January 2023

Reps. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Wyoming) and Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) issued the following statement in response to an announcement today by the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) that it has filed a formal complaint against Frontier Communications for its failure to provide reliable service to customers.

“We are encouraged by the actions of OCA and looking forward to the next step. This is happening because of the hundreds of people who took the time to fill out formal complaint forms about their experiences with Frontier. In fact, nearly 350 people returned those forms to our offices, giving OCA the evidence needed to pursue an official complaint against the company.

“To further its case, OCA will likely hold meetings in our area to gather additional testimony. We will be working with the agency to finalize dates for those sessions and pass them along as soon as the information is available.

“We thank OCA for taking on this matter and will continue to be actively involved throughout this process, fighting for the rights of our constituents.”

In conjunction with PA Route 6 Alliance and the Elk County Council on the Arts (ECCOTA), the Gale Foundation is sponsoring the creation of a mural in the Heritage Community of Galeton to pay tribute to author Jim Kjelgaard. The mural project is set to begin later this month and will reside on the wall of Galeton Hardware on West Street in Galeton.

“The Gale Foundation is funding the project to pursue several objectives,” says Michael Callahan, Gale Foundation board member. “One is to emphasize the crucial role that reading should play in everyday life. Another is to stimulate an interest in local history and those who have contributed to it.”

Jim Kjelgaard, who wrote books for children and young adults, grew up in Galeton and graduated from Galeton High School in 1928. Kjelgaard published his first pieces of writing while living in Galeton, launching a career that would result in more than 40 published books, including Big Red in 1945, which later became a Walt Disney film of the same name. He received numerous awards for his works, including the Boy’s Club Award in 1948, the Spur Award from the Western Writers of American in 1958, and the Boy’s Life Award in 1959.

ECCOTA Arts & Learning Coordinator Cameron Howard says, “The Elk County Council on the Arts, with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, is excited to partner with the Gale Foundation and PA Route 6 Alliance in the implementation of this mural in an attempt to broaden the minds of the students involved in its design, and in bringing public art to Galeton along historic Route 6.”

Artist Jonathan Laidacker has been selected to spearhead the creation of the mural in Galeton, which will also provide plenty of hands-on experience for art students in the Galeton Area School District. With input from students, Laidacker will design the mural and do a series of studio days in the classroom in which students will learn all about murals, from concept to final installation.

“The students and I are excited to welcome artist Jon Laidacker and collaborate with him on a mural they can enjoy and take pride in for years to come,” says Ms. Angela Scalamogna, the art teacher at Galeton High School.

PA Route 6 Artisan Trail Coordinator Erin Morey, who has been working with the Gale Foundation and ECCOTA to bring the mural in Galeton to fruition, says, “It takes a lot of time and effort from a number of organizations to undertake a project like this.” Morey, who also worked on the Public Art & Mural Trail unveiled by PA Route 6 Alliance in 2022, says the mural in Galeton will also be added to that trail, which features over 50 stops in communities across Route 6. “I have come to appreciate the process of planning, creating, and installing a mural, and I’m excited to be a part of this project in Galeton,” says Morey. “Murals are a great way to engage the community and provide the opportunity to celebrate a town’s past, present, and future.”

“Our hope,” says Callahan from the Gale Foundation, “is that this mural will inspire more such projects in the Galeton community.”

The PA Route 6 Alliance, a 501(c3) corporation, was established in 2003 to manage the PA Route 6 Heritage Corridor and to implement branding and marketing plans, community development programs and other planning efforts along the corridor.  The Alliance includes representatives from all 11 counties, 9 convention and visitor bureaus, 4 heritage areas, local development districts, local business owners, Chambers of Commerce, and other interested parties along the corridor.  

 The PA Route 6 Heritage Communities program is a program of PA Route 6 Alliance and PA Route 6 Heritage Corridor funded by the PA Heritage Area Program under the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.   

Johnsonburg, Pa.:  Jim Pennington, Jr., President of the Rolfe Beagle Club, announces that the Rolfe Beagle Club will once again offer its popular Coyote and Fox Hunt or Trap over two weekends in February.  The 7^th Annual event will take place from February 10-12 and then again on the following weekend of February 17-19.

New this year is an extra prize for the largest coyote of each weekend.  “This idea was actually presented to the club by one of our dedicated coyote hunters.  Why not make it a fun time within a fun time?”, said Jim Pennington.

Registration for both weekends must be received or postmarked no later than Thursday, 2/9, if you hunt or trap over both weekends.  Registration must be received or postmarked no later than Thursday, February 16 if you are going to participate in the second weekend only.  All registrations must be received at the Rolfe Beagle Club, 1016 Long Level Road, Johnsonburg, PA 15845.  Registration must include a phone number or an email.  Questions may be addressed to wlhab9@gmail.com.

Weigh-in is at 4:00 p.m. every day of the six-day hunt.  Categories include coyote, fox, largest female coyote, and largest female fox.  Additional information at the Facebook Page, Rolfe Beagle Club.

UPMC in North Central Pa. recruiters are inviting community members to the UPMC Community Life Center, 641 Walnut St., Williamsport, every third Wednesday of the month beginning on January 18, for one-on-one meetings to learn more about UPMC careers. The “Walk-In Wednesdays” sessions are offered from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

To learn more about career opportunities with UPMC, go to Careers.UPMC.com.

The deadline to register for NPRC’s Spring semester is Thursday, January 12, 2023. The Northern Pennsylvania Regional College (NPRC) Spring 2023 semester begins Wednesday, January 18^th, bringing affordable education to a classroom near you!  Nearly forty courses are being offered, including Introduction to Psychology, Interpersonal Communication, Foundations of Math, Music Appreciation, and Environmental Biology. These courses are part of five associate degrees – Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Liberal Studies, and Social Sciences. If you are not interested in pursuing an associate degree at this time, NPRC’s team will help you select courses or training that meets your educational goals.   

These courses are perfect for recent high school graduates, mid-career adults seeking to advance their career or begin a new one, and even current eligible high school juniors and seniors who want to earn college credits while still in high school. This program is affordable with tuition rates 70% less than the average tuition at brick-and-mortar institutions. Students with a high school diploma or GED pay $185 per credit hour. Current eligible high school students pay $60 per credit hour. Institutional Aid and scholarship opportunities are available.

These courses are offered at the Education Council’s Coudersport office, as well as more than 20 additional locations throughout northwestern Pennsylvania. For more information, contact the NPRC admissions team at  admissions@rrcnpa.org or (814) 230-9010.

We have a large law enforcement family in McKean County with many residents living or working in law enforcement in the county and, with each day, risking potential violence while keeping the rest of us safe.

Their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their families are appreciated.  Words do not adequately express the gratitude. 

They risk their own lives to uphold the law.  The legacies of Patrolman Steven Jerman and Sergeant David Distrola live on and they are held in the highest regard.  They made the ultimate sacrifice.

I am honored to recognize Patrolman Jerman, Sergeant Distrola and all law enforcement officers – Bradford City Police, Bradford Township Police, Foster Township Police, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Police, Smethport Borough Police, Port Allegany Police, Kane Borough Police, Sheriff’s Department, Game Commission, Fish and Boat Commission, Pennsylvania State Police, McKean County Detectives’ Bureau, U.S. Marshalls, McKean County Drug Task Force, McKean County 911, FCI-McKean, SCI-Forest, Constables, McKean County Jail, Potter County Jail, Warren County Jail, McKean County Juvenile and Adult Probation, State Parole and Attorney General’s Office.

It is a privilege to see what these officers do because their work is largely unseen by the public.

I have seen firsthand extraordinary heroism and have been in awe of the composure they have shown in the face of potential ambush and assault. Many cases come to mind that I credit the composure of the officer with turning a nearly-certain violent assault into a peaceful resolution.

The dedication shown to the community and to their work is evident. Their service to their field – from investigation and arrest of a suspect; detention of a defendant; or supervision of a parolee- maintains our local criminal justice system. On behalf of the McKean County District Attorney’s Office, I am honored to thank these officers.  Thank you.

– Stephanie L. Vettenburg-Shaffer, District Attorney