Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40). All of this sounds good, but what if you cannot love yourself?
I’ve lived long enough to know that sometimes it’s hard to love ourselves. We tend to be our own critics, seeing every wrong and mistake we’ve ever made, and we often don’t forget them. Our past becomes what holds us back from moving forward. We wonder if people would love us if they truly knew us as well as we know ourselves. Instead of love, we are critical and even self-loathing. Shame and guilt shadow our lives as we struggle to let go of things we have done. In the quiet moments of life, do we ever let go and truly love ourselves? Is that why it is so hard to love our neighbor? Is the problem of loving ourselves stifled by our inability to forgive ourselves?
Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) announced his annual Senior Expo, planned for Aug. 1 at Wellsboro Area High School, has been postponed.
“Due to construction issues at the high school, we had to make the decision to postpone the event,” Owlett said. “We are disappointed but hopeful we can reschedule for later this year.”
The 2025 Break the Chains Festival will be held Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26 on the Port Allegany Town Square. The BTC Festival brings awareness to all and hope to survivors of addictions, depression and self-harm. There will be live music throughout the day, food booths, games and activities for the kids, information booths as well as local vendors. Hours for the festival are from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Pictured from the BTC Board are Trudi Bowser, Lynn Keck, Macie Delahoy, Amanda Miles-Rudolph and Parker Rudolph.
After a very successful foray at states competition last month, the Black Forest Falcons Youth Trap Team competed against over 2500 of the best shooters at SCTP Nationals in Marengo, Ohio this weekend. Thirty two shooters from the Austin, Coudersport, Galeton, and Northern Potter school districts competed in their respective divisions during two days of competition. The Intermediate Beginner (first-year shooters) squad of Austyn Matteson, Eli Darrah, Isaac Ostroski, Boone Faulstick, and Avery Torrey finished third overall in their division with a score of 893/1000. Additionally, Austyn Matteson finished in the top 10 (8th) out of 213 beginner shooters.
The Intermediate Advanced squad of Chase Hamilton, Isaac Gledhill, Alexis Risser, Cael DeLong, and Haylee Hanes finished tenth overall in their respective division with a score of 898/1000. Carson Cooney led the scoring for the Falcons (194) followed by Taylor Knowles (193), Owen Gill (192), Owen Daniels (192), Izayah Freeman (191), Ethan Hamilton (191), Austyn Matteson (191), and Ty Daniels (190).
The Black Forest Falcons, led by head coach Brad Empson and assistant coaches Joe McClellan, Chase Cooney, Ron Gill, Kevin Gledhill, Mike Daniels, Derek Hamilton, Wes Crowell, Jordan Herr, Tom McDonald, and Loren Fitzgerald, finished on the podium at Nationals for the second time in three years. Well done Black Forest Falcons and coaches!
The Black Forest Falcons organization would like to thank the Black Forest Conservation Association (BFCA) and the community for all their support!
Tyrel J. Woelfel, 33, of Kersey, passed away on Saturday, July 19, 2025, as a result of a UTV accident.
He was born on February 19, 1992, in Ridgway, the son of Robert and Judy Lundy Woelfel.
On December 28, 2021, he married Shannon Bradburn. Together, they built a beautiful family, welcoming three children into the world: Jaxtyn, Maverick, and Mayzilyn. Ty especially cherished his role as a father, and his children were his greatest joy.
District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer congratulates K9s Dixie, Olive and Roxy on their recent completion of course requirements for advancement in Mantrailing. K9s Dixie and Olive, along with their handler Ruth Mayes, successfully completed the requirements for Advanced Mantrailing by the National Network of Canine Detection Services. K9 Roxy and her handler Rod Johnson received certification by the National Police Bloodhound Association for Mantrailing to work as a Mantrailing team.
The K9s, part of the Tracking Unit of the County Detectives’ Bureau K9 Unit with the District Attorney’s Office, train throughout the year to keep their skills sharp and are frequently called to assist first responders. These beautiful K9s, along with their K9 teammates and handlers, are often seen at area events such as the McKean County Fair and National Night Out.
If you would like a K9 at your event, please contact the District Attorney’s Office at (814) 887-3312.
On July 18, 2025, at approximately 1:51 a.m., City of Bradford Police responded to a fight in progress at JJ’s Saloon, located at 413 East Main Street. Upon arrival, officers learned that a male, identified as Shane A. Rice, had entered the bar with a baseball bat and engaged in a physical altercation with multiple individuals inside the establishment. The male had fled the scene just prior to police arrival.
A short time later, officers located Rice walking on North Kendall Avenue and took him into custody for disorderly conduct. During the arrest and subsequent search, officers found Rice to be in possession of illegal substances, including methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, digital scales, and pills. These items are considered illegally possessed controlled substances and paraphernalia.
Rice was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver, Possession of Controlled Substances, Possession of Instrument of a Crime, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Disorderly Conduct. Magistrate Luther arraigned Rice on these charges and set bail at $100,000 straight. Rice was remanded to McKean County Jail, and preliminary hearings are scheduled in the matter.
The City of Bradford Police Department encourages anyone with information about illegal drug activity or tips to contact us through our Crimewatch or Facebook sites or by calling 814-887-4911. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Remember, if you see something, say something. Your tips can help keep our community safe.
Jason T. Hunt, 43, of Wellsville died Friday, July 11, 2025, at Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo.
Born August 18, 1981, in Wellsville, he was the son of James and Lois Pensyl Hunt, who survive. Jason graduated from Wellsville High School in 2000 and worked at Air Preheater, Dresser Rand, and Tim Shea Plumbing and Heating before enlisting in the United State Marine Corps in April 2004. On February 18, 2006, in Wellsville, he married Jessica LaFleur, of Cuba.
After completing basic training at Parris Island, S.C., he attended Marine Combat Training and Field Radio Operator training at 29 Palms, California, before being assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
His first deployment to Iraq took him to Fallujah in 2005, as radio operator for Weapons Company, Dragon Platoon. The company’s main mission during that deployment was hunting for improvised explosive devices along military supply and transportation routes. About two weeks into that mission, the platoon spotted a suspicious vehicle on the roadside. Jason volunteered to drive a Humvee to push the car out of the way, and what happened next was caught on camera by a CNN new team. The car was loaded with explosives that were remotely detonated, engulfing the Humvee in a ball of fire and knocking the cameraman to the ground. Jason was able to escape the attack and went on to pull security while the rest of the platoon pulled equipment and ammunition from the wreckage. The video from that incident has been used in many documentaries and Hollywood films about the war in Iraq. A week or two later, a vehicle in the convoy he was traveling in overturned in a canal. Jason dove in and rescued three people who were trapped underwater, pulling them out of their vehicle and to safety.
In 2006, Jason deployed to Iraq a second time, to the city of Ramadi. At that time, it was one of the worst sniper threats in world, and Marines were under constant fire, dodging bullets and improvised explosive devices while fighting the insurgency door to door in close urban neighborhoods. He was assigned to Kilo Company, 3rd Platoon on that rotation. He lost a lot of brothers there. The injuries he accumulated there and in Fallujah led to his medical retirement as a Corporal in 2008. Corporal Hunt was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a combat V for valor, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, a Good Conduct medal, in addition to ribbons and medals associated with his war time service in Iraq, and a Sharpshooter designation for his Rifle qualification badge.
LeRoy “Stub” B. Young, 81, passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Heritage Springs Memory Care in Montoursville, PA.
He was born July 25, 1943, in Wellsboro, PA, to the late Francis A. and Margaret (VanOrder) Young. LeRoy was the youngest of five siblings. He was married for 62 years to Sue E. (Wilcox) Young.
William L. “Bill” Mosier, 85, a lifelong resident of Main Street, Kersey, passed away on Thursday July 17, 2025, following a lengthy illness.
He was born on March 21, 1940 in Kersey, a son of the late Thomas and Annabelle Wildnauer Mosier.
On November 13, 1963, he married the late Elizabeth “Betty” McMackin Mosier, who preceded him in death on December 26, 2017. Together they were blessed with more than 54 years of marriage.
Bo Ray Nunn, was born into this world the morning of Friday July 11, 2025, at Olean General Hospital. She was the first child born to Paul R. and Hanna (Pollak) Nunn. She passed away peacefully in the arms of her loving parents that evening at Oishei Children’s Hospital, Buffalo, NY.
Though Bo was with her family for only a brief amount of time, that’s all she needed to forever change the lives of those she touched.
Our beautiful baby Bo will forever be our guardian angel. We will always remember and honor you, our sweet girl. Mommy and Daddy love you so much.
1:00 P.M.-2:30 P.M. Timber Rattlesnakes: The Secret Behind the Rattle – Discover the life of one of PA’s most intriguing and, at times, frightening reptiles: the Timber Rattlesnake. Stacy Foster, a certified Timber Rattlesnake monitor, will share her passion for the conservation of this species and provide an up-close look at a live wild specimen!
Meets at: Wildlife Center Classroom
Saturday August 2nd, 2025
4:00P.M.- 5:30 P.M. – Creatures of the Creek – Come explore First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek with park educators and discover what lives beneath the surface and what those creatures can tell us about water quality here in the park!
37 Year old Randy Davis, N.P.A. was arrested on July 12th by the Patrol unit for an outstanding bench warrant from Olean City Court. After a search incident to lawful arrest, Davis was found to be in possession of over one ounce of Meth that was located on his person. as well as a digital scale and cash. Davis was remanded to the Cattaraugus County Jail with no Bail.
Carla E. Miller, 80, of Coudersport, passed away Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at her home.
She was born on November 16, 1944, in Summit Hill, the daughter of the late Carl and Helen (Heffelfinger) Breiner. She married William C. Miller on September 16, 1962, and celebrated 55 years of marriage until his passing on June 8, 2018.
William (Bill) D. Fannin, 90, of Ridgway, passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2025. He was born on April 23, 1935 in Ridgway, son of the late Daniel and Maude (Hayes) Fannin. He was a lifelong resident of Ridgway and graduated from Ridgway Area High School, Class of 1954.
William was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, where he served in Washington, D.C. at the Pentagon until 1957. In his early years, William was an avid archer, and a star athlete, playing football and basketball and throwing shot put in track. Later, he and his wife were snowbirds, traveling to Florida for 3-4 months out of the year. He also enjoyed camping with his family, especially at Twin Lakes.
