August 2025

Thank you to the Bradford City Fire Department for inviting me to check out some new equipment purchased with a $100,000 state grant I was able to help secure from the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Chief Brett Butler and Deputy Chief Jeff Kloss showed Mayor Tom Riel and me their new 2025 Ford F150 utility truck and some of the new hose equipment that will outfit all their fire trucks. That includes 4,200 feet of 1 ¾ inch attack hose, 11 nozzles and a hose flow test kit. I was glad to help with this grant to ensure the department is best prepared to fight fires and respond to other emergencies in the city. Thanks to all the firefighters who do so much to protect lives and property in the community!

The media has brought to our attention various rumors on social media about the ongoing investigation into a boy’s death in Bradford.  The reporter asked the District Attorney if she should could address some of those rumors. 

The District Attorney stresses that public tips on the ongoing investigation are greatly appreciated and she provided the following information on the rumors and other aspects of the criminal justice system.  She noted that the criminal investigation is ongoing by the City of Bradford Police, the District Attorney, the coroner, medical examiner and 2 County Detectives who continue to work on the case and have every day since it occurred.  Additional charges may be filed after the results of the autopsy and other lab results are obtained.  The media reports that there is a rumor that charges were withdrawn in a prior case against the defendant. 

Were charges withdrawn?  If so, why?  The DA has pulled the record and was able to confirm that no charges were withdrawn and all charges filed in the case went through a preliminary hearing and to a jury trial. The state’s computerized docket system determines how charges appear and the AOPC could answer questions about that. 

The DA notes that she has been advised that the state’s “limited access/clean slate” policy limits what is viewable by the public and shows all/only convictions.  Police officers and other legal personnel have access to the complete record.     

The DA: “Your questions about a prior criminal case is understandable and we can provide information that appears in public records about a particular case as we are bound by specific rules.  You have asked about a rumor that charges were “withdrawn” in a prior case. As we all know, Facebook is very helpful in many ways, including providing us tips that the officers are following up on. I thank the public for that help.  Unfortunately, it can also lead to false information.  As to the current case, I will provide updated information when it is available.  As to a prior case, I have looked at the public records and the public records confirm that no charges were withdraw.  Someone is charged with a crime when the evidence supports a finding of probable cause.  That is the only consideration.  In that case, the police filed a criminal complaint which is what caused the case to be listed for a preliminary hearing.  At the preliminary hearing, evidence is presented and, if the magisterial district judge finds a “prima facie” level of proof, he sends the charges on to the next level, which is the county level.  The magistrate does not determine if the person is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  The level of proof required at the preliminary hearing – prima facia – is whether the claim being presented to a court has merit, when taken at face value. The magistrate is not permitted to determine credibility at that hearing.  The hearing is simply to see if there is enough to take a case forward.  It is kind of a one-sided hearing because it is the evidence that the police have that the judge looks at to determine if there is enough to move the case forward.

After the preliminary hearing, the charges come to the county level.  In this case, I looked at the complaint filed by the officer in this case and see it contains the same charges that the  suspect went to trial on.  In short, the records show that no charges were withdrawn and this is shown in the criminal complaint, formal Information filed by the DA’s Office, and verdict slip docketed September 14, 2022.  I was alerted to another rumor in the case as well, including that there was a riot at the McKean County Jail this weekend.  I have confirmed with the Warden that that, too, was simply a rumor. 

The public’s concerns about reported child abuse cases are shared by law enforcement and myself.  Just as a summary for the readers about child abuse investigations, I can say that, commonly, police and CYS do concurrent investigations.  The law provides CYS and the District Attorney/Police a mechanism to share information in serious child abuse investigations and that occurred in that case.  To facilitate that communication, when I became the District Attorney, I asked our IT department to create a conference call bridge line for the DA’s Office for this purpose. Typically, we hold these conferences within 24 hours of a report of serious child abuse or anytime someone involved in the investigation requests one.  In these conferences, anyone involved in the investigation who can provide information is included including medical staff who treated a child, police officer, and cys investigator.

After the formal charging document is filed, a defendant can either plead guilty or not guilty.  I can confirm because it is public record that Tyler Prescott pled not guilty and the prior case went to a jury trial which saw several witnesses including medical experts, a police officer and others.  I cannot disclose any barriers in the evidence or evidentiary problems, but I can tell you that the allegations were such that they were pursued by the officer (and the DA’s Office) and charged in such a way so the jury could make a determination of what actually occurred. The charges filed in that case included those that require an offender to be the one to cause the injury and other charges that require that an offender violate a duty of care to a child and the jury listens to the testimony and determines if the evidence supports a finding of guilty or not guilty. The jury’s determination of what occurred in that case resulted in Tyler Prescott being convicted by the jury of Endangering the Welfare of a Child – Felony and Recklessly Endangering Another Person – Misdemeanor.”

Was Prescott given any kind of a break at sentencing in 2021?    The defendant went to trial in that case so the judge determined the proper sentence.  This was not a plea agreement.  The judge is required to sentence someone within the range of sentence that the Pennsylvania legislators set.  In looking at the sentence, the legislators set the range of the minimum sentence on the felony Endangering Welfare at between 18 months and 24 months.  In Pennsylvania, anytime a judge imposes jail time, he has to impose a minimum within the range that the legislators permit and a maximum that has to be at least double the minimum.  For this charge, the judge sentenced Prescott to 20 months to 40 months of state incarceration.  For the misdemeanor charge, the judge sentenced him to 2 years concurrent probation which was within the range set by the legislators. The records confirm he served his maximum sentence.

I frequently hear from people that they think sentences are too low but the judge has to sentence every offender within the range that the legislators permit.  I am often frustrated by that as well and have spoken about this to some of our legislators.  I would ask that our state legislators consider these concerns and create stiffer penalties for serious crimes. 

Last year, however, the state changed the sentencing guidelines and now the sentences are actually less for most crimes than they were before so the change went in the opposite direction than what most people would have wanted.  This is frustrating. In fact, our appeals’ court has stated that a judge is not permitted to include any conditions of parole when he sentences a person to state prison and that only the parole board can.  I am currently appealing that opinion in another case but that is the current case law. 

Were there post release conditions on the 2021 sentence that indicated he should have no contact with the family of the first victim? If a defendant is paroled prior to their maximum, they have a parole officer and would have conditions they have to follow.  However, if someone is not paroled and, instead stays incarcerated until they have served their maximum, 40 months in this case, then they are not on parole when they get released and would not have any parole conditions. 

This is a frustrating fact.  Many times, we want people to stay incarcerated until they have served their entire sentence.  The result, however, is that they go from incarceration and the strict terms that go along with incarceration straight to the community without restrictions or supervision.  A few years ago, our legislators did impose a policy of mandatory consecutive probation after someone is released because they served their entire maximum sentence without being paroled to prevent this but that only applies to longer sentences.  As far as conditions that a judge can place on an offender, our appellate court has stated that a judge is not permitted to include any conditions of parole when he sentences a person to state prison and that only the parole board can impose any such conditions or restrictions.  I am currently appealing that opinion in another case but that is the current case law. 

Five recent Franklinville/Ten Broeck Academy students were awarded scholarships through funds stewarded by the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation.

Norra Ainsworth received the Ernst Family Scholarship for $2,000.

The Ernst Family Scholarship, established by members of the Ernst family in honor of Gerry and Dianne Ernst’s 50th wedding anniversary, is for graduating seniors of Franklinville Central School in good academic standing planning to pursue a degree at any post-secondary college or career/technical school. Preference is for a student pursuing study or a career in a math or science field who is active in community service and extracurricular activities. Gerry and Dianne Ernst were long-time teachers in the Franklinville School District.

McKean County is seeking a qualified and highly motivated applicant to perform the duties of a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at the County Jail. Based on candidate preference, this position can either be full or part-time. Primary responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to:

1. Conduct patient assessments, perform physicals, order medications, and provide healthcare as required for all inmates at the County Jail.

2. Conduct blood draws, urine samples, pregnancy testing, and strep testing as necessary. 3. Maintain an accurate filing system to ensure consistency and accuracy of treatment programs and the reports prepared for the physician.

4. Train inmates and staff on health issues, such as medication dispensation and what to look for in each inmate’s condition.

5. Work independently, as well as under direction; make critical decisions, often in stressful situations.

6. Assure accurate filing systems and compliance with record keeping requirements.

7. Serve on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week as needed.

8. At times must fill in for Mental Health provider, giving guidance and counseling to inmates.

9. Assist in managing and tracking the inmate prescription process to ensure appropriate care and eliminate the chances of medications abuse. 10. Identify and develop patient care planning and monitor the plan.

11. Schedule medical testing with the County Physician and/or hospital personnel.

12. Conduct research for inmate medical records.

13. Take physician orders and transcribe them

14. Assist with other such duties as may be assigned for the successful operation of the department.Requirements for Candidates:• Minimum requirement as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).•

One-year experience with adults in a treatment setting.Qualified candidates can apply by completing a McKean County job application and submitting a resume to Michele Jubon, Director of Human Resources, McKean County Courthouse, 500 West Main Street, Smethport, PA 16749, via email to mmjubon@mckeancountypa.gov, or by applying online at indeed.com.

Applications are available in the Human Resources Department at the Courthouse or online at www.mckeancountypa.gov.

McKean County is an equal opportunity employer, M/F/D/V.

Have you ever wondered what the proper way is to handle dairy cows, pesticides, rescue your co-worker who has fallen in a grain bin, or what the best way to assemble a First Aid Kit?

The Penn State Extension in Cooperation with Bradford Co. Farm Bureau gives you a unique opportunity to learn the basics of farm safety during the Farm Safety Day that will be hosted by the Sugar Branch Farms/Miller’s Corn Maze at 931 Sopertown Rd., Columbia Cross Roads, PA, on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

The Penn State Extension Educators, Millerton Fire Department, and Guthrie Hospital Emergency workers will have stations placed throughout the farm to present cow and animal safety, tractor, pesticide, manure, and silo gases safety. Stop the bleed, grain bin rescue demo, and emergency response will be included as well. This workshop is primarily for farm workers who are currently actively working on farms full-time or part-time.

This is a free event, rain or shine. Lunch will be provided. For registration RSVP to Michal Lunak, 570-265-2896 (mpl5660@psu.edu).

The Northeast Republican Delegation of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives today issued the following statement regarding the ongoing budget impasse:

“The people of the Commonwealth deserve the services and programs they pay their hard-earned tax dollars for. This year’s budget was due on June 30, yet families, seniors and communities across Pennsylvania are now being held hostage by unnecessary gridlock in Harrisburg.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that a highway resurfacing project along Route 446 in Eldred Borough, Keating, and Eldred townships will begin on Tuesday, September 2. This project will improve the ride quality and extend the service life of approximately 8.5 miles of roadway across the three municipalities.

The work zone begins approximately half a mile south of Mechanic Street in Eldred Borough and continues southbound approximately 8.5 miles. Starting on Tuesday, September 2, PennDOT advises drivers to expect to encounter flaggers in the roadway providing traffic control during daylight hours through this stretch. The department urges drivers to anticipate delays, exercise caution in work zones, obey flaggers and other posted work zone signage, and always buckle up.

The contractor will begin mobilizing equipment and placing traffic control measures on Thursday, August 28. PennDOT does not anticipate any significant traffic impacts during mobilization efforts. There is no work scheduled for Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day.

Overall work on this project includes surface preparation, paving, guide rail upgrades, pavement marking, and miscellaneous construction. Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc., of State College, PA, is the contractor on this $3.7 million project. PennDOT anticipates project completion in mid-December, but all schedules are subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is inviting high school students in the North Central PA region to participate in the annual Paint the Plow program. The program challenges youth to paint an original mural on a PennDOT snowplow blade, while incorporating a designated statewide safety theme, to promote winter driving safety and foster appreciation for school art programs and student creativity. 

The designated 2025 theme, “Don’t race. Allow some space.” was chosen to remind motorists to practice caution when around snowplows, always maintain a safe distance of at least six car lengths behind a plow, avoid driving in blind spots, and never attempt to pass or drive between plows operating side by side.  

The Paint the Plow program first started in Pennsylvania in 2015 and has expanded to most counties across the state. In the North Central region last year, high school students from five counties participated.  

Students in public and private high schools are welcome to participate and must have their school officials complete and return an application to the regional PennDOT coordinator Steve Harmic at sharmic@pa.gov or 70 PennDOT Drive, Clearfield PA, 16830. Plow delivery and pick-up dates vary by county.  

McKean County is seeking qualified and highly motivated applicants for part time security work for McKean County Courts.

This position is a part time/at will position. The part-time security officer will be requested to work certain days and times and can either accept the assignment or decline it.  The part-time officer is assigned to days and times when a full-time officer is unavailable due to vacation, illness, etc.  Normal shift assignments are between 08:00 to 4:30 Monday to Friday. The candidate will provide screening, technical and security related assistance to other non-judicial offices in the courthouse. This position is responsible for the safety and security of all staff and public visitors at the courthouse.

Responsibilities:

Depending on assignment for that day could require several of the following tasks/duties

>Perform a daily sweep of the courthouse building and grounds prior to and at the close of business.

>Maintain order within the courthouse: settle disturbances as required.

>Assign hearing and/or meeting areas with the courthouse according to the daily schedule.

>Gather information and complete incident reports for trips falls or hazards.

>Maintain a visible security presence within the building.

>Guide assist attorneys, court attendees to the etc. the appropriate areas for hearings and meetings.

>Appear at courthouse/court facilities to address emergency situations/events.

>Screen court visitors with metal detectors for weapons and assist visitors with finding their destination.

>Assist with such other duties as may be assigned for the successful operation of the courthouse.

Special Requirements

>Capable of meeting physical demands related to the use of restrain and self-defense and the ability to handle potentially violent situations.

>Be firm while maintaining tact. Have Communication skills to diffuse potentially dangerous situations.

>Have Firearms qualifications and be willing to receive taser training.

Minimum Qualifications

Two years in law enforcement/security related position. This is a good position for retired officers, looking for some work while maintaining their daily flexibility.

Willing to carry firearms and taser while on duty. Possession of personal firearm permit and be able pass an annual qualification. LEOSA permit and qualification will be provided by court.

Qualified candidates should apply by sending a McKean County job application and resume to Patricia Brown, Court Administrator, 500 West Main Street, Smethport, PA 16749 or via email to pabrown@mckeancountypa.gov McKean County is an equal opportunity employer, M/F/D/V.