To Fill A Backpack, 31 Days of Christmas Day 29 Winner is Bill Welsh
December 2025
Severe Watches And Warnings For Roulette
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
1014 PM EST Mon Dec 29 2025
…LAKE EFFECT SNOW BANDS TONIGHT…
Strong westerly winds and moisture streaming off the Great Lakes has generated heavy bands of lake effect snow that will impact portions of I-99 in Centre County, I-80 between mile marker 140 and 190, as well as roadways in Cameron, Clinton, and Potter counties for the next few hours.
Bands of lake effect snow can quickly reduce visibility and cause rapid accumulations of snow. The reduced traction and blinding visibility of a snow band can make travel very dangerous very quickly.
Use extra caution if you must travel tonight and encounter bands of heavy snow, slow down and consider exiting the highway. Rapid changes in visibility and potentially slick roads may lead to accidents. Please use extreme caution and allow plenty of stopping distance. Avoid braking suddenly.
This Is An Important Message From NY Alert, Travel Advisory In Effect
December 30, 2025 02:30AM
The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office has issued a TRAVEL ADVISORY for all of Cattaraugus County. Heavy snow and high wind is making travel very difficult, dangerous and nearly impossible in some areas. Motorists are asked to AVOID unnecessary travel until further notice.
A travel advisory does not mean all roads in the affected area are officially closed. However the public is encouraged to avoid any travel that could wait until the advisory is lifted and conditions have improved.
If travel is necessary, motorists are asked to leave extra time to reach their destination, have a winter emergency kit in their vehicle, be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions, and be observant of first responders and plows on the roadways.
For more information on weather and road closings visit https://weather.gov/buf, https://511ny.org and monitor local media including TV and radio.
Pleasant Valley Township Upcoming Meetings
Pleasant Valley Township is having an Emergency Vacancy Board meeting Tuesday December 30, 2025 at 6pm at the Pleasant Valley Township building.
Pleasant Valley Township will hold the yearly reorganizational meeting at 8am January 5, 2026 at the Pleasant Valley Township building.
Speed Limit Restored on Roadway in the Region
Montoursville, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has lifted the speed limit and right-lane-only commercial vehicle restrictions that were in place on an area roadway.
- Due to the winter weather impacting the region, the speed limit were reduced to 45 mph on Interstate 80 between the Clinton/Union County line and the Northumberland/Montour County line. All speeds are restored to their usual posted limits.
PennDOT is still treating roadways in the area and will continue until roads are clear.
Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
This Is An Important Message From NY Alert
HEADLINE: Wind Advisory issued December 29 at 6:36PM EST until December 30 at 7:00AM EST by NWS Buffalo NY
DESCRIPTION: * WHAT…West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.
* WHERE…Cattaraugus County.
* WHEN…Until 7 AM EST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS…Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
INSTRUCTIONS: Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.
Issued By: NWS Buffalo NY
This Is An Important Message From NY Alert
HEADLINE: Snow Squall Warning issued December 29 at 6:45PM EST until December 29 at 7:30PM EST by NWS Binghamton NY
DESCRIPTION: The National Weather Service in Binghamton has issued a
* Snow Squall Warning for…
Southeastern Seneca County in central New York…
Schuyler County in central New York…
Northwestern Broome County in central New York…
Southwestern Madison County in central New York…
Southeastern Cayuga County in central New York…
Cortland County in central New York…
Chemung County in central New York…
Tioga County in central New York…
Southern Onondaga County in central New York…
Southeastern Steuben County in central New York…
Tompkins County in central New York…
Northwestern Chenango County in central New York…
Sr. Mary Catherine Conboy, OSF, 96 Of Allegany, NY
May 4, 1929 — December 20, 2025
Allegany
Sr. Mary Catherine Conboy, OSF
May 4, 1929 – December 20, 2025
Born: Mary Catherine Conboy, May 4, 1929, in Drumhubrid, Co. Leitrim, Ireland
Died: December 20, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany, NY
Daughter of: Patrick and Margaret (Kelleher) Conboy, Co. Leitrim, Ireland
Sister Mary Catherine Conboy entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on August 25, 1952, was received into the Congregation on August 15, 1953, and professed her final religious vows on August 16, 1960. Committed to the Franciscan Charism for 72 years, Sister Mary shared her life, gifts and talents within the community and beyond to all whom she served.
Hope M. COOPER, 56, of Belmont, NY
Hope M. COOPER, 56, of Belmont, NY, died Thursday, December 25, 2025 in UR Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester. Born January 3, 1969, in Cuba, she was the daughter of James D. and Sandra L. Brown Cooper.
A graduate of Belmont High School, she was employed by Glenn O. Hawbaker, Rochester Gravel, and Howlett Farms in Avon.
Surviving are: her parents, Jim and Sandy Cooper of Belmont; a grandson, Zachery Hockenberry of Emporium, PA; and a sister, Sherry Cooper of Belmont.
She was predeceased by her daughter, Courtney M. Clark. Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.
Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust & Embser Funeral Homes & Cremation, Belmont, NY. Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoustembser.com.
Barbara Ann Vecellio, 86, formerly of Drowney Road, Gifford
Barbara Ann Vecellio, 86, formerly of Drowney Road, Gifford, passed away Saturday, December 27, 2025, at the Bradford Ecumenical Home.
Born November 19, 1939, in Clarion she was a daughter of the late Edward and Miriam (Dean) Krafton. Barb graduated from Bradford Area High School in 1957.
On June 6, 1963, in Lewis Run, she married Ronald M. Vecellio who preceded her in death on September 4, 1997.
Barb was first employed at Forest Oil Company, later for Hounds & Hunting Magazine for 17 years and later at the Guidance Center from where she retired in 2005 after 28 years. After she retired, she continued in a part time capacity until 2009.
Barb was a former member of the Gifford United Methodist Church for many years until it closed, she then joined the Custer City United Methodist Church. She was a former member of the Bradford Area Women’s Club, a volunteer at the Friendship Table and the YWCA.
PennDOT Reduces Speed Limits on Area Roadway
Montoursville, PA – Due to winter weather, PennDOT is temporarily reducing the speed limit on a roadway in the region.
PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel, but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highway:
- Interstate 80 between the Clinton/Union County line and the Northumberland/Montour County line.
On roadways with speed restrictions, commercial vehicles not affected by restrictions on these or other roadways must move to the right lane.
Although PennDOT crews have been treating roadways, the department’s primary goal is to keep roads passable, and they will not completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT will continue to treat roadways throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear.
This Is An Important Message From NY Alert
Major WSSI Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. through Thursday at 7:00 a.m.
The Winter Storm Severity Index has reached the major stage in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Wayne, Oswego, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Madison Counties for Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. through Thursday at 7:00 a.m. Expect considerable disruptions to daily life as there will be dangerous or impossible driving conditions and widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure that may occur.
Snowfall will begin in your area today. 18-24″ inches of snow is expected with snowfall rates of 1-2″ inches per hour at times, at times reaching 3″ per hour. Whiteout conditions are expected with low visibility because of high winds and lake effect snow bands.
Visitation for Kathleen Ruth “Kathy” Derrick
Kathleen R. Derrick “services slated”
SHINGLEHOUSE, PA—Visitation for Kathleen Ruth “Kathy” Derrick, 77, of Shinglehouse, will be held from 11am to 1pm on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Myrtle Gospel Tabernacle, 1127 Rt 44, Shinglehouse, PA. A celebration of her life will follow at 1pm with Pastor Alan Mertsock, officiating.
Kathy passed away on December 16, 2025,
Kathy’s family has entrusted her care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
For further information, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com
This Is An Important Message From NY Alert
Snow Squall Warning issued December 29 at 5:37PM EST until December 29 at 6:15PM EST by NWS Binghamton NY
The National Weather Service in Binghamton has issued a
* Snow Squall Warning for…
Northwestern Seneca County in central New York…
Yates County in central New York…
Northwestern Steuben County in central New York…
* Until 615 PM EST.
* At 536 PM EST, a dangerous snow squall was located along a line
extending from near Newark to near Wellsville, moving east at 50
mph.
HAZARD…Intense bursts of heavy snow. Gusty winds leading to
blowing snow and visibility rapidly falling to less than
one-quarter mile. Wind gusts greater than 35 mph.
James C. “Jim” McMichael, 86, of Olean
James C. McMichael “faithful servant of the Lord”
OLEAN, NY—James C. “Jim” McMichael, 86, of Olean, passed away unexpectedly with his loving family by his side on Sunday, December 28, 2025, in the Olean General Hospital, Olean.
Born on Thursday, October 5, 1939 in Tamaqua, PA, he was a son of Paul and Effie Jones McMichael. On August 2, 1959 in Valois, NY, he married Clara M. Williammee, who passed away on October 15, 2025.
Jim honorably served in the US Marine Corps from 1957 to 1960. Jim would say “I served for the love of my country”. After serving his country, Jim was employed making dynamite at Atlas Chemical and later transferred to a plant making Glycerin. He also enjoyed driving tractor trailer and driving a city bus in Auburn, NY, where he also was a driving instructor. His favorite job was driving milk trucks picking up at the local farms where he would visit with the farmers.
A very faithful person, Jim was a longtime member of the Ceres United Methodist Church in Ceres. One of his favorite pastimes was mowing his lawn and his neighbor’s lawns. He also enjoyed “keeping an eye on the neighbors and those driving up and down the road. He also enjoyed watching the deer in the neighborhood and enjoyed visiting Allegany State Park. Jim loved his family and enjoyed picking on them and playing jokes on them…they in turn returned the favor. He loved trying to put a smile on people’s faces in the stores.
This Is An Important Message From NY Alert
HEADLINE: Winter Weather Advisory issued December 29 at 5:46PM EST until December 31 at 7:00PM EST by NWS Binghamton NY
DESCRIPTION: * WHAT…Lake effect snow expected. Total snow accumulations between
3 and 7 inches with locally higher amounts possible. Winds gusting
as high as 50 mph will create blowing snow, which could reduce
visibility.
* WHERE…Steuben County.
* WHEN…Until 7 PM EST Wednesday.
Route 220 Closed in Sullivan and Lycoming Counties
Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that Route 220 is closed in both directions between Route 42 in Davison Township, Sullivan County and Route 405 in Hughesville Borough, Lycoming County, due to a downed tree and utilities, two miles north of Glen Mawr.
A detour using route 405, Route 118 and Route 42 is in place.
Motorists should be alert, slow down, expect delays in travel, and drive with caution.
PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for New Year’s Holiday
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that all driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Thursday, January 1, 2026 in observance of the New Year’s holiday.
This Is An Important Message From NY Alert
Winter Weather Advisory issued December 29 at 3:45AM EST until December 31 at 7:00PM EST by NWS Buffalo NY
* WHAT…Lake effect snow expected. Total snow accumulations 5 to 9
inches in the most persistent lake snows. Winds gusting as high as
55 mph.
* WHERE…Allegany County. The highest amounts across north and west
portions of the county.
* WHEN…From 4 PM this afternoon to 7 PM EST Wednesday.
* IMPACTS…Travel will be very difficult. The hazardous conditions
will impact the Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Forecast snowfall amounts could be higher
where lake bands persist during this long duration event.
INSTRUCTIONS: Lake effect snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling,
be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities.
Submit snow reports through our website or social media.
Issued By: NWS Buffalo NY
Joyce Ruth Green, 93, of Smethport
Smethport – Joyce Ruth Green, 93, of Smethport, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday (December 26, 2025) at Sena Kean Manor, Smethport.
She was born December 5, 1932 in Coleville, PA, the daughter of Cleveland and Mabel (Eschrich) Dawley. On June 23, 1950, in Coleville, PA, she married Paul F. Green, who died September 8, 2000.
Mrs. Green was a 1950 graduate of Bradford High School.
Joyce worked at Viko Ethan Allan and then worked for several years as an aide and activities director at Sena Kean Manor, Smethport. She also was a caregiver for her mother for several years, and later for her father-in-law, Frank Green.
Joyce was a member and organist at the Hilltop Baptist Church in Gifford, was a member and past officer of Smethport AARP, a member of the Seneca Highlands Snowmobile Club, the Smethport Senior Center and the Elderberries Club of Smethport, and the MJ2KB Trail Club.
The Coudersport Area District Business Manager Opening
POSITION VACANCY
The Coudersport Area School District is seeking a highly qualified and collaborative leader to serve as the Business Manager. This individual will serve as the Chief Financial Officer for the District, overseeing a budget that supports approximately 675 K-12 students. The successful candidate will ensure fiscal integrity while supporting the educational mission of the Coudersport Area School District.
Minimum requirements include a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or Finance; 3-5 years of experience in business management, preferably in school or municipal finance; and proficiency in financial software, Microsoft Word, and Excel. Applications will be accepted until January 28, 2026.
More information on the position can be found at https://www.coudyschools.net/page/employment. Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume, official transcripts, and all required clearances to: Alanna R. Huck, Acting Superintendent, Coudersport Area School District, 698 Dwight Street, Coudersport, PA 16915.
Pike Township Board of Supervisors, Organizational Meeting
Pike Township Board of Supervisors will hold their annual Organizational Meeting on Monday, January 5, 2026 at 5pm.
Pike Township Board of Auditor will hold their annual meeting on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 @ 6:30pm.
Pike Township Board of Supervisors will hold their regular monthly meetings during 2026 on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Meetings take place at 79 Germania Street, Ramp Entrance, Galeton, PA 16922. The meetings are called to order at 5:00pm. To request meeting minutes or agenda items, please contact the Pike Township Secretary at 814-433-2333 or piketownship20@gmail.com.
