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Pennsylvania students are encouraged to apply to be Young Ambassadors through June 10.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful are inviting environmentally-conscious 10^th through 12^th grade students to help preserve Pennsylvania’s natural resources through the Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania program.

The program empowers young Pennsylvanians to train and learn from leaders across the private sector, state government, local media, and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful to protect Pennsylvania’s environment and build leadership and problem-solving skills.

The Allegany County Town Highway Superintendents Association (ACTHSA) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 scholarship awards. While the Association typically awards two scholarships each year, it is especially proud to expand the program for 2026—thanks to increased community support and participation—by awarding four scholarships in the amount of $1,500 each to local students pursuing careers in the trades.

The 2026 scholarship recipients are:

• Heather Padden, Belfast Central – attending BOCES Belmont CDL Program
• David Bower, Fillmore Central – attending Alfred State College
• Matthew Goho, Alfred-Almond Central – attending Alfred State College
• Mason Edwards, Wellsville Central – attending Alfred State College

These scholarships are awarded annually to support students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to their education and a future in trade-related fields that are vital to our local communities and infrastructure.

“The future of our workforce depends on young individuals who are willing to step into the trades and carry on the essential work that keeps our communities running,” said Bill Bigelow, President. “We are proud to support these students as they take the next step in their careers.”

The Association would also like to thank the community for its continued support. It is through this support that programs like this scholarship are possible, allowing us to invest in the future of our local workforce.

The ACTHSA remains committed to investing in the next generation of skilled workers and encouraging students to pursue rewarding careers in highway, construction, and related fields.

For more information about the scholarship program, please visit www.acthsa.net/scholarship.

            BRADFORD, PA / OLEAN, NY – During the month of April, Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and Olean General Hospital (OGH), Kaleida Health facilities, are offering a variety of classes and support groups designed to provide health education, encouragement and community connection.

            A newly formed Bereavement Support Group, in partnership with HomeCare & Hospice, is launching Thursday, April 2 at OGH. The support group will meet at 6 p.m. in the OGH education center and convene on the first Thursday of each month. The community-based group is free and open to anyone experiencing loss. For more information, please call (716) 372-2106.

The winter Indoor Potter County Farmers Market, located at the Riley Gallery, next to the Hotel Crittenden, will be open the first Saturday of each month, from January to May.  The next market will be this Saturday, April 4th, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Here is a list of who plans to be there and what they plan on bringing to the Market:

*  STARTING IN JANUARY,  NEW WINTER MARKET HOURS ARE SATURDAYS FROM 11AM TO 2PM. 

*  Beginning in January 2026 the Farmers Market will be the first Saturday of each month until May. The remaining Saturday date is April 4th.  May 2026 the market will again be on the square

A meeting of the North Central Rural Transportation Planning Committee will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. This meeting will be conducted as a hybrid meeting. If you are interested in attending, please visit our website (https://rpo.ncentral.com/), email Amy Kessler at amy@ncentral.com or call 814-773-3162 for the meeting login information.

The public is encouraged to attend.

North Central is committed to compliance with nondiscrimination requirements of civil rights statutes, executive orders, regulations and policies applicable to the programs and activities it administers. Accordingly, North Central is dedicated to ensuring that program beneficiaries receive public participation opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or economic status.

Meeting facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities and the location is reachable by public transit. North Central will provide auxiliary services for individuals with language, speech, sight, or hearing impediments provided the request for assistance is made five days prior to the meeting. North Central will attempt to satisfy other requests.  

Please make your request for auxiliary services to Amy Kessler, director of community development and regional planning, at amy@ncentral.com or call 814-773-3162. If you believe you have been denied participation opportunities, or otherwise discriminated against in relation to the programs or activities administered by North Central, you may file a complaint using the procedures provided in our complaint process document or by contacting Executive Director Jim Chorney.

Please visit our website at http://rpo.ncentral.com for more information on the Transportation Planning Program.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (April 1) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) reminds anglers that the statewide Opening Day of Trout Season is this Saturday, April 4!  Anglers can begin fishing at 8 a.m.​​

Throughout the 2026 season, the PFBC will stock approximately 3.2 million adult trout in 684 streams and 130 lakes open to public angling.  These figures, which are consistent with the number of trout stocked over the past decade, include approximately 2.3 million Rainbow Trout; 698,000 Brown Trout; and 128,000 Brook Trout.  As with past practice, the average size of the trout produced for stocking is 11 inches in length with an average weight of .58 pounds.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for frozen, dinosaur-shaped, ready-to-eat chicken nuggets that may be contaminated with unsafe levels of lead. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase. However, FSIS is concerned that some products may still be in consumers’ freezers.

In under 15 minutes over 10,000 eggs were gone! Talk about an egg-citing hunt!

A huge congratulations to the lucky winners – Landon Homell, who rode away with the boys bicycle, and Loralee Green, the girls bike winner!!

What an unforgettable action-packed time!

Many Thanks to Andy Kulp and TFABP for making this a cracking good hunt!!!

Potter County Human Services

is hiring for the following positions:

Aging Care Management Supervisor 1

(Local Government)

Potter County Area Agency on Aging

Posting Dates: March 23, 2026-April 5, 2026

Drug & Alcohol Prevention Specialist

(Local Government)

Potter County D & A

Posting Dates: April 1, 2026-April 14, 2026

County Caseworker 2

(Local Government)

Potter County Children and Youth Services

Posting Dates: March 31, 2026-April 13, 2026

Apply at: www.employment.pa.gov

Applicants may call 814-544-7315 with questions.              

 Potter County Human Services is an Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action Employer

The Potter County Education Council serving Potter and McKean Counties has three openings for part-time Career and Vocational Mentor-Aides to serve within the following school districts: Galeton Area School District, Oswayo Valley School District and Smethport Area School District.

These part-time positions are available beginning the 2026-2027 school year (approximately 25 hours per week).   It is anticipated that this will be a recurring position each school year (approximately 40 weeks each year). A job description may be reviewed at the Education Council Office at 5 Water Street in Coudersport, PA (814-274-4877) or by visiting our website www.pottercountyedcouncil.org.

• Minimum high school diploma. Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Appropriate work experience with older children (Grades 3-12).
• Knowledge or work experience in business or industry.
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications desired.
• Must have a valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License and safe driving history.

Interested applicants should send the following to the Potter County Education Council at 5 Water Street, PO Box 5, Coudersport, PA 16915 or via email to Dr. Michele Moore  mmoore@pcedcouncil.org:

• Resumé with cover letter
• Three current (less than one-year old) letters of professional reference
• Appropriate clearances including PA Act 151 Child Abuse Clearance, PA Act 34 Criminal Record Check, a current PA FBI Clearance (Education Versions)
• A negative TB test result

The cover letter should be addressed to Dr. Michele Moore, Executive Director. You may be asked to complete an employment application upon review of your initial application materials. E.O.E.

On April 1st Port Allegany Ambulance was dispatched to Cool Lane for a medical emergency

Effective this June, drivers convicted under Paul Miller’s Law will pay a fine.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) are reminding Pennsylvanians to put down the phone while driving or they will be forced to pay a fine starting June 5, 2026. In 2024, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Paul Miller’s Law, which prohibits the use of hand-held devices while driving, even while stopped temporarily due to traffic, a red light, or other delays. Drivers can still use their phones to alert authorities in the event of an emergency and use hands-free technology to make phone calls, use a GPS, and listen to music.

Beginning June 5, 2026, drivers convicted of using a hand-held device while driving will pay a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees. Pennsylvania also enforces a texting-while-driving ban that prohibits drivers from using mobile devices to send, read, or write text-based communications while their vehicle is in motion. Additionally, depending on the circumstances, drivers who violate Paul Miller’s Law or the texting-while-driving ban may also be convicted of Homicide by Vehicle or Aggravated Assault by Vehicle, and given increased sentences.

Members of the District Attorney’s Office, Adult Probation, Maintenance Dept., and McKean County Law Enforcement Leaders “Wore Blue” to show support for child abuse victims and child abuse prevention efforts.  April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  If you suspect child abuse, report it to Childline at 1-800-932-0313 and call 911.

The Black Forest Falcons Trap Team competed in a home meet on Tuesday evening against the Otto Eldred Bird Dawgs. The Falcons secured a strong victory with a final score of 192 to 165.

Leading the team were the following top 8 shooters: 

1. Kelby Striech – 25

2. Avery Torrey – 25

3. Ethan Hamilton – 25

4. Taylor Knowles – 24

5. Carson Cooney – 24

6. Hunter Hanes – 23

7. Chase Hamilton – 23

8. Carson Heimel – 23

Liam Hunt 23

The Black Forest Falcons will host Smethport in their next meet on April 9th at 4:00 PM.

Thank you for your continued support of our student-athletes.

In case you haven’t noticed, life can be tough. The plans we make don’t always turn out the way we expect. Our hopes and dreams sometimes fall short despite our best efforts. We wonder why we can’t seem to move forward when it looks like everyone else is living the dream. Even though we can’t see into their lives, they seem to have it all together. Maybe you’ve even complained about the unfairness of the world. Perhaps we’ve even wondered why we can’t get ahead.

So, what is the problem? Is it me or us? Is it something we’ve done or haven’t done, or just luck? Why do bad things happen to good people? I am one of the good people, aren’t I? Why does it feel like a cloud of doom is always hanging over us? If there were a raffle for a broken leg, I’d probably win.

I’m at my lowest point in life, and I don’t know which way to go. Is that how you feel? Are you in a place where it seems like you’re going nowhere? Did you know many people think they’re moving forward but are actually stuck in the same spot you’re in? Yes, you might believe you’re heading in the right direction when you’re only staying afloat because you’ve already hit rock bottom. You just don’t realize that it’s truly rock bottom.

The Apostle Paul was a champion for his faith. As a Jew and a teacher of the law, he was dedicated to stopping the followers of Jesus. Seeing himself as aligned with God and as someone chosen to serve as His instrument, he aimed to find and destroy those he believed were corrupting Judaism. But Paul soon found himself lying flat on his back. Blind and helpless on the ground, he could only look up. Although he couldn’t see, he could hear, and what he heard made him ask, “What do you want me to do, Lord?” Instead of complaining, he looked for direction. Maybe that’s part of our problem. Instead of asking for help, we complain and whine about life when we could surrender to the one who can bring meaning into our suffering. Think about it.

We are proud to recognize Ethan Edwards as Student of the Week for his great work and representation of the Homeland Security program at Seneca Highlands CTC. Ethan is a junior at Smethport Jr./Sr. High School and a 2nd-year student in the Homeland Security program.  Ethan completes any task that is asked of him and is always willing to try new things. When problems arise, Ethan is not afraid to work through them. He’s not afraid to ask questions if/when he is unsure of something. Ethan demonstrates leadership qualities in the program.  
Congratulations on earning this award! Keep working hard and doing your best—we are proud of you, Ethan!