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COUDERSPORT, Pa., Nov. 12, 2025 – UPMC Cole with the support of community partners, coordinated a free veteran’s recognition meal distribution on Tuesday, Nov. 11, in Coudersport.

“Food insecurity is a real challenge in rural communities like ours,” said Kari Kurtz, director, Community Relations, UPMC in North Central Pa. “Hosting this veterans meal distribution is part of our ongoing commitment to support health and wellness beyond clinical care. Our veterans deserve more than a single event on Veterans Day; they deserve consistent care and gratitude. This is just one way we can say thank you and ensure they have what they need.”

Mary L. Papa, 62, of Ridgway, died on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Penn Highland Dubois following a brief illness.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the directions of Krise Funeral Homes and Cremation Services.

A pair of University of Pittsburgh at Bradford students spent their summer hiking the rivers and streams of McKean County — but it was more than recreation.

Madhav Ellini and Megan Lichner were working with Dr. Femi Oloye, assistant professor of chemistry, on a research project to measure metals in local waterways.

With summer dedicated to collecting samples, the students are now spending the fall testing their findings in the lab under Oloye’s guidance. Ellini, a pre-medicine student from Bradford, is also drafting a report for the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, which awarded Oloye a $5,000 mini grant to fund the project. That support, along with funding from Pitt-Bradford’s Student Undergraduate Research Program, allowed both students to focus on research instead of taking other summer jobs.

We are pleased to announce that the Seneca Highlands CTC Engineering student of the week is Julie Smith. Julie is a senior at Port Allegany Area High School, where she participates in track and field.

At the CTC she is a member of the National Technical Honor Society. She consistently completes all of her work while displaying quiet leadership in the engineering shop. Julie also works part-time at Lakeview Rehabilitation Center.

After graduation, she plans to continue her education at Youngstown State University in the Pre-Med program to become an orthodontist.—
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn.” Benjamin Franklin

Allegany Dems’ Holiday Silent Auction Fundraiser:
Bid Online through Nov. 24th

Belmont, NY — Dozens of items are up for auction, and you can bid from the comfort and convenience of your home or phone.  Lucky winners will have their items in time for Thanksgiving.  

Visit   http://alleganydemocrats.betterworld.org/auctions/fall-2025-online-auction   to bid on jewelry, clothing, memorabilia, gift certificates, pottery and art, lottery tickets, hand crafted items, experiences, food items, books, wine, and more.

Shop privately and securely from your phone or laptop.  The auction software retains your information until bidding ends and the winner’s card is charged, and then all data is wiped from the server.  What could be simpler!

Contact info@acdcny.org for more information.

Do you know anyone who can walk through a yard sale or flea market, pick up what others see as junk, and turn it into something valuable? I know I have. I’ve been with family members who enjoy reselling other people’s junk, and I’ve watched them pick up something and resell it for much more than they paid. It’s not that I don’t notice it; I just see it differently. I call it getting past the stink.

I don’t care whether it’s people or things; we often pass by without noticing their value. With people, it’s their appearance or age that catches our eye. It’s about the context in which we see them. How we interpret their situation will influence how we respond. Sometimes, we struggle to look past their smell. But we must remember that one person’s smell might be another person’s treasure, and just because we don’t notice it doesn’t mean it’s not there.

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) issued the following statement after voting “yes” to a series of bills making up the 2025-26 state budget package.

“When it comes to the state budget, it’s about much more than just numbers. It represents the state’s prioirities for the year ahead and beyond.

“This year’s budget finally removes roadblocks and puts policies in place that will allow our energy industry to reach its full potential. Pennsylvania has always been an energy powerhouse, but we’ve missed out on thousands of jobs and billions in economic growth in recent years because of slow permitting and the threat of higher costs associated with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This budget agreement sets new standards for permitting and permanently removes the state from RGGI.