The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Rural Recognition Gold award recognizes efforts to address the unique health needs of rural communities
OLEAN, NY — People who live in rural communities live an average of three years fewer than urban counterparts and have a 40% higher likelihood of developing heart disease and face a 30% increased risk for stroke mortality, according to an American Heart Association’s presidential advisory on rural health. Olean General Hospital (OGH), a Kaleida Health facility, is committed to changing that.
For its efforts to optimize stroke care and reduce gaps in rural health outcomes, Olean General Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Rural Recognition Silver award as well as receiving Get With The Guidelines® – Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Bronze award.
Please be aware that scammers are using the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home phone number, saying they are from Medicare. Please DO NOT give these people any of your personal information!!!! It is NOT Kevin, Patty, or anyone from our funeral home!!! Be vigilant when answering your phone!!!
Hours: Tuesday thru Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Phone: 814-697-6948
AJ Plants, Chairman Gregory Maxson, Vice-Chair Jeff Moyer, Road Master
716-244-8585 716-474-8272 814-203-7121
Robin Austin, Tax Collector Roger Bickleman, SEO
814-558-4336 303-718-8417
MEETING MINUTES
The August 4, meeting of Ceres Township Supervisors was called to order at 6:00 p.m.by Supervisor Chairman AJ Plants with 2 supervisors, the secretary, 19 residents, and 6 non-residents in attendance. Pledge of allegiance was recited. The minutes of the July 7, 2026 meeting were read and approved.
Payment of up to $8,500.00 was approved to pay for the balance of the new truck not covered by
the grant.
The following Resolutions were adopted:
Resolution 260804 Amendment of Solar Application Fee
Resolution 260805 Payment to State of PA for misallocation of funds 2019 – 2023
Resolution 260806 Closure of State Funds account at Hamlin Bank
A motion to apply for county aid for sand/salt anti-skid was made. Building Permit for Walter Keim was approved. Approval was given to purchase up to 600 Ton of blacktop to patch roads where sluices were replaced. Discussion was had between residents, non-residents, and the supervisors; pros and cons were voiced regarding opening the township’s roads and placing the roads on the ATV trail map system. A vote was taken of residents and non-residents in attendance. It was a majority vote of the residents that the roads remain as they are currently, with no placement of Ceres Township roads on the ATV trail map system. A motion was made and carried to keep the township’s roads as they are currently.
Road Master Moyer reported that mowing of the roadways would be complete in the next couple of days. Holes on dirt roads have been filled, John Deere fuel pump was replaced, new tires put on, and cylinder end was welded. A&H stated the new truck outfitting is almost complete. Road shoulders to be cut, and ditch cleaning will be started soon. Dust control for the dirt roads is being looked into. No supervisor comment was made. Public comment request for Stop Signs at the top of Taylor Brook to be moved or made more visible in some manner.
There are currently no roads bonded. The bills were reviewed, approved, and a motion to pay.
The next regular Supervisor’s meeting will be held September 1, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Motion to adjourn the meeting.
The Hamilton-Gibson Treble Choir will officially begin their 32st Season on August 11 at a special kick-off rehearsal at Three Springs Ministries in Nauvoo (between Morris and Liberty.)
Registration for the choirs is now open and all singers from grades 2-8 are encouraged to sign up. Opportunities include the Treble Choir featuring singers from grades 5-8 and the Choir Too, the training choir for children in grades 2-4 or those who are still working on their singing voice. Enrollment is open to all children, and typically includes students from all three school districts, private schools, and home-schooled children.
In 1955, a song called “The Great Pretender” was released. It was written by Buck Ram and recorded by the Platters. It portrayed the many ways we pretend. We pretend to have it all together when we don’t, even when we’re doing well. The song’s lyrics resonated with me when I first heard it because they accurately described my life. I learned at a very young age how to pretend. I pretended to be happy when I wasn’t. I knew how to play the game of life to get by. I knew how to present myself to be accepted. I knew how to hide my true self.
I suppose there is a little pretender in all of us. We learn to pretend at different times, and it’s not always bad. But sometimes pretending is more about everyday life and existence. When that’s the case, serious problems are going on. If you think about it, pretending is always about presenting a falsehood. I have often thought that the world was my stage and I was but an actor playing a part. It took a long time for me to allow my true self to be seen. Pretending is also about control. You decide who gets in and who doesn’t. I remember thinking that if I let go, I’d be like Humpty Dumpty, falling off the wall of control and never being put back together again. It’s a sad way to live, but many do it.
For the pretender, loneliness and fear are common themes. It goes along with the thought that if I tell you who I truly am and you don’t like me, I’m left with nothing, and I can’t risk that. So pretending that all is well and that I’m on top of my game becomes the standard rule of life. But here’s the catch for every pretender. Maintaining the pretending game takes a lot of energy. At some point, you will crash because you can’t do it forever. For me, that point came when I finally surrendered to God. When I started to understand that God loved me just the way I was, I began to have some freedom to be myself. I no longer felt that I had to hide. His love began to erode my fears and insecurities. I started to learn how to trust others with who I was. I learned to take risks and allow myself to be vulnerable. I am not in a place where I must pretend. I’m okay being me. Think about it.
St. Marys Native’s Planning Will Benefit Organizations for Years to Come
Sometimes the greatest gifts are those that continue helping others long after they are given.
Although Gustave W. “Gus” Wolf spent much of his life away from St. Marys, he never forgot the community that helped shape him. Through careful planning, he created a permanent source of support for the people and charities that meant the most to him.
The Elk County Community Foundation is honored to announce the first annual distributions from the Wolf Family Community Fund, a designated endowed fund established through Gus’ gift. By naming the Foundation as the beneficiary of his IRA and documenting his charitable intentions years in advance, Gus ensured the organizations he selected would receive annual support for years to come.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 31, 2026 – Shirley, NY, American Regent, Inc. Animal Health is conducting a nationwide recall of two lots (25011 and 3369) of Adequan® Canine Injection (for dogs), 100 mg/mL 5mL multi-dose vials and two lots (24416 and 25265P) of Adequan® i.m. Injection (for horses), 500mg/5 mL single-dose 5mL vials to the consumer level. The products are being recalled due to the presence of glass fibers found during testing of internally retained samples.
Risk Statement: The administration of an intramuscular injectable product containing particulate matter, such as glass fibers, may result in local irritation, swelling, inflammation, injection site pain, infection, or abscesses. To date, American Regent, Inc. has not received any reports of adverse events related to the recalled lots.
District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the Bradford man convicted of Murder in the 1st Degree following a jury trial in May has been sentenced to life in prison by a judge at a sentencing hearing held at the courthouse.
Thomas MCELHATTAN was convicted of killing Rebecca Haynes while her infant child was present in the home. At today’s sentencing, family members of Rebecca read their statements to the judge about their pain over the loss of their sister and daughter due to MCELHATTAN’s actions.
All of the family members mentioned how Rebecca’s young child will now grow up without a mother. District Attorney Vettenburg-Shaffer recounted for the judge various parts of the testimony from trial such as statements made by MCELHATTAN that he “shot that c…sucker in the mouth” while delaying calling 911.
She emphasized that the evidence showed that MCELHATTAN was acting with calculated acts in deciding to shoot Rebecca who did not want him inside her home based on their text communication yet he drove to her home with her child; that he shot her 5 times, some at close range all concentrated to her chest area; and that the shots were in a downward direction while Rebecca, trapped by a coffee table pressed against her legs, tried to stop the bullets by putting up her hand – only to have a bullet shot through her hand and into her chest.
She recounted the expert testimony at trial that Rebecca was alive for each of the five shots and, she argued that, for each shot, MCELHATTAN could have stopped and called for help but he chose to continue shooting, getting closer with each shot before fleeing the scene with Rebecca’s infant child and waiting 13 minutes to call 911.
The DA told the Judge that MCELHATTAN deserves the sentence allowed for Murder in the 1st Degree which is life imprisonment and she asked the judge to specifically order that he is not eligible for parole. She concluded: “Defendant McElhattan deserves every second of the sentence of life imprisonment he is about to receive.” The judge imposed a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer commented on the case. “Today brings to conclusion another step in the criminal justice process for the family yet the appeal process remains. Although the trial is concluded, the family will continue to suffer the loss of their daughter, sister, and mother. We cannot imagine the pain they feel, and our prayers will continue to go out to them.
McELHATTAN’s actions took a young mother from her family and left an infant child motherless. His actions will be felt by her family for the rest of their lives. The evidence in this trial was difficult and it was due to the efforts of the officers involved that the jury was able to see how the events unfolded – from Sgt. Gustin and Officer Frederoski arriving at Rebecca’s home and finding her deceased on the couch to Officer Donald Neel responding alone to the McElhattan residence to take him into custody.
These officers showed true heroism in this case, and it reminds me of the risk officers face with every shift – yet they respond, nonetheless. The team of officers from Bradford, Bradford Township, County Detective Bureau, State Police, Foster Township and Pitt-Bradford who responded to the scene as it was unfolding and others who drafted search warrants, conducted important interviews, seized important evidence, and undertook additional investigative steps all allowed this case to come together.
I have heard it said that this was an easy case because the defendant confessed. But his confession that he shot her did not eliminate the critical police work that would ultimately be necessary to show that he shot her with the requisite intent to actually kill her that is required for Murder in the 1st Degree. The confession that he killed her did not prevent the defendant from asserting at trial that the shooting was done in the heat of passion that would have reduced his culpability to manslaughter rather than Murder 1 and a difference in sentence of a few years to lifetime incarceration.
The police work showed that he shot Rebecca not out of a heat of passion but to prevent her from telling his wife about their affair. The tenacious work of the officers showed that McELHATTAN’s acts were calculated and intended to cause her death, and I thank them for the countless hours they each spent doing this important work..”
Galeton’s 2nd Annual Police Night Out – PA State Police helicopter, shown with the two pilots, who are from Latrobe, PA, came to Galeton’s 2nd Annual Police Night Out and landed with precision at John J. Collins Park in the center of Galeton, with a flight time from their home base being 55 minutes. This community event, sponsored and coordinated by the Galeton Police Department and Galeton Borough, happened August 4th with multiple agencies and departments participating in the well-attended event. All those at the event were willing to answer any questions that were presented to them. All are looking forward to next year’s event.
Elsie Valetta Robertson, 99, of Bradford, passed away on Friday, November 21, 2025, at The Pavilion at BRMC.
Friends will be received on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 am in the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc., 372 East Main St., where at 11:00 am a Memorial Service will be held.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes, Inc.
FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. (July 31, 2026) – BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) is voluntarily recalling specific lots of BD® Intraosseous Vascular Access System Needle Sets to the user level. These products are being recalled following reports that some users experienced difficulty removing the obturator (stylet) after placement of the needle set. Based on complaint reports, bench testing completed by BD and clinical observations, this may occur if the drill is not pulled straight back during insertion or if the obturator is incorrectly rotated during removal.
The affected lots were manufactured with out-of-tolerance dimensions and distributed between September 30, 2024, and June 12, 2026. This recall does not affect the BD® Intraosseous Powered Driver.
Angelica, NY – When the Allegany County Democrats gather for their next “Coffee with Democrats” on Saturday, August 8thin Richburg, they’ll be collecting non-perishable food and personal care items to be donated to the pantry located at the Little Genesee 7th Day Baptist Church.
“This is the third year that county Democrats have organized pantry collections,” says County Chair Karen Ash. “ ‘Coffee with Democrats’ is held in different towns across the county. Wherever we meet, we donate to the pantry in that town. Serving our community in this way is a simple yet meaningful expression of our party and its members’ values. ”
The event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Richburg Colonial Library and is open to all. This event is sponsored by the Allegany County Democratic Committee. Coffee and light snacks will be served. Sign up here to attend.
If you can’t attend but would like to drop off donations, contact us at info@acdcny.org
Steven B. Marcus, 73, of W. Washington Street, Bradford, passed away Friday, July 31, 2026, at Olean General Hospital.
Born in Moline, IL on July 11, 1953, he was the son of the late Bernard and Meryl (Wynes) Marcus.
On May 3, 1997, in Tennessee, he married Carol Ann (Graham) Marcus, who preceded him in death on November 25, 2024.
Steve was employed as a project manager for Central Installation Services installing water meters around the United States. After settling in Bradford he joined the Bradford Sanitation Department and retired from there.
He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, fishing, hunting and camping.
Surviving is his beloved children, Melissa (Ben) Cooper, Brandi (Justin) Swan, Colene (Albert) Schiavo, Ronald Brogan, Anne (David) Mink, Daniel (Melissa) Brogan, Bernadette (Jay) McClain, David (Robyn) Brogan, Dana (Michelle) Brogan, Jennifer Hunter, 29 grandchildren, and 40 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Corydon Township Volunteer Fire Department, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
WHAT:Rep. ClintOwlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) is hosting his annual Senior Expo to provide convenient access to information about a variety of programs and services available to area senior citizens and their caregivers. He will also present the Matt Baker Community Service Award at the event at 9:30 a.m.
WHO:Owlett; more than 80 exhibitors; and area senior citizens and their family members and caregivers.
WHEN:Friday, Aug. 7, 9 a.m. to noon. Matt Baker Community Service Award presentation at 9:30 a.m.
WHERE:Wellsboro Senior High School Gym and Commons, 225 Nichols St., Wellsboro.
Frederick Duane Allen, age 85 of Westfield, passed away on Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Green Home in Wellsboro. Born August 19, 1940, in Westfield, he was the son of the late Charles and Helen (Potter) Allen.
Fred served in the US Army from 1960 – 1963. He married Patricia R. Sebastian in October 1964; together they have shared 61 years and raised three children. He retired at the age of 55 from the USPS, where he was a rural mail carrier for 30 years. After retirement, he prepared taxes for 15 years and enjoyed taking photographs of wildlife. He was a Little League baseball coach, bowled for many years, loved hunting, fishing, and golfing. Fred was an avid sponsor and supporter of the PA Elk Foundation.
He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia; his children, Laleen and Paul Rounds of Bradford, NY, Janise and Barney Lampman of Ulysses, and Bruce and Traci Allen of Lawrenceville; grandchildren, Carrine, Ryan, Brittany, Tristin, Tyler, Keeley, Stephanie, Megan and Jordan; 14 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, William Allen, and a sister, Betty Baldwin.
Family will receive friends at the Kenyon Funeral Home, 222 W. Main St., Westfield on Wednesday, August 12th from 12:00 – 2:00 PM. A funeral service will be held immediately following at 2:00 PM. Burial will be in Champlin Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Bath VA Medical Center, CDCE (135), 76 Veterans Ave., Bath, NY 14810.
(Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture will hold a series of webinars for interested applicants to learn about the new Powering Affordable Reliable Technology (PART) Energy Program, administered through USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service.
These learning opportunities are open to the public:
Participants may expect to learn more about the program and details on submitting Letters of Interest (LOI) for consideration. PART offers partially forgivable loans to invest in infrastructure that produces electricity from hydro, geothermal or biomass energy sources as well as investments in energy storage systems to make intermittent renewable energy systems more reliable.
Individual awards will range between $1 million and $100 million and will support affordable power for American families, and infrastructure that keeps pace with economic expansion. Eligible projects receiving funding may be granted loan forgiveness up to 40 percent.
RUS will accept LOIs September 8,2026, through October 9, 2026.
Eligible applicants include for-profit organizations, state or local governments, federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native corporations, nonprofits, distribution electric cooperatives and generation and transmission electric cooperatives, and certified electric utilities.
The Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) is announcing increases to the adjusted annual income deductions. Handbook 1-3555 allows applicants age 62 or older to receive an elderly family deduction when calculating adjusted annual income. Effective immediately, this annual deduction has increased to $550 per household.
Handbook 1-3555 also provides a deduction for each eligible dependent in the household. This deduction has increased to $500 per dependent.
Handbook updates reflecting these changes will be released soon. The Guaranteed Underwriting System (GUS) is already applying the new deduction amounts correctly.
For questions about program policy or this announcement, please contact sfhgld.program@usda.gov or (833) 314‑0168.
Thank you for supporting the Single‑Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program!
ARLINGTON, VA – JULY 31, 2026 – Lidl US is expanding its July 24, 2026 recall of Eridanous Shortbread Cookies to include all units with a foreign language ingredients and nutrition facts panel for the following products:
Eridanous Shortbread Cookies with Chocolate Truffle Coating & Apricot Filling – 11.6 oz (330 g) box (UPC 4056489125839)
Eridanous Shortbread Cookies with Apricot Filling and Cocoa Topping with Coconut Sprinkles – 11.6 oz (330 g) box (UPC 4056489125846)
Both of these products were distributed with foreign language packaging and failed to include English ingredient lists, nutrition facts panels, or required allergen declarations. People who have an allergy or sensitivity to wheat, soy, milk, egg, or tree nut (coconut) run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products.
The products were distributed between 07/15/2026 – 07/28/2026 to all Lidl US retail store locations in Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia.
DUKE CENTER, PA—Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life for Richard W. “Rick” Tompkins, 77, a lifelong resident of Duke Center, on Sunday, August 9, 2026 at the Shinglehouse American Legion Post 530, 1364 SR 44 S, Shinglehouse, from 1pm to 4pm.
Members of the Potter County Honor Guard will accord military honors at 3pm at the Legion on August 9, 2026.
Rick’s family has entrusted his care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, Funeral Director/Owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
COUDERSPORT, PA—Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life for David J. “Carrot” Marsh, 66, of Coudersport, beginning at 3:30pm on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at the Coudersport American Legion, Buffalo Street, Coudersport.
David’s family entrusted his care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
We are looking for a reliable and organized person to join our team as a Legal Assistant in our real estate practice. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with details, staying organized, and helping things run smoothly.
No prior legal experience? That’s okay. We are happy to train the right person who has a strong work ethic, good computer skills, and a positive attitude.
What You’ll Do:
Help organize and process documents for real estate files
Communicate with clients, lenders, realtors, and attorneys
Enter information into our system and keep records up to date
Assist with simple calculations (we’ll show you how)
Track the progress of files and help keep things on schedule
Help prepare documents for real estate closings
Keep your workspace and files organized
What We’re Looking For:
Someone dependable with a strong work ethic
Good attention to detail
Comfortable using a computer (Microsoft Office or similar)
Organized and able to manage multiple tasks
Friendly and professional communication skills
Basic math skills
Helpful but not required:
Office or clerical experience
Experience with real estate or legal work
Why This Role is a Great Fit:
On-the-job training provided
Supportive team environment
Opportunity to learn valuable legal and real estate skills
Ideal for someone looking to grow into a professional office role
Think you might be a good fit? We’d love to hear from you. Please email your resume to Finance@CahillyLaw.com
