April 2023

U.S. Forest Service – Allegheny National Forest 

The USDA Forest Service announced that the River Road Wildfire was 100 percent contained and approximately 447 acres in size as of 3:43 pm on Sunday, April 16, 2023. The wildfire was located in the Marienville Ranger District of Allegheny National Forest in the vicinity of Gregg Hill, River, and Millstone Roads. The cause of the wildfire remains under investigation.

Wildland firefighters continue to mop up the fire by extinguishing any remaining burning material near fire control lines, felling snags, trenching logs to prevent rolling, and other work to make the fire safe and reduce residual smoke. No structures were lost, and none are directly threatened. No evacuations were ordered.

Seventeen volunteer fire departments, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – Bureau of Forestry, the PA Game Commission, and the Forest Service worked collaboratively to suppress the River Road Wildfire. Given the progress in containment, current conditions, and the weather forecast, wildland firefighters anticipate calling the fire controlled in the next couple of days.

For information on the River Road Wildfire, visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/…/paalf-river-road-wildfire

Northern Pennsylvania Regional College is pleased to announce Brandy Schimp, the Mayor of Kane, Pennsylvania, as the 2023 Commencement speaker. Schimp is a proud Kane native and since being elected the town’s mayor in 2018, she has been a critical leader in many redevelopment and revitalization projects in her hometown.

 After finishing high school at Kane Area High School, she enrolled at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) and earned a degree in marketing. After college, she became a Marketing Associate for Sysco Foods and returned to Kane. Later in her career, she worked in sales and marketing for Allegheny Store Fixtures in Bradford.

When she returned to Kane after college, she also began the process of getting involved in the Kane community through the Kane Area Revitalization Enterprise (KARE) in 2007. This organization, along with the Kane Area Development Center and many small business owners and volunteers, have helped to transform the town and populate the community with new businesses and repaired storefronts. After serving in this organization, she was encouraged to use her business background and run for mayor to continue the great work she was taking part in. Now in her sixth year overall, she is proud of the work her and her fellow residents have done for the future of their community.

“My biggest passion is our region’s greatest asset; our children,” noted Schimp. “I serve because I believe that the work we do now will impact generations to come and I want to do my part to make sure children in our region will have access to a wide range of opportunities here without feeling like they need to leave the Pennsylvania Wilds.”

In what can sometimes be seen as a negative, residing in a rural community, Schimp works every day to make sure area residents have opportunities that will help elevate themselves and their families. She is an inspiration to local residents as she balances being a property manager of a collection of properties, being a mother of three, and serving as mayor. It’s a busy life, but it is one filled with many opportunities in a small town. “When people think about rural, we really want them to reimagine how they see rural, because oftentimes, it comes with a stigma that you cannot have nice or new things. But these communities are a great place to be. There is just so many opportunities here, like the College, that really make it so that you do not have to leave.”  

Schimp added, “NPRC is a great asset for our region because it provides access to high quality education, right here, in northwestern Pennsylvania. Additionally, it offers a variety of courses for students of all ages, at a price point that makes it even more accessible. I’m looking forward to sharing stories and experiences with everyone at commencement and hope that everyone in attendance will continue to encourage others to support this region and visit our area!”

The 2023 Commencement Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at The Titusville Mill in Titusville. The ceremony will be open to attend in person or viewed via livestream.

About NPRC: Northern Pennsylvania Regional College (NPRC) is authorized by the PA Department of Education to award associate degrees and certificates in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. NPRC is an open-admission, two-year institution of higher education. The College’s mission is to provide affordable and accessible post-secondary education to the residents of northern Pennsylvania. NPRC brings affordable education to a nine-county region (Cameron, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, McKean, Potter, Venango, and Warren). With flexible scheduling options at numerous instructional locations, attending Northern Pennsylvania Regional is an excellent option for individuals interested in furthering their education close to home. With a growing team of high-quality industry-leading instructors directing our classrooms, students are empowered by a welcoming community to change their lives and brighten their futures. NPRC is actively pursuing accreditation. https://regionalcollegepa.org. 

On Wednesday, March 29, sixteen students were inducted into the Bolivar-Richburg Chapter of the National Honor Society. To be eligible, juniors and seniors at Bolivar-Richburg must maintain an 91% or above cumulative high school average in addition to meeting high standards of character, leadership, and service. The seniors in NHS dedicated the floral centerpiece to Ms. Jacoby as the teacher or staff member who demonstrates the ideals of the National Honor Society.

Congratulations to our new inductees! Front Row: Alex Parker, Maddy Thornton, Madigan Harris, Madelyn Baldwin, McKinlee Harris. Middle Row: Nebula Wilson-Smith, Kori Thomas, Ben Kisel, Cayden Gaines. Back Row: Reiss Gaines, Caden Allen, David Baldwin, Trey Buchholz, Zachary Mitchell, Caden Giardini, Ethan Jones.

• 28 Years Total Law Enforcement Experience
• 21 months experience in a Maximum Security State Prison
• Almost 7 Years experience at Potter County Sheriff’s Department
• Knows the Responsibilities and Duties of the Sheriff’s Department
• Knows the Procedures of the Sheriff’s Department
• 14 years Law Enforcement Supervision Experience
• Graduated from Southwest Law Enforcement Institute, Management College
• Currently a Certified Deputy with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency
• Currently certified by the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission as a Firearms Instructor
• Volunteer Assistant Coach for State Champion Black Forest Youth Trap Team

Paid For By The Candidate

Cara Geelen is the Student of the Week for April 17th.  She is in the Early Childhood Education program at the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center. Cara is a senior enrolled at Austin High School. Upon graduation, Cara would like to attend Lock Haven University for   Preschool through fourth grade education as well as special education.

Cara is well liked and is a good role model for the younger students entering the program. She is a hard worker and has shown much growth over the past three years at the Career and Technical Center. She is honest and takes accountability for her actions. 

Cara has been volunteering at the Austin Elementary School in Mrs. Fiebig’s preschool class this academic year. She hopes to attain her Child Development Associate soon. 

Eryn Fiebig, her Mentor teacher, had this to add about Cara’s performance: “I have had the pleasure of getting to know Miss Cara through her placement in my preschool classroom as a student aide.  She is a hard working, committed student who has been a wonderful addition to my classroom.  Cara has always presented herself in both a professional and approachable manner.  She brings a sense of calm and positivity into the classroom, as she is very kind, caring, and attentive to the needs of all the students. Cara is well-liked and appreciated by staff as she is always pleasant and cooperative. Her positive attitude, willingness to continually learn, and dedication to the students make her a great asset, not only in the classroom but in the school as a whole. Being awarded Student of the Week is well deserved.” Thanks to Mrs. Fiebig and all the Mentor teachers that allow the students in their classrooms to learn about working with young children!

She is also employed at McDonald’s part time. She enjoys going on car rides and listening to music in her free time.