAPPY HERE.

I LOVE WORKING HERE.

IT'S NOT MANY JOBS OUT THE THAT YOU GO TO AND YOU BE YOU WAKE UP AND YOU ARE HA TO GO TO, COMPARED TO THIS PLACE.

I AM AS HAPPY.

>> Reporter: LUIS DIAZ IS OF THE SECOND CHANCE IN PL >> I WAS ACTUALLY HANGING AROUND WITH THE WRONG CROW AND TRYING TO FOLLOW THE W PEOPLE.

THAT KIND OF LED UP TO ME SELLING DRUGS.

AND I GOT C. AND I PAID THE PRICE.

AND I LEARNED MY LESSONS.

>> Reporter: AN EMPLOYEE H SINCE THE OPENING OF 2015, ASSISTANT ENGINEER SAYS TH IS ROOM FOR GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY HE NEVER THOUG WOULD BE POSSIBLE WHILE INCARCERATED.

>> WHAT CRAIG IS DOING, IS UNBELIEVABLE.

BECAUSE, HE IS HIRING PEOP SECOND CHANCE.

GIVING THEM A NEW LIFE TO START.

AND ON TOP OF THAT, THEY L THEIR JOB AND DO WHAT THEY GOTTA DO.

THEY GET TO MOVE.

SOMETHING A LOT OF PEOPLE SEE OFTEN.

ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WITH CRI BACKGROUND.

>> Reporter: POOL SAYS, TH SUCCESS SHOWS THAT THE FOR WORKS.

>> OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS, SOMEONE COMES OUT OF PRISO THAT THEY ARE FORGIVEN.

BECAUSE THEY ARE OUT.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN TRAINED THEY WOULD NOT BE OUT.

SO, WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE STATEMENT TO THE CITY AND CITIES, THAT PEOPLE HAVE P THE PRICE.

THEY HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, O THEY WOULD NOT BE RELEASED WE HIRE THOSE PEOPLE.

THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT MADE THIS THE NUMBER 1 DOUBLETREE IN THE UNITED STATES.

BECAUSE THEY HAVE LEARNED UNCONDITIONAL LOVE REALLY LIKE AND LIVES LIKE.

>> Reporter: THE LUXURIES AT THIS HOTEL ARE NOT JUST THOSE WHO ARE STAYING HERE THE EMPLOYEES ARE TREATED AS WELL AS THE GUESTS.

>> SO HERE, THEY EAT GREAT FOOD.

HERE, EVERYBODY COMES TO W AND THEY ARE GETTING FED F FRUITS, FRESH VEGETABLES.

THE SAME THING WE SERVE FO CLIENT, WE ARE SERVING TO EMPLOYEES.

IT IS LITTLE THINGS THAT W INTO PEOPLE'S LIVES THAT C GREAT THINGS FOR THE CITY.

>> Reporter: EVIDENCE OF T IMPACT HE IS HAVING IN THE COMMUNITY IS SITTING IN TH LOBBY WITH TWO CASES FILLE WITH AWARDS HIGHLIGHTING H ACCOLADES.

BUT THE MODEST BUSINESSMAN SAYS, THE RECOGNITION IS N HIS ALONE.

>> PEOPLE SAY YOU'RE DOING THIS.

I SAY WE ARE DOING THIS.

BECAUSE YOU ARE GIVING US INCOME AND THE BUSINESS SO CAN HIRE MORE PEOPLE TO MA MORE IMPACT.

WE ARE VERY THANKFUL FOR T >> Reporter: A THRIVING BUSINESS, BRINGING CHANGE READING, ONE EMPLOYEE AT A TIME.

IN BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVA I AM BRITTANY SWEENEY, PBS NEWS TONIGHT.

>>> THAT IS THE RECAP OF O NEWS PROGRAMS FROM THE PAS WEEK.

I AM 1027.

ON BEHALF OF MY COLLEAGUES ALL OF US HERE AT PBS39, T FOR WATCHING, AND CATCHING WITH PBS 39 NEWS TONIGHT.

>>> THIS HAS BEEN A TREND REPORTER CORE PRODUCTION.

PROBABLY PRODUCED IN BETHL PENNSYLVANIA.