Death Ruled Suiside In Highland Twp.


Sheila M. Salerno, 74, of Warren, PA, formerly of Sheffield, PA, died on Monday September 15, 2025, in the Lutheran Home at Kane, after an extended illness.
She was born in Kane, PA, on July 23, 1951, the daughter of the late Harry and Florence Eck Hilyer. She was a graduate of Sheffield High School, Class of 1970. Sheila has been a resident of Warren since 1975. She retired from Whirley Drinkworks and then went to work for the Warren Walmart. Sheila enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, who were the light of her world, and she enjoyed time spent at the casino.

Bradford, PA/Olean, NY – Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and Olean General Hospital (OGH), Kaleida Health facilities, are excited to announce Cheryl Wier, MSN, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P, NYSAFE, emergency room nurse at BRMC, as the third quarter Nightingale Award recipient of 2025. Wier, a registered nurse and board-certified as an adult and pediatric sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE), has been with BRMC since 2005.
“Cheryl has been a team member of BRMC for more than 15 years. During her time here, Cheryl has taken significant steps to expand her nursing role by becoming a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). She has been instrumental in launching as well as growing the program while raising awareness of its importance in our community. Her work as a SANE nurse is challenging, but each case is approached with professionalism, dignity, respect and compassion with her goal of serving every patient to achieve the best possible outcome. She consistently goes above and beyond for her patients by providing comfort and patient education by explaining each step during her consultations.

Daniel James O’Brien, a devoted family man and proud Navy Veteran, passed away on Monday, September 15, 2025, at the age of 89.
Born March 13, 1936, in Salamanca, NY, he was the son of James O’Brien and Margaret (McMahon) O’Brien. In his early days, Daniel played in a local softball league and showcased his skills on the high school basketball team, specializing in the two-hand set shot. His love for sports extended to skiing at his grandparents’ farm in Hinsdale during his childhood. He was a 1954 graduate of Bradford Area High School.
Daniel enlisted in the United States Navy in 1954 and served his country with honor aboard the USS Ranger. Daniel served in the Navy until 1958 when he was honorably discharged. He then settled in Bradford, to start a family with his beloved wife, Sandra.

Pamela M. Grady, 84, formerly of State Street, passed away Sunday (Sept. 21, 2025) at Heritage Springs Memory Care in Lewisburg.
Born Sept. 19, 1941, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Rita Peters Smith.
She was a 1959 graduate at St. Bernard School. After high school she attended Mansfield State College, and graduated in 1963 with a degree in elementary education.
On Aug. 8, 1964, in St. Bernard Church, she married Thomas G. Grady, who preceded her in death on Nov. 23, 2017.

Pastor B.J. Knefley
I recently had the opportunity to witness a challenging and delicate situation transform into a heartwarming story of neighbors coming together to support one another. In one moment, there was anger, distrust, accusations, fear, and hostility. In the next, there was peace, calm, and a desire to work together for a common good. I walk away with hope—hope for our communities and our world.

September 19, 2025, AquaStar (USA) Corp of Seattle, WA is recalling:
approximately 49,920 bags (net wt. 2lbs) of Kroger Raw Colossal EZ Peel Shrimp.
approximately 18,000 bags (net wt. 2lbs) of Kroger Mercado Cooked Medium Peeled Tail-Off Shrimp.
approximately 17,264 bags (net wt. 1.25lbs) of AquaStar Raw Peeled Tail-on Shrimp Skewers because they may have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have become contaminated with cesium-137 (Cs-137).

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., (September 19, 2025) — Olympus Corporation has announced a voluntary, global medical device removal action for ViziShot 2 FLEX (19G) EBUS -TBNA needles (“ViziShot 2 FLEX”) manufactured prior to May 12, 2025, after receiving reports of device components detaching during procedures.
The ViziShot 2 FLEX is protected by a hypotube and sheath. The hypotube protects the sheath from the needle tip and provides stability during transit and insertion. If damage to the sheath has occurred and the device continues to be used, the hypotube has the potential to eject from the device along with detached plastic components, which are not radiopaque. Damage may also occur during the manufacturing process. To improve the detection of device damage at the point of manufacturing, Olympus implemented an automated inspection procedure during assembly, a step that had been conducted previously through visual inspection.
Olympus assessed the issue after receiving complaints of adverse events involving patient injury, and one death. Potential consequences of a detached component of the ViziShot 2 FLEX include the risk of unintended device components within the tracheobronchial tree that may require bronchoscopic extraction or surgical removal.

Helen J. “Zippy” Prechtl, 85, of Daguscahonda, passed away on Sunday, September 21, 2025, following a brief illness.
She was born on January 21, 1940, in Toby, the daughter of the late Oden and Christine Billotte Krise.
On June 23, 1955, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Brandy Camp, she married the late Merle Prechtl, who preceded her in death on July 3, 1990.

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a crack seal project continues on several routes in Lycoming and Tioga counties.
The week of Monday, September 22, 2025, the contractor, Kriger Construction, Inc., will continue to crack seal Route 15 in both directions between the Route 14 in Trout Run, Exit 148 and Liberty, Exit 162. Motorists can expect alternating lane restrictions between the hours of 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM where work is being performed.
Additional work will take place on the following routes during daylight hours.

More than 100 roundabouts are now installed in Pennsylvania, with more than 30 under design or in construction.
Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that roundabouts continue to provide safe, efficient travel across the Commonwealth. Since 2005,104 roundabouts have been built to improve traffic flow and/or decrease crash severity, and more than 30 additional roundabouts are in various stages of design and construction across Pennsylvania.

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised of a lane restriction on Route 15 southbound south of Grangers Road in Monroe Township, Snyder County, due to a vehicle Crash.
Motorists can expect the right (driving) lane to be restricted. Travel delays should be expected. Motorists should seek alternate routes if possible.
Motorists should be alert, slow down, expect delays in travel, and drive with caution.

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised a repair project originally scheduled for September 4, 2025, will now take place this week on Interstate 80 westbound in Turbot Township, Northumberland County.
On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, a contractor, Don E Bower, Inc., will remediate a water ponding issue on the bridge that carries the interstate over Route 254 at mile marker 215. Work will begin at daylight and is expected to take a few hours to complete.
Motorists can expect the right (driving) lane to be restricted in the work zone and should be alert, slow down, and drive with caution in the area.

Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) said drivers should expect to encounter flaggers in the roadway along Route 522 at the site of a bridge replacement project in Decatur Township, Mifflin County, on Wednesday, September 24, through Friday, September 25. Replacing the bridge, which spans Jack’s Creek about a mile southwest of Wagner, will enhance the ride quality and improve the structure’s overall condition rating from poor to good.

Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad (BPRR) will close Route 4003 (Bingham Road) in Lafayette Township on Tuesday, September 23, to replace a railroad crossing. Replacing the crossing will improve rail infrastructure, ride quality, and enhance safety for motorists.
While the road is closed, traffic will follow a detour using Routes 646, 770, 219, and 59 around the closure. This is the same detour drivers followed in late August while PennDOT McKean County Maintenance crews replaced drainage pipes in the area.
BPRR expects to complete this work by Thursday, September 25, but all construction schedules are tentative due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
PennDOT reminds drivers to use caution in the work zone, remain alert for railroad operators and equipment, approach railroad crossings carefully, and “Always expect a train.”

BRADFORD, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has been ranked in the Top 20 of four categories by U.S. News & World Report.
The collegiate rankings report, now in its 41st year, ranked Pitt-Bradford #9 in Best Value Schools in the North. Pitt-Bradford was the top-ranking public college in Pennsylvania in this category.
U.S. News & World Report also ranked Pitt-Bradford:

Winners Announced for Fourth Annual Phil Fitch Memorial Chukar Challenge in NorthCentral Pa. Johnsonburg, Pa.:
Tommy Launer, Bird Dog Leader at the Rolfe Beagle Club, announces the winners of the Fourth Annual Phil Fitch Memorial Chukar Challenge on Saturday, 9/20, at the Rolfe Beagle Club in Johnsonburg, Pa.
The weather was perfect, the challenge was full, and dog handlers enjoyed the day – Phil would have planned it that way!
Phil Fitch was a dedicated member of the Rolfe Beagle Club and never missed a bird dog event at the club. Twenty-four dog handlers came from across the Commonwealth. The winners in the pointing dog category were:

On September 19, 2025, at approximately 2:05 a.m., City of Bradford Police conducted a traffic stop on Mechanic Street. The operator, a 29-year-old male from New York, was identified as Kyle Bemowski. During the stop, it was discovered that Bemowski did not possess a valid driver’s license. Further investigation revealed that he was a fugitive from Cattaraugus County, wanted on extraditable Felony Bench Warrants.
Officers observed drug paraphernalia in plain view inside the vehicle, prompting a DUI investigation for operation under the influence of controlled substances. A subsequent search warrant of the vehicle yielded evidence related to the possession with intent to deliver Methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. Bemowski was taken into custody for being a fugitive and for the related crimes of DUI and Possession of Controlled Substances.
He was arraigned by Magistrate Richard Luther and remanded to McKean County Jail on $25,000 cash bail. Preliminary hearings are scheduled in the matter. All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If you have any information about illegal drug activity, please contact the City of Bradford Police Department at 814-887-4911.

Francis Jay Gorton, 84, Bradford, passed away Sunday, September 21, 2025, at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

Elizabeth A. Lindemuth, 95, of Bradford, passed away Monday, September 22, 2025 at the Bradford Ecumenical Home.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

Cameron County Chamber of Commerce All Fired Up Kickin Ash BBQ ready to kick off this weekend in downtown Emporium.
Competitors from the region will be looking to take home bragging rights and the $500 cash prize sponsored by Emporium Food Market for mystery meat!

Our Student of the Week for Heavy Equipment Maintenance is Isaac Postlewaite, a second-year 11th grader from Port Allegany.
Isaac has been a tremendous help in the shop, assisting with moving and repairing equipment. He is always willing to step up and take on any task asked of him. In addition to his contributions in class, Isaac is an active member of the Port football team.
He consistently brings a positive attitude, is highly inquisitive, and sets a strong example for others. Currently, Isaac holds 100% in both his grade and attendance for the year.
Annin Township is looking for a Part-Time Secretary-Treasurer. Experience is a must in QuickBooks, Word & Excel, have knowledge to perform payroll, quarterly reports, budgets, accounts payable, banking and auditing. Preparing agendas, attending monthly meetings and record minutes. Understanding of Municipal Accounting is a plus. Interested applicants should apply on Indeed, email resume to annintwp@zitomedia.net or mail to PO Box 143, Turtlepoint, PA 16750. Any Questions call 814-642-7959

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for a ready-to-eat (RTE) turkey wrap product due to concerns that the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. A recall was not requested because the affected product is no longer available for purchase.

At our August 25, 2025, meeting at A&W West End Grill, Greg Brink introduced his guest speaker, Sheila Gabreski. Sheila has been coordinating the Penn State Cooperative Extension of Potter County for 15 years and has been a 4-H Leader for 20 years. Both Greg and Sheila are on the Community Garden Planning Committee.
The Community Garden is the brainchild of Dr. Mary Ann Rigas, a Pediatrician who became concerned about the health of children in our area. She wanted, not only to teach kids how to eat healthily from stores, but to teach them to grow healthy food.

Kathi M. Gibbs, 77, of Emporium, PA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening, September 17, 2025, at Pinecrest Manor in St. Marys, PA.
She was born January 20, 1948, in Port Allegany, PA, a daughter of the late Eugene and Kathryn E. Means Mullin. On November 28, 1969, in Farmers Valley, she married the late Joseph R. Gibbs, with whom she shared many years of love and devotion.