New Phone Number And Email For Volunteers That Care
January 2025
Basic Sign Language Course Offered!
How many times do we encounter hearing impaired people and wish that we could communicate with them? As we age, we gradually lose some of our hearing. Sign language can help. Also, mothers of pre-lingual children can use sign language as a tool with their little ones. Here is your opportunity to learn basic sign language that could help you communicate with someone you care about.
The course will cover beginning sign language, including the alphabet, conversational phrases, and a variety of commonly used signs. The instructor will customize the curriculum based on how participants plan to use sign language. Basic facts essential to the correct use of the language will also be addressed. A dedicated student could learn as many as 800 signs, understand signing/interpreting rules, basic deaf culture, and medical situations that cause deafness and loss of hearing.
Basic Sign Language, taught by Sheri Greene, is scheduled for Mondays, February 24 – March 31, 2025, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Education Council’s office at 5 Water Street, Coudersport. The cost for this 6-week course is $160/person. Registration is required; the deadline is Tuesday, February 18th. To register, visit www.pottercountyedcouncil.org or call (814) 274-4877.
Winter Storm Watch Issued January 18 at 3:20AM EST Until January 22 at 7:00AM EST by NWS Buffalo NY
DESCRIPTION: * WHAT…Heavy lake effect snow possible. Significant accumulations
possible in the most persistent lake snows.
* WHERE…Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Southern Erie
Counties.
* WHEN…From late Sunday night through Wednesday morning.
* IMPACTS…The potential exists for a significant long duration
lake effect snow event. There is considerable uncertainty in exact
band placement and amounts, but multiple periods of heavy snow are
possible. Travel could be very difficult with very poor visibility
and deep snow cover on roads.
INSTRUCTIONS: During lake effect snow, the weather can vary from bands of locally
heavy snow with greatly reduced visibilities to dry conditions just
a few miles away. Be prepared for rapid changes in weather,
visibility, and road conditions.
Issued By: NWS Buffalo NY
Darla M. DAVIS, 58, of Westfield, PA
Darla M. DAVIS, 58, of Westfield, PA, died Thursday, January 16, 2025. Arrangements will be announced by Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.
Grant to Help Expand After-School Programs in Tioga County, Owlett Says
Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) today announced a $250,000 grant has been awarded to the Tioga County Partnership for Community Health to help expand its after-school programs.
“After-school programs are so valuable, especially to working families who need care for their children beyond the standard school day,” Owlett said. “I applaud the partnership for providing this resource and especially for making good use of this time to help students both academically and emotionally.”
The grant will specifically allow the partnership to expand its Community Care Initiative to two additional school districts, serving an additional 120 youth in kindergarten through grade six over the next two years. Funds will be used to staff the program and purchase necessary supplies to serve the students.
The grant was awarded by the Pennsylvania School Safety and Security Committee through the Building Opportunity Through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) grant program. Applicants were eligible to receive up to $250,000 in funding to support structured programs or activities with engaged mentors and evidence-based/informed practices provided to school-age youth before school, after school or during the summer.
Margaret J. Grimone, 87, of Emporium, PA
Margaret J. Grimone, 87, of Emporium, PA passed away with her family by her side at Pinecrest Manor, St. Marys, PA on Friday afternoon (January 17, 2025). She was born January 30, 1937 in St. Marys, PA, a daughter of the late John and Mildred Sebring Kinsler. On April 7, 1956 in St. Marks Catholic Church she married the late William J. Grimone.
Northern Tioga Kids Perform the Big One-Oh! Jr.
The popular girls at school will never come to Charley’s birthday party—or will they? (Left to right) Mirabella Collins of Knoxville and Adeleigh Plenefisch of Elkland (back row), and Kaylee Reed of Lawrenceville in front. 
Charley and Monsters: Charley (Caleb Wales of Millerton) only has three friends, and they are imaginary monsters: (left to right) Swampy (Aubrielle Urbano of Lawrenceville), Zombie King (Abbey Stevens of Westfield), and Alien (Sky Bacon of Nelson). 
Charley (Caleb Wales of Millerton) gets no support from his teen sister, Lorena (Emersyn Harkenrider of Lawrenceville) and her three friends (in back, left to right: Mia Newcomb of Tioga, Braelynn Bock of Knoxville, and Ryleigh Taft of Elkland.
Forty-five Northern Tioga School District students in grades 3-9 will perform The Big One-Oh! Jr. on Friday, January 31 at 7:00pm and Saturday, February 1 at 7:00pm at Clark Wood Elementary School in Elkland. These performances are the culmination of twelve rehearsals after school during the Hamilton-Gibson Productions Winter Theatre Arts Camp for Kids, which are free thanks to the Deerfield Charitable Trust.
“This is the largest group of campers we’ve had since Covid,” said Thomas Putnam, who runs the camps. “I’m so pleased. And they’re really having a good time.”
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO MEET IN HARRISBURG
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners will meet Jan. 24 and 25 at the agency’s Harrisburg headquarters.
The meeting on Friday, Jan. 24 begins at 1 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is for the board to hear reports from staff. Public comment will not be accepted at this meeting.
Public comment – limited to five minutes – will be accepted at the Saturday, Jan. 25 meeting on a first-to-register, first-to-speak basis. Registration begins when the doors to the Harrisburg headquarters open at 7:45 a.m. The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. PowerPoint presentations are not permitted during public comment.
PUC Commissioner Kathryn Zerfuss Appointed to National Committees on Gas and Pipeline Safety
New Role Reinforces PUC’s Commitment to Safe, Efficient, and Economical Utility Services
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today announced that Commissioner Kathryn L. Zerfuss has been appointed to the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Committee on Gas and the Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety.
These appointments, made by NARUC President Tricia Pridemore, highlight Commissioner Zerfuss’s commitment to ensuring the safe, efficient, and economical delivery of natural gas and reflect the PUC’s long-standing leadership in addressing critical utility issues at a national level.
“The safe, efficient, and economical delivery of natural gas is a critical component of our energy future,” Commissioner Zerfuss said. “I am excited to collaborate with national leaders and federal partners through the NARUC Committee on Gas and the Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety to address evolving challenges and build a more secure and sustainable energy system for consumers.”
HTNYS Elects 2025 Officers and New Board Members
NEW YORK – The Healthcare Trustees of New York State’s board of governors is pleased to announce its 2025 officers and two new board members.
The board elected the following officers to serve a second one-year term:
- Chair: Sharon Hanson, secretary and immediate past chair, Erie County Medical Center
- Vice Chair: Muhammed Javed, MD, board chair, Olean General Hospital, and trustee, Kaleida Health
- Secretary: Laurence Smith, immediate past chair, White Plains Hospital, and trustee, Montefiore Health System
- Immediate Past Chair: Susan Holliday, trustee, UR Medicine
USDA Makes Grants Available for Farmers and Ag Producers to Expand Market Opportunities and Generate More Revenue
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that USDA is accepting applications for grants to help agricultural producers and farmers expand market opportunities and generate more revenue.
USDA is making the grants available under the Value-Added Producer Grants program. The grants help farmers and ranchers generate new products, create marketing opportunities, and increase their incomes through value-added activities.
Eligible applicants include independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures.
To learn more, read the full Stakeholder Announcement.
Francis “Frank” Lupro, age 77, Emporium
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Francis “Frank” Lupro, age 77, on January 15th 2025, following a brief illness. Born March 31st, 1947, Francis entered into eternal rest, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, devotion, and cherished memories. Francis was a lifelong resident of Cameron County. He grew up in Sinnemahoning and lived out his years in Emporium. He graduated from Cameron County High School, served in the U.S. Army, and retired from GKN.
BAILY’S BEADS TO UNVEIL NEW 2025 ISSUE AT PUBLIC LAUNCH
BRADFORD, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s creative arts magazine, Baily’s Beads, will hold a celebration Jan. 22 to launch the 2025 issue.
Admission to the launch is free, and the public is invited to the event, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Mukaiyama University Room in the Frame-Westerberg Commons. The event is co-sponsored by Pitt-Bradford Arts and the Pitt-Bradford creative and professional writing program.
Attendees can expect live readings from magazine contributors, an open mic for those interested in sharing their own creative work, refreshments and prizes.
Terry L. Hurlburt, 72, of Cuba, NY
Terry L. Hurlburt of Cuba, NY passed peacefully in his sleep on Jan 15, 2025, age 72 in Erie, PA.
Born November 8, 1952 in Olean, NY to William and Anna Bertha Mott Hurlburt, Terry loved the rural life he was born into and spent his life in Hinsdale and Cuba, though he traveled widely whenever he had the opportunity. Terry’s childhood was spent on his parents Hinsdale farm, baling hay, hunting, fixing equipment, riding ponies and horses, playing basketball and developed a lifelong love for classic vehicles. His nickname on the court was “Big T”.
Terry graduated from Hinsdale high school in 1970 and Alfred State College in 1972. The same year he married Cathy Swift on Sept 8, 1972. Terry worked at Acme Electric from 1973-1975 as a draftsman. Terry and Cathy purchased a farm in Cuba in 1973 and began milking cows in an old tie stall barn. They raised five daughters on the farm.
Op-Ed from Rep. Clint Owlett: Preventing Floods, Fires Requires Local Control
Preventing Floods, Fires Requires Local Control
By Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford)
The devastating footage coming out of California creates lasting images in my mind, as I’m sure it does in yours. The loss of life, homes, businesses and schools, and the environmental effects, are staggering. At the same time, I’m equally impacted by the images of people coming together to help in a time of need. It reminded me of how our community pulled together after the devastating floods in our region back in August.
After every natural disaster there must be a concerted effort to reevaluate the decisions leading up to the event. While the magnitude of floods, hurricanes and wildfires may make us feel nothing can be done, I personally reject that notion.
I’m reminded of how New York got to work cleaning out its streams directly after the August flood to create the volume needed for a significant storm that will most certainly happen. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul took decisive action to make sure she was protecting lives and livelihoods in her state. She challenged the current environmental practices and pointed out the impact of several decades of not allowing local governments and landowners to protect their homes and property. And then she got to work with commonsense, meaningful maintenance.
In the name of protecting the environment and science, are we actually in a worse position? If you talk with the previous generation of leaders in my area, the answer is a resounding YES! If you talk with the previous generations of leaders in California who built firebreaks and maintained water supply, I bet they would also agree.
While I may not have all the answers, I do know this. It’s a crying shame that entire communities have to worry about a one-inch rainstorm flooding their home, business or farm in the name of protecting the environment. Our local officials can and should be able to lead and get the job done.
Could the answer be very simple? Give local community leaders the resources and tell the bureaucrats to support them, not restrict them. Could the answer be to give county elected officials the lease and royalty money that has been collected from under the very streams that need to be maintained, as I have proposed in House Bill 88? What about allowing the state and local governments the ability to assure a creek is actually hitting a bridge or other structure the way it was engineered to take water, as I have suggested in House Bill 200 of last session (soon to be reintroduced)? One thing I do know is money without significant policy and oversight flexibility will not work.
Like our region, the communities in California affected by this catastrophe will pull together and rebuild, but not after devastating loss of life and precious belongings. While our communities are still in a bad spot and New York is ready, we can only hope California leaders will see the need to refocus on actually being prepared for tragic events that will inevitably continue to happen. Just like protecting our communities from flooding, those could be long-term and very involved projects. But some of them may also be as simple as using good, sound, commonsense judgment calls. The problem is that common sense is not all that common anymore.
Leadership Elk Cameron Program Explores Health and Human Services
The Community Education Center’s Leadership Elk and Cameron program’s (LEC) monthly session focused on health and human services in January. The day started at the St. Marys Area Ambulance with manager Nick Burdick and staff hosting the morning by giving a presentation about the services they provide. Bill Floyd, with Cameron County Mountain Rescue, also gave an informative presentation while at the ambulance center. One participant shared “I was never aware how much goes into the ambulance services and how much it costs. It has made me think about volunteer work and personal donations.” Next on the agenda was a community resource simulation at the Red Fern. Thirteen health and human services agencies from the area participated by setting up stations while the participants rotated through the stations learning what the agencies have to offer. Agencies attending the event were Clarion Psychiatric Center, CAPSEA, Dickinson, Keystone Rural Health, CareerLink, OHS/Aging, Timerland Credit Union, Alliance for Nonprofit Resources, ADAS, Guardian Angel Center, ATA, and St Marys Area School District. Lunch was provided by Red Fern and was sponsored by Dickenson Center and Doris Stackpole Foundation.
Linda Lee (Cenni) Giovanini, of 805 Stonehedge Meadows Drive, Ridgway, PA
Linda Lee (Cenni) Giovanini, of 805 Stonehedge Meadows Drive, Ridgway, PA died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Friday, January 17 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
She was born on March 1, 1948, in Ridgway, a daughter of the late Ray and Emma Castagnari Cenni.
On June 27, 1970, she married the love of her life, David Giovanini, who survives.
Linda was a graduate of Ridgway High School Class of 1966, where she was Snowball Queen. She was employed by the US Postal Service for 20 years, serving as a clerk in Kersey, PA. She was a volunteer in the community donating her time with the March of Dimes, Meals on Wheels, and as a ticket taker and usher at Penn State Football games. She was always eager to help friends and family. She had an enthusiastic smile that would light up any room.
Joseph S. Baker, 53, of Austin, PA
Joseph S. Baker, 53, of Austin, PA passed away at his residence on Tuesday morning (January 14, 2025). He was born March 21, 1971 in Coudersport, PA a son of Myrtle Schweikart Baker, Emporium and the late Franklin Lewis Baker.
Joe graduated from Austin High School in the class of 1989 and served with the US Air Force from 1990 through 1994. He worked, as an electrician, for several years at Amphenol. He was a member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, a member of the Austin Volunteer Fire Department and served over 22 years with the Ridgway Fire Department. He was also very active in Scouting America with Troop 93, Ridgway.
Peter C. Bosnik, 68, of 319 Sorg Street, St. Marys, PA
Peter C. Bosnik, 68, of 319 Sorg Street, St. Marys, PA passed away unexpectedly Thursday January 16, 2025 at his residence.
He was born January 8, 1957, in St. Marys, son of the late Edward and Elizabeth “Betty” Straub Bosnik. He was a lifelong resident of the area and a graduate of St. Marys Area High School, Class of 1975. Pete was employed by the Straub Brewery, where he dedicated fifty years to the organization.
Community Warming Centers Open During Upcoming Cold Spell
As our region prepares for a cold spell next week, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the churches and libraries that are opening their doors to provide warm spaces for community members in need.
We encourage residents to take advantage of these facilities if they need a warm and safe place during the extreme cold weather. Additional details, including updated library schedules and other warming locations, will be shared as they become available.
Thank you to all the organizations and individuals who have stepped up to support our community during this challenging time. Your compassion and generosity embody the spirit of unity and care. Please see attached list and current schedule of participating Churches and Libraries.
For more information or updates, please contact Allegany County Office of Emergency Management at (585) 268-5290 or oesinfo@alleganyco.gov.
Oswayo And Ulysses Senior Centers Closed January 21st
Tuesday 1/21/25- Ulysses and Oswayo Valley Centers are closed due to cold weather. Stay home – keep warm.
Possible Carbon Monoxide Leak In Smethport
On January 17, at 4:05 pm Port Allegany and Smethport were dispatched to Hamlin St. for a possible carbon monoxide leak with possible illness
Coudersport Ambulance To Broad St.
On January 17, at 11::44 am Coudersport Ambulance was dispatched to Broad St. for abdominal pain
Emergency Responders Face Challenging Rescue In One Vehicle Crash On Rt. 219
HTVFD) 1/16/2025 02:02:15
Box: 11-N Boone
Incident Type: MVA – ALS/Entrap
Address: VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY RD @ ROUTE 219, Horton Twp Elk
Units: S11, PSPRidg2, M3, AMB420, S1
Around 2:00am this morning, Box 11-N was dispatched for a single motor vehicle accident. Initial reports indicated that the vehicle had rolled over and was down a steep embankment. Rescue 1 was added to the box for additional manpower and equipment. Crews arrived on scene to confirm the initial report. Patient access and extrication was extremely challenging due to the location of the vehicle. One patient was extricated and moved to the top of the hill utilizing a compliment of ladders, Ropes, and a Stokes Basket. Rescue 11, Rescue 1, and Engine 11 operated on scene for approximately 1.5 hours.
Original Facebook Post HERE
