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November 2022

FELONY UNLAWFUL KILLING OF BIG GAME AND OTHER CHARGES FILED

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(ANNIN TOWNSHIP, McKean County): On November 30, 2022, Agents with the Pennsylvania Game Commission filed a criminal complaint against a Massachusetts man for several game law violations. He was remanded to the McKean County Jail after being unable to post bail.

Joseph R. SPADER, III, address listed as Wilmington, Massachusetts, is accused of several counts of Unlawful Killing or Taking of Big Game (3 counts Felony 3; 3 counts Misdemeanor 1; 3 counts Misdemeanor and 1 count Summary) as well as other summary game law violations.

SPADER is accused of committing the crimes between October 5 and November 29 in Annin Township.

The Game Commission received information from a resident in Port Allegany of SPADER killing multiple antlered white-tailed deer between October 5 and November 29. The resident reported SPADER then brought the untagged deer to a residence in Port Allegany. The resident advised that SPADER told him he shot one of the deer out the window of his vehicle.

SPADER is also accused of obtaining a second hunting license that he was not entitled to, shooting on or across highways, unlawful devices and methods, unlawful acts concerning licenses, and unlawful use of lights while hunting.

SPADER was arraigned before on-call Magisterial District Judge Dominic Cercone who set bail at $30,000. The defendant was remanded to the McKean County Jail.

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://mckean.crimewatchpa.com/da/136029/arrests/spader-joseph-r-unlawful-killing-big-game

Kathleen S. “Kathie” CURRIER, 74, of Ellisburg, PA

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Kathleen S. “Kathie” CURRIER, 74, of Ellisburg, PA, died Monday, November 28, 2022 in Jones Memorial Hospital, Wellsville, NY.  

Born August 19, 1948, in Cuba, NY, she was the daughter of Laddie A. and Marjorie R. Childs Parry.  On February 15, 1974, in Obi, NY, she married Larry G. Currier, who predeceased her on May 23, 2011.  

A 1967 graduate of Portville Central School, she earned her nursing degree from St. Francis School of Nursing in 1970.  She was employed by Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport for many years. 

Kathie was a devoted Bills fan and enjoyed reading mysteries.  She was a member of Ellisburg Union Wesleyan Church.  Kathie loved spending time with her family.  

Surviving are:  two sons, Shawn Currier of Wellsville and Perry (Julie) Currier of Coudersport;  a daughter, Sheena (Brandon)Yuhas of Phoenix, AZ;  three grandchildren, Searah Anne Shutt, Phillip Currier, and Monique Currier;  two brothers, Rick (Wendy) Parry of Obi, NY and Dale (Kay) Parry of Aiken;  nieces and nephews.   

She was predeceased by her parents and husband. 

Friends may call at Ellisburg Union Wesleyan Church on Friday, December 2, 2022 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, with Funeral Services following at 11:00 AM.  Rev. Roy Ward will officiate.  Burial will be in Andrews Settlement Cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to Genesee Volunteer Ambulance,  P.O. Box 9, Genesee, PA 16923.  

Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.

Shirley June Wiles, 95, formerly of South Kendall Avenue, Bradford, PA

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Shirley June Wiles, 95, formerly of South Kendall Avenue, Bradford, PA passed away Friday, November 25, 2022, at the Bradford Ecumenical Home.

Born November 21, 1927, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late Leonard and Elsie ( Middlebrough) Schuetrum.

She was a 1946 graduate of Otto Township School.

On December 14, 1946, in Rixford, she married Jack E. Wiles who preceded her in death on June 6, 2011. June worked at Corning Glass during WWII. She also worked at Gray’s Drug Store and McCrory’s 5 &10. Shirley attended the Sawyer Evangelical Church.

She enjoyed gardening, canning, completing jigsaw puzzles, and was known for her extensive doll collection.

Surviving is one son, Paul F. Wiles, of Highspire, four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, two brothers, Robert Schuetrum, of Bradford, and Leonard Schuetrum, of San Diego, CA, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jack of 64 years, one son, Gerald A. Wiles, two daughters, Marcia Darlene Howard, Cheryl L. Schaefer and one sister, Betty Marie Holsinger one brother, Edwin Schuetrum.

A Memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in McKean Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions if desired may be made to the SPCA, or a charity of the donor’s choice. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc. Online condolences may be made at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

BEACON LIGHT CLOSES ON BUILDING PURCHASES AT FOSTER BROOK

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BRADFORD, Pa (November 23, 2022)– Beacon Light Behavioral Health System, an affiliate of Journey Health System, recently purchased the vacant 4,500 square-foot building, formerly housed by Bright Beginnings, at 17 Derrick Road in the Foster Brook Plaza at Bradford, Pennsylvania. Renovations will begin soon to prepare for relocating Beacon Light’s Custer City Private School there, next year. Classes at Custer City will resume until then.

“This move was the result of a recommendation that came out of a master facility plan that the agency engaged an independent architectural firm to complete,” said Journey Health System’s President and CEO Guy Signor. “The Custer City School building met our needs for the past 30 years, however the costs in utilities, distance from our main campus and upkeep were not ideal for our staff and students. This new location is newly constructed and offers better efficiency and accessibility. Our plan is to eventually sell the Custer City property, but until then the baseball field will remain open to the local leagues.”

In addition to constructing special education classrooms for high school students under the age of 21, the preliminary site plan includes: an Autistic support room, calming rooms, cyber-school, the Like Skills program, staff offices and more.  The new site for the proposed name, “Beacon Light Academy”, is one-story for easy handicap-accessibility, offers free parking, more energy efficient space, overhead cost savings and is conveniently located near the main Beacon Light campus.

“The new location of our school will not only be beneficial for scaling business for the future but it will improve the learning environment for students, said Jennifer Gesing, MSEd, Beacon Light Behavioral Health System’s Executive Director. “This move is an example of our mission to ensure equity and excellence for all students.”

An additional office building at 58 Derrick Road was also purchased to relocate Beacon Light’s community-based staff from the school building. The 2,686 square-foot space will house the Intensive Behavioral Health Services and the Family Based Mental Health programs. These moves will bring the programs in close proximity to the main campus located at 800 East Main Street.

More information about the transfer of these programs and the Custer City Private School will be announced in the future.

Beacon Light Behavioral Health System was founded in the early 1900’s to provide services to children abandoned or orphaned by the early oil and lumber industries. Throughout its history, the agency has provided quality care to young people. As the needs of local society changed, Beacon Light Behavioral Health System evolved into a private, not-for-profit, social service agency providing quality, professional behavioral health and education services. Beacon Light Behavioral Health System’s continuum of care includes multiple programs of varying intensity that span across northcentral Pennsylvania. Regardless of the location and type of service accessed, qualified mental health treatment professionals provide individualized treatment planning and care.

For information about Beacon Light Behavioral Health System’s services, visit www.beacon-light.org.

Kathleen J. “Grammie” McGonnell, 71, Olean, NY

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OLEAN – Kathleen J. “Grammie” McGonnell, 71, passed away on Saturday (Nov. 26, 2022) at Olean General Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on March 15, 1951, she was the daughter of Clifford and Dorothy Taft Blakeslee. On May 25, 2002, at their family home, she married James McGonnell.

Kathleen was a 1969 graduate of Olean High School, then went on to attend the former Olean Business Institute and receive her certification in accounting. Kathleen retired as a civilian procurement specialist for the U.S. Navy.

She was a member of the Eagles Club Auxiliary, Portville American Legion Auxiliary and the Hinsdale American Legion Auxiliary.

Kathleen loved to do crypto-puzzles and mahjong. She was an avid sport fan, loved the Yankees and recently became a Buffalo Bills fan. Most of all she enjoyed watching her grandchildren play sports.

Surviving including her husband, is a daughter, Bridget (Michael) Retchless of Olean; two stepsons, James McGonnell II of Alden and Kurtis McGonnell of Salamanca; two sisters, Patricia (Phil) Smith of Olean and Sherry (Bill) Connor of Olean; two grandchildren, Sarah (Steve) Gerhard and Justin (Hannah Wilber) Retchless; three step-grandchildren, Marissa McGonnell, Grayson McGonnell and Kullan McGonnell; a special great-grandson, Colt John Gerhard; and many nieces and nephews with whom she was very close.

Preceding her in death, including her parents, was a brother, Amos Blakeslee; and a sister, Beverly Talbott Smith.

There will be no services at this time.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made to The Seeing Eye, a charity for the blind.

Online condolences may be made at www.framefuneralhome.com.

…WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM EST THURSDAY…

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Wind Advisory issued November 30 at 2:57PM EST until December 01 at 1:00AM EST by NWS Buffalo

DESCRIPTION: …WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM EST THURSDAY…

  • WHAT…South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph this
    morning, becoming west this afternoon.
  • WHERE…Wyoming, Livingston, Ontario, Cattaraugus, and
    Allegany counties.
  • WHEN…Until 1 AM EST Thursday.
  • IMPACTS…Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects.
    Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may
    result.

INSTRUCTIONS: Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

Issued By: NWS Buffalo (Western New York)

…WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM EST THURSDAY…

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URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service State College PA
151 PM EST Wed Nov 30 2022
…WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM EST THURSDAY…

* WHAT…West winds 15 to 25 mph with occasional gusts between 45
and 50 mph.

* WHERE…Warren, McKean, Potter, Elk, Cameron, Northern
Clinton, Clearfield and Northern Centre Counties.

* WHEN…Until 3 AM EST Thursday.

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…The strongest wind gusts will be on the
ridge tops and in the gaps of the ridges.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

For high wind safety information, visit weather.gov/wind.

The latest forecast information can be found on the NWS State
College Facebook page and Twitter @NWSStateCollege, or on the web
at weather.gov/ctp.

Dennis J. Confer, 66, of Bradford, PA

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Dennis J. Confer, 66, of Bradford, PA passed away on Monday, November 28, 2022 at the Bradford Manor.

He was born on August 13, 1956 in Bradford, the son of Shirley Weaver Confer of Bradford and the late William Confer.

He was a 1974 graduate of the Bradford Area High School.

After High School he was employed by Futures Rehabilitation Center, Inc. for several years prior to working for the Bradford Department of Motor Vehicles until he retired due to disability.

He attended the Sawyer Evangelical Church.  He enjoyed playing video games on his laptop computer and watching wrestling on television and while at the Bradford Manor he enjoyed playing Bingo and painting.

In addition to his mother, he is also survived by one sister, Linda (Richard) Kliment of Bushnell, FL; two nieces, Tracy (Mike Ketchner) Piller of Olean, NY and Krista (Jay) Whitlow of Derrick City and five great nieces and nephews, Hunter Ackley, Jordan Piller and Morgan, Mallory and Jake Whitlow.

Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Burial will be in McKean Memorial Park, Lafayette.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Mascho Funeral Home, Inc.  

Memorial contributions in his memory can be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children—Erie Development and Donor Relations Department, 1645 West 8th Street, Erie, PA  16505 or the McKean County Special Olympics, P.O. Box 101, Bradford, PA  16701.

Online Condolences can be expressed at www.maschofuneral.com.

William Joseph (Bill) Walaski, 78, Dallas, Texas

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William Joseph (Bill) Walaski, 78, passed away on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2022, in Dallas, Texas.

Bill was born November 28, 1943, to Joseph M. and Gladys Davey Walaski in Coudersport, Pennsylvania. He was raised in a family of devote Catholics with two brothers and three sisters.

Growing up in Coudersport, he played basketball at Coudersport Area High School, worked various jobs including delivering newspapers and bagging peas at a local pea vinery, enjoyed watching wrestling and shooting pool with his friends. His small-town roots cultivated a strong work ethic and a deep love and respect for his family.

He joined the Army during the Vietnam War and was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas where he met and married his wife, Soledad. He had a strong affection for El Paso where he raised his family and worked as a Transportation Supervisor with the Southern Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads. Eventually retiring, he moved to Rockwall, Texas to be closer to his children and grandchildren.

Bill was charming, funny, and generous. He enjoyed long conversations with family and friends and was genuinely interested in listening. He assigned people clever nicknames, liked to tell stories, and never rushed a conversation. He listened to country music, played Yahtzee, watched football, NASCAR and the news, drank too much coffee and recycled anything he could get his hands on. He spoke his own language and did things his own way. Above all else, he was committed to providing for his family.

Whether he was Billy, Dad, Pops, Grandpa, Brother Bill or Uncle Bill, he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Bill is survived by his wife of 56 years, Soledad M. Walaski, his son James Robert Walaski (Michelle) of McLendon-Chisholm, and daughter Rebecca Walaski Sabin (James Troy) of Lucas, TX; grandchildren Korie Lynn Walaski, Evan Sabin, and Ryan Sabin; siblings Delores Taylor, Jean Grom (Don), and Gary Walaski (Sue) and many nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by his beloved mother and father, siblings James T. Walaski and Nancy W. Chitester.

Visitation will be held from 4 PM to 8 PM with a Rosary at 7:00 PM, Tuesday, December 6th at Rest Haven Funeral Home, 3701 Rowlett Road, Rowlett, TX 75088. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 1305 Demascus Rd., Rockwall, TX 75087.

Interment will take place on Monday, December 12th at 9:30 AM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Corpus Christi Monastery, 451 Mockingbird Lane, El Paso, TX 79907.

Joel T. BLASS, 68, of Santa Barbara, CA

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Joel T. BLASS, 68, of Santa Barbara, CA, died Monday, November 7, 2022 in his home.

Born May 22, 1954, in West Reading, PA, he was the son of Lowell R. and Emilie Verone Holtzman Blass.

Joel loved riding the electric bike he built every single day. Most often, he went to the beach to read his books. He also loved building and working with computers, spending most all his working years in information technology. All his life he enjoyed being outside in beautiful environments.

Surviving are: a brother, Jeffery Blass of Parksville, MO; a sister, Betsy Haley of Dover, NH; cousins; a niece; and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother David J. Blass; and his step-mother, Elaine J. Blass.

A graveside service will be held in Yochum Hill Cemetery, Carter Camp, PA on a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com. 

EQB Adopts Emergency Air Quality Regulation for Existing Conventional Oil and Gas Sources

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Tom Manning Photo

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board (EQB) today adopted an emergency rule limiting volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and, as a co-benefit, methane emissions from existing conventional oil and gas sources, which will lower air pollution from conventional oil and gas sources in the commonwealth. 

The regulation mirrors a final-omitted regulation that the EQB adopted on October 12, and that the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) approved on November 17. 

Under the federal Clean Air Act (CAA), Pennsylvania has until December 16, to submit to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a State Implementation Plan, including regulations covering VOC emissions for all required oil and gas sources. 

Governor Tom Wolf determined that this emergency certified final-omitted rulemaking is necessary to ensure the commonwealth complies with the CAA and with Pennsylvania’s Air Pollution Control Act. The emergency rulemaking was undertaken after the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee voted to review the final-omitted version of the regulation, causing a delay in the regulatory process that would extend beyond the December 16 deadline. 

If the commonwealth does not submit this rulemaking to the EPA as a State Implementation Plan revision by December 16, federal highway funding will be withheld until the submission is made. For the upcoming fiscal year, federal highway funds subject to these sanctions are estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars in “nonattainment areas” – regions that have not met air quality standards for ozone – in the commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and the EPA have identified several hundred projects in nonattainment areas that would not receive funding and would therefore not be completed or would be subject to delay. 

The Regulatory Review Act (RRA) allows an agency to immediately implement a final-omitted regulation when the Governor certifies that promulgation is necessary to respond to an emergency circumstance specified in the RRA. Today, November 30, Governor Tom Wolf issued a Certification of Need for Emergency Regulation finding that this rulemaking is required to prevent “the need for supplemental or deficiency appropriations of greater than $1,000,000.” (71 P.S. § 745.6(d)). 

The emergency rulemaking establishes the VOC emission limitations for existing conventional oil and gas sources based on Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) requirements consistent with the EPA’s recommendations. The EPA defines RACT as “the lowest emission limitation that a particular source is capable of meeting by the application of control technology that is reasonably available considering technological and economic feasibility.” 

These sources include natural gas-driven continuous bleed pneumatic controllers, natural gas-driven diaphragm pumps, reciprocating compressors, centrifugal compressors, fugitive emissions components and storage vessels installed at conventional well sites, gathering and boosting stations and natural gas processing plants, as well as storage vessels in the natural gas transmission and storage segment. 

This rulemaking will be effective upon notice or publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.   

View the regulatory package and other material from the November 30 Environmental Quality Board meeting.  

Kenneth John “Stovepipe” Noftz, age 68, of West Deer Township, Well Known in Austin, PA Area

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Kenneth John “Stovepipe” Noftz, age 68, of West Deer Township, passed away suddenly on November 26, 2022. Born in Pittsburgh, PA on July 17, 1954, son of the late John A. and Irene Kaiser Noftz. Also preceded in death by his father and mother in-laws Bob and Florence Eichler, sister-in-law Lori Noftz and brother-in-law Jerry Bouch.

Kenneth was the owner of Noftz Sheet Metal for 50 years. He was president of Westview Sportsman’s Club and lifetime member of Northside Sportsman Association. Ken loved farming, trap shooting, fishing on his farm’s pond, collecting Kubota tractors, and making sheet metal.

Beloved husband for 47 years of Sue Eichler Noftz. Father of John R. Noftz. Brother of Carole Bouch, Wayne Noftz, and Donna Filipowski. Brother-in-law of Chris and Tom Tevis and Gary and Ann Eichler. Uncle of Missy (Duane) Smyth, Emily (Santo) Piccolomini, Jack Noftz, Ben (Andrea) Eichler, and Derek Eichler. Great Uncle to Mia Piccolomini and Izzy, Ava, and Chase Eichler.

Friends received Thursday 1-8 p.m. at Schellhaas Funeral Home, Ltd., 5864 Heckert Road, Bakerstown, PA. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, St. Victor Church, 527 Bairdford Road, Bairdford, PA. Interment will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Millvale.

In lieu of flowers, donations to West Deer Dog Shelter, 109 E. Union Road, Cheswick, PA 15024. www.schellhaasfh.com.

PASD Shares Info on Live Streaming & Location of Playoff Game in Clarion

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Port Allegany School District

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ANNOUNCEMENT: THIS EVENING THE PORT ALLEGANY SCHOOL DISTRICT SHARED THE FOLLOWING EMAIL WITH FAMILIES:

“November 29, 2022

Dear Community,

The Port Allegany School District thanks you for your continued support of our extracurricular programs, student athletes, and coaches. We are in the midst of a historic run through the state football playoffs and collectively wish our team the best of luck in their game Friday v. Union Area.

Over the last several weeks many in our region have appreciated the district’s live streaming of these playoff games on the PASD YouTube Channel. We have enjoyed providing them to you. Unfortunately, we will not be afforded the opportunity to live stream this Friday’s game due to contractual obligations the PIAA has with the NFHS Television Network.

Should you wish to view Friday evening’s game you will need to create and/or access a NFHS account: https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/subscribe/retail . (Please note, the monthly fee to view events is $11.99. The yearly fee is $79.99.)

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our supporters, but unfortunately, it is something the district has no control over. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Also, anyone who has ordered tickets https://www.piaa.org/sports/tickets.aspx?from=mobileNav and is planning on attending the game in person, the address on the printed tickets will be incorrect. That address will take you on campus at Clarion University. The football game will be played at:

Memorial Stadium

23 West Main Street

Clarion, PA 16214

Finally, the district will host a pep rally on Thursday, December 1 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. The community is invited to attend.

Respectfully,

Gary Buchsen, Superintendent

Go Gators!”

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