Causer to Hold Satellite Office Hours
State Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) will hold his satellite office hours on Thursday, March 5, at the following locations:
- Emporium Borough Office – 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Port Allegany Borough Office – 11 a.m. to noon.
Services available include assisting constituents with state-related issues or concerns, assistance with driver license and vehicle registration applications, and help in filling out applications for various state programs, such as the senior citizen Property Tax/Rent Rebate and PACE prescription drug assistance programs.
People who cannot make the satellite sessions may contact Causer’s offices in Bradford at 78 Main St., first floor, telephone 814-362-4400; or Coudersport, 107 S. Main St., Room 1, telephone 814-274-9769; or Kane, 54 Fraley St., Suite 2, telephone 814-837-0880. Information is also available at www.RepCauser.com or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/RepCauser.
Teresa E. Siple, 72, of Sioux Falls, SD.
Teresa E. Siple “beloved mother and sister”
Teresa E. Siple, 72, of Sioux Falls, passed away with her loving daughter by her side on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in UPMC Hamot, Erie, PA, after a long illness.
Born on Sunday, February 14, 1954, in Cumberland, Maryland, she was a daughter of Arthur L. and Eileen V. Isner Siple.
She was a graduate of Fort Ashby High School in Fort Ashby, West Virginia. Teresa honorably served in the US Army for 22 years, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. She loved her time spent in the military.
Teresa loved to crochet, read, and swim. Her greatest loves were her family, friends, and her cat, Roman, who was her fur baby.
Left to cherish her memory are two brothers, Preston (Unsuk) Siple, retired US Army, of Salado, TX and Sidney (Cynthia) Siple of Fort Ashley, WV; her stepdaughter, Ashley M. Smith of Kane, PA; three grandchildren, Cory Lancaster of Franklin, PA, Jeremy Lancaster of Philadelphia, PA, and Luke Tamayo of Cranberry, PA; and her best friend and honorary sister, Marsha Gifford of Keyser, WV.
Teresa was predeceased by her parents.
A graveside celebration of life for Teresa will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, in Fort Ashby, WV.
Memorials in Teresa’s name may be made to an animal care sanctuary of the donor’s choice.
Teresa’s family has entrusted her care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA.
To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Teresa, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.
Health Alert for Ready-To-Eat Beef Jerky Products
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for beef jerky products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens. The products may contain soy lecithin, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.
St. Marys Area Middle School 7th Graders Explore Local Manufacturing
The Community Education Center’s DISCOVER Partnership, in collaboration with St. Marys Area Middle School (SMAMS) and local manufacturers, offered their Intro to Manufacturing Program for 7th-grade students. The program is designed to introduce students to manufacturing careers and processes, educating and inspiring the next generation while strengthening the future of our local manufacturing industry.
Esther May Weimer, 97, of Roulette
Port Allegany – Esther May Weimer, 97, of Roulette, passed away Thursday (February 26, 2026) at Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport.
She was born July 3, 1928 in Port Allegany, the daughter of Frank and Letha (Shelley) Manning. On February 9, 1951, at the EUB Church in Port Allegany, she married Rayburn A. “J-Bird” Weimer, who died July 23, 2012.
Mrs. Weimer attended Wright’s and Liberty Schools in Port Allegany, and she was a homemaker, tending to the needs of her family. She also was instrumental in helping her husband with their dairy farm and logging business.
Esther attended the Sartwell Creek Union Church in Burtville, PA.
Galeton Pharmacy Is PERMANANTLY CLOSED. Giftware Sales Are STILL Going On.
50% off Giftware, Toys, Purses, and Cards.
75% off Christmas Items.
Hours:
Monday 11 to 6
Tuesday closed
Wednesday 11 to 6
Thursday 11 to 6
Friday 11 to 6
Saturday 10 to 4
Sunday closed
***Thank you to the owners & staff for being so kind and helpful
to our community for so many years. ***
Solomon’s Words
Penn College Athletics at a Glance
Last week in review: For the first time since becoming NCAA postseason eligible in 2017-18, three Wildcat wrestlers qualified in a single season for the Division III National Championships as a result of their top three Region 2 finishes.
Meanwhile, for the second time in four years, the season ended for the women’s basketball team in the semifinal round of the United East Conference playoffs, bringing to a close the winningest (20-7) campaign in program history that dates to 1997-98.
WRESTLING
Last week’s hometown highlights: Carter Davis, of York, went 3-1 during his matches on Friday and Saturday to finish second in the region, while placing third were Kaden Ware, of Brooklyn, Connecticut, who went 5-1, and Nick Woodruff, of Wyalusing, who went 4-1.
AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR TO READ AT PITT-BRADFORD
BRADFORD, Pa. — The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will host acclaimed author and essayist Tim Bascom as part of its visiting writer series on Tuesday. The free event will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in the Studio Theater in Blaisdell Hall on the Pitt-Bradford campus.
Bascom is the author of a new short story collection, “Continental Drift,” as well as a novel, two collections of essays and two prize-winning memoirs chronicling his childhood years in East Africa.
David C. SMOKER, 69, of Gold, PA
David C. SMOKER, 69, of Gold, PA, died Friday, February 27, 2026 in UPMC Williamsport. Friends may call Friday, March 6, 2026 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Gold Church, 2402 S.R. 49W, Ulysses, PA, where Funeral Services will be held on Saturday at 11:00 AM.
Rev. Cameron Cowburn will officiate. Burial will be in Raymond Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Penn-York Camp & Retreat Center, 266 Northern Potter Road, Ulysses, PA 16948 or Gold Church, 2402 S.R. 49W, Ulysses, PA 16948.
A complete obituary will be announced by Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.
Lester P. COOK, 71, Turtlepoint, PA
Lester P. COOK, 71, Turtlepoint, PA, died Thursday, February 26, 2026. Born November 20, 1954, in Kane, he was the son of Lester J. and Rosalie Maries Cook.
A 1972 graduate of Smethport Area High School, he served honorably with the U.S. Air Force from 1973 – 1977. He was employed as a machinist by Trico Industries in Bradford and by the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 2017. Lester was a member of American Legion Post #887 in Eldred. He loved his feline buddy, Bruno.
Surviving are: his wife, Esther French Cook; two children, Lisa (Simon Hayden) Cook of Rixford and Jon (Sarah) Cook of Eldred; a grandson, Joshua Schultz; three brothers, Fred (Penny) Cook of Gifford, David (Terry) Cook of Chesapeake, VA, and James (Sally Nosal) Cook of Port Allegany; his mother-in-law, Kathleen Glase of Adrian, MI; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ron (Melody) French of Port Allegany, Carol (Rick) Waltz of Adrian, MI, Robert (Shelly) French of Hudson, MI, Colleen (Doug Clayson) French of Jamestown, NY, William Glase of Adrian, MI, Mary Mota of KY; nieces and nephews.
ROACH-BAUER FORESTRY FORUM TO MEET THURSDAY, APRIL 9, AT WILCOX COMMUNITY CENTER IN WILCOX, PA
Bats and Regulations in Forest Management, and Overview of PNHP
Kane, Pa. – The April 9, 2026 Roach-Bauer Forestry Forum is pleased to announce they will host two speakers from the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC). Richard Novak from the USFWS will speak about bats and current regulations in forest management in Pennsylvania. Mike Kuzemchak from the WPC will provide an overview of the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP). In addition, Jonathan Geyer will provide additional market updates and industry comments from the PA Hardwoods Development Council.
Richard Novak is a Fish and Wildlife Biologist within the Pennsylvania Ecological Services Field Office of the USFWS station in State College. Richard works in the Endangered Species section of the Ecological Services program. He conducts Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultations, has key roles in species status assessments, works closely with agency partners in conservation, and shares conservation with the public through outreach.
Richard holds a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science and M.S. in Ecology from The Pennsylvania State University, where his studies focused on aquatic animals such as fish and freshwater turtles. During his time at Penn State, he worked for three years in a forestry research lab on dendrochronology studies, forest inventories, and invasive species management projects. Richard has been working at the State College station since 2019.
Richard is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys all outdoor pursuits including hunting, trapping, archery, fishing, and other activities. The appreciation for living things and our natural resources that he has developed through these lifelong passions led him to a career in natural resource science. While his background in in aquatic conservation, his role at the USFWS has given him the opportunity to learn about bats and work to conserve them in his job. He finds great satisfaction in helping partners in the public and agencies navigate the complexity of ESA regulations so that conservation is delivered for all.
Mike Kuzemchak, Associate Vice President of Government and Community Relations for the WPC has oversight of the Conservancy’s public policy work, conservation science and natural heritage programs, and provides direction for sustainability initiatives across WPC offices. Mike previously worked as the director of operations at WPC’s Fallingwater, director of operation of land conservation, and in other land protection roles with WPC before accepting his current role. Much of his land conservation work centered in the Laurel Highlands of southwest Pennsylvania.
Mike holds a M.S. in Environmental Planning and a B.S. in secondary English Education, both from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
This Forum on bats, habitat, and the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program will be of interest to land managers, biologists, and conservationists.
Society of American Foresters’ Continuing Forestry Education credits will be applied for this presentation.
The Forum will be held at the Wilcox Community Building (also called the Jones Township Community Center) at 320 Faries St, downtown Wilcox, Pa. 15870. Preceding the talk will be a no-host social hour from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., and dinner at 5:30 p.m. The program will start immediately after dinner. Reservations are required! No reservations will be accepted after Thursday, April 2. For reservations, contact the Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group, PO Box 133, Kane, Pa., 16735, at 814-837-8550, or e-mail ashields@ahug.com.
Cameron County Chamber of Commerce Innovation Center Success
Partnering with organizations has been the cornerstone of Cameron County Chamber of Commerce. When the chamber purchased the former Cabin Kitchen restaurant the plan was to bring one stop shopping for residents and businesses. Over the past few months two
Cameron County High School graduates took advantage of the opportunities at the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce Innovation Center.
Jesop Farabaugh and Ryan Reid recently completed a CDL Class A course through Northern Pennsylvania Regional College. The training is paid for by a program administered by Pennsylvania CareerLink. The two organizations have offices inside the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce Innovation Center.
Farabaugh and Reid say they were referred to the program by their employer DCNR and took the course while laid off. They are seasonal employees in the Elk State Forestry department. The pair agree that the four-week training program will enable them to pursue numerous job opportunities. Cameron County Chamber of Commerce executive director Tina Solak says she witnesses the cooperation between staff of the two organizations which ensures communication and success to those enrolled in programs. “The goal of the chamber was to provide convenient services in Emporium and it is working,” says Solak
Help Local Animals During Raise The Region March 11-12
Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries is proud to participate in this year’s Raise the Region, the area’s largest online giving event. From 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, March 12, make a donation to Second Chance at www.raisetheregion.org/organization/Second-Chance-Animal-Sanctuaries to help local animals in need.
According to the website, “Raise the Region® is a powerful 30-hour online giving campaign that unites community members in supporting local nonprofits. This initiative is designed to highlight and empower the vital work of these organizations, enabling them to address the growing needs of North Central Pennsylvania and create more vibrant communities.”