February 2023- More than $134,000 in scholarships are available for students through The Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers. In 2022, the Foundation awarded scholarships to 42 local students.
Not every ruffed grouse across Pennsylvania is quite the same as the next. Some – though wild, undomesticated birds – might even be called “tame,” meaning they show little fear of or even act aggressively toward people, especially in spring and fall.
A #WildSciPA video available on the Game Commission’s YouTube channel shows just what that looks like.
But does that behavior matter, to grouse and grouse management?
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is seeking the public’s help in answering that question. The agency – charged with perpetuating wildlife species including grouse over the long term – is conducting a ruffed grouse genetics study in cooperation with Pennsylvania State University. The research aims to determine whether the Commonwealth’s grouse population shows signs of splitting up into distinct subpopulations and if “tame” behavior is linked to genetics. The results of this study will ensure habitat management efforts are targeted to improve and maintain grouse population connectivity.
Accordingly, the Game Commission is encouraging Pennsylvanians to report the location of any “tame” grouse they see this spring by sending an email to grousecomments@pa.gov. That email should include the person’s name and phone number, date of the sighting, location of the encounter and a description of the grouse’s behavior.
Ideally, those sending in a report should also include GPS coordinates for the encounter site. If that information isn’t available, reporters should provide as much other detail about the location of the encounter as possible, listing things like the county and/or township, the name of the property (like a particular state game lands, for instance), the property address, the closest intersection and the like.
Game Commission staff may reach out to those who report encounters for additional information, if necessary.
Field staff will then visit those locations where “tame” grouse sightings occurred to capture birds and collect a genetic sample from each.
“You may be familiar with mail-order kits where a simple saliva sample or mouth swab can unlock all kinds of information about your own ancestry or information about the breed background of your dog,” said Game Commission grouse biologist Reina Tyl. “We will be sampling these ‘tame’ grouse in essentially the same way, swabbing their mouth and sending the swab off for genetic analysis.”
All grouse from which samples are taken will be released immediately afterward at the same sites they were captured.
The more birds the Game Commission can sample, the better. That’s why public participation is so important to this project, Tyl said. It’s really the key to success with this effort.
“Gaining a more complete understanding of the genetic diversity of Pennsylvania’s grouse population is critical to ensure proper management of our beloved state bird,” she added.
Nonprofit Link and Learn Seminar topics for 2023 also announced
OLEAN, N.Y., February 28, 2023 — The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation will launch this year’s Nonprofit Link and Learn seminar series on March 21 with the “Grant Application Coaching Workshop,” facilitated by CRCF’s Karen Niemic Buchheit and Monica Emery and Laura Whitford of the Renodin Foundation.
This session will help attendees to prepare grant applications that will stand out to funders. The session will cover pre-application research, writing tips and best practices, project budgets, post-approval actions such as grant acknowledgment and reporting and what to put in your “grant application toolbox.”
The session will cover information specific to applying for grants from CRCF and the Renodin Foundation, but tips will be applicable to most any grant program. Should attendees have a project they are considering seeking grant funding for, there will be time for a Q&A at the conclusion of the session to address specific questions.
The Olean Police Departments Street Crimes Unit, assisted by Patrol, arrested 37 year old Chauncy J. Robinson of 10 Hampton Lane, Fairport N.Y. last night at 8:15 p.m. after a motor vehicle stop on Rt. 16.
Robinson was taken into custody for an outstanding Bench warrant on a previous charge of Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Robinson was also charged with Criminal Possession of a controlled substance 3rd. degree (B Felony) for possessing 41 Grams of Cocaine. Approximately $4800.00 cash was also seized during this arrest. Robinson is being held in City lockup awaiting arraignment.
At 10:15 AM on Thursday, Shinglehouse ambulance has been called to Barbertown road for difficulty breathing.
Quart Soup Sale Fundraiser: Stop in or call the library at 814-697-6691 to order a
quart of one of these delicious homemade soups: Tomato Bisque, Chicken Noodle,
Minestrone (veggie), or Broccoli Cheese. Pre-sale goes until Saturday, March 18th, and
pick-up and pay is on Saturday, March 25th from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Recently, G2 Gymnastics of Shinglehouse, traveled to Lewisburg, PA to participate in the Climb High Gymnastics Competition hosted by Dynamats Gymnastics Center. The event was held at The Miller Center and hosted almost 700 athletes from 20 gymnastics centers across PA, NY, and OH. Thirty-two members represented G2 Gymnastics at the event. G2 had a very strong showing as they had a clean sweep in the Team Division taking 1st place for Level 2, XCEL Silver, XCEL Gold, and XCEL Platinum. This is a great accomplishment for the small-town program as they beat out teams much larger in size.
The National Conservation District Employees Association (NCDEA) held its regular business meeting during the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA, February 11-15.
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides tax incentives for homeowners to invest in energy-efficient home improvements. These incentives are designed to encourage homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient, which can help reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills. This credit allows homeowners to claim a credit of up to 30% or a capped amount of the cost of specific energy-efficient home improvements. Energy Efficient improvements that might qualify are things like windows, doors, energy audits, and heat pumps. Homeowners can claim the credit on their federal income tax return.
Extension Educators will provide information based on guidance from the IRS about what might qualify and the various stipulations. An electric bill will be reviewed to determine what the different numbers and charges mean. An Extension Educator will also discuss heat pumps, a focus of the tax credits, and how they function.
Matthew Minich of Minich Electric of Bradford, PA, will be a guest panelist. Matt is an electrical contractor who will give general advice and answer questions about upgrading electrical components eligible for the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit. Matt has over 25 years of industry experience and is a Pennsylvania College of Technology graduate. He is also on the advisory committee of Seneca Highlands CTC.
The webinar will take place on Thursday, March 16, at noon. The webinar is free, and pre-registration is required. Registered participants will receive a recording. You can register at the following website: www.bit.ly/energyMarch2023. Any questions about this webinar can be directed to Joseph C. Conklin, Ed.D., at juc50@psu.edu.
For the second year in a row, Scott McCann the owner of Emporium Food Market giving away a $250 shopping spree to the person who can pick the winners from the 68 teams selected for the Men’s College Basketball March Madness competition. Teams will be selected on Sunday March 12. Brackets must be turned into Emporium Food Market by March 16 before the first round games begin.
Last year Cameron County school student Taylon Tucker beat out more than 12 adults in selecting Kansas as the winner.
At their February meeting, the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) announced the appointment of three new board members and a new slate of officers to their Board of Directors. The ECCF Board consists of 14 community-minded individuals representing many areas of expertise and community involvement.
Individuals appointed to serve as officers are Thomas Wagner, President; Jeff Marzella, Vice-President; Judy Allegretto, Secretary; and Robert Ordiway, Treasurer, each of whom offers the proficiency and knowledge to lead the Community Foundation forward in its mission to connect donors who care with causes that matter to them.
The Elk County Community Foundation congratulates and welcomes new board members Denise Cuneo, Mary DaCanal, and Mary McGrath. The Foundation is grateful and excited to have this group of individuals join the board and bring their unique talents, expertise and perspectives to the work of the organization.
The Community Foundation is grateful to all who serve on the board, and as they look forward to working together to advance the mission of the Elk County Community Foundation. ECCF, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies, is a non-profit organization that strives to strengthen our region through development, stewardship and grant making as it works with donors to achieve their philanthropic goals.
Bessie D. Dougherty, 83, of Galeton, PA, passed away on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at The Green Home in Wellsboro, PA.
Born December 10, 1939, in Westfield, PA, she was a daughter of the late Glenn and Bessie (Dailey) Carlin. On December 30, 1967 in Fulton, NY, she married Peter Dougherty, who survives.
Bessie was an LPN and worked in the Healthcare industry for many years. Bessie enjoyed collecting stamps and coins.
Surviving in addition to her husband, Peter Dougherty, are one daughter Michelle (Kevin) Galton, Nunda, NY; two grandchildren; a sister, Faith Piraino, Dansville, NY; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Bessie was predeceased by three brothers, Duane, Glenn and Dale Carlin and four sisters, Grace Button, Sally Kludt, Loris Dixon and Avis Fry.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 11:00am at the Lighthouse Community Church in Galeton. The Rev. Brent Baker will officiate.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Hess Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Collins Chapel, Galeton.
David E. “Curly” Walters, 100, of Chapel Ridge, Bradford, PA passed away, Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at the Bradford Ecumenical Home.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com
Russell Stover Chocolates of Kansas City, Missouri, is voluntarily recalling two (2) Best Before Dates of its Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cups in 2.4 oz packaging due to the potential for undeclared pecans. The recalled Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cups may contain Sugar Free Pecan Delights. Pecans are not declared on the label. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to pecans run the risk a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
The recalled Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cups were distributed nationwide to wholesale and retail stores.
