February 2025

ST. MARYS — For the fourth consecutive election cycle, the Elk County Democratic Committee will have a permanent headquarters in Saint Marys. Originally opened in August of 2022 for that year’s general election, through generous donations, the Committee has been able to keep the office, located at 210 Brusselles Street, a permanent fixture in the downtown area.

The committee is marking this achievement by hosting a 2025 Grand Opening at the headquarters on Friday, Feb. 28th starting at 6:30 p.m. The event is open to all Democrats from Elk and surrounding counties. There will be pizza and drinks served, and all local and statewide Democratic candidates can join and help celebrate. Candidates are in the middle of the three-week petition signing period, so it is a terrific opportunity to stop in, meet candidates, and sign petitions to get them on the May primary ballot.

In Elk County, Judge and Inspector of Elections in each voting precinct, township supervisor, auditor and tax collector, city and borough mayor, councilmember, and tax collector as well as school director (school board) positions are on the ballot. Along with local races, there are also two statewide offices on the ballot – one vacancy on Commonwealth Court and one on the Superior Court. The committee has petition forms for Elk, Cameron, Jefferson, McKean, Clearfield, and Forest County Democrats to sign for the Democratic statewide candidates – Judge Brandon Neuman (Superior Court) and Judge Stella Tsai (Commonwealth Court).

Following the Grand Opening, the headquarters will host monthly meetings, planning sessions, and Get-Out-The-Vote events throughout the 2025 election period.

For more information about the committee, party resources for candidates, or questions about running for office, visit www.facebook.com/ElkCoDC, email elkcountydemocrats@gmail.com or call/text 814-636-1030.

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) and Sen. Cris Dush (R-25) today announced more than $650,000 in state grants have been awarded for three road paving and reconstruction projects in McKean County.

 “Maintaining our infrastructure is important but costly,” Causer said. “I was happy to work with officials in these communities to support funding for much-needed road improvements that will benefit residents and all who pass through these areas.”

“We all share the benefits of an adequately funded and properly maintained local transportation infrastructure,” said Dush.  “Strategically bundling infrastructure upgrades, drainage improvements, utility work and other quality of life enhancements whenever possible are proven methods to reducing overall construction costs, increasing public safety and minimizing disruptions for McKean County residents and job creators.”

The grants were awarded as follows:

• Kane: $225,000 for repaving several streets in the borough.
• Ceres Township: $200,000 toward reconstruction of Barden Brook Road.
• Eldred Township: $228,500 for reconstruction of Township Route 338, also known as Newell Creek Road.

The funding comes from the Multimodal Transportation Fund under the Commonwealth Financing Authority, which manages the state’s economic stimulus programs. The fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure a safe and reliable system of transportation is available in the Commonwealth.

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that Pennsylvania State Police have filed a criminal complaint against a man regarding the death of the woman whose body was found at the Midtown Motel in Port Allegany. Pennsylvania State Police accuse Brian KUCHINKA, most recently from Port Allegany, with Criminal Homicide, Aggravated Assault (causing serious bodily injury and attempting to cause serious bodily injury), Aggravated Assault (with a deadly weapon) and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.  The complaint alleges that the Pennsylvania State Police were requested to assist at the Midtown Motel after Officers with Port Allegany Police Department responded to the motel following up on a tip in a missing person investigation.  The complaint alleges that the Port Allegany Officers attempted to contact KUCHINKA, who was the missing victim’s ex-boyfriend. He was known to be staying at the Midtown Motel after the end of the relationship with the victim caused him to relocate to the motel earlier this month.  The complaint reports that Officers heard a single gunshot come from the room and could smell gunshot residue.

A perimeter was established, and Pennsylvania State Police made telephone contact with KUCHINKA.  Eventually police were successful in causing him to exit the motel room and he was found with a handgun on his person.  He had an apparent self-induced head injury and was taken to an out of state hospital for treatment in a secure location. Public records reveal law enforcement obtained surveillance footage that is alleged to show KUCHINKA carrying what appears to be the female’s body from a small SUV into his room at the motel. The female victim was found deceased with an obvious head injury, consistent with a gunshot wound to her head. The investigation is ongoing. 

Trooper Whitney Boshart is the investigator.  Anyone with information on the case or a reported disturbance that occurred in the parking lot of Costa’s Supermarket in Smethport Friday night (February 21st) between 9:00 pm and 10:00 pm that may be related to the case is requested to call the Pennsylvania State Police-Lewis Run at (814) 368-9230 or 911. 

Going into the United East playoffs, Pennsylvania College of Technology men’s basketball coach Geoff Hensley thought his last-seeded but battle-tested team might be in a position for something special. He was right.

The Wildcats, who had lost five games in a row to close out the regular season, scored back-to-back upset wins this past week to reach Tuesday’s semifinal, where they will face top-seeded Bryn Athyn at 7 p.m.

The last time that Penn College reached a conference semifinal round was during the 2010-11 season.

Repair Project on I-80 EB Next Week in Hemlock Township, Columbia County

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised a slab repair project will take place next week on Interstate 80 eastbound in Hemlock Township, Columbia County.

On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) maintenance crew will be performing the repair project at mile marker 233. The eastbound right (driving) lane will be restricted between the hours of 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

Motorists should be alert, slow down, expect delays in travel, and drive with caution.

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the Pennsylvania State Police are currently investigating the death of a female in Port Allegany after the body of a female was found inside a hotel room at the Mid-town Motel.  Members of the Pennsylvania State Police, Port Allegany Police, Chief County Detective, District Attorney, Coroner and Port Allegany Ambulance responded to the scene. 

The male occupant of the hotel room was taken to an out of area hospital for treatment of an apparent head injury. Police have secured the scene and do not believe the community is in danger. Anyone who saw or heard anything at the hotel that may relate to the investigation is asked to contact the Pennsylvania State Police-Lewis Run.  Police are also interested in speaking with anyone who was in the area of Costa’s Supermarket parking lot in Smethport Friday evening, between 9 pm and 10pm, when Smethport Police were dispatched to a disturbance at that location which may relate to this investigation. Police are interested in speaking with anyone who may have seen or heard the disturbance.   

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Pennsylvania State Police-Lewis Run barracks at (814) 368-9230 or 911. Charges are pending and additional information will be provided as the investigation continues. 

Kedake Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame, Soy, Wheat, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, and Red No. 6 in Botana Mix Snacks

KEDAKE, INC. of Houston, TX is recalling it’s 2 lb packages of Las Ollas Botana Mix Snacks because they may contain undeclared Sesame, Soy, Wheat, Yellow No 5, Yellow No 6, and Red No 6. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to Sesame, Soy, Wheat, Yellow No 5, Yellow No 6 and Red No 6, run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Las Ollas Botana Mix Snacks 2 lb packages were distributed in Texas and reached consumers through both wholesale and retail stores. The product is not available on-line.

Hunters and members of waterfowl organizations have several options to ask questions and voice opinions on the 2025-26 proposed migratory game bird seasons.

Questions or comments can be submitted to waterfowlcomments@pa.gov, or a letter can be mailed to Pennsylvania Game Commission, Bureau of Wildlife Management, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797.

PennDOT, Highway Safety Network Celebrate “Love the Bus” at Clearfield Elementary School

Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation(PennDOT) and the Highways Safety Network (HSN) celebrated “Love the Bus,” a program highlighting the importance of school bus drivers in education, at Clearfield Elementary School on Thursday.

“This is one of many programs organized by PennDOT throughout the state to promote traffic safety,” said PennDOT Safety Press Officer Steve Harmic. “We often stress that safety is everyone’s responsibility, and we educate other drivers on what they need to do when they approach a school bus during their morning commute. With this program, we stress to the children the things they can do to keep themselves safe while on the bus, and while getting on and off the bus, and remind them to appreciate their bus drivers for the service they provide.”  

Johnsonburg, Pa.:  Foxes were the weigh-in harvests on Saturday at Rolfe Beagle Club’s Statewide Coyote and Fox Hunt or Trap, after a slight uptick in the weather.  Zachary Geyer of Ridgway brought his first harvest to the weigh station, a female red fox weighing in at 10.0#.  “The foxes were after our ducks and chickens, and I was finally able to stop the losses,” said Zach.  Zachary harvested the fox at 1:00 a.m. on Friday on private lands in Elk County.  Zach shoots a .222 rifle with a thermal scope.  He uses a Primos electronic call and for this particular fox, called it in with a “chicken in distress’ call.

Ab Aikens, from Emporium, also brought in a red fox, weighing in at 9.8# he had harvested Friday evening around 10:00 p.m.  The male fox was harvested on private lands in Cameron County.  Ab shoots a .22-.250 rifle with a thermal scope, and uses a FoxPro electronic call.

Additional information at the Facebook Page, Rolfe Beagle Club.

Saturday, March 8th, 2025 6:15 P.M.-7:15 P.M

Owl Prowl – Have you always wanted to hear an owl in its natural habitat? Join a park naturalist for a walk while listening for different species of owls in the park. Meets at: The Wildlife Viewing Area

Saturday, March 15th, 2025 1:00 P.M.-3:00 P.M

Spring Sojourn – Enjoy a cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa, INDOORS, as we participate in Great Backyard Bird Count and learn to identify the birds visiting the feeders just outside the window. Stop by anytime during the program hours.Meets at: The Wildlife Center

Saturday, March 22nd, 20251:00 P.M.- 3:00 P.M.

Waterfowl Watch – With spring migration underway, join a park educator at the George B. Stevenson Lake to see what species of ducks, geese, and swans are stopping over on their way north to breed.Meets at: Lake Day Use Area

Saturday, March 29th, 20257:30 P.M.-8:30 P.M

Woodcock Walk – The sights and sounds of the American Woodcock’s “sky dance” display is a traditional sign of spring across eastern North America. Join a park naturalist for a walk down the Lowlands Trail where we will look and listen for the whistling wings of these interesting birds. Meets at: 40 Maples Day Use Area

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a Disability, please contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks at 888-PA-PARKS (voice) 888-537-7294 (TTY) 717-558-2711 (local or international TTY) 800-654-5984 (AT&T Relay Service).