Gene A. Rees, 75, formerly of Punxsutawney, passed away at home in Coudersport Friday April 21, 2023.
He was born April 23, 1947 in Coudersport, to Donald and Glendolyn (Hartwell) Rees, and had been a resident of Punxsutawney for better than 40 years prior to coming back to Coudersport. He built a business for himself as an upholsterer and developed a reputation as one of the best in the region. He was a member of the Punxsutawney Seventh Day Adventist church, and the Punxsutawney Eagles, he enjoyed motorcycle riding, and NASCAR racing. He loved cars, and enjoyed that aspect of his vocation, working on car interiors, the most. Gene is survived by two sons: Gene Rees, Jr. of Perrysburg, NY and Levi M. Rees (Donna Herrington) of Newton, TX; three daughters: Kimberly Rees of Port Allefany, Angel “Sis” Rees (Tony Bundy) of Coudersport, and Sherri McDonald (Roy) of Springville, WV; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; a brother: Donald Rees (Cindy) of Austin; and a sister: Donna Clinton (Gaylon) of Austin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son: Ronald J. Rees; two granddaughters: Ashley, and Amber Rees; a beloved dog: JD; and his second wife: Lorraine Rees with whom he maintained a close relationship even after their separation.
Services will be private at the convenience of his family and have been entrusted to the Thomas E. Fickinger Funeral Home 210 N. East Street Coudersport, PA 16915. Donations in his name made to the American Cancer Society. To share a condolence or memory with his family, visit www.thomasfickinger.com.
Grace Ellen (Bilodeau) Keech left this world on Tuesday, April 20, 2023, at 96 years old, to go home with the Lord. Born July 25, 1926, to Millie (Bish) and Fred Bilodeau of Gardener Hill, Grace was one of 11 children that grew up in Toby. She married Clyde Keech on January 12, 1943, and moved to Kersey where they raised a family of their own. Clyde preceded her in death on January 2, 1991, after nearly 48 years of marriage.
Grace attended school in Toby and was a member of the Toby United Methodist Church.
“Gracie’s” presence was a one of constant love. While she was the mother of four, she took countless neighborhood children and friends into her fold, making it her job to fill their stomachs and kiss their cheeks. She spent her life caring for others. She boarded many guests, including local laborers and hunters, in their home, babysat several of her grandchildren and children of many working families, and was an elder care companion for neighbors in their final years. Grace made sure you weren’t alone and always knew how special you were (but never hesitated to let you know when she didn’t like something you were doing). In her heyday, Grace could be seen speeding up and down Brandy Camp Road and through Kersey-she always had somewhere to be. She was a road warrior and enjoyed travel, including camping when her children were younger and later several road trips with her sisters Alice, Ruth, and Mae, where they fondly referred to themselves as “the Golden Girls.” Grace bowled on several leagues at Jireh Lanes. But most notably, she was a true artist in the kitchen, famous for pies and Cookie trays. She had a talent for crocheting which she also gifted to others, including dresses, baby blankets and booties, colorful afghans and doilies.
She is survived by her four children Pamela (Ken) Anderson and their daughter Kristi (Jeff); Carl (Brenda) Keech and their children Amber (Dave), Brandy (Chuck) and Dustin (Amy); Laverne (Judy) Keech and their children Jamie, Steve (Christine), and Betsy (Philip); Robert (Delores) Keech and their children Tammy, Mike, John, Dan and Saundra (Jason). Grace’s legacy further includes 19 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren and one sister, Mae (Dick) Serianni of St. Marys
It is near impossible to fully capture with words the depth and breadth of this world touched by “Gracie” over her long life. Grace is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Clyde, a newborn son, Charles, a grandson, Ben, and nine siblings, Rachel Reichard, Frances Strum, Twila Moyer, Ruth DePonceau, Alice DeSantis, Dolph Bilodeau, LeRoy “Bud” Bilodeau, Leo Bilodeau, and John Bilodeau in infancy, as well as countless other friends and family.
The family would like to thank all those who helped care for and show Grace love in her final years as she suffered her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, including but not limited to, longtime friend, May Wolfe, the Kersey Senior Center, Penn Highlands Adult Day Care, ATA bus drivers, Helpmates (Community Nurses), and the staff at Mountain Laurel Healthcare.
A Funeral Service will be held in the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at 11:00 AM, with the Rev. Joni Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the Ridge Cemetery in Kersey.
Visitation will be held in the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM and again on Wednesday morning, from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fox Township Ambulance Association, 432 Main Street, Kersey, PA 15846, the Penn Highlands Adult Day Care, 625 Maurus Street, St. Marys, PA 15857, or a charity of your choice.
Scott Burgeson, 57, of St. Marys, PA passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 20, 2023. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Lynch-Green Funeral Home.
Elk County- The St. Marys Area United Way voted at their quarterly meeting on April 20, 2023 to open up a mini grant application cycle for local nonprofits that serve the citizens or the St. Marys Area School District. Specifically, this grant application process is for those eligible nonprofit organizations that support the health and welfare needs of our community.
To apply, all applicants must call the St. Marys Area United Way office at 814-781-6000 to understand the application guidelines. The deadline to apply for this grant cycle will be June 15, 2023.
HARRISBURG—Pennsylvania’s bipartisan Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) Task Force, chaired by Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia), met today for the first time to gather information on the best and safest way to increase the export of LNG.
Projects Will Build Clean Water Infrastructure and Create Jobs That Will Benefit People Living in Rural Watersheds in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia
CHESAPEAKE CITY, Md., April 21, 2023 – Ahead of Earth Day, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small joined Sen. Tom Carper and environmental partners to announce $18.3 million in investments to protect and preserve the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and Delaware River Basin. The funding will help build clean water infrastructure and create jobs that will benefit people living in rural Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
Under Secretary Torres Small also attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a landmark wastewater treatment facility for the town of Chesapeake City, Maryland. USDA provided $6.6 million in investments under the Water and Waste Direct Loan and Grant program to help build the facility. The Maryland Department of the Environment contributed $6.9 million.
In an effort to protect wildlife habitat, the Pennsylvania Game Commission plans to spray nearly 110,000 acres of state game lands this spring.
Spraying will occur on 43 different state game lands – 109,180 acres in all – and will begin as soon as leaf-out occurs and spongy moth egg masses hatch, likely in late April and May.
Description: Environmental Health & Safety violation issued on 4/18/2023 to ARMAC RESOURCES LLC in Warren City, Warren county. 78.91(a) – PLUGGING – GENERAL PROVISIONS – Upon abandoning a well, the owner or operator failed to plug the well to stop the vertical flow of fluids or gas within the well bore under 25 Pa. Code §§ 78.92—78.98 or an approved alternate method.
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service State College PA 433 AM EDT Fri Apr 21 2023 …ELEVATED RISK OF WILDFIRE SPREAD THIS AFTERNOON…
A combination of dry and breezy conditions this afternoon will create an elevated risk of wildfire spread across most of western Pennsylvania. Minimum relative humidity values will range from 20 to 30 percent accompanied by wind gusts between 20 and 25 mph.
Residents are urged to exercise caution if handling any potential ignition sources, such as machinery, cigarettes, or matches. If dry grasses and tree litter begin to burn, the fire will have the potential to spread rapidly.
For more information about wildfire danger and wildfire prevention and education, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website at http://dcnr.pa.gov/Communities/Wildfire.
Grant Program to Advance Broadband Deployment to Open Soon
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, created under legislation I authored last session, announced recently it will start disbursing $200 million of federal funding for the Pennsylvania Broadband Infrastructure Program.
Businesses, nonprofits, municipalities and economic development organizations are eligible to receive these grants to provide affordable high-speed internet to residents in unserved and underserved areas of the Commonwealth.
Grant recipients must provide affordable services that includes at least one low-cost option offered at speeds that are sufficient for a household with multiple users to simultaneously telework and engage in remote learning. Applications will be accepted starting Wednesday, May 10, through Monday, July 10.
With more and more people choosing to travel internationally again, the time to renew and issue passports has increased significantly.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the current processing time for routine passport applications is 10-13 weeks, and for expedited applications it is 7-9 weeks.
If you’re looking to travel internationally and either don’t have a passport or have an expired one, be sure to gather the necessary paperwork and submit your application as soon as possible.
House Republicans have a record of standing up for crime victims, including those who are victims of human trafficking or the sex trade.
The House Judiciary Committee this week voted in favor of legislation that seeks to further help these victims by making it easier for them to bring lawsuits against their offenders.
Under the bill, both victims of human trafficking and victims of the sex trade would be permitted to bring civil actions either in the court of common pleas where the victim resides or where the alleged violations occurred.
House Bill 394 passed the committee unanimously and now goes before the full House for consideration.
House Set to Return to Session Next Week
With state budget hearings completed, the House is set to return to legislative session next week, April 24-26.
Session will convene at noon Monday and at 11 a.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday. Several committee meetings are planned to conduct informational sessions or vote on bills. Session and all committee meetings are streamed live at www.PAHouseGOP.com.
Reminder: Town Meeting – Finding Solutions to PA’s EMS Crisis
Ambulance services across the Commonwealth are struggling with rising costs, declining revenue and a shortage of providers – and the problem is especially severe in rural areas like ours.
We all need to work together to ensure our emergency responders can continue providing the life-saving services we depend upon. That’s why I am inviting emergency medical services (EMS) providers, county and local officials, and concerned citizens to the following meeting:
Town Meeting: Finding Solutions to PA’s EMS Crisis Thursday, May 11, at 6 p.m. Smethport Fire Department 109 S. Nelson St., Smethport
Aaron Rhone, director of the Bureau of EMS within the Pennsylvania Department of Health, is scheduled to attend, as is Heather Sharar, executive director of the Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania, and Tom McElree, executive director of EMS West. A full agenda is still being developed.
RSVPs for the meeting are requested but not required. Those who wish to attend are encouraged to sign up at www.RepCauser.com or call one of my offices in Bradford (814-362-4400), Coudersport (814-274-9769) or Kane (814-837-0880).
Help Keep Drugs Out of the Wrong Hands
This Saturday, April 22, is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, an event sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to help raise awareness and give citizens across the Commonwealth and the country the opportunity to safely dispose of unused prescription drugs.
Even with the evolution of the internet, public libraries remain important institutions in our society. They provide access to information and education, regardless of socioeconomic status or location, and in many cases provide internet access for library goers.
“There’s More to the Story” is the theme for National Library Week, which will be celebrated April 23-29. It highlights the many services offered by our libraries, as well as recognizes the valuable role libraries, librarians and library workers play in our local communities.
Pennsylvania is home to hundreds of public libraries, academic libraries and bookmobiles. Be sure to take advantage of the services offered by our local libraries!
The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) in collaboration with the Pennsylvania National Guard and American Legion are seeking applicants for its annual youth camp. The Elmer Hafer-American Legion-State Police-National Guard Youth Camp will be held June 11-17, at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County.
The six-day summer leadership camp is designed for teenagers, ages 15-17, who are interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement or the military. During the camp, cadets work on team-building exercises, physical fitness training, classroom activities involving police and military careers, and a marksmanship course.
Anyone interested in applying for the camp must: • Be between the ages of 15 and 17 prior to entering the camp and not reach the age of 18 during the camp. • Not have previously attended the camp. • Possess a good academic record, be physically fit and be in good health. The camp is free of charge as their local American Legion post sponsors their attendance. Interested applicants can read more about the camp by visiting pa-legion.com.The application can be found here. It must be returned to the applicant’s local American Legion by May 15.
OLEAN, N.Y., April 21 — The multi-generational philanthropy of the Reisner family has had and will long continue to have a deep impact on the greater Olean community.
In recognition of their exemplary philanthropy and community spirit, the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation will honor Dr. Lewis, Doris, Walt (posthumously) and Ruth Reisner as the 2023 Friends of the Foundation at CRCF’s annual Friends of the Foundation Luncheon event.
Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a two-year roadway project continues on Interstate 180 eastbound and westbound in Montoursville Borough, and Loyalsock, Fairfield, and Muncy townships in Lycoming County.
Week of April 24
On Monday, April 24, 2023, through Friday, April 28, 2023, the contractor, Glenn O. Hawbaker, will be performing work between the Route 87 interchange and the Fairfield Road interchange. Work includes removing the Right-of-Way fence at various locations, removing debris from inlets, placing rock to fill-in washed out areas, and cleaning drainage structures. Motorists can expect the shoulder areas to be closed where work is being performed. Work will be performed during daylight hours.
Motorists should be alert, slow down, and drive with caution.
Glenn O. Hawbaker is the primary contractor for this $11.4 million highway resurfacing project. Work on this project includes mill and resurface of over 13 miles of roadway including entrance and exit ramps at Route 87 and the Fairfield Road interchanges, new lighting, guide rail upgrades, drainage, signage, and pavement markings. Additional work the removal and re-epoxy of 16 bridges throughout the project. These bridges span the Loyalsock Creek, Route 87, Fairfield Road, Route 220, Carpenter’s Run, Brushy Ridge Road, Wolf Run, and Muncy Creek. Work on this project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2024, with a winter shutdown in 2023.
Motorists should be alert, slow down, expect delays in travel, watch for lane changes, and drive with caution through the work zone.
Years ago I heard a sermon about hoeing in your own row. It was one of those messages that I’ve never forgotten. It’s a subject that is practical and applicable to everyday life.
Have you noticed that everyone has an opinion and that they believe that theirs is the only one that counts? It doesn’t matter what the subject matter is, someone somewhere has an opinion and they want you to know what it is. To hoe in your own row simply means to take care of your own weeds before you go around hoeing the weeds out of someone else’s garden, (life). But we don’t do we? We look around and see what we consider some offensive issue somewhere and jump on the bandwagon of offense. Plastering our savory thoughts across social media sights for all to see while the weeds of our own life go unnoticed and choke out what we should be taking care of in our own garden.
The idea of hoeing in your own row is very much like the story Jesus told of taking care of the log in your own eye before you try to take our the splinter in someone else’s, (Luke 6:42). It makes me wonder how much different our world would be if we practiced this type of scrutiny. You know, taking care of our own lives before we start meddling into the life of another person. Personally I’ve had to look in the mirror often and found that the very thing that frustrated me about others was very evident in my own as well. I’ve had to do an attitude adjustment before talking to someone else about theirs.
Hoeing in your own row simply means to take at look at our own life, motives, attitudes, and beliefs and make adjustments wherever they are needed. Learn to live life as an example rather as an expert. Understand that in life, teaching others how to do things works better than just telling them. Teaching them and working along side of them will create a friend. Taking your hoe and hacking away at their garden will only create an enemy. The options are simple the choice is yours. Think about it.
Help Keep Drugs Out of the Wrong Hands
