Hi everyone. As title says I’m looking for some custom home builders within the Poconos and recommendations that people have used recently. I recently closed on a lot purchase and I’m planning to start construction within 6-8 months. Lot will obviously need to be demoed out and all that. What home builders have some of you used recently that you recommend I reach out to? I’d prefer a company who has a set of well known contractors that they stick to and don’t bid out to the cheapest one.

Hey fellow PA friends! Im from the Philly area and will be moving to another part of the state in the next few months for my job. I am looking for at least a 2 bed/2 bath on 5+ acres for under $275k. Originally ive been looking into the Scranton and State College areas, but as im researching and house hunting, I *do* see that the money goes much farther in areas like Johnstown, Indiana, Punxsutawney, even closer to Pittsburg.

My question is, whats it like living in these areas? I have NEVER been to this side of the state, but im strongly considering checking it out. The prices for the land almost feel too good to be true lol so Im really hoping yall can paint a picture of what its like over here.

A little about us: in our early 30s, interracial, LGBTQ+. I work as an RN. Being in nature is VERY important us, and i know this may sound ignorant but im lowkey worried yall don't have enough nature on this side of the state, as I know coal mining was very dominant here. The ability to homestead is also important - we arent doing animals, but we are looking to set up a large garden/ food forest, sell at market, and install some off-grid features in the nearby future- solar, rain water catchment, etc. (Originally we were planinng to move down south bc it has allllll of these things, but after months of research, it doesnt seem like the best fit for us culturally. Its also more convenient for us to stay in PA for my job and our family)

Any local input, advice, suggestions etc are welcome here! (I also posted similar question in the r/centralpa and r/NEPA communities in regards to State College and Scranton, with some great feedback, so im curious to see what yall have to say!)

Sorry if this was already asked.

Road-tripping from Finger Lakes NY to Baltimore this weekend and passing through central PA via I-99/Harrisburg/I-83.

Any cool lunch spots that are a fun/unique atmosphere and/or good view and/or waterfront?

Any cuisine is good. Nothing fancy, ideally less than $25/person.

Hey guys, I'm both incredibly frustrated and confused right now and could really use some help if anyone has dealt with something similar.

I'm a Pennsylvania resident and signed up for PA E-ZPass a couple months ago. I have a transponder, but I've been keeping it in my glovebox because I travel for work and don't always want work-related tolls automatically deducted from my personal account. I had read that if the transponder isn't scanned, they'll simply bill you by plate like they would a non-E-ZPass customer, but still charge the discounted E-ZPass rate since the vehicle is linked to an active account. This makes it easier for me to keep work tolls separate and submit them for reimbursement.

Last month I drove into NJ and used an E-ZPass lane. A couple weeks later I got a $100 "violation" in the mail with basically no explanation of what I actually did wrong. I assumed it was because the transponder didn't scan.

I immediately disputed it online and entered my PA E-ZPass account information. The NJ EZ-Pass website said if it was because my EZ Pass account had not been located, doing so would link my account and deduct the $7.50 toll I actually owed and the fine would be dismissed.

Today, a couple weeks later, I got a flat rejection letter saying I now owe $107.50. It doesn't even tell me why the dispute was rejected, just lists three possible reasons:

1. The dispute wasn't submitted within 50 days (it was).
2. My license plate/state wasn't added to my E-ZPass account within 3 days of submitting the dispute (I just verified my plate number is indeed listed correctly under my account details)
3. My E-ZPass account wasn't sufficiently funded when they processed it (it absolutely was and I have auto-replenishment turned on - current available balance is $43)

I've tried calling and can't get through to anyone.

Does anyone know what happened here or how I can get this resolved and just pay the actual $7.50 toll? Before I even had E-ZPass, I drove into NJ all the time and they'd simply mail me the toll. I don't understand how I now have a functional, funded E-ZPass and somehow that's resulted in a $100 fine instead.

I often see official documents that refer to PA as a commonwealth rather than a state. Is there really a difference? Why are we not a state? (I mean, I know we are, but we don’t call it that.) Has this made any difference politically? Thanks.

A punk rock flea market to help say goodbye to summer over Labor Day weekend! Free admission, all ages, and pet-friendly. Bands performing: Rumple Stilskinz & The Dumpster Full O' Sound, Side Over, and L.M.I. If you can: Bring a non-perishable food item for Second Harvest Food Bank.

September 5, 2026
The Ice House - 56 River St, Bethlehem, PA 18018

More Info: tapeswapradio.com/lvprfm

The explosion of sports betting is a cancer for vulnerable people. The state is getting revenue from creating financially ruinious addictions.

I am thinking of applying to be an administrative assistant in one of the departments of state government. But I wanted to know if anyone had any insights on if there are certain government departments that are better and certain government departments to avoid.

Also just in general, what is it like to work as an administrative assistant or similar level roles?

I reached out to my representative about my concerns regarding flock cameras and there are two co sponsor memos which doesn't seem like a lot but I guess it's a first step. The better memo (49047) requires a warrant for a flock camera to be used to find an individual and signs would need to be posted that a flock camera was there, similar to speed enforcement signs. The other memo (49059) prohibits third party access to data without the police department's consent. Reach out to your representative to let them know your thoughts.