December 2025

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer explains how a new bill (HB 1615 which was passed by Senate and House and signed by Governor) will help District Attorneys enforce the DUI statute while offering sentencing alternatives for some first-time DUI offenders. 

A few court decisions have greatly impacted DUI sentences in Pennsylvania. One of the tools prosecutors have is the ARD program (or Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition). ARD is a program that allows prosecutors to offer a probationary sentence for most first-time DUI offenders with a focus on treatment by identifying first-time DUI offenders who are at low risk of reoffending.  The probation allows the first time DUI offender  to receive a sentence that does not include jail or house arrest and requires minimal license suspension. An appellate court decision greatly impacted the ARD program in Pennsylvania.

“To Those With Whom God Is Pleased”. What does that mean, and where does it come from? I’m glad you asked.

The passage comes from the Christmas story as told in the Gospel of Luke. Specifically, it is from Luke 2:14: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” It is also what the angels said to the shepherds. I think many have focused on the “peace on earth” part, but did we notice “with whom God is pleased”? We all want peace in some form or another, perhaps in our world, our home, or even with loved ones. We have heard that Jesus came to bring peace, but did he? This is what Jesus said in Matthew 10:34, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Doesn’t sound like peace to me, does it to you? 

The peace spoken of in this passage has a direct bearing on who God is pleased with. Perhaps you’re thinking, but isn’t God about love? The answer is an astounding YES! So let me put it another way. I love my children, but I am not always pleased with them. You see, love is unconditional, but being pleased is not. That’s the part we often miss.

​​“Growing Good” isn’t just the mantra of the Community Foundation – it’s the driving force behind holiday generosity reaching those who need it most.

This year, CRCF-supported programs, along with dedicated nonprofit and community partners, helped hundreds of children and families celebrate the holidays through gift-giving initiatives including The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree, Interfaith Caregivers’ Gift Tree and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office Santa Sheriff program.

After a decade-long hiatus in the Angel Tree program, overwhelming community support ensured that every child enrolled in the program was adopted. Angel Trees were emptied quickly, with some being emptied multiple times. The trees were placed at local businesses, with organizations, churches and families stepping up to meet every need.

National Weather Service State College PA
217 AM EST Wed Dec 24 2025
…WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY
MORNING…

* WHAT…Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow and sleet accumulations up to two inches and ice accumulations between one tenth and three tenths of an inch possible.

* WHERE…A portion of central Pennsylvania.

* WHEN…From Friday morning through Saturday morning.

* IMPACTS…Hazardous travel conditions are likely. Plan on slippery road conditions. Power outages and tree damage are possible due to the ice. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday morning and evening commutes.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the Pennsylvania Superior Court has affirmed the conviction of convicted murderer, Anthony FENTON. FENTON was convicted after a jury trial in 2024 in the death of Tammy PROSSER in 2021 in an apartment on Main Street in Bradford.

On May 10, 2021, City of Bradford Police Chief Michael Ward and Patrolman Jason Putt (now retired) and other officers and paramedics with Bradford City Fire Department responded to the apartment for an unresponsive female. 

During an interview with Chief Ward and Chief County Detective Ryan Yingling, FENTON alleged that Tammy had fallen down the stairs the night before, walked across the street to Top’s Supermarket to buy a case of beer, and then succumbed to the injuries from the prior fall. This interview became critical to the case, according to DA Vetttenburg-Shaffer.

Video evidence from stores in the area disputed many of FENTON’S claims as did the Top’s clerk who testified that Tammy was fine while she was at the store, and he did not notice any injuries. An expert retained by the District Attorney’s Office testified that FENTON’S explanation of a stair fall was not possible due to the number and layout of the stairs and the amount of inertia that would have been required to go from the top of the stairs, across a landing and  down another set of stairs and, further, the injuries did not match a stair fall.  A medical examiner from Buffalo, Bradford paramedics and BRMC nurses also testified to the extraordinary injuries to Tammy’s body – all consistent with intentional infliction of trauma rather than stair fall. FENTON was convicted and appealed various court rulings from prior to the trial. 

The District Attorney also appealed the sentence asserting that the Trial Court gave FENTON credit for more days served in jail prior to trial than he was entitled to. The Superior Court denied all of FENTON’S claims including that the trial court erred in admitting his statements to Ward and Yingling finding that he never asked for a lawyer and citing the long-standing law in Pennsylvania that a suspect must unequivocally request an attorney. 

Winter Weather Advisory issued December 23 at 1:16AM EST until December 23 at 4:00PM EST by NWS Binghamton NY

* WHAT…Snow and mixed precipitation expected. Total snow
accumulations between 1 and 3 inches and ice accumulations around
a light glaze.

* WHERE…Steuben County.

* WHEN…Until 4 PM EST this afternoon.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous
conditions could impact the Tuesday morning commute.

INSTRUCTIONS: Slow down and use caution while traveling.

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be
obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Issued By: NWS Binghamton NY

Clare M. “Babe” Horchen, 96, a resident of Silvercreek Terrace and formerly of Maple Street, St. Marys, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, Friday, December 19, 2025 at Penn Highlands Elk.

She was born April 18, 1929 in St. Marys, daughter of the late Frank and Marie Zimmerman Bucheit.  She was a lifelong resident of the area, a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1947, and an employee of Sears, Roebuck and Co., where she retired.

On May 30, 1953, in Sacred Heart Church, Clare married the late Paul Horchen, Jr., who preceded her in death on October 24, 2015.

Babe is survived by her daughter, Mary Ellen Frank (Raymond) of St. Marys; sons, James Horchen (Laura) and David Horchen (Sallie), both of St. Marys; five grandchildren: Charles Frank, Corey Frank, Emily Kleps, Kyle Horchen, and Jaclyn Williams; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Abigail Horchen; two half-sisters: Charlotte Vollmer and Frances Hillebrand; eight half-brothers: Louis, John, Richard, Andrew, Leon, Bernard, Walter Bucheit, and Frank A. Heinkel.

Ruth G. (Zbierowski) Davis, 99, of Morris, formerly of Medford, OR, passed away Saturday December 20, 2025 at Broad Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation.  She was born November 24, 1926, in Milwaukee, WI, to Frank and Barbara (Hodan) Zbierowski.  She graduated from high school, and worked as a quality control supervisor for Halcyon Communications in San Jose, CA.  Ruth loved animals, especially dogs and cats.

She is survived by her son:  Allen Meldrum of FL; a daughter:  Marje Seiler (Keith) of Oregon Hill; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband:  Robert Allen Davis, and a sister:  Marian Mullen who passed away December 15, 2025.

In accordance with her wishes there will be a private graveside service at the convenience of her family.  Burial will be at Oregon Hill Cemetery, and her arrangements have been entrusted to the Tussey-Mosher Funeral Home 139 Main Street Wellsboro, PA 16901.  To share a memory or condolence with her family visit www.tusseymosher.com.

BRADFORD, PA – Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and Classic Hits 106.3 The Mountain partnered to run a special Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign throughout October, highlighting local breast cancer survivors and the impact of local cancer care services on their journeys.

The campaign featured inspiring stories from survivors and underscored the importance of accessible, high-quality cancer care in the Bradford community. Through the support of local sponsors, including Escape Aqua Massage and Infrared Therapy Spa, Zimmerman Realty LLC, High Point Federal Credit Union, Young Web Design, Lady A – Weddings. Events. Creative, Field Street Boots, Small Town Girl Boutique, Jennifer McMillen State Farm Agent, On The Side Books, Copy Connection and the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce, a check for $300 was presented to the Bradford Hospital Foundation to benefit cancer care services.

Montoursville, PA – With winter weather forecasted Tuesday, December 23, 2025, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 3 is advising motorists in north central Pennsylvania to be aware of changing weather conditions and limit travel if possible.

The department is prepared and has plenty of salt and anti-skid on hand. Crews will be pre-treating major routes throughout the nine-county region which includes Bradford, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, and Union.

Anti-icing involves wetting the highway with salt brine before a storm’s arrival. The solution lowers the freezing point of water and slows or prevents ice from forming a bond with the pavement during the early stages of a storm.

Roadways will not be free of snow while precipitation is falling. With freezing temperatures, roads that look wet may actually be icy, and extra caution is needed when approaching bridges and highway ramps where ice can form without warning.

While PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms, 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.

Martha R. DeFilippo, 84, of East Main Street Bradford, passed away Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Born October 3, 1941, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late Donald E. and Catherine (Place) Good. She was a 1959 graduate of St. Bernard School.

On May 19, 1962, in Smethport, she married Geno M. DeFilippo who preceded her in death on May 8, 2024.

Kathleen R. Derrick “beloved mother and grandmother”

SHINGLEHOUSE, PA—Kathleen Ruth “Kathy” Derrick, 77, of Shinglehouse, passed into the arms of her Savior on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in the Olean General Hospital, Olean, NY.

Born Friday, January 2, 1948 in Bridgeton, NJ, she was a daughter of Millard and Grace Hetzell Shiles.

She was a graduate of Oswayo Valley High School, Class of 1965, in Shinglehouse. Kathy married Gordon E. Derrick on September 18, 1983 and resided in Eldred for 9 years.

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.