The Pennsylvania State Police presented awards today to two troopers who selflessly risked their own lives and safety to protect others from harm during a confrontation with an armed and violent suspect last year.
Troopers Jonnie W. Schooley III and Shawn K. Palmer, of Troop D, Beaver, were awarded the Commendation Medal for their actions July 29 while apprehending the suspect, who had threatened people with a gun at an Aliquippa convenience store. The award is presented to personnel for a conspicuously significant achievement so outstanding and superior that it distinguishes the recipient and enhances the prestige of the department.
Schooley, who was shot and seriously injured during the incident, was also awarded the Pennsylvania State Police Purple Heart, presented to members who receive serious bodily injury in the line of duty. The awards were presented during a ceremony at Penn State Beaver.
There’s a lot going on in our world right now. Politics, COVID, human rights, freedom, elections, are just a couple of the things that are in the news on a regular basis. Everyone seems to have an opinion, but after all opinions are often just that, opinions.
There’s an interesting passage from the scriptures that states: “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”
(Proverbs 14:12). The problem of course is that it “seems right”. It makes me wonder; do we think about what we’re doing? Do we review our direction, and ask the critical questions along the way? Or do we just plod along on the same old path? Isn’t that sort of like doing the same thing over and over expecting different results?
The Rotarians have what is called the Four-Way test. It is a moral code for business and personal relationships. This is the test:
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Seems simple enough doesn’t it, so why can’t it be practiced. Personally, it seems to relate really well to “Doing the Right Thing”. Not because it’s profitable to you or a group, but simply because it’s right. It’s a position that will not always be popular and it may go against what “seems” to be the right path. Too often we ask the wrong question simply because we’re asking it from a perceived agenda or thought.
I like the Four-Way Test because it gives a chance to pause and think. Too often we don’t think. We run ahead without engaging our thought and in the end, we stumble into a huge mess of our own doing. Isn’t that what a Dildine does? Perhaps, just perhaps we need to pause and think first and ask the question “Is it the right thing?” Think about it.
Clearfield Co., PA (WJAC) — Clearfield County coroner Kim Shaffer-Snyder has confirmed new details regarding the investigation into a dead body that was found in a wooded area near Interstate 80 earlier this week.
Shaffer-Snyder says that an autopsy has been completed and the cause of death is still pending.
She notes that while an identity has not been released, authorities have determined that the body is that of a 25 to 30-year-old white female.
State police add that the woman is approximately 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighed approximately 105 pounds, with dark hair and blue eyes. Read more…..
Wellsville Police arrested Jessica L. Morrison, age 32, of Wellsville, charging her with Arson 2nd (Class B Felony), Reckless Endangerment 1st (Class D Felony) and Criminal Mischief 2nd (Class D Felony).
The charges stem from an investigation into a fire which was set at an occupied apartment building located at 46 North Broad Street on May 1st.
Morrison was processed and arraigned by Wellsville Village Justice Thompson. Morrison was committed to the Allegany County Jail without bail. Morrison is due back in Wellsville Village Court on June 6th at 4:30 pm.
Wellsville Police would like to thank the Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department, Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corp, Allegany County Fire Investigators, New York State Police, and the Allegany County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance during the investigation.
Additionally, we like to thank the Wellsville community. Information was obtained through community involvement which initially led investigators to Morrison becoming a person of interest.
Donald I. Keller, 93, of Senior Commons at Powder Mill, York, PA formerly of Emporium, PA passed away at Senior Commons at Powder Mill, York, PA on Wednesday night (May 3, 2023). He was born July 23, 1929 in Renovo, PA a son of the late Russell W. and Mable Nesman Keller. On April 22, 1955 in Emporium, PA he married the late Carol Elaine Rigby Keller.
Don served, for two years with the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Emporium and the Miller-Raffaele Post 6221, VFW. He worked for Johnson’s Auto Sales as a mechanic and for the Cameron County School District for 26 years in the maintenance department. He was a deer hunter from the age of 9 years old. Knew the local woods and trails like the back of his hand. He enjoyed gardening, spending time with family.
He is survived by a daughter, Kay A. Sullivan, York, PA; son, Donald R. (Karen) Keller, Glen Arm, MD; six grandchildren: Mandy (Priest) Arnold (Sean), York, PA/Progresso Mexico, Sean Ryan (Gina) Sullivan, Dallastown, PA, Jack Keller, Raleigh, NC, Haley (Keller) Cole (William), Elizabethtown, NC, David Keller and Cassandra Keller, Emporium; four great grandchildren: Allison, Colin and Evan Sullivan, Axel Moate.
In addition to his parents and wife Don was preceded in death by a son, David A. Keller and two sisters, Eileen Miller and Patricia McGregor.
Funeral Service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 306 S. Spruce St, Emporium, PA on Tuesday (May 9, 2023) at 12:00 PM with Rev. Dr. Andrew P. Spore, Pastor, officiating. A Military Service by the Cameron County Memorial Detail will follow the service. The family will receive friends at Church one hour prior to the funeral service.
Burial will be in the Gilmore Cemetery, Austin, PA.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Gilmore Cemetery Association, 72 Innsbruck Dr., Emporium, PA 15834 or to DAV -Disabled American Veterans or The First United Methodist Church, 306 S. Spruce St., Emporium, PA 15834.
At 7:00 PM on Thursday, Wellsboro & Middlebury Fire Depts. have been dispatched to a drilling Rig Fire at 669 Oak Ridge Trail in Delmar Township. Smoke is seen from Route 6. Tankers from Lawrenceville & Mansfield requested.
An electrical fire in the drilling rig is reported.
Congratulations to Emporium Borough Manager Stretch Reed for earning the 2023 Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs Career Recognition Award through the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services! A member of borough council for 10 years, Stretch became borough manager in 2007. Throughout his time with the borough, he has worked hard on behalf of the community and citizens of Emporium. I was honored to present him with a House citation in recognition of his dedication.
On Tuesday, May 2nd, the Potter County Conservation District held our annual Envirothon Competition at the PA Lumber Museum. 14 Teams from 5 different schools braved the cold to “Accept the Natural Challenge”.
This year’s winning team was “Skrimply and the Little Soil People” from Coudersport. Second Place went to the “Scat Sniffers” of Oswayo Valley. Third Place was “Kicking Sassafras” from Coudersport. Thank you to all our participants, volunteers, and sponsors.
Do your future plans include postsecondary education? Northern PA Regional College (NPRC) brings affordable education to you. Their Summer 2023 semester begins Monday, June 5th. Twelve courses are being offered, including Introduction to Psychology, Interpersonal Communication, Foundations of Math and Environmental Biology, to name a few. These courses are part of five associate degrees – Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Liberal Studies, and Social Sciences. Of course, 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 whatever goal you’d like to achieve.
These courses are perfect for recent high school graduates, mid-career adults seeking to advance in 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 designed to be affordable at 70% less than the average tuition at brick-and-mortar institutions. Students with a high school diploma or its equivalent pay $185 per credit and receive guaranteed admission. Current high school students pay $60 per credit. Institutional Aid and scholarship opportunities are available.
These courses will be offered at the Education Council’s Coudersport office, as well as more than 20 additional locations throughout northwestern Pennsylvania. Apply now and see why Brighter Futures Begin at NPRC.
The priority application deadline is Monday, May 29. For more information, contact the Student Services team, at info@rrcnpa.org or (814) 230-9010.
Veronica Frances Ferragine, 97, of 401 Chestnut Street, Johnsonburg, passed away Thursday morning, May, 4, 2023 at Elk Haven Nursing Home, St. Marys following a brief illness. She was born on April 2, 1926 in Johnsonburg, the youngest of ten children to the late Stephen and Grace Scrivo Vavala. On August 23, 1958 in Holy Rosary Church, Johnsonburg, she married Anthony F. Ferragine. He preceded her in death on November 11, 2020.
A lifelong resident of Johnsonburg, she was a 1944 graduate of Johnsonburg High School. She was a member of Holy Rosary Church and had been a member of the Rosary Altar Society, and the CD of A. She was also a member of the Marie Jose Lodge. She had also been a lunchtime volunteer at ECCHS for many years when her children were students at the school. She loved spending time with her family, especially during the holidays and during summer at the camp at the dam, always looking for someone to play 500 with her. She loved trips to the casino and her own and everyone else’s pets.
Veronica had worked at Stackpole in Johnsonburg. Along with her husband Anthony, in 1962, they pooled their resources, financial and physical, to purchase the Penn Club and open the Anthony Ferragine Funeral Home. She worked in many capacities there for many years.
Veronica is survived by her children, Gemma Ferragine and her husband Gary Palm of Raleigh, NC, Frank Ferragine and his wife Sherrie of Johnsonburg and Veronica Pierce of Ringwood, NJ and her grandchildren Amanda Palm and her husband Josh Williams, Mary Palm, Samantha, Mrs. Kyle Yurkiewicz, Anthony “Joey” Ferragine and his fiancé Abby Owen, William “Luke” Ferragine and his fiancé Emily Miller, Rebecca Pierce, Matthew Pierce and Stephen Pierce. She is also survived great-grandchildren Josephine “JoJo” Williams, Grayson Yurkiewicz and Hayden Yurkiewicz due in June.
She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Veronica is predeceased by brothers Salvatore “PeeWee” and Bruno “Nibe” Vavala, sisters Helen Tassone, Marian Dellaquila, Rose Damore, Brunina Tripodi, Josephine DeFiore, Givanna “Jenny” Francis and Margaret “Margie” Occhiuto and a son-in-law Mark L. Pierce.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Veronica F. Ferragine will be conducted at Holy Rosary Church, Johnsonburg on Monday May 8, 2023 at 10 AM with Fr. David Wilson, Pastor. Interment will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery.
Friends will be received at the Anthony F Ferragine Funeral Home and Cremation Services Chapel, 401 Chestnut Street Johnsonburg, PA Sunday evening from 6 to 8 PM.
If desired, memorial contributions should be made in remembrance of her to Holy Rosary Church, 606 Penn St., Johnsonburg, PA 15845, The Johnsonburg Community Center, 600 Market St., Johnsonburg, PA 15845, The Johnsonburg Community Trust, or to the Johsonburg Public Library, 520 Market St. #1, Johnsonburg, PA 15845.
Laura R. Hall, age 40, of 315 S. 3rd. St., Olean, was arrested by the Street Crimes Unit today for an outstanding Indictment warrant issued by the Cattaraugus County Court Judge Ron Ploetz for sale and possession of Cocaine.
Hall was taken into custody at her residence for charges of Criminal Sale of a controlled substance 3rd. degree and Criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. degree (B Felonies) then processed at the Olean Police Dept. Hall was then taken to the Cattaraugus County jail to await arraignment.
