America At 250: Democracy Through Generosity

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies invites our communities to reflect not only on our nation’s history, but also on the values that continue to strengthen our towns, shape our future, and bring people together.
For 250 years, America’s greatest strength has been the willingness of ordinary people to do extraordinary things for their neighbors and their communities.
Two UPMC Critical Access Hospitals Recognized With 5-Star Cleanliness Ratings

Williamsport, Pa., July 1, 2026 – UPMC Muncy and UPMC Wellsboro have been named among the cleanest hospitals in the United States by earning 5-star ratings for cleanliness from Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services’ Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) patient survey. These top cleanliness scores are part of ongoing federal hospital quality ratings and reflect direct patient feedback about the condition and upkeep of patient rooms and hospital facilities.
“Cleanliness doesn’t happen by accident; it’s the result of staff across our hospitals looking out for one another and for our patients every day,” said Ron Reynolds, president, UPMC Wellsboro and UPMC Cole. “Our environmental services teams work hand in hand with our clinical staff to create a space where patients can focus on healing. This recognition really belongs to those teams who take pride in the details and show up every day with that shared commitment.”
The five-star rating reflects the steadfast commitment to providing a safe, welcoming environment for patients and families. These top cleanliness scores are part of ongoing federal hospital quality ratings and reflect direct patient feedback about the condition and upkeep of patient rooms and hospital facilities. Clean, well-maintained facilities are more than just an aesthetic concern — they are a critical part of preventing infection and promoting healing.
“Patients may not always know every role of their care team, but they feel the difference a clean, well-cared-for environment makes,” said Andrea Reed, president and CNO, UPMC Muncy. “This honor reflects how closely our environmental services and clinical teams work together to care for the whole patient. It’s a true team effort, and I’m so proud of how our staff supports one another in delivering that experience for every patient, every time.”
To learn more about UPMC in North Central Pa., go to UPMC.com/NorthCentralPa.
OGH Celebrates Reopening Of Mildred Milliman Radiation Medicine Center


OLEAN, NY — Olean General Hospital (OGH), a Kaleida Health facility, welcomed community members, donors, caregivers and supporters to celebrate the reopening of the Mildred Milliman Radiation Medicine Center on Tuesday, June 30, marking a major milestone for local cancer care and a renewed investment in the future of patients across the region.
I Fix Things, That’s What I Do, By Pastor, Bernie Knefley

A few years ago, I was asked what I had done for a living. I answered by giving an overview of the professions I had worked in. The next day, I thought about what I had said the night before and realized that, if I looked at the different professions I had worked in, it all came down to a simple idea. I fixed things.
The three major professions I have worked in and draw a pension from are: 15 years with the phone company, fixing lines and service problems; 20 years in mental health, working with the chronically mentally ill and providing family and individual counseling; and, finally, 20 years as a Pastor, which covered a wide range of assessing needs, providing care, and assisting in the walk of faith. All of these involved some aspect of fixing things.
Over the past year, I have come to realize that caregiving is part of my nature. Caregivers often help repair what is broken, but they must also learn to set boundaries because needy people can drain them. It is not our job to fix everyone. Instead, we help others take the reins and begin healing. In truth, we walk alongside them on life’s path, but we cannot walk it for them. There is also a danger of falling into codependency while helping others. If you’re not sure what that might look like, it’s when people in your life create a need that gives you purpose. Codependency also means putting the needs of others above my own. If you’re codependent, you’ll probably find yourself in one of these three areas: Caretaker, Enabler, or Controller. Although I have learned that I do fix things and enjoy that aspect of my life, I have also learned that fixing things can stem from wrong motives. That’s why codependency is such a danger. A simple prayer for anyone who embarks on the path of helping others is found in Ps 139:23, “Search me, God, and know my heart.” If you’re embarking on an unhealthy road, ask God to reveal that to you. Think about it.
UPMC Injury Prevention Expert: Staying Safe This Fourth

Kayla Keen, RN
Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator, UPMC Williamsport
Fireworks are a familiar part of summer celebrations, especially around the Fourth of July, but they are also explosive devices that can cause serious injuries in seconds. Trauma and burn experts regularly caution that fireworks-related injuries can include severe burns, permanent scarring, loss of vision, and injuries to the fingers, hands, and face. Even smaller fireworks and novelty items can be dangerous when they are handled at home, used too close to others, or treated like toys.
The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to leave them to trained professionals and attend a public display from a safe distance. If fireworks are used at home where permitted, adults should take the risk seriously, follow local laws, read all instructions, and keep children well away from the area.
Sinnemahoning State Park Today
Sunday, July 5th , 2026
9:00 AM, 10:30 A.M., and 12:30 P.M. -Pontoon Tours of the Stevenson Reservoir-Join park staff for a relaxing and informative tour around the lake, as we cruise the shoreline of the George B. Stevenson Reservoir in search of wildlife. Group size is limited. To reserve a seat, please pre-register. Registration is not required but is strongly recommended. Register online or by calling the park.
Meets at: Lake Day Use Area
UPMC Sports Medicine Honors Student-Athletes’ Recovery Journeys

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa., June 25, 2026 – UPMC in North Central Pa. honored local student-athletes at the 2026 Student Athlete Perseverance Awards (SAPA) ceremony, hosted by UPMC Sports Medicine. The annual event recognized students from across the region for the determination and resilience they showed in recovering from injuries or other setbacks and returning to play with a positive attitude.
“The SAPA ceremony was an opportunity to recognize the grit and determination these student-athletes showed throughout their recovery journeys,” said Michael Ludwikowski, manager, Athletic Training and Development, UPMC Sports Medicine in North Central Pa. “Their commitment, along with the support of their families, coaches, schools, and care teams, helped them overcome challenges and continue pursuing the sports they love.”
The 2026 SAPA honorees are:
- Bucktail Area High School – Kylie Lebo
- Central Mountain High School – Ricky Rohrbach
- Cowanesque Valley High School – Max Millard
- Hughesville Jr./Sr. High School – Dylan McConnell
- Jersey Shore Area Senior High School – Zeke Sechrist
- Loyalsock Township High School – Ryan Lingg
- Montgomery Area High School – Logan Joy
- Montoursville Area High School – Jacob Schon
- Muncy High School – Nathan Rogers
- North Penn-Liberty/North Penn-Mansfield – Ryder Breon
- South Williamsport Jr./Sr. High School – Maddie Pinkerton
- St. John Neumann Regional Academy – Zairek Gohl
- Sullivan County High School – Zoey Reese
- Wellsboro High School – Mason Nowak
- Williamsport Area High School – Trace Town
- Williamsport Area High School – Zion Hughes
- Williamson High School – Barrett Heyler
Honorees are selected by certified athletic trainers who work closely with students throughout the school year and witness firsthand the effort it takes to recover, rehabilitate, and continue competing.
The Champions Cup is an additional, fun award set up in a “points for winning district and state titles” format. All UPMC-contracted schools elect both boys’ and girls’ interscholastic teams they think will have successful athletics seasons for the upcoming year. The schools that accumulated the most points throughout the year were awarded a traveling trophy cup they can display for the upcoming school year.
This year’s Champions Cup recipients were: Small Division – Montgomery Area High School; Large Division – Hughesville Jr./Sr. High School.
UPMC Sports Medicine provides comprehensive care for athletes of all ages across north central Pennsylvania, including injury prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and return-to-play support. To learn more about sports medicine services available in the region, visit UPMC.com/SportsMedicineNCPA.
Cody Jonathan James Saltsman, 34, of Gretna, VA

Cody Jonathan James Saltsman, 34, of Gretna, VA, passed away Saturday (June 27, 2026) at his residence in Gretna.
He was born October 17, 1991 in Coudersport, PA, the son of Jason Saltsman and Malinda “Mindy” (Barr) Hults.
Cody was a graduate of Port Allegany High School Class of 2011 and was employed at Strata Clean Energy of Virginia.
Cody had a special bond with his nephew, Nash Tanner.
He is survived by:
His mother and dad: Malinda “Mindy” and Gary “Burl” Hults of Summerton, SC
His father: Jason Saltsman
His stepmother: Colleen Saulter
Two daughters: Jennavicia Smith and Avianna Saltsman
One brother: Jason Saltsman, Jr.
Three sisters: Makayla (Mac) Tanner, Jenah Hults, and Ailaina Saltsman
maternal grandmother: Joyce Barr
paternal grandparents: Rhonda & Mark Hepfer
and many special aunts, uncles and cousins
Cody was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, James Barr, and paternal grandparents: John Saltsman, Patricia Thompson and Gary Hults, as well as his aunt, Tina Barr.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 2pm from the Port Allegany Veterans Memorial Home, 4743 Rt. 155, Port Allegany, PA 16743.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to Teachers Pet Rescue, 19 Blackberry Lane, Coudersport, PA 16915. Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Port Allegany.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 448 IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS
IN PENNSYLVANIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 27 COUNTIES
IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
ADAMS BLAIR CAMERON CENTRE CLEARFIELD CLINTON COLUMBIA CUMBERLAND DAUPHIN ELK HUNTINGDON JUNIATA LANCASTER LEBANON LYCOMING MCKEAN MIFFLIN MONTOUR NORTHUMBERLAND PERRY POTTER SCHUYLKILL SNYDER SULLIVAN TIOGA UNION YORK
THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ALTOONA, BERWICK, BLOOMSBURG, BRADFORD, CARLISLE, CLEARFIELD, COUDERSPORT, DANVILLE, DUBOIS, EMPORIUM, GETTYSBURG, HARRISBURG, HERSHEY, HUNTINGDON, LANCASTER, LAPORTE, LEBANON, LEWISBURG, LEWISTOWN, LOCK HAVEN, MANSFIELD, MIFFLINTOWN, MOUNT UNION, NEWPORT, POTTSVILLE, RENOVO, RIDGWAY, SELINSGROVE, SHAMOKIN, ST. MARYS, STATE COLLEGE, SUNBURY, WELLSBORO, WILLIAMSPORT, AND YORK.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 3 at 3:22 PM EDT until July 3 at 4:00 PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY
DESCRIPTION:
The National Weather Service in Binghamton has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for…
Southwestern Steuben County in central New York…
* Until 400 PM EDT.
* At 321 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Greenwood, or 15 miles east of Wellsville, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.
SOURCE…Radar indicated.
Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
* Locations impacted include…
Woodhull, Troupsburg, Willeyville, and Young Hickory.
INSTRUCTIONS: For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.
Heavy rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
Doris M. ROBBINS, 86, of Port Allegany, PA

Doris M. ROBBINS, 86, of Port Allegany, PA, died Thursday, July 2, 2026 in her home.
A complete obituary will be announced by Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Switzer Chapel, Port Allegany, PA.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.























