Potter County Education Council Is Hiring
January 2025
BRADFORD TOWNSHIP POLICE WARN RESIDENTS OF SCAM
!! BEWARE OF A RECENT SCAM !!
Bradford Township Police issue the following warning: A recent scam has been showing up in many states. A “brushing” scam is when someone receives an unexpected gift or item not ordered in the mail from a place like Amazon or other company. Examples of gifts we’ve seen include rings, bracelets, necklaces, Bluetooth speaker, etc. The gift will have the recipient’s address but will not include the sender’s information or be from a known retailer.
When the recipient opens the package to see what it is and possibly who sent it, there is a QR code to scan to find out who sent the gift. Once the code is scanned, all the information from that phone will be sent to scammers. They receive all access to the phone. All personal and financial information is accessible to the scammers and often the victim’s bank accounts are drained. The gift QR code should NOT be scanned for any reason. QR code scams are nothing new. These scams show up in all places, including parking meters. Inform your family members about the scam and avoid scanning any unknown QR codes included in packages.
Roulette Township Has A Supervisor Seat Up For Election This Year
There will be a Supervisor seat up for election this year (6 year term). Interested candidates will have to get a petition from the County Elections office and collect 10 signatures of registered voters in whichever party they are running. Petitions may be circulated February 18 and must be turned in by March 11. Requirements are that you are at least 18 years old, a registered voter, and have lived in the Township for at least 1 year.
Drug Sales Investigation Leads To Two Arrests In Olean, NY
After a lengthy Investigation into drug sales from 508 3rd. Ave, (rear upper apartment) our Street Crimes Unit was able to obtain a Search warrant for that residence which was conducted last night just before midnight. Members of the Emergency Response Team entered this residence and located three individuals inside. At the time the Search warrant was being conducted, a vehicle containing two people was also detained that was parked at the residence.
Investigators located 12 ounces of Meth, over 3 ounces of Fentanyl, over 2 ounces of Cocaine and cash inside the residence. Investigators arrested 24 year old Isaiah Riley of 508 3rd. Ave. Olean for Criminal possession of a controlled substance 2nd degree ( A felony ), and two separate counts of Criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd degree ( B Felonies ). Investigators also arrested one of the occupants of the vehicle, 41 year old David G. Clark of 101 High St. Bradford P.A. for Criminal possession of a loaded firearm 2nd degree ( C Felony ) and Criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th degree ( A Misdemeanor ). Riley and Clark were both remanded to the Cattaraugus County Jail after arraignment in Olean City Court. We were assisted by the Southern tier regional drug task force.
Highland Chocolates Teams Up With PA Wilds Center For New Trail Mix And Bigfoot Chocolates
WELLSBORO, PA – There are new sweet treats on the market that carry the iconic Pennsylvania Wilds logo, thanks to a new partnership between Highland Chocolates and the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship.
“Bigfoot is a popular character in the region, and we enjoyed working with the PA Wilds Center team to create these whimsical chocolate figures that can bring joy to people exploring the region and its communities,” said Erin Roupp, Operations Manager at Highland Chocolates.
The team at Highland Chocolates has developed two different PA Wilds branded products to date, with one recently hitting the shelves at the PA Wilds Conservation Shop location at Kinzua Bridge State Park, as well as the Highland Chocolates very own shop location.
A solid 1-ounce milk chocolate bigfoot wrapped in special PA Wilds-themed packaging is now available for $2.95.
Francis P. Rovito, 90
Francis P. Rovito, born October 7, 1934 in Bradford, PA to Fiore A. Rovito and Rose Marie Nepher Rovito passed away peacefully on January 10th, 2025 at the age of 90.
He is survived by loving wife, Judy (Kelly) Rovito. They were married October 17, 1959.
Fran was a 1953 graduate of Bradford Area High School. He entered the Navy in 1955 and served on the USS Orion AS18 submarine tender as an Electrician’s Mate, 3rd Class. He was honorably discharged in 1957. He worked as a Journeyman Electrician for 45 years and was a member of the IBEW Local 5.
Fran was an avid gardener and was a certified Penn State Master Gardener. Fran acted as a mentor and consultant for many novice gardeners during his tenure as Master Gardener. Additionally, Fran was an active member of the Men’s Garden Club and Bonsai Society, Pittsburgh.
Frank E. BACON, Jr., 79, of Bolivar, NY
Frank E. BACON, Jr., 79, of Bolivar, NY, died Monday, January 13, 2025 in his home.
Born April 2, 1945, in Wellsville, he was the son of Frank E. and Mary L. Burnett Bacon. A graduate of Allentown High School, he was employed by Plants & Goodwin Oil Field in Shinglehouse, PA.
Surviving are: a cousin, John Burnett of Dansville; and friends, Raymond and Jodell Oberst of Bolivar. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two sisters, Peggy Crissman and Norma Dodson. Services will be private. Burial will be in Knight’s Creek Cemetery, Scio.
Memorials may be made to SPCA in Cattaraugus County, 2944 Route 16, Olean, NY 14760. Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.
One Vehicle Accident In Brockport
On January 16 at 2:15 am Ridgway Fire and Ambulance were dispatched to Volunteer Fire Company Rd. and Rt. 219 for a one vehicle crash. The vehicle went down a 30 foot embankment and rolled over with possible ejection Air Medical has been dispatched
PITT-BRADFORD TO CLOSE FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.’S BIRTHDAY
The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, including Hanley Library, will be closed Monday, Jan. 20, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.
The Marilyn Horne Museum and Exhibit Center located on Marilyn Horne Way in downtown Bradford will be closed, but the café in Horne Hall will be open that day from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Regular hours for the museum are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The café’s regular hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Donald M. Ferguson, 91, of 572 Horse Run Road, Little Genesee, NY
Donald M. Ferguson: Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather
Donald M. Ferguson, 91, of 572 Horse Run Road, Little Genesee, passed away Monday, January 13, 2025 at home surrounded by family after a lengthy illness.
Born on July 30, 1933, in Brocton, New York he was a son of Merle and Alice (Ward) Ferguson. On July 5, 1954, in Brocton, he married the former Nina Howard who predeceased him on January 20, 2019.
Don was a graduate of Brocton High School Class of 1951. He then went to Alfred State College for Ceramic Engineering.
Rita Salerno, 68, of Wellsboro, PA
Rita Salerno, 68, of Wellsboro, passed away, Monday January 13, 2025, at UPMC-Wellsboro. She was born on September 15, 1956, in Bronx, NY, the daughter of the late, Nicholas and Bruna (Ambrosi) LaMantia. She married Robert R. Salerno on March 10, 2007.
Rita was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary, Mansfield, the American Legion Post 49 Auxiliary Vets Club, Troy, the Wellsboro Social Club, and loved her dog, Buddy.
Adelaide “Addie” M. Stanton of 101 High Point Drive, Kane, PA
Adelaide “Addie” M. Stanton of 101 High Point Drive, Kane, PA, passed away at the Lutheran Home at Kane and was welcomed into her new Heavenly home in Heaven with Jesus.
Born January 8, 1929, in Crosby, PA, she was a daughter of Glenn and Olive McDowell. In March of 1946, she married George Stanton. He preceded her in death in 1995.
Addie started her work career right out of high school at Herzog Mfg. She was a homemaker for 10 years, then rejoined the workforce at Backus Novelty. She also worked and managed the Smethport Tastee Freeze for 5 years for Ed and Helen Harmon. She also managed a dress shop for Trudy Robey. In 1969, she joined Jaguar Mfg. for the next 22 years, as plant manager. In that 22 years, she spent 5 years driving to Clearfield and was the quality control manager for Target Sportswear. Upon her retirement at 65, she went to work at the Smethport High School as a cafeteria worker. She also spent many volunteer hours at the Smethport Family Practice, filing charts, answering the phones, and working the desk. She was hired for 15 hours per week to continue working as a receptionist, until she retired at the age of 85. She once said of her management position, “It only takes a few years of encouragement to bring out the best in a person”. Her work ethic was impeccable. She also on the weekends helped her sister, Phyllis, and her friend, Rose, to cater dinners nearly every weekend. The best food ever!!
Gloria Harvey, 83, of 508 Charles Street, St. Marys, PA
Gloria Harvey, 83, of 508 Charles Street, St. Marys, PA passed away peacefully Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at Elk Haven Nursing Home.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc.
Grace J. GEFFERS, 91, of Wellsville, NY, formerly of Belmont,
Grace J. GEFFERS, 91, of Wellsville, NY, formerly of Belmont, died Tuesday, January 14, 2025 in Jones Memorial Hospital. Born October 25, 1933, in Andover, she was the daughter of Winfred C. and Clara M. Perham Pero.
On June 28, 1953, in Wellsville, she married Donald T. Geffers, who predeceased her on May 16, 2017. Grace was a former member of the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in Wellsville and currently attended Brookside Wesleyan Church in Wellsville. She was a devoted Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. Most of all, she highly valued her personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Dorothy M. Bon, 96, a resident of Kane Lutheran Home and formerly of 455 Wolfel Avenue, St. Marys, PA
Dorothy M. Bon, 96, a resident of Kane Lutheran Home and formerly of 455 Wolfel Avenue, St. Marys, passed away peacefully at the Kane Lutheran Home on Monday, January 13, 2025.
Dorothy was born on June 10, 1928, daughter to the late William and Clara Lenze Breindel. She was a lifelong resident of the area and a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1947.
On June 23, 1951, in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Dorothy married the late Ludwig L. Bon, Jr., who preceded her in death on February 14, 2013.
Port Allegany Ambulance To Newell Creek
On January 15, at 3:04 pm Port Allegany Ambulance was dispatched to Newell Creek in Annin Twp. for general illness
WINTER TURKEY SIGHTING SURVEY HAS BEGUN
The Game Commission is asking for the public’s help finding turkey flocks to trap for ongoing projects.
Pennsylvanians are encouraged to report the location of any turkey flocks they see across the state. Information is being collected online at https://pgcdatacollection.pa.gov/TurkeyBroodSurvey now through March 15.
Among other things, visitors to that webpage are asked to provide the date of the sighting, the location, and the type of land (public, private or unknown) where birds are seen.
Game Commission crews will assess sites for the potential to trap turkeys. Just like the last five winters, the Game Commission will put leg bands on male turkeys statewide. Turkeys will not be moved; they’ll simply be leg-banded and released on site. In four Wildlife Management Units – WMUs 2D, 3D, 4D and 5C – female turkeys, hens, also will be leg banded and about 130 hens also will be outfitted with GPS transmitters, then be released back on site, to be monitored over time.
Pennsylvania Department of Health and Penn State Extension to Provide Free Water Testing for a limited number of Private Wells, Springs, and Cisterns in McKean County
Have you ever had the drinking water from your well, spring, or cistern tested for lead and other health-related pollutants? If not, here’s your chance!
Over 8,600 households in McKean County get their drinking water from a private source. These residents are voluntarily responsible for testing and treating their own water. About half of the private water systems in Pennsylvania fail at least one drinking water standard, but many pollutants have no obvious indicators. The only way to be certain that water is safe to drink is to have it tested routinely by an accredited laboratory.
David Lee Bennett, Sr., 79, of 47 Corwin Lane, Bradford, PA
David Lee Bennett, Sr., 79, of 47 Corwin Lane, Bradford, passed away Saturday, January 11, 2025, at UPMC Cole Hospital in Coudersport unexpectedly.
Born on May 29, 1945, in Bradford, he was a son of the late Charles and Bernice (Burt) Bennett, III, and was a 1964 graduate from Bradford High School.
On July 18, 1964, at the Bradford East End Presbyterian Church, David married his high school sweetheart, Irona Mae (Ramer) Bennett, who survives.
David worked at Kendall-Witco Refinery where he retired in 1998 after 25 years.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge 749 of Bradford, where he served two years as Worshipful Master in 2020-2021. David was also a member of the Bradford American Legion Post 108.
He was known for being an avid camper, including being a member of the Targle Foote Camp Club. Along with being a camper, David loved the outdoors and hunted his whole life. David was also known as “Mr. Fix-It” when it came to repairing lawn mowers and watches. Above all, David loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Kaye L. Little, 85, of Columbia Hill Road, Smethport, PA.
Kaye L. Little, 85, of Columbia Hill Road, Smethport, passed away peacefully Friday, January 10, 2025, at her home, with her family by her side.
Born August 2, 1939, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late Lloyd and Myra (Lineman) Newman.
Kaye was a 1957 graduate of Bradford Area High School.
On August 20, 1960, she married Bernard J. Little at the Sawyer E.U.B. Church in Bradford. They were married for 51 years until his death.
Kaye was a Military Wife and a Homemaker. She lived all over the United States and Germany, making a loving home wherever they were stationed. Kaye was a member of the United Methodist Church of Smethport and a member of the Phoenix Chapter No. 15 Order of the Eastern Star. Her family was everything to Kaye. She loved spending time with family, whether it be at events or just sitting around talking at the kitchen table. Kaye was also extremely supportive of all of her son’s sports and activities, rarely ever missing any events. She loved gardening and especially growing and caring for flowers. Kaye also enjoyed canning vegetables from the garden and apple butter from her own apple trees. She truly loved Christmas and always made it special with making Christmas cookies, hard rock candy, and incredible meals.
Gerald Eugene “Jerry” Brennen, Jr., 82, of 419 Gay Road, St. Marys, PA.
Gerald Eugene “Jerry” Brennen, Jr., 82, of 419 Gay Road, St. Marys, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, on Monday, January 13, 2025 at his residence.
Jerry was born February 11, 1942 in St. Marys, son of the late Gerald and Edna Wolfel Brennen, Sr. He was a lifelong resident of the area, a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1960. He was an employee at Speer Carbon Company where he served as Plant Manager and retired from the company in 2000. Jerry was a proud veteran of the United States Army Reserve and United States Air Force.
On February 16, 1963, at Sacred Heart Church, Jerry married Ethel “Ann” Ford, who survives. They were blessed to share sixty-one years of marriage.
Beverly A. Harnish, 92, of Wellsboro, PA
Beverly A. Harnish, 92, of Wellsboro, passed away peacefully, Monday, January 13, 2025, at the Green Home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on December 21, 1932, in Morris, the daughter of the late Prosper E. and Anita Irene (VanZandt) Yohe. She married Robert B. Harnish on May 11, 1985.
Beverly graduated from Wellsboro High School, Class of 1952. She was a retired L.P.N., she worked for the Blossburg State Hospital from 1956-1972, and the North Penn Comprehensive Health Services from 1973-1997. Beverly attended the Coolidge Hollow United Methodist Church, she was a member of the Cowanesquee Chapter #33 Order of the Eastern Star, Westfield. She volunteered with Laurel Home Health and Hospice from 2000-2016. She enjoyed time at Hickory Hill Camping Resort in Bath, NY, gardening, bird watching, reading, her black labs, and holidays with her grandchildren, especially hiding eggs for the Easter egg hunt.