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On April 25th Roulette Ambulance was dispatched to Trout Brook Rd. for an unknown medical

On April 25th Bradford City Fire Department was dispatched to 95 Williams St. for a residential electrical fire

On April 25th Ridgway Ambulance and Wilcox Fire Department were dispatched to Burning Well Rd. and Rocky Run Rd. for a one vehicle crash with possible injuries

On April 25th Port Allegany Ambulance was dispatched to Church St. for a fall victim

This morning, I’m sitting at my desk, looking out across the lake. As I do, I’m keenly aware of the different things that are going on around me. The trees are budding, my neighbor is working on his yard, and the sky is overcast. There aren’t any boats out today because it’s too cold, but soon that will change. The birds are back and forth from one feeder to another, hoping, I’m sure, that I will replenish their supply soon. I’m sure there is much going on that I can’t see but that is nevertheless important to the scheme of things. All in all, it is a peaceful morning, and I am reminded that life is good.

I’ve thought a lot about that idea—that life is good. It saddens me to hear people complain about it—about life, that is. They look at life as a chore, something that must be done. They must get up, go to work, or mow the lawn. Life seems more to do with what they must do rather than what they get to do. Rather than getting excited about the many possibilities before them, they curse the day from the moment they get up to the time they go to bed, even putting a curse upon the day that is coming with similar comments about what they must do tomorrow. When will we learn that we have the creative power in our words to bring both blessings and curses?

Additional details have been released and charges have been formally filed in connection with the fatal crash that occurred on October 20, 2025, on Grant Road in Ridgway Township, Elk County.

According to court records filed April 10, 2026, Damian Robert Patterson, 25, of Ridgway, is facing multiple charges, including:• Homicide by Vehicle While Driving Under the Influence (F2)• Aggravated Assault by Vehicle While DUI (F2)• Homicide by Vehicle (F3)• Aggravated Assault by Vehicle (F3)• DUI (BAC .16% or higher)• Involuntary Manslaughter (M1)• Recklessly Endangering Another Person (M2)• Along with related summary traffic offenses

The charges stem from a crash that claimed the life of Mason Neureiter, 20, of Ridgway.According to Pennsylvania State Police, troopers were dispatched around 10:30 a.m. to a crash involving a Ram 1500 pickup. Upon arrival, the vehicle was found to have sustained heavy damage to the front, roof, and passenger side.

EMS crews on scene reported that the passenger was entrapped and not breathing, and was believed to be in traumatic arrest prior to extrication. He was later pronounced deceased approximately one hour after the crash by Elk County Coroner Michele Muccio. An autopsy determined the cause of death to be multiple traumatic injuries.

The driver, Patterson, was located conscious and alert at the scene. Investigators noted a strong odor of alcohol and signs of impairment. Witness statements indicated the vehicle crossed the double yellow center lines and nearly struck another vehicle prior to the crash.According to the criminal complaint, Patterson initially told troopers that the passenger grabbed the steering wheel, causing the crash. He later admitted to consuming approximately six beers the night prior into the early morning hours. When asked about a blood alcohol test, Patterson allegedly stated, “Oh, for sure. A hundred percent.”Toxicology results showed Patterson’s blood alcohol content at 0.22 at the time of the crash. Investigators also reported that speed was a contributing factor, with the vehicle traveling approximately 50 mph in a 35 mph zone.

Patterson was also reportedly not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.He is currently being held in Elk County Prison after failing to post $100,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 22, 2026.

This remains an active case moving through the court system. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

West Branch Township will hold the annual Spring Clean Up on Saturday, May 2nd & Sunday, May 3rd from 8am-5pm at the Maintenance Building, located at 213 Pigeon Hill Road, Galeton, PA 16922. West Branch Township residents and property owners can dispose of larger / miscellaneous items for free. Clean Up Pass must be presented at the gate entrance. For more information, including a list of acceptable items – visit www.westbranchtwp.com or contact the office at 814-435-7898.

PORTVILLE – James David Gheen, 82, formerly of Manassas, VA, and for the past 14 years made his home in Portville, NY, passed away on Tuesday (April 21, 2026), at Wellsville Manor Care Center in Wellsville, NY, following a brief illness.

Mr. Gheen, affectionately known as “JD,” was born on May 30, 1943, in Washington, DC, to James W. and Mae R. (McNabb) Gheen. He was a 1961 graduate of Osbourn High School in Manassas, VA.

JD was called to be an evangelist and pastor. He began his ministry as pastor of Manassas Pentecostal Church in Manassas, where he served for many years. He also owned and operated Gheen Roofing Company in Manassas and was a project foreman for Marriott International’s Construction Division, where he helped oversee the building of hotels, and later worked with Red Robin, where he supervised the construction of restaurants. He later worked as a subcontractor for TTM Technologies in Sterling, VA, serving as a construction manager.

He attended Friendship Church of God in Christ in Friendship, NY, where he became an associate pastor and, in his final two years, served as interim pastor.

McKean County is seeking qualified and highly motivated applicants to perform the duties of Court Monitor for The Court of Common Pleas. The purpose of this position is to create verbatim transcripts of Court proceedings, ensuring a complete, accurate, and secure legal record.

The essential functions of the position include but are not limited to the following:

1.  Record court proceedings using a court monitoring system and recording equipment.

2.  Transcribe recordings in a timely fashion.

3.  Maintain recording equipment, including saving court proceedings from hard drive to CDs/ thumb drives and log notes.

4.  Index, file and maintain court recordings, tape cassette recordings, and exhibits.

5.  Maintain the printer, supplies of CDs, microphone batteries, tapes, and paper.

6.  Answer the telephone and direct calls as appropriate.

7.  Perform other duties as required for the successful operation of the department.

The qualifications of the position include the following:

Education:  Associates Degree or comparable office experience.

Experience: 1-2 years of experience in court-related field preferred but not required.

Other:  Sharp listening skills, knowledge of legal terminology, grammar, vocabulary and punctuation.  Ability to multi-task and excellent organization skills.

HOW TO APPLY:

Qualified candidates should apply by submitting a resume and McKean County job application to Patricia Brown, Court Administrator, at PABrown@mckeancountypa.gov.

Applications are available in the Human Resources Department at the Courthouse or at www.mckeancountypa.gov.

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations for the interview due to a disability, please advise the interviewer of the accommodations you require well in advance of the scheduled date. 

McKEAN COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER.

The meeting of the Woodland (Five Corners) Cemetery Association originally set for Thursday, April 30 has been rescheduled for Monday, April 27. The meeting will be held at the Crandall Hill Community Building, 13 East Carley Hill Road, Coudersport beginning at 6:30 p.m.

All lot owners and interested persons are invited to attend.

In addition to election of officers, Issues to be discussed include seasonal and long term maintenance, lot sales, and considerations for changes to operating procedures.

For more information, please contact Arthur Metzger, President, at 814-274-8004.

          OLEAN, NY –Make a difference in your community and enjoy a tasty treat while doing so by purchasing a smile cookie from April 27 through May 3 at participating local Tim Hortons locations. Smile cookies purchased throughout the week will benefit Olean General Hospital (OGH) with 100% of the proceeds benefitting maternity and delivery services thanks to a partnership with Tim Hortons.

Smile cookies are $2 each and can be purchased at these participating locations; Allegany Tim Hortons located at 3012 NY-417, Olean, NY, Olean Tim Hortons located at 501 N Union St., Olean, NY, and Olean location at 1401 E. State St., Olean, NY.  Purchasing a smile cookie is the perfect way to a give a smile and get a smile!

On April 24th Port Allegany Ambulance was dispatched to E. Ransom St. for altered level of consciousness

On April 24th Roulette Ambulance was dispatched to Fishing Creek Rd. for abdominal pain

This season, Penn College tennis teams have had unprecedented success, and third-year coach David Straub is hopeful that it continues on Saturday as both of his squads enter the United East Conference playoffs seeded third.

In 6:30 p.m. matches on their home courts at the Central PA Tennis Center in South Williamsport, the men (5-2 UE and 7-6 overall) will host sixth-seeded Lancaster Bible College (2-5, 2-9) and the women (6-3 UE, 7-10 overall) will entertain seventh-seeded Penn State Brandywine (5-5 all UE, 7-8).

Men

With five conference victories, the Wildcats have their best single-season UE win mark ever, and their seven overall wins going into a nonconference match on Friday against McDaniel College ties a program-best previously achieved in 2015 and 2018.

Public invited to participate in Trail Challenge, recording mileage to earn $1000 for McKean County Trail Club

BRADFORD, PA — To celebrate America250, the McKean County trail organizations are transforming the PA Wilds into a high-stakes arena. Beginning May 3 through July 4, the friendly competition begins, pitting four local trail powerhouses against one another in a 63-day race for Trail Central bragging rights and vital trail funding. The Trail Challenge kickoff coincides with National Travel and Tourism Week, which is a reminder that McKean County’s trail system, including the Allegheny National Forest’s more than 500 miles of trails, is a strong tourism driver for the region.

The McKean County Trail Challenge is a friendly competition, highlighting the 21 trails maintained by five volunteer trail associations. The trail challenge is open to the general public; participants are not required to be members of any trail club. The Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau is sponsoring the Trail Challenge, which is free to participate.   

The Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau is using Challenge Hound, an app and web based program to track the challenge. To participate in the Trail Challenge, participants must choose one of four trail club teams and register at www.visitanf.com/TrailChallenge. McKean County Trail Clubs include: