Congratulations to Michele Alfieri-Causer, Esquire, who was officially confirmed by the PA Senate today to fill the current judicial vacancy on the McKean County Court of Common Pleas.

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed $51.47 billion state budget proposal outlined Tuesday before a joint session of the General Assembly:

“To say I find the governor’s proposed spending amount alarming would be an understatement. If enacted, this plan would fully deplete the state’s surplus funds and would again dip into the Rainy Day Fund, as well as require revenue from new taxes on things like marijuana and skill games. The governor again wants to spend more than we bring in. It is simply not sustainable.

“There is a better way forward. First and foremost, we need to focus on funding the core functions of government. That would include investments in things like education, rural health care, and public safety and emergency services. We should not be growing the size and cost of government when our families and businesses are struggling to balance their own budgets.

“That said, there’s no question costs are on the rise. Rather than further burdening our taxpayers to meet those rising costs, we must be focused on growing our economy, and growing our energy industry would be a great place to start. While Pennsylvania is already an energy powerhouse, we have the potential to be so much more if we can get government out of the way.

“Ultimately, this is just the start of the state budget process, and we will assess the details of the governor’s plan in the weeks ahead. As is always the case, I will again advocate for a budget that addresses the needs of our rural communities and respects the taxpayers who foot the bill.”

Over the next few weeks, Appropriations committees in both the House and Senate will conduct a series of hearings with state agencies to dig into the details of his plan. Members will use that information to craft a final spending plan. A final budget is due by June 30.

Beginning at 11 a.m. this Saturday, Feb. 8, in the Penn Wells Hotel at 62 Main Street in Wellsboro, the full bar in the lounge will be open and a food menu will be available. Burning, crackling logs in the fireplace will spread warmth throughout the room, which is filled with tables and chairs

From 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. this Saturday, the Courtyard, outdoors behind the Hotel, will also be open to the public. It is near the door to the lounge. There will be seating, heaters and a table with a propane fire pit in the Courtyard where people can enjoy a cocktail and dinner. 

“KICKING OFF THE AMERICA 250 CELEBRATION”

For the past two years most of Allegewi Chapter’s meetings have focused on viable plans for helping to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of America.

The Chapter has begun by putting displays in the Potter County Historical Society and the Eliot Ness Museum.  Future doable plans have now been agreed upon by the small membership.

In May of 2025 wreaths will be placed at the sites of the eleven Revolutionary War soldiers buried in Potter County.  These wreaths will remain up until July of 2026. On July 3, 2025 the Chapter will be holding a Memorial Service in honor of these Patriots which will be held at Ladona. Plans will culminate with an official rededication of the David Zeisberger monument on the Court House Square in Coudersport to be held July 3, 2026.

Further information on these activities will be published closer to the time of the actual events!

Allegewi Chapter DAR is calling on all citizens to get ready to Celebrate this momentous occasion!   Remember and show your pride in the founding of this great nation on July 4, 1776.    250 Years Ago.

The Willow Creek Sportsman’s Club / Stanley Grove Jr. Memorial Scholarship is offering $1,000 to a 2025 graduating senior in McKean County who demonstrates a passion for outdoors and related sportsman’s activities. This scholarship is made possible by the partnership of the Willow Creek Sportsman’s Club and Stephen Grove to honor his late father, Stanley Grove Jr.

Stanley Grove Jr. was an avid outdoorsman and also a devoted enthusiast who shared a profound passion and respect for nature and the creatures that inhabit both the woods and waters. His love and respect for the outdoors was instilled in him at a young age by his father, Stanley Grove, who passed his passion down to his three sons and five grandchildren. His legacy and appreciation for nature continues to resonate within the outdoors community, ensuring that future generations will also cherish the outdoors.

The award will be granted based on the scoring of three questions and four short essays. The questions reflect the students’ community involvement, school activities, and their future goals. The essay topics include conservation, sportsmanship, the impact of a mentor, and personal challenges overcome during outdoor activities.

The deadline for submitting the scholarship application is Monday, March 31, 2025. All submitted applications will be reviewed by the scholarship committee, and the award recipient will be announced by April 30, 2025.

The eligibility to apply for this application is for 2025 graduating high school seniors in the McKean County area with an interest in sportsman’s activities, the natural environment, and/or conservation efforts. Previous participation in volunteer or community activities is preferred. An academic GPA of a 3.0 or higher is required for this application.

To apply for this scholarship or for more information on the eligibility criteria, you can visit their website at www.willowcreeksportsmansclub.com or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WillowCreekSportsmansClub.

The Clark Family would like to send our gratitude and love to each and every person, firefighters, the Red Cross, our family, our Zippo/Case family, our friends,  and the community, who helped our family through this dark moment in our lives.

There are too many names to name individually, so we hope we can let everyone know that even the smallest gestures have been greatly appreciated, and not gone unnoticed.
We also want to let everyone know that we realize we would not have been able to start rebuilding our lives so soon if it weren’t for each and every one of you.
We still have a long way to go, but you all have been the light in our darkness.

From the bottom of our hearts we send our love, and pray for gods blessings on you all.
The Clark Family
Dale, Ruby, Jerry, Vonnie & Ryan

Snow to be followed by sleet and freezing rain and ice Wednesday into Thursday, vehicle restrictions planned

Go to 511PA.com or the 511PA smartphone app for the most up-to-date information on weather impacts and vehicle restrictions

Harrisburg, PA – Ahead of anticipated winter weather across the state Wednesday into Thursday, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the PA Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) are advising motorists to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm and to exercise caution when driving. Additionally, PennDOT and the PA Turnpike will implement various speed and vehicle restrictions throughout the storm. 

Beginning Wednesday morning, the storm will bring a band of snow across the state, followed by sleet and freezing rain. Temperatures below freezing will result in potentially icy conditions. PennDOT and PA Turnpike crews will actively pre-treat roadways where necessary ahead of the storm to help prevent ice from forming a bond with the pavement. However, salt does not resolve all risks, and drivers may encounter icy spots on the roadway. 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.

According to the National Weather Service, gusty winds could bring down trees and power lines and cause power outages. Everyone should take the time to plan how they would stay safe in a power outage and ensure that electrical devices are fully charged.

Power outages can lead some people to use supplemental heating sources in an effort to stay warm or prevent frozen water pipes in their homes. To protect against carbon monoxide poisoning, never try to heat your home using a generator, stove, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement, garage or near a window.

Pennsylvania House Republican leadership responded to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s FY 2025-26 budget address Tuesday, pointing out the proposed spending plan is based in unsustainable spending increases and an unnecessary and unaffordable expansion of government.

House Republican Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton) said to truly balance this, and any future budgets, Pennsylvania needs policy that will drive real growth in Pennsylvania’s energy economy.

“Here is what we can say with certainty about the governor’s proposed budget – this will not be the final product: It spends too much, it grows government too much and is unsustainable in the future,” Topper said. “We need policies that grow the economy and create family-sustaining jobs if we want to really balance this and future budgets; and the House Republican Caucus is up to the challenge of creating and driving policy that grows our Commonwealth through Pennsylvania’s home-grown energy economy.”

BRADFORD, Pa. – The Beo String Quartet, which performs classical, contemporary, rock and experimental music, will take the stage at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, in the Harriett B. Wick Chapel at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

Tickets are $20 for the public, $16 for faculty and staff, and $5 for students.

The Beo String Quartet, whose name is Latin for “to make happy,” blends centuries-old tradition with cutting-edge artistry to create performances that are a journey through classical masterpieces, contemporary compositions, and unexpected genres like rock and experimental music.

Beo has 65 world premieres to its credit and has played 150 concerts throughout the United States, South America, and Europe.

Job Title: IT Support Technician Location: Austin, PA and Galeton, PA Type: Full-time Overview: Seneca Highlands IU9 is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic IT Support Technician to join our team supporting Austin Area School District and Galeton Area School District. This position offers an excellent opportunity to start a rewarding career in technology within an educational environment.

Key Responsibilities:
Provide first-level technical support for devices, networks, apps, and classroom technology.
Troubleshoot and resolve hardware, software, and network issues.
Assist in maintaining and updating IT documentation and inventory.
Ensure excellent customer service by being courteous, polite, and service-oriented.
Collaborate with other team members to enhance overall IT support.

Qualifications:
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
A positive attitude and a willingness to learn.
Basic troubleshooting skills for devices, networks, and classroom technology, or the ability to learn these skills quickly.

Please use this link to access – IT Support Technician

Direct questions to Ed Bell at (814) 887-5512 or ebell@iu9.org  EOE

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will display the works of renowned Seneca weaver Penelope S. Minner in an exhibition Feb. 6 through March 20 in the KOA Art Gallery in Blaisdell Hall.

“Weaving the Past Together for the Future” offers an exploration of culture, resilience, and artistry. The exhibition will kick off with an opening reception on Feb. 6 at noon, where attendees will have the rare opportunity to meet Minner and hear firsthand about her passion for preserving traditional Seneca art forms while embracing contemporary influences.