Harrisburg – The PUC will hold its regular public meeting on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in Hearing Room 1 on the second floor of the Commonwealth Keystone Building in Harrisburg.
Livestream of the Public MeetingThe PUC will be streaming video of its regularly scheduled public meetings live on its website.
Public Meeting AgendaHere is the link for the Public Meeting Agenda on January 29, 2026.
Archived Audio and VideoA link to the archived audio will be accessible at the Public Meeting Video page and will be posted shortly after the conclusion of the public meeting.
For more information about the PUC visit our website at puc.pa.gov.
Have you ever considered how different you are from everyone else on the planet? Your fingerprints are uniquely yours. Family members may share similar DNA markers, but they’re not identical. Even identical twins aren’t always 100% identical. There can be minute differences. Surprisingly, there are reportedly 5.2–100+ differences between identical twins.
There are no two of you. Now, I suppose, there are some who might be happy there aren’t. We might share similarities and traits, but we are all different. So, if we’ve been created with this uniqueness, is it possible that there are other aspects of our uniqueness we should be looking at? For example, were we created for a unique purpose? A purpose that no one else is suited for or created for? Consider, for the moment, the life of Moses. He was born at a time when all the baby boys were being put to death, so he should not have lived. Yet he did. As a young man, he seemed somewhat aware of a calling, as evidenced by his attempt to protect his countrymen from the abuse of the Egyptian rulers. If you read his story, you’ll know that he was a reluctant leader, as seen throughout the Book of Exodus. Yet it was Moses that God used to bring freedom to his people. Moses might have been happy tending sheep on the back side of some mountain, but God had other plans.
The Apostle Paul is another whose life was turned around by an encounter with God. Anyone reading his story will quickly realize that God had a specific plan for his life, and that it was not what Paul had thought it would be. When you consider that Paul was a man educated in Judaism and that a relationship with Gentiles simply didn’t exist, according to everything he had been taught, and yet there he was, an Apostle to the Gentiles.
So what about you? Have you been uniquely created for something you haven’t explored or even thought of? Is it possible? How would you know? Perhaps the starting point for anyone who is unsure is simply to ask. Think about it.
For more than half a century, Pennsylvania law quietly imposed a harsh outcome on a small but important group of people. When a Pennsylvanian died without a will and without a surviving family, their entire estate was claimed by the Commonwealth and absorbed into the state budget.
That changed on January 23, 2026.
Thanks to Act 50 of 2025, Pennsylvania has ended what many have described as a “100% tax” on dying without family or a will. Instead of assets going to Harrisburg, those estates will now remain in the communities where those individuals lived, supporting local charities and public good forever.
Daniel J. WILBER, 74, of Port Allegany, PA, died Monday, January 26, 2026 in Olean General Hospital, Olean, NY. He was born September 1, 1951, in Cleveland, OH. On September 27, 2008, in Eldred, he married Minerva “Minnie” Bacon, who survives.
He graduated from high school in Cleveland and served honorably with the U.S. Army from 1969 – 1971 during the Vietnam War. He was an independent owner/operator truck driver for 47 years. He drove for Dave Buckler for 16 years of those years. Dan was a member of the American Legion and Port Allegany Moose. He was an avid Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Guardians fan. Dan enjoyed his days chilling on the porch with Minnie.
The Bingham Township Supervisors are seeking applications for a part-time Secretary/Treasurer. Experience in bookkeeping with QuickBooks, Computer skills, and Secretarial skills are needed. Duties would include:
Payroll, Quarterly Taxes, Annual W-2’s, Reconciliations, Paying & Recording Invoices, Making Deposits, Balancing Bank Statements, State Reports, DCED Reports, Grant Applications, Attending monthly meetings, Taking & Recording Minutes, providing Financial Records, Assessment Building Permits, Driveway Permits, Road Bonds & Permits, Open Record Requests, and Budgets.
Winners will be posted daily on Solomon’s Words, Prizes sent to you the same way you paid. ex: Venmo, Paypal, Check
The To Fill A Backpack program is having a “12 Days Of Cash” raffle to benefit our 2026/2027 distribution. Now reaching out to 9 different counties which will add approximately 500 to 600 additional children in need, we will need all the help we can get.
If you are interested, feel free to send your payment through one of the online payment options (Please see info in red) and be sure to note the Pay Code shown in the notes with your payment. Please mark your payment accordingly so that we do not get charged fees if possible. Feel free to send a check to the following address:
TFABP Attn: 12 Days
85 Burleson Av
Roulette, PA 16746
Or feel free to give us a call at (814) 544-5802 for more information
Allegany-Limestone Central School students interested in learning opportunities beyond the traditional classroom are encouraged to apply for the Ratana Ratanawongsa Scholarship, administered by the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation.
The scholarship supports ALCS students in grades 7–10 who wish to participate in enrichment programs during the school year or over the summer.
This year, awards of up to $1,000 are available.
The scholarship was established by the family of Dr. Ratana Ratanawongsa, a former pathologist at St. Francis Hospital and Olean General Hospital, to honor her memory and to help students explore new interests and experiences before college.
Previously, the fund has helped students take part in opportunities such as leadership conferences, college-level coursework and other unique educational programs.
Applicants are required to submit a brief, 200-word essay explaining why they chose their enrichment program, along with a recommendation from a teacher or guidance counselor.
As the colder months drag on and heaters continue to blast, many people notice their skin turning itchy, flaky, tight, or even cracked. If it feels like your skin transforms overnight once winter hits, you’re not imagining it. Dermatologists see a surge in dry-skin complaints every year, and the good news is, a few simple changes can make a dramatic difference.
Why Winter Zaps Your Skin’s Moisture
Winter creates the perfect storm for dryness. Cold air outdoors holds far less humidity than warm summer air. Then, when we heat our homes, we strip even more moisture from our environment and our skin.
On top of that, winter winds can disrupt your skin barrier, the protective layer that keeps hydration in and irritants out. When that barrier breaks down, water evaporates faster, leaving your skin feeling rough and stressed.
HARRISBURG – A total of 468 disciplinary actions, including 202 education requirements, and $473,375 in administrative penalties, have been taken against 290 underground facility owners, excavators and project owners in the latest enforcement actions by the Public Utility Commission’s (PUC’s) Damage Prevention Committee (DPC). These actions were taken during the DPC’s January 2026 meeting.
The next meeting of the DPC is Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 9 a.m. Members of the public, the media and others are invited to join the meeting virtually by clicking on this Microsoft Teams event link or by calling into the telephone conference by dialing 267-332-8737, and then entering phone conference ID 156 325 933# to listen to the meeting. The meeting agenda will be made available here.
About the DPC
The DPC is a peer-based group of 13 representatives, nominated by their industry or affiliated organizations and appointed by the PUC. Creation of the committee was authorized by Pennsylvania’s Underground Utility Line Protection Law – also known as the “One Call Law.” The focus of the DPC is to reduce the number of …
James “Jim” Andrew Crowley, Sr., 78, of Bradford, passed away January 23, 2026, at UPMC Hamot Medical Center in Erie.
Born October 4, 1947, in Lock Haven, he was a son of the late John and Elizabeth (York) Crowley.
On October 24, 1977, in Las Vegas, NV, he married Sue A. (Burton) Crowley who survives.
James was a 1965 graduate from Kane High School.
On April 27, 1967, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served on the USS Renshaw and USS Perkins as an electrician’s mate 2nd class until his honorable discharge on February 16, 1971.
After the service he worked as a lead lineman at Penelec, retiring after 31 years of service.
Jim was a member of the Bradford VFW Post 212 and the Bradford American Legion Post 108. He loved to hunt, fish, and sit on the deck in the sun enjoying a good book.
Surviving in addition to his wife Sue of 49 years, is one son, James Crowley (Katelyn) of Buffalo; two sisters, Mary (Kurt) Schmidt of Kentucky, and Margaret (Harvey) Johnson of Florida; two brothers, Jack (Diane) Crowley of New Jersey, and Joseph (Janet) Crowley of Pittsburgh; two grandchildren, Wynona and Arlo Crowley; sister-in-law Juanita (Sis) Huntoon; along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Matthew Crowley.
At Jim’s request, there will be no public services observed. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Friends Memorial Public Library (Kane), or the charity of the donor’s choice.
“beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother”
Geraldine “Ella” Howard, 99, a lifelong resident of Shinglehouse, passed away with her loving son at her side on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, in UPMC Cole, Coudersport.
Born on Monday, January 3, 1927 in her family home on Palmer Street, Shinglehouse, PA, she was number four of eight children of Levernon and Eva Mae Foote Howard.
Ella was a Class of 1944 graduate of Shinglehouse High School. She was employed for over 20 years (1943-1963) at Freeborn’s (combination luncheonette, grocery, and soda fountain) which was the meeting place, teen hangout, and fabric of the Shinglehouse community life. Later Ella was employed at the Shinglehouse Insurance Office and Market Basket until 1969.
Ella was a life member of the First Baptist Church in Shinglehouse. She loved her cats, gardening (corn and strawberries), mowing her lawn, sitting on her porch, and calligraphy writing for the Funeral Home, First Baptist Church and relative’s weddings. She was a true pioneer. She played on the first women’s softball league in Shinglehouse during the late 1940’s. She bowled on the Shinglehouse women’s bowling league for over 20 years, which included bowling in tournaments in Buffalo and Syracuse NY. She loved making her famous “Carrot Juice”. She was extremely proud of her family and son’s military service. Her greatest love was without a doubt her family. She especially loved spending time with her son and granddaughters.
Surviving are a son, COL (Ret) William “Billy” Howard of Ithaca, NY; two granddaughters, Breanna “Bre” (CPT Jake) Halisky of Spring Lake, NC and Paige “Ella” Howard of Ithaca, NY; two great-grandchildren Joseph “Joey” and Annie Halisky of Spring Lake, NC; a sister-in-law, Cecelia “Pud” Howard of Shinglehouse; and countless nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Ella was predeceased by three sisters, Aola Maxson, Jacqueline “Jackie” Dietze, and Leverna “Yvonne” Milliken; and four brothers, Virgil ‘Virg” Howard (USMC WW II), Henry “Hank” Howard (USA Korea), Vincent “Vince” Howard (USMC WW II), and Leonard “Joe” Howard (USMC).
Family and friends may pay their respects from 10am to 12pm on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street, Shinglehouse, where funeral services will follow at 12pm with The Rev. Russell J. Horning, former pastor of the First Baptist Church, Shinglehouse, officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Shinglehouse. A reception will follow the service at the Shinglehouse American Legion Post 530 at 1pm.
Memorials in Ella’s name may be made to the Shinglehouse American Legion Post 530, 1364 State Route 44 S. Shinglehouse, PA 16748 or to the First Baptist Church, PO Box 68, Shinglehouse, PA 16748.
Ella’s family has entrusted her care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
To express condolences, light a candle, or share a fond memory of Ella, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.comor the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.
Members of the Olean Police Departments Emergency Response team served a Search warrant at 212 W. Oak St. apartment B on January 16th at approximately 6:00 p.m.. The Search Warrant was a result of an investigation conducted by the Street Crimes Unit into drug sales from this apartment.
Investigators located over 52 Grams of Cocaine and over 4 Grams of Fentanyl as well as cash. Charges of Criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. degree ( B Felony ) two counts, was placed on 29 year old Markeel Hilson of 505 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo. Hilson is to appear in Olean City court on February 3rd. The Street Crimes Unit was assisted by the Southern Tier regional drug task force.
Margaret C. Patterson, 93, of Coudersport passed away Thursday January 22, 2026 at Sweden Valley Manor.
She was born July 3, 1932 in Tionesta, PA, to Charles and Nell (Davis) Curtis. She graduated from high school and attended Clarion College, on November 18, 1951 she married Julian A. Patterson and together they raised their son Jeff Patterson.
Margaret worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Reese, she was a bookkeeper for Bruzi Electrical Contracting, and then for Sweden Valley Manor. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and loved the outdoors, especially gardening.
Margaret is survived by her son: Jeff Patterson of Pittston, PA; two grandchildren: Kylie Patterson/Carr (Devin) of Kingston, PA, and Matthew L. Patterson of Pittston; and three grandchildren: Eli Jeffrey Patterson, Vienna Genevieve Patterson, and Wilson John Patterson/Carr.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a step-sister: Eva Cobb.
Friends and family are invited to pay tribute to Margaret’s life at a memorial service in the Thomas Fickinger Funeral Home 210 North East Street Coudersport, PA 16915, that will be held at a later date. To share a memory or condolence with her family visit www.thomasfickinger.com.
David “Russ” McCracken, 87, of School Street, Rixford, passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at Bradford Manor.
Born May 22, 1938, in Sayre, he was a son of the late Warren and Frances (Stedge) McCracken. Warren died and Frances remarried Ralph Deitz who raised Russ.
Russ attended Sayre High School. He joined the United States Navy on December 21, 1962, where he received his GED. He served in Korea and Vietnam. He was honorably discharged on January 8, 1965.
On August 12, 1961, at the Church of the Epiphany Rectory in Sayre, he married Alice V. (Norton) McCracken who passed away on May 21, 2021.
Russ worked at Ingersol Rand Corporation in Athens, and then as a supervisor at Stowe Manufacturing in Binghamton NY. After he retired, he and his wife moved to Rixford to reside near their daughter. In his retirement he delivered tires for Stoney North, he also truly enjoyed singing and rebuilding small engines and tractors.
Russ was a member of J.E. Wheelock Hose Company, the American Legion in Sayre, Halstead, where he was a Past Tri County Commander, and Eldred, where he held different offices. He was a member of the Eldred VFW, and a former member of the Eagles Club of Bradford.
Surviving is one daughter, Kathleen (A.J.) Curtis of Duke Center, his cherished grandchildren, Dan (Angela) Sullivan of RIxford, and Mary (Trevor) Dowell of RIxford, and one great granddaughter, his precious “Little Alice Kathleen” Dowell, of Rixford, one sister Janet (David) Fortune, of Athens, one brother, LeRoy Hurd, of NC, and several nieces and nephews.
Friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Russ’s life on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 10am at the Rixford Evangelical Church 1112 Looker Mountain Trail, Rixford, with the Rev. Mike Rex, officiating. Burial will be in Tioga Point Cemetery in Athens.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Andrew A. MONROE, 77, of Sayre, PA, formerly of Westfield, died Friday, January 16, 2026 in Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre. Born November 26, 1948, in Sunderlinville, he was the son of Harold and Mayjol Snay Monroe.
He was married to Regenia B. Manning Richardson, who predeceased him on April 18, 2016. He was employed by Ingersoll-Rand, Painted Post, NY and Patterson Lumber in Galeton.
Surviving are: three children, Andrew Monroe, Jr., Julie Monroe , and Mary Monroe; several grandchildren; three sisters, Crystle Thorne of Wellsboro, Carolyn Setzer of Wellsboro, and Cynthia Swimelar of Westfield; a brother, Alan Monroe of Westfield; nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by three brothers and six sisters. Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.
CEC Makerspace Issues Call for Local Talent to Spark Innovation
ST. MARYS – The CEC Makerspace is officially scouting for community members with a passion for “doing” to help inspire the next generation of creators. Whether you are a retired tradesman, a weekend hobbyist, or a digital native, the CEC Makerspace wants your expertise.
But what is a Makerspace you ask? A Makerspace is a collaborative workspace where people of all ages and backgrounds gather to create, invent and learn using a variety of “no-tech to high tech tools”, according to Google. Makerspaces are increasingly vital for developing 21st-century skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability. They provide equitable access to expensive equipment, allowing anyone in the community to transform a creative idea into a tangible object/product.
The Bingham Township Supervisors are seeking applications for a part-time Secretary/Treasurer. Experience in bookkeeping with QuickBooks, Computer skills, and Secretarial skills are needed. Duties would include:
Payroll, Quarterly Taxes, Annual W-2’s, Reconciliations, Paying & Recording Invoices, Making Deposits, Balancing Bank Statements, State Reports, DCED Reports, Grant Applications, Attending monthly meetings, Taking & Recording Minutes, providing Financial Records, Assessment Building Permits, Driveway Permits, Road Bonds & Permits, Open Record Requests, and Budgets.
The City of Bradford Police and Fire Department are on scene of a 2 car motor vehicle crash on Seaward Avenue. The roadway is temporarily closed. Please use detours around this location.
Gary Dean Troutman “Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Uncle”
Roulette, PA – Gary D. Troutman, 80, of Roulette, passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at UPMC Presbyterian Pittsburgh, due to complications following a heart attack, with his loved ones who stayed by his side.
Born on June 6, 1945 in Bradford, PA, he was the son of the late Frederick and Susan (Martindale) Troutman. Gary married the love of his life, Patricia A. Troutman, on September 29, 1984, who survives. For the next 42 years they would build a life fit for the story books, filled with adventure, laughter and love. They moved through this world, turning strangers into friends and friends into family, all the while supporting each other’s passions and aspirations.
At 17 years of age, in 1962, Gary enlisted in the United States Air Force. He bravely and proudly served as an Aircraft Mechanic in the Vietnam War, working on C130 aircraft in Okinawa and Saigon until 1966. He earned several US Military accolades including the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and the Vietnam Service Medal.
Upon returning from Vietnam, he worked his way up to a Foreman position in Asplundh Tree Company as a skilled Bucket Operator and Tree Trimmer. Gary took this knowledge and opened his own business and proudly owned and operated Troutman’s Tree Service. He was a truly amazing arborist and skilled contractor. He could lay the most complicated trees down with absolute precision and did so into his late 70s with strength and skill rarely seen today.
Mitzi P. HASKINS, 87, of Port Allegany, PA, died Tuesday, January 20, 2026, in ECMC, Buffalo, NY. Born January 19, 1939, in Cesis, Latvia, she was the daughter of Alfreds and Anna Berzins Markovs.
A 1958 graduate of Port Alegany High School, she attended what is now known as Case Western Reserve University and earned a degree as a medical laboratory technician. She was employed as a medical secretary by Dr. Robert Niles in Port Allegany.
On June 24, 1961, in Port Allegany, she married Duane R. Haskins, who predeceased her on April 20, 2021. They shared 59 years of marriage.
Mitzi was a member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church, where she was a Sunday School teacher, a Church Council member, and served on the Altar Guild. She was a member of Church Women United and a volunteer at the Port Allegany Senior Center.
Mabel Shirley MONG, 97, of Wellsville, NY, died Friday, January 23, 2026 in her daughter’s home surrounded by family. Born March 13, 1928, in Corning, she was the daughter of William S. and Cora Beers Wheaton.
On June 16, 1946, in Wellsville, she married Jay D. Mong, who predeceased her on May 26, 1986. A graduate of Portville Central School, she spent her years raising her children and grandchildren. Mabel was a member of the Rebekahs. She was passionate about her grandchildren, making sure she attended every game she could and she loved baking cookies and sending them with a gallon of milk to every away game for her grandchildren to share on their way home from the games.
