Karen Placer, 76, of Smethport, PA, (born Karen Renae Flickinger) passed away peacefully at her home on July 27, 2024.
She was born on February 28, 1948 in Kane, Pennsylvania to Earl Flickinger (Father) and Louise (Carrow) Flickinger (Mother). Karen graduated from Smethport Area High School in 1966. Karen shared many great years of marriage with Anthony “Tony” Placer who she married on December 12, 1970 at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Smethport.
Karen worked for several years at Sylvania Electric in Emporium, Pennsylvania. During her life, Karen also provided cleaning/housekeeping services to numerous families and formed lasting friendships with those people she served. She treated their homes like her own; she wanted each home to be “spotless.”
At a hearing of the House Republican Policy Committee on Thursday, July 25, two township supervisors from McKean County – Jim Trussell of Hamlin Township (left) and David McClain of Keating Township (right) – offered testimony in support of permitting local governments the ability to use conventional brine water to suppress dust on dirt and gravel roads, as well as treating paved roads in advance of winter storms. They are pictured with state Reps. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest) and Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), who participated in the hearing as members of the committee. The hearing was held at the Drake Well Museum in Titusville.
For the fifth year in a row, From My Shelf Books & Gifts at 7 East Avenue in Wellsboro, the local bookstore owned by author Kevin Coolidge, is hosting the “Where Are the Totally Ninja Raccoons Hunt?”
The raccoons will be hiding in 25 area businesses during the month of August.
The hunt is based on Coolidge’s “Totally Ninja Raccoons” action series for 7- to 10-year-old, reluctant readers. The series is about three raccoon brothers who become ninjas.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (July 19) — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has awarded $203,527 in grant funding to support 19 education projects in 17 counties that foster interest in fishing and boating in Pennsylvania through the R3 (recruitment, retention, and reactivation) Education Grant Program. One statewide project was also awarded. The R3 grants are awarded to recipients to help increase the number of anglers and boaters in Pennsylvania. Efforts include recruiting new participants, retaining existing participants, and reactivating former participants in fishing and boating recreation.
Last year, the PFBC awarded $187,625 in grant funding to support 15 education projects in 11 counties and 2 statewide efforts.
“Providing the people of Pennsylvania with education and outreach opportunities for fishing and boating is paramount to the work of the Fish and Boat Commission. Having trusted partners who carry out and believe in the work, too, means more people will experience all Pennsylvania’s waterways have to offer,” said Kim Garris, PFBC Director of Outreach, Education and Marketing. “This grant program supports our partners’ work to get and keep people involved in fishing and boating, promoting healthier lifestyles and a love and appreciation of the natural world.”
Recipients of the PFBC R3 Education Grant successfully applied for and demonstrated ways in which their new or expanded projects progress R3 initiatives and connect Pennsylvanians with Commonwealth waterways. Funds awarded through the grant program will be used to purchase equipment and educational resources, provide transportation, and cover other costs associated with the development and delivery of R3 education programs.
All projects funded for this round of grants must be completed by June 30, 2025.
The 2024 R3 Education Grants include (by county):
Allegheny: Steel City Rowing Club, Paddling Fleet Revitalization
Blair: Claysburg-Kimmel School District, Female-Friendly Fly-Fishing Trip
Butler: Seneca Valley School District, SV Fishery
Centre: Bellefonte Area School District, Back to Nature Fly Fishing and Fly Tying
Chester: Stroud Water Research Center, Inc., Connecting Youth and Families to Boating and Angling Opportunities in Local Public Parks
Clarion: Clarion Conservation District, The Wonderful World of Fishes
Crawford: Conneaut School District, CAMS Fishing for Fun
Fayette: Mountain Watershed Association Inc., Expanding Access to Outdoor Recreation: Engaging Youth and Families in Fishing & Boating Activities in the Youghiogheny River Watershed
Forest: Forest Area School District, Forest Area School District Stream and River Exploration
Lancaster: Glossbrenner United Methodist Church, Glossbrenner Experiential, Adventure and Responsible Unique Pursuits – Department of Experiential Education & Programming (GEAR-UP/DEEP)
Lawrence: Ellwood City Area School District, Reel Adventures: Hands-On Fishing Seminar for Ellwood City Students
Montgomery: College Settlement of Philadelphia, Second Century of Fishing on Friendship Lake- Teaching Thousands of Underserved Youth and Girls How to Fish
Montgomery: Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy, Floating Classroom Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program 2.0
Montour: Danville Area School District, Danville High School Fly Fishing Club
Potter: Northern Potter School District, Northern Potter Fly Fishing Club: Casting Connections – Exploring Fly Fishing and Tying Together
Statewide: Pennsylvania Trout, Inc., Supporting & Expanding Trout in the Classroom
Westmoreland: Forbes Trail Trout Unlimited, Forbes Trail Trout Unlimited Education and Outreach Programs for Schools, Scouts, Adults, Military Veterans and First Responders
MANSFIELD, PA – A fire broke out in the wall or ceiling in one of he Newtown Hill Barn Apartments located at 426 Newtown Hill Road in Mansfield, PA, late Sunday evening, July 28,, 2024, around 11:20 PM.
Mansfield Hose Company was first to respond as it was reported that there was light smoke in one of the apartments. Mansfield fire personnel arrived quickly on scene and reported seeing light smoke coming from the apartment complex and the evacuation of the tenants was started.
By 11:25 PM Mansfield command requested full response from Blossburg and Wellsboro fire departments.
An active fire was reported by 11:27 PM as firefighters reported heavy smoke in two of the apartments. Additional fire crews and tankers, as well as manpower were requested.
Fire rapidly spread through the two and half story barn shaped apartment complex as additional manpower and fire units from Liberty, Middlebury, Daggett, Tioga, Lawrenceville, and Millerton responded, many with their tankers. Elkland fire crew was directed to standby at the Mansfield fire station when they arrived in town.
At 12:24 AM the fire had spread from the third floor and through the roof in one section. The flames continued to spread across the roof of the entire length of the building by 12:49 AM.
Mansfield University Campus Police opened the gate to the water reservoir so firefighters had access to more water. Hydrant at East Elmira and Academy was also in use to get the much needed water to firefighters to battle the intense blaze.
The 10 unit apartment complex and all its contents are a total loss.
The American Red Cross has touched base with 911 Dispatch Center and Mansfield command will reach back out to the Red Cross as soon as possible.
Several fire units started returning to their stations just after 3:00 AM.
The fire was finally reported out by 6:50 AM Monday morning, July 29, 2024.
FNN will continue to provide any updates as they become available.
Prayers are being requested for the tenants. Newtown Hill Road is lined with fire trucks and other apparatus, no traffic is being allowed through due to the fire.
At 7:05 PM on Sunday, Port Allegany Ambulance & Fire Dept. were dispatched to 545 Birch Run Road for an ATV rollover crash. TLC Ambulance also dispatched. 52 year old male reporting a back injury.
At 4:31 PM on Sunday, Corydon & Bradford Twp. Fire &City Ambulance were dispatched to West Washington Street for a head-on crash of two vehicles with heavy damage. One patient is reported. Pickup truck vs passenger vehicle. Located 1 mile west of Rt. 321.
At 7 p.m. this Sunday, July 28 at the Gmeiner Art & Cultural Center at 134 Main Street in Wellsboro is “Sweet Sounds of Violin and Piano,” a chamber concert featuring Noelle Tretick Gosling on violin and Érico Freire Bezerra at the piano. They will perform Michael Schelle’s “Endless Mountain Music;” selections from Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story;” Henry Mancini’s “Sunflower” and “Two for the Road;” George Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm;” and Astor Piazzolla’s “Oblivion” and “Libertango.” Gosling will also play one movement of “Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major” written by her father Sidney Tretick who performed it during its premiere in January of 1962 and died five weeks later when his daughter was two years old
At 7 p.m. Monday, July 29 at the Tioga County Courthouse at 118 Main Street in Wellsboro, the Endless Mountain Music Festival String Quartet will play “Toccata” by Sidney Tretick; “Strum” by Jessie Montgomery, “The Bullfighter’s Prayer” by Joaquin Turina and “String Quartet in C Minor, Opus 18, No. 4” by Ludwig van Beethoven. Performing are: Jennifer Farquhar and Linda Yu Picard on violin, Lauren Strachan on viola and Gita Ladd on cello.
At 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 30 at the Grand Community Room at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro will be a performance by Trina Gross on clarinet, Érico Freire Bezerra at the piano and Melanie Mashner on harp. They will play “Cantilène for Clarinet and Piano” by Louis Cahuzac, “Pagina d’Album” by Michele Mangani; “Sonata for Clarinet and Piano” by Amanda Harberg and “Suite from The Victorian Kitchen Garden for Clarinet and Harp” by Paul Reade.
At 7 p.m.. Wednesday, July 31 will be a show by jazz pianist Ron Stabinsky and Friends at the Penn Wells Hotel Dining Room, 62 Main Street, Wellsboro. Stabinsky performs throughout the United States and Europe. Dinner will be available from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; for reservations, call 570-724-2111.
At 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 1 will be a performance by the Dave Stahl Jazz Sextet featuring lead trumpet legend Dave Stahl at the Coolidge Theatre in the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro. The concert is BYOB with audience members encouraged to reserve a table, bring their own favorite beverages and snacks and sit with family and friends to enjoy the music.
Youth, 20 and under, are admitted free to all festival concerts.
There is a fee for the Friday and Saturday orchestra concerts on July 26 and 27 and Aug. 2 and 3 and for the chamber concerts.
To purchase tickets or flex or season passes or for more information about the Pennsylvania and New York concerts being offered now through Sunday, Aug. 4, call the Endless Mountain Music Festival Box Office at 570-787-7800 or visit www.endlessmountain.net.
Description: Did you know that the Earth is the only planet in the solar system that has rainbows? Stop by the ELC for a short talk on rainbows and go on a rainbow scavenger hunt through the park after. Feel free to bring binoculars, a water bottle, and comfy shoes to walk in!
At 1:19 PM on Sunday, Westfield Fire Dept. was dispatched to Mt. Laurel Recovery for a fire alarm. There is nothing showing from the outside. Evacuation is in progress. Firefighters are investigating.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania — Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn today announced that Benn Carlson has been appointed to serve as the district forester for Tioga State Forest, which covers 161,890 acres in Bradford and Tioga counties.
“We are excited Benn’s knowledge of the area and commitment to sustainable forestry leading Tioga State Forest,” Dunn said. “He is a proven leader and someone who is dedicated to managing forests to protect valuable habitat and to provide opportunities to educate the public on the incredible work of district staff.”
Carlson manages the forest, which includes the majestic Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, and the popular Pine Creek Rail Trail.
Tioga State Forest features awe-inspiring views and miles of clean, cool streams, like Cedar Run and Babbs Creek, and is one of eight state forests located in the Pennsylvania WildsOpens In A New Window.
“I’ve lived here and recreated in this forest my entire life, so this is a great feeling to lead the Tioga as the district manager,” Carlson said. “We have an amazing team and are doing a lot of great work. I’m very thankful for what we have in this district.”
Carlson is a Galeton native and lives in the borough with his wife, Kristy, daughter, Zoey, and son, Daxon.