August 2025

HEADLINE: Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued August 24 at 6:10PM EDT until August 24 at 7:15PM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

DESCRIPTION: SVRBGM

The National Weather Service in Binghamton has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for…
Central Schuyler County in central New York…
Chemung County in central New York…
Southeastern Steuben County in central New York…
Tompkins County in central New York…

* Until 715 PM EDT.

* At 610 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Burdett to near Lindley, moving northeast at
35 mph.

HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

SOURCE…Radar indicated.

IMPACT…Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include…
Ithaca, Elmira, Corning, Southport, Big Flats, Horseheads,
Newfield, Elmira Heights, Cayuga Heights, and Lansing.

INSTRUCTIONS: For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Issued By: NWS Binghamton NY

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For a permanent link to this Notification (may contain additional formatting and / or content which could not be sent), follow this link: https://member.everbridge.net/index/892807736728110#/event

NY-Alert Support – NYAlertSupport@its.ny.gov

www.Alert.ny.gov

Environmental Education Programs

PA Songbirds Educator Workshop

Program Title: PA Songbirds Educator Workshop

Date: Sunday, September 7^th

Time: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Location: Sizerville State Park

Description: PA Songbirds is an environmental education curriculum that uses activities centered around birds of Pennsylvania to allow children to explore English language arts, research math, ecosystems, ecological concepts, and more!

Earn 4.5 Act 48 hours while experiencing hands-on activities related to PA Songbirds that help develop awareness, investigative skills, curiosity, and environmental knowledge. Participants will receive the updated K-8 Teacher’s Guide which features over 40 lessons, pre-made student sheets, and organizers that sort each lesson by topic and grade level. This workshop is open to all educators: school teachers, naturalists, homeschool parents, scout leaders, and others!

OLEAN, N.Y., August 21 – Eight recent graduates from Ellicottville Central School were awarded Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation-managed scholarships.

Maddox Johnson and Kyle Robinson were awarded the Cattaraugus County Trappers Memorial Scholarship for $500.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (August 20) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) announced today that a public meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, regarding the planned dam rehabilitation project at High Point Lake, Somerset County.  The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the gymnasium of the Confluence Borough Office, located at 711 Logan Place, Confluence, PA 15424.

The public is encouraged to attend the meeting and receive information about the project from PFBC staff.

The $5.5 million dollar project, which will include the construction of a new dam embankment and spillway to meet Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection dam safety standards, is currently in the permitting phase.  Following the issuing of final permits, construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2026 or spring 2027.  Once construction begins, the project is expected to last approximately 1.5 years. 

Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that surface treatment operations, more commonly known as “oil and chip,” will result in delays on several roads in Potter County next week. This maintenance treatment seals the road surface to keep water out, restores the surface friction, enhances traction, and extends the pavement life between resurfacings.

Weather permitting, PennDOT Potter County Maintenance crews plan to complete these operations on the following roads the week of August 25:

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to safely prepare food in large quantities! It’s not like food preparation at home. This program helps organizations and their volunteers understand the risks of preparing large volumes of food and the important food safety practices that must be implemented to ensure a safe event.

Even if your organization has been preparing food for years, things change, and volunteers must be up-to-date and knowledgeable about rules and regulations governing food safety. Don’t risk your customers’ health or your organization’s reputation. This program is for volunteers preparing food for events such as church fundraisers, fire company barbecues, booster club food sales, and many other types of events where food is served to the public. Volunteers will learn the causes of foodborne illness as well as safe food handling practices related to: Preventing Cross Contamination; Controlling Time and Temperature; Good Personal Hygiene; Cleaning and Sanitizing; and Planning a Successful Food Event. This course, taught by Rick Kralj, Penn State Educator, is scheduled for Wednesday, August 27, 2025, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Education Council’s Coudersport office. The cost is $50 per person or $75 per organization (an unlimited number of participants can attend for $75). The registration deadline is Monday, August 25^th. To register, go to https://extension.psu.edu/cooking-for-crowds

OLEAN, N.Y., August 22 – Five recent area graduates have received awards from the Jonathan Teuscher Scholarship and the Joseph and Cecily Higgins Scholarship, funds stewarded by the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation.

Gavin Straub of Allegany-Limestone Central School, Daphne Gobien of Hinsdale Central School, Alana Rowand of Olean High School and Anna Keeley of Portville Central School received the Jonathan Teuscher Scholarship.

The Jonathan Teuscher Scholarship, established by Steve and Donna Teuscher in memory of their son, Jonathan, is given to students from Olean, Hinsdale, Portville and Allegany-Limestone who have faced challenges while maintaining a positive attitude. The scholarship of $625 is renewable each year of continued education up to four years, for a total of $2,500.

ServSafe Food Safety Certification

ServSafe is a certification program developed by the Restaurant Association Education Foundation. The course meets certification requirements for individuals who are responsible for the safe handling of food in restaurants, schools, elder care facilities, lodges, bed and breakfasts, community centers, and other food concessions (organizations or businesses that sell or prepare food regularly). 

Thomas G. Plume, 75, of Convington, passed away on Friday, August 22, 2025, at his home. He was born on July 6, 1950, in Hagerstown, MD, son of the late William L. and Grace E. (Stover) Plume. He married the former Bonnie Cruttenden on December 27, 1968, and celebrated over 40 years of marriage until her passing on October 19, 2009.

Tom graduated from South Hagerstown High School and worked as maintenance and a repairman for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Tom was a Navy veteran, serving during the Vietnam War.  He was also a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity.  He was a train enthusiast and enjoyed travelling, woodworking, tinkering, and spending time with his grandchildren. Tom also had a talent for working with computers.

Beginning August 23^rd the pool at Sizerville State Park will be closed until 11AM on Saturday, August 30^th. The pool will then be closed for the season at 7PM, Monday, September 1^st.

Five recent Franklinville Central School graduates were awarded memorial scholarships via funds managed by the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation.

Trinity Garrey received the Jen DeLong Memorial Scholarship for $1,000.

The DeLong scholarship, established in memory of Jen DeLong, is for a graduating senior from Ten Broeck Academy/Franklinville Central School District who is pursuing a career in or demonstrates excellence in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) and music subject areas, with preference for a female student.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the following schedule of maintenance activities in McKean County the week of August 25. PennDOT performs year-round maintenance in its mission to provide a safe, efficient transportation system, and the scope of work in McKean County for the coming week is as follows:

Bridge Maintenance & Cleaning

• Route 1011 (West Eldred Road) at a bridge spanning Fowler Brook three miles north of Coryville in Eldred Township. Monday, August 25, through Friday, August 29. PennDOT will implement a detour using Route 346 and Route 446.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the following schedule of maintenance activities in Potter County the week of August 25. PennDOT performs year-round maintenance in its mission to provide a safe, efficient transportation system, and the scope of work in Potter County for the coming week is as follows:

Mechanized Patching

• Route 6 starting at Rock Run Road in Ulysses Township and continuing eastbound approximately two miles. Monday, August 25, through Friday, August 29. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control during daylight hours.

Mechanized patching is used to patch limited roadway areas that have extensive potholes, large areas of cracked pavement, and depressions. If mechanized patching was not performed, the damaged road surface would further deteriorate, resulting in PennDOT needing to completely rebuild the road or perform more costly corrective measures.

Environmental Education Programs

Weekend of August 23^rd

Program Title: Dragonflies & Damselflies

Date: Saturday, August 23^rd

Time: 3:00 PM

Location: Environmental Learning Center

Description: Do you know the difference between a dragonfly and a damselfly? If not, come to this program and find out! Short talk followed by a craft session to make and take home your very own dragonfly!

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Program Title: Film in the Forest: River Otters & Fishers

Date: Saturday, August 23^rd

Time: 8:00 PM

Location: Campground Amphitheater

Description: A short talk on the river otter and fisher reintroduction in Pennsylvania will be the main topic of this program.  Mounts, pelts, and skulls will be available to see, along with a river otter movie presentation—feel free to bring snacks and a blanket!

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Additional Information:

Sizerville State Park Calendar of Events Website: https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/sizerville_state_park

To register for a program, go to the DCNR Calendar of Events website, search Sizerville State Park, find the program listed, and click on the Register button right under the program date, time, and location.  For more information or questions about registering, please contact the Environmental Learning Center at (814) 486-5609.

In case of thunder, lightning, or extreme weather conditions programs may be moved or cancelled.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park office at (814) 486-5605.

With a minimum of one week notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for educational programs.

Additional programs and events happening throughout the year can be found on the DCNR Calendar of Events Website.  For more information or questions about programs at Sizerville State Park, please contact the Environmental Learning Center at (814) 486-5609.

The Willow Creek Sportsman’s Club is hosting their first Pennsylvania Hunter-Trapper Education Course on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at 9:00 AM at their location at 3307 W. Washington Street in Bradford. 

To sign up, click the link below. This is a six-hour training class required by law for all first-time hunters and trappers before they can buy a license. You must pass a certification exam at the end of the class to complete this training. Please note you must be at least 11 years old to sign up for this course. 

https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/233365?fbclid=IwY2xjawMRuJZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE4dFpRTlFGV1JDdDU0cXI4AR43KYKV1b7o3Te0ovu4k76A7xtQslA5joZgcfVR-CJqNo-xCPZHYOKB_PT11w_aem_7LHZOcZXKtEEM5tiIIM0Ow

For more information, visit the Willow Creek Sportsman’s Club Facebook page. 

Warren, PA: Northern Pennsylvania Regional College has announced students who achieved Dean’s List recognition for the Summer 2025 term.

Students take classes at one of our over 20 in-person instructional locations or online. Students from the area include:

Cameron County

    EMPORIUM – Emma Bennett

Crawford County

    MEADVILLE – Anastasia Ploski

Erie County

    ERIE – Mekenzie Morgan

Potter County

    COUDERSPORT – Jonathon Suladie

The Dean’s List recognizes the academic achievements of students who remained in good academic standing and earned a 3.0 GPA or greater during the Summer 2025 term. This outstanding scholarship contributes to the high reputation for excellence at NPRC. An official press release can be found online at https://regionalcollegepa.org/nprc-deans-list-for-summer-2025/.

Olean, NY – The nursing recruitment and retention committee at Olean General Hospital (OGH), a Kaleida Health facility, recently awarded three $750 nursing scholarships to current OGH employees who are planning to attend an RN program or are currently enrolled in a nursing program.

The three recipients, Kami Carpenter, Mikayla Keis and Abbie Kohler, were presented with this year’s scholarships.

Through various fundraising activities throughout the year, the OGH nursing recruitment and retention committee is able to present this scholarship annually. Applicants must be current OGH employees in good standing and be enrolled in, or enrolling in, a nursing program.

Change Is In The Air

By

Pastor B.J. Knefley

I just finished a walk with Molly, my dog. It’s interesting to see how she has changed over the past few years that I’ve had her. Initially skittish and quiet, she’s become a very headstrong dog. She bugs me to go for a walk in the morning, but rarely asks for food or snacks. Wherever I go, she follows. If I enter the bathroom, she’s right behind me. If she isn’t sitting nearly on my lap, she’s watching every move I make and won’t let me out of her sight. If I lie down, she prefers to be under the blanket where it’s warmer. She’s a muscular 55-pound dog who doesn’t do well as a lapdog, but she tries.

Autumn is quickly approaching, and I’m noticing more leaves on my lawn. We’ve had several warm weeks, but we know this will change soon. Although it seems like weeks away, we’ll start feeling the frost in the air. Some may not want that to happen, but it will occur regardless of our wishes. Life works that way. Change comes, often when we least expect or plan for it.

The other day, I had ten tons of stone delivered to my house. As is my habit, I grabbed my rake and shovel because it needed to be spread. What’s wrong with me? What am I thinking? Do you have any idea how many shovels of stone make up ten tons? A lot! I’m not 20 years old; in fact, I’m not even 60. So, what am I doing thinking I can move ten tons of stone by myself? Now, can I do it? The answer is that over time and with a lot of effort, I could move that much, but why should I? As the saying goes, work smarter, not harder. So why do I, or even we, think we can do everything ourselves? Maybe because we’ve learned somewhere along the line that if you want something done, do it yourself. Old habits are hard to break.

Sometimes, the hardest change to handle isn’t the one that happens around us, but the change that needs to happen inside us. Maybe the change in the air is the change that must take place within us. Think about it.

Celebrate the last weekend of summer with a visit to Sinnemahoning State Park! All programs are free to the public

Friday, August 29th, 20258:00 P.M 9:00 P.M –Campground Movie: The Incredible Journey of the Butterflies– Join a park naturalist for a showing of The Incredible Journey of the Butterflies and learn about the Monarch Butterfly’s long migration down to Mexico.Meets at: Campground Amphitheater

Saturday, August 30th, 202510:00 A.M 12:00 P.M –Ride the Rail Trail– Enjoy a guided ride through the park on the Lowlands Trail. Bring your own bike or check out one of the park’s loaner bikes. A park educator will lead the trip. Pre-registration is required if you plan to use one of the park’s bikes