March 2026

On March 28th at approximately 10:00 a.m. The Olean Police Departments Criminal Unit assisted Cattaraugus County Probation regarding a report of a juvenile on probation that may have been in possession of firearms. As a term of the Juveniles probation, a search was conducted by Probation Officers of the Juveniles bedroom and as a result, a handgun, a rifle, over a pound of Psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana and ammunition were seized and turned over to the Street Crimes Unit who charged the Juvenile with the fYesterday at approximately 10:00 a.m.

The Olean Police Departments Criminal Unit assisted Cattaraugus County Probation regarding a report of a juvenile on probation that may have been in possession of firearms. As a term of the Juveniles probation, a search was conducted by Probation Officers of the Juveniles bedroom and as a result, a handgun, a rifle, over a pound of Psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana and ammunition were seized and turned over to the Street

Crimes Unit who charged the Juvenile with the following.
Criminal possession of a controlled substance 2nd degree (A-2 Felony)
Criminal possession of a weapon loaded firearm 2nd degree ( C Felony)
Unlawful possession of a ammo feeding device 4 counts ( Violation)
The arrested juvenile was turned over to Probation.

CARE to Host Free Screenings for Babies and Toddlers on April 13. McKean County Early Intervention will provide milestone checks and resources for families with children from birth to three at CARE for Children. CARE for Children and McKean County Early Intervention will host free developmental screenings for children from birth to age three on Monday, April 13, from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Ashley Booth Griffin CARE for Children Center, located at 723 East Main Street in Bradford. Attendees should use the Russell Boulevard parking lot and entrance.

The event is being held in recognition of the Week of the Young Child, an annual initiative that highlights the importance of early learning and development. By offering free screenings, CARE for Children and the Early Intervention program aim to support families in understanding their child’s development during these critical early years.

Smethport – Wayne A. Ladlee, Sr., 62, of Rew, passed away Saturday (March 28, 2026) at Olean General Hospital, Olean, NY.

He was born June 10, 1963 in Bradford, the son of William, Sr. and Doris (Hackett) Ladlee. On December 16, 2001, in the Philippines, he married Editha Ganal, who survives.

Wayne was a graduate of Smethport Area High School and worked at Keystone Powdered Metals of Lewis Run, PA.

He enjoyed building things from scratch and doing woodworking projects.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by:

Two sons: Wayne Ladlee, Jr. of Rochester, NY and Kyle Ladlee of Smethport

Stepson: Hanz Ganal

One granddaughter: Willa Abbey

Two brothers: William M. Ladlee, Jr. of Smethport and Todd Ladlee, Sr. of Mt. Jewett

Nephews: Ross Ladlee, Todd Ladlee, Jr., William Ladlee, III and Joshua Ladlee

Nieces: Laquietta Ladlee and Nickie Ladlee

In addition to his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by a sister, Kim E. Ladlee.

In keeping with Wayne’s wishes, there will be no visitation. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.

A Flood Watch has been issued for Oneida, Herkimer, Hamilton, Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Northern Cayuga, Erie, Genessee, Wyoming, Livingston, Ontario, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Oswego, Jefferson, and Lewis Counties from March 31, at 8:00 a.m.until April 1, at 8:00 p.m.

During a flood, water levels and rate at which the water is flowing can quickly change. Most flood fatalities occur in vehicles. You don’t know how deep the water is. Even when water recedes, the ground may be unstable. 

• Do not attempt to drive through a flooded road. Turn around, don’t drown!
• NEVER drive through barricades. 
• Rising and fast floodwaters can sweep vehicles away or cause you to lose control of a vehicle. 
• Stay out of floodwaters! Floodwaters hide dangers that can cause sickness, injury, or even death: animals and insects, live wires, dangerous chemicals, sewage, harmful bacteria, and sharp objects and debris. 

For more safety tips visit: https://www.dhses.ny.gov/flood

Monday closed 

Tuesday 11 to 6 

Wednesday 11 to 6

Thursday 11 to 6

Friday 11 to 6. 

Saturday 10 to 4 

70 percent off. 

$1.25 cards on  Thursday.

On March 30th Genesee Fire and Ambulance were dispatched to Gold Rd. for a one vehicle accident with possible injuries

On March 30th Port Allegany Ambulance was dispatched to Reilly Hollow for a traumatic injury.

On March 29th Harrison Valley Fire Department and Genesee with a tanker were dispatched for a barn fire on Marsh Creek Rd.

On March 29th Port Allegany Ambulance was dispatched to Cole Lane for a cardiac emergency.

On March 29th Ridgway Fire Department was dispatched to 5498 GRANT RD, RIDGWAY, PA for a wildfire

Last week in review: Stepping into United East Conference play for the first time this season, the men’s lacrosse team gave perennial champion St. Mary’s (Md.) College all it could handle, while the softball team got off to a 2-0 start. Also, three Wildcats received UE recognition for their outstanding performances the week before.

MEN’S LACROSSE

Last week’s hometown highlights: Through the first three-and-a-half periods on Saturday, Penn College never trailed until St. Mary’s pulled ahead with 7:37 left in the fourth quarter and went on to win by three in the closest match ever between the two. Perennial champ St. Mary’s now is 8-0 lifetime against the Wildcats, with the previous closest outcome a five-goal difference in 2022. Owen Kupsey, of Chadds Ford; Elliot Dotson, of Wilmington, Delaware; and Aidan McFalls, of Gilbertsville, each scored two goals for the Wildcats. Elliot Dotson added two assists, and his brother, AJ Dotson, had three assists. St. Mary’s led in shots on goal, 34-18. Penn College goalie Ryan Twist, of Great Meadows, New Jersey, had 21 saves.

Ashley K. Plants 

“beloved daughter, mother, sister, and granddaughter”

SHINGLEHOUSE, PA—Ashley K. Plants, 30, of Shinglehouse, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, March 27, 2026.

Born on Wednesday, October 25, 1995 in Coudersport, she was a daughter of David P. and Paula J. Johnston Plants.

Ashley received her GED from Oswayo Valley High School in Shinglehouse. While living in Pittsburgh she was employed by GetGo.

Ashley attended the former Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Shinglehouse and also had attended Crosstown Alliance Church in Wellsville, NY. She loved to collect rocks, photography, antiquing, and history. She was a music fanatic. Her greatest love was caring for her children.

On March 29th Millerton Fire Department was dispatched to 79 3rd St. in Jackson Twp. For a atv accident with a head injury.

            BRADFORD, Pa. – BRADFORD, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will hold its 16th Empty Bowls and Baskets Dinner on Thursday, April 2.

            The event, which raises awareness and money and awareness about hunger in the Bradford area, will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Mukaiyama University Room in the Frame-Westerberg Commons. A requested donation of $10 for the public and $5 for Pitt-Bradford students and children will be accepted at the door.

            The tasting will include an array of homemade soups, bread and baked goods along with beverages. Diners may take home a handcrafted basket, ceramic bowl or other homemade item as a reminder that someone else’s bowl might be empty.

            The event is a community-wide effort. Pitt-Bradford students, faculty and staff wove baskets, local school students made artwork, and local artisans and students contributed bowls.

            A silent auction and bake sale will also raise money. Proceeds from the event will help the Friendship Table and Destinations in Bradford as well as the Panther Pantry, which is a resource for Pitt-Bradford students experiencing food insecurity.

            Over its first 15 years, the Empty Bowls and Baskets event has raised more than $24,800 to fight hunger.

The Empty Bowls Dinner began in 1990 when a Michigan high school art teacher and his students sponsored the first dinner served in handmade bowls to help the cause. By the following year, the originators had developed the concept into Empty Bowls, a project to provide support for food banks, soup kitchens and other organizations that fight hunger. Since then, Empty Bowls events have been held throughout the world and have raised millions of dollars to combat hunger.

Janice L. “Jan” StrombergPort Allegany – Janice Stromberg, 81, of Port Allegany, passed away surrounded by the love of her family on Saturday (March 28, 2026).

Arrangements are under the direction of Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Port Allegany.

BRADFORD, Pa. – For the 16^th consecutive year, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has received recognition for its support of active military and veteran students.

                Viqtory Media has named Pitt-Bradford a gold-level school for the 2026-27 academic year for embracing military students and their families and dedicating resources to ensure their success.

                The Military Friendly® Schools list has come to set the standard for higher education institutions to give the best opportunities to veterans and their spouses. This prestigious list provides a comprehensive guide for veterans and their families using data sources from federal agencies and proprietary survey information from participating organizations.

Ruth K. COVERT, 86, of Smethport, PA, died Saturday, March 28, 2026 in UPMC Cole, Coudersport.  Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Switzer Chapel, 77 Willow Street, Port Allegany, PA.