Plan Aims to Feed Hungry for Next Decade, Solve Systemic Issues
OLEAN, NY (March 16, 2024) – Olean Food Pantry is announcing a $1 million fundraising campaign to stock its shelves for the next decade and address the root causes of hunger.
OFP has seen a 95.4% surge in clientele the past three years, pantry organizers said. It has served more than 40,000 people since January 2022. Consistently approaching or surpassing record numbers on weekly distribution days has prompted OFP to solve local hunger at its source.
Left: Larger Parish Church, Doreen & Darwin Bacon Right: Director Melissa Omans (center) with Church Members
Belmont, NY – When Allegany County Democrats meet for their monthly “Coffee with Democrats” gatherings, they bring food and personal care items to support the host community’s food pantries. This is one of the ways the committee lives its motto: “Serving our Community”.
The most recent gathering was held last week in Canaseraga, which has two pantries: one at Larger Parish Church and one at Masters Tabernacle Church.
Elk County Coroner Michelle Muccio-Krise is releasing the following update in regards to the death of Benjamin E. Meyer, 43, who was found deceased in the borough of Johnsonburg on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
An autopsy was completed this afternoon, and the results showed that this death was due to Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy complicated by chronic drug use. Final toxicology reports are pending and will updated when they become available.
3/5/2024 TO 3/19/2024 SOFT CLOSE STARTS MARCH 19 AT 7:00 PM INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL MACHINERY, COMPRESSORS, FORKLIFT, INDUSTRIAL WORK TABLES, PUSH CARTS, RACKS, SHELVING AND 50 + VARIOUS TYPES OF WORKING MACHINERY, LARGE AMOUNT OF SCRAP MATERIAL AND MACHINERY
On March 18, at 12:26 pm Lafayette Fire and Ambulance were dispatched to Rt. 219 near Tacks Inn for a two vehicle crash with possibly four patients. Air medical is on stand-by
March 18, 2024 – At approximately 4:52 a.m., police responded to the residence of William Wojehowski, age 37, located at 295 West State Street in the Village of Wellsville for a report of gunshots being fired inside the residence.
Upon arrival, the initial responding officers from the Wellsville Police Department and the New York State Police witnessed a shot fired from inside the house to the outside. A perimeter was established around the residence which is a duplex. Soon after, the occupants in the adjoining apartment were evacuated.
Unsure of whether the suspect was still inside the residence or outside, a drone equipped with thermal imaging was called in from the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office. Once officers had determined that the suspect was still inside the residence, the officers used a PA system from the patrol cars to establish communication with him.
At 7:40 a.m. the suspect surrendered to police without incident. He was transported to Olean General Hospital for evaluation. Charges are pending.
The Wellsville Police Department would like to thank the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, Alfred Police Department, the New York State Police; Troopers, Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Special Operations Response Team, SUNY Police at Alfred and the Allegany County 911 Center for their assistance.
Douglas D. Austin, 63, of Corry, Pa., passed away Friday, March 15, at the Corry Manor.
He was born Oct. 3, 1960, in Bradford, Pa., a son of the late Robert E. and Ermma “Billie” (Swackhammer) Austin.
Doug was raised and educated in Bradford and graduated from Bradford Area High School in 1978. After high school, he attended Mansfield State College and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Accounting. After college, he came back to Bradford and worked at Bradford Pipe and Supply as a threader and then for the Bradford Era as a newspaper deliverer. Eventually, Doug took over his family business, Austin’s Distributions and ran it for 30 years until he fell ill. At that time he moved into the Corry Manor, where he would be recognized for his warm smile and waving he gave to us all in the community.
Donald Wayne Botens: Loving Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather
Donald Wayne Botens, 86, of 30 South Street, Cuba, NY passed away Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Olean General Hospital after short illness.
Born on June 13, 1937, in New Hudson, he was a son of Paul M. and Bernice M. Vaughn Botens. On June 20, 1959, at the Cuba First Baptist Church he married the former RoseAnn Schryver who predeceased him on November 2, 2018.
Wayne was a graduate of Cuba Central School. He had worked at ACME Electric, Schryver’s Market in Cuba as a butcher, and last as a maintenance worker at Cuba Memorial Hospital from where he retired.
He was a little league coach for 25 years coaching the dodgers and cardinals. He was also good at building and fixing things, enjoyed reading and puzzles.
At 9:05 AM on Monday, Kane Fire & Ambulance have been dispatched to Route 66 South at the bottom of James City Hill. Vehicle is reported to have struck a tree.
At 7:30 AM on Monday, Norwich Twp. Fire, Port Allegany Fire & Austin Fire Dept. were dispatched to Scaffold Lick Road & Lady Slipper Lane to continue a search for a Port Allegany couple whose vehicle became stuck yesterday.
The Fire Depts. & State Police spent several hours on Sunday searching for the car in the massive Scaffold Lick area containing thousands of acres located between Route 155 & Rt. 46.
Shortly after this morning’s activation, McKean 911 center received a call from the missing and were going to attempt to ping their phone for location. A State Police helicopter was not able to help due to the weather.
Morning temperatures in the 20’s contributed to the urgency of the search.
At 8:34 AM, Austin units dispatched were recalled. We’re hoping that is an indication that they have been located but we’ve heard no confirmation as yet.
UPDATE 9:16 : THEY ARE COLD AND SHAKEN UP BUT IN GOOD OVERALL HEALTH. PARAMEDICS, FIRE TEAM, AND POLICE ARE WITH THEM! THANK YOU TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO HELPED MY FAMILY THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME Samantha Metzger
Please use caution in the Village of Wellsville area. SCHOOLS are canceled for Wellsville.
There is a suspect that has shot at the state police and now is in a house. In the area of West State. Please stay clear of that area. If you live in that area keep all doors locked and away from the windows.
3/5/2024 TO 3/19/2024 SOFT CLOSE STARTS MARCH 19 AT 7:00 PM INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL MACHINERY, COMPRESSORS, FORKLIFT, INDUSTRIAL WORK TABLES, PUSH CARTS, RACKS, SHELVING AND 50 + VARIOUS TYPES OF WORKING MACHINERY, LARGE AMOUNT OF SCRAP MATERIAL AND MACHINERY
Francis J. “Frank” Herzing, 84, of 741 West Creek Road, St. Marys, passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at Penn Highlands DuBois.
He was born July 4, 1939 in St. Marys, son of the late Frank X. and Louis Brown Herzing. He was a lifelong resident of the area, a graduate of St. Marys Area High School, Class of 1957, and retired from Elco Sintered Alloys in 2010.
On June 3, 1967, in St. Marys, Frank married Helen L. Kreckle, who survives. They were blessed to share 56 years of marriage.
In addition to his loving wife, Frank is survived by two daughters: Ann Herzing of Pittsburgh and Jewel Canton (Richard) of Etters, PA; one son, Bryan Herzing (Kristin) of Harrisburg; two grandchildren: Skyler Canton and Gage Canton (Sarah); three great-grandchildren: Blade Belic, Cru Belic, and Lucy Canton; three sisters: Margaret Ruckman of Fredonia, NY, Sally Caskey of St. Marys, and Marie Kresge (Ronald) of Columbus, OH; two sisters-in-law: Donna Herzing and Jean Herzing, both of St. Marys; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Peter, in infancy and his brothers, James and David Herzing.
Frank always had a passion for officiating baseball. In 1968 he attended umpiring school in Daytona Beach, FL. After graduation, he landed a job in the minor leagues working A and AA ball for three years and loved everything about it. He was released in 1971 from pro ball, returned home, and continued officiating at all area schools for boys and girls. He also played a large part in initiating and forming the St. Marys Softball League, which still exists. While on the Knothole board, he ran many baseball clinics to teach officiating and try to get more people interested. He retired from officiating after what he thought were 60 fun years. Frank also enjoyed casinos and playing cards several days a week with his friends. His greatest joy however was spending time with his wonderful family who will miss him very much.
Funeral and committal services will be held privately by the family.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to St. Marys Ambulance Service, 773 Johnsonburg Road, St. Marys, PA 15857.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc.
Elk County Coroner Michelle A. Muccio-Krise is releasing the following information in regards to an incident that occurred on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in the borough of Johnsonburg, Elk County. Benjamin E. Meyer, 43, with a last known address of St. Marys, PA, was found deceased near a culvert on W. Center Street in Johnsonburg at approximately 6:20 pm. No significant wounds or injuries were found on the decedent, and an autopsy will be completed on Monday. The investigation continues by the Johnsonburg Police Department and the Elk County Coroner, and further information will be made available on Monday.
3/5/2024 TO 3/19/2024 SOFT CLOSE STARTS MARCH 19 AT 7:00 PM INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL MACHINERY, COMPRESSORS, FORKLIFT, INDUSTRIAL WORK TABLES, PUSH CARTS, RACKS, SHELVING AND 50 + VARIOUS TYPES OF WORKING MACHINERY, LARGE AMOUNT OF SCRAP MATERIAL AND MACHINERY
THANK YOU TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO HELPED MY FAMILY THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME 
