A Celebrationn of Life for Ronald Johnson;
A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at 1 PM on March 15, 2025 at the Moose Lodge, 35 Pearl Street, Port Allegany. Military Honors will be accorede at that time.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Port Allegany.
WHAT: Rep. Donna Scheuren (R-Montgomery) will be hosting a press conference in Harrisburg with members of the House Republican Caucus regarding legislation she has proposed to put a constitutional amendment before the people of Pennsylvania that, if passed, would bar illegal aliens from having driver licenses.
WHO:Scheuren; members of the House Republican Caucus.
WHEN: Monday, March 17, at 11 a.m.
WHERE: Pennsylvania State Capitol East Wing, left of escalators, 501 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, PA.
LIVESTREAM: Barring any technical difficulties, the press conference will be streamed online at www.repscheuren.com and on Scheuren’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RepScheuren.
If March sunshine has you thinking about mouthwatering tomatoes and cucumbers, don’t miss out on a space at the Potter County Community Garden. The application process began in mid-January, and we ONLY HAVE 4 BEDS LEFT! The garden officially opens on April 26th for planting cold-hearty vegetables like lettuce, spinach, and cabbage. Then June 7th marks the warm planting season. Whether you’ve gardened before or are a newbie, all are welcome at PCCG.
The mission of the community garden is 1) to empower the community to plant, grow and harvest their own produce, 2) to provide education on the value of gardening, 3) to promote community interaction & unity, and 4) to offer solutions to food insecurity. The Potter County Community Garden is a joint-partnership between UPMC, the Potter County Commissioners, Potter County Conservation, and Penn State Extension.
Any individuals or group interested in reserving a community garden plot free of charge should email pccg2022@gmail.com or visit http://pottercountycommunitygarden.org to apply online or find out more.
CERES TOWNSHIP MEETING MINUTES MARCH 4, 2025
AJ Plants: (716)244-8585 Greg Maxson: (716)474-8272 Jeff Moyer: (814)203-6262
The March 4, 2025 meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Anthony Plants with three supervisors, five residents, and secretary present. The minutes of the February 4, 2025 meeting were read and approved by Greg Maxson and Seconded by Jeff Moyer.
Minutes of the February 4, 2025 meeting were read and approved.
OLD BUSINESS: Resolution for Tax Collector to collect fee for duplicate tax bill and returned checks. Twenty-five ton of salt ordered from Costars. Solar Panel Ordinance info submitted to Alferi & Alferi. Building Permit Fee increased to $25.00 per application. Resolution signed for Small Flow System yearly inspection fee $350.00 for David Nease new small flow system. Resolution to notify Tax Collector of all ownership and address changes.
NEW BUSINESS : The Auditors Report was submitted to the Supervisors. Motions were made and approved to discontinue HP Ink agreement for automatic shipment of print cartridges and a fifty dollar donation to Eldred Conservation Club. Busy Beaver will be performing daylighting of Powerhouse Road. Bruce Osgood complaint of rat infestation. Complaint to Township of trailer of animal carcasses sitting by road for prolonged period of time. Multi Modal grant was awarded to Township for resurfacing Barden Brook Road. Motion made and approved for Grant application be submitted to Wildfire Defense for mowing tractor and Application for 2% state loan for mowing tractor to be completed.
$15 per meal. Door prize ticket included, additional raffles available for purchase.
Cornbeef, cabbage, potatoe, dessert, and beverages.
Please come support a great non-profit supporting the community. We provide clothing items for children along with supporting other meaningful causes that support the community. We even offer coats to children outside of Eldred, we support our area and need your support in return! Thank you.
After a fall season that produced just one win for the combined Pennsylvania College of Technology men’s and women’s tennis teams, second-year coach David Straub is hopeful for improved spring showings for his squads.
The Penn College men open at home at the Central PA Tennis Center at 2 p.m. on Saturday, hosting Penn State Altoona. The women start on Friday, March 21, hosting King’s College, also at the South Williamsport indoor facility.
United East Conference play begins on March 29 for both teams.
Sue Ann SMITH, 66, of Galeton, PA, died Monday, March 10, 2025 in Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre. Born August 31, 1958, in Wellsboro, she was the daughter of Robert O. and Gail Brown Ruef.
On March 22, 1991, in Galeton, she married Thomas K. Smith, who survives. A 1976 graduate of Cowanesque Valley High School, she was employed by the Potter County Housing Authority and Northwest Bank. She was a member and treasurer of First Presbyterian Church in Galeton. Sue Ann spent many of her years as a dedicated homemaker caring for her family. She poured her heart and soul into doing things for others. Her family will forever miss her wonderful holiday parties…door prize!
Susan P. “Sue” HALL, 97, of Westfield, PA, died Monday, March 10, 2025 in her home. Born October 30, 1927, in Syracuse, NY, she was the daughter of Foster and Grace Ackley Potter.
On December 26, 1953, in the First Baptist Church, Westfield, she married George W. Hall, who predeceased her on April 16, 2004. A 1945 graduate of Altamont High School, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University in 1949 and a master’s degree from Mansfield University in 1952.
She was a teacher at Westfield Elementary School for 34 years, retiring in 1992. Sue was a member of the First Baptist Church in Westfield, where she served in several positions. She sang in a barbershop quartet with Louise Cevette, Jean Gridley, and Barbara J. Olney for several years. Mom kept her mind sharp by playing Soduko, doing the daily crossword puzzle, watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, and playing games on her cellphone. She was an avid reader and loved birdwatching and caring for her cat of 18 years, Puddy Tatters. Sue was loved and will be missed by everyone, including all her dedicated caregivers and former students.
Dr. Joseph Cutry, MD, 97, of Wellsville, died on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Jones Memorial Hospital. He was born on November 26, 1927, in Massena, NY, the son of the late Anthony and Antoinette (Macro) Cutry. On July 23, 1960, in New York City, he married Gilda Paternoster, who survives.
He was a graduate of Sacred Heart School and was president of the Massena High School Graduating Class of 1946. He served in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1948. Under his G.I. Bill, he enrolled at St. Lawrence University in 1948 and received a B.S. degree in Chemistry in 1952; during his time at SLU he was a Dean’s List scholar, and in his senior year was president of Tri-Beta (the biology honorary society) and vice-president of Kappa Epsilon Mu (the chemistry honorary society). He was also a member of The American Chemical Society and Sigma Pi fraternity.
After graduating from SLU, he was hired as a chemist by the Aluminum Company of America. A few months later, he decided to pursue an earlier goal to become a physician and enrolled in the six-year course in medicine and surgery at the University of Bologna in Italy. In his second and third years in medical school, he applied for and was accepted as a student instructor in the Anatomy Department based upon his scholastic achievement as a freshman. In his fifth year in medical school, he wrote a compendium on Diseases of the Nervous System. He graduated from medical school in 1958 with an overall scholastic average of 93%.
On March 11, at 11:21 am Shinglehouse Ambulance was dispatched to N. Union St. for altered mental status
On March 11, at 10:36 am Ludlow and Kane Fire and Kane Ambulance were dispatched to a house fire on Henry Mills Rd. and Rt. 666 in Sheffield Twp. Cherry Grove and Sheffield have also been dispatched
Steven A. Falconi, 73, of 8 West Irvine Street, Lewis Run, passed away Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Olean General Hospital.
Born on May 30, 1951, in Bradford, he was a son of the late Anthony T. and Viola J. (Vecellio) Falconi, Jr. He attended Bradford Area High School.
Steve was the owner/operator of his own auto-mechanic shop on Irvine Street for 40 plus years. He also formerly owned Roadhouse Bar and Steak House in Lewis Run.
Brenda Lee Warner, 57, of Bradford, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 8, 2025, with her family and dog Charlie by her side
Born on March 8, 1968, in Olean, NY, she was a daughter of the late Clifford H.
Warner, Jr., and Sandra J. (Smith) Warner. She graduated from Bradford Area High School.
Brenda worked at Futures Rehabilitation Center for several years. She was affiliated with The First United Methodist Church in Bradford.
On March 11, at 8:46 pm Wellsboro Fire Dept was dispatched to the Marrows Rd and the Kennedyville Rd. For a barn fire the fire has been upgraded to a second alarm. Mansfield and Middlebury have also been dispatched Tankers from Blossburg and Chatham have been dispatched
On March 11, at 7:14 pm Coudersport Ambulance was dispatched to S. East St. for back pain
On March 11, at 6:47 Coudersport Ambulance was dispatched to E. Second St. to transport a patient to UPMC Cole
Alfred E. Ritter
Alfred E. “Skip” Ritter, 77, of Odin, passed away with his loving family by his side, on Friday, March 7, 2025, in UPMC Williamsport, after a short illness.
Born on Tuesday, January 6, 1948, in Allentown, PA, he was a son of Alfred and Rose Fandal Ritter.
Skip served in the US Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He was employed by Mack Truck for 37 years in Allentown, PA and in Winnsboro, SC as the UAW president.
Skip enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and watching professional sports.
Kimberly K. Burdick
Kimberly K. Burdick, 68, of Bolivar, formerly of Richburg, passed away in her home on Saturday, March 8, 2025, after a period of declining health.
Born on Tuesday, November 20, 1956, in Cuba, NY, she was a daughter of Harl and Angela Rosenheur Burdick.
Kimberly was a graduate of Richburg High School, Class of 1974 and later received her Associate’s Degree in Mathematics from Jamestown Community College. She also graduated from BOCES in Belmont as a LPN.
(McKean County, March 11, 2025): District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer announced today that she will not be running in the upcoming election to fill a vacancy in the county’s 2nd judge seat left after the retirement of Judge Hauser in 2024.
McKean County has two County Judges – President Judge John Pavlock and the position formerly filled by Judge Hauser that is temporarily filled pending the upcoming election results.
DA Vettenburg-Shaffer: “Over the last several years, and, with more urgency in the last few months, I have received numerous inquiries on my intentions as to the judgeship that was expected to be vacated when one of our Judges retired. In 2024, applicants submitted letters of interest seeking to be appointed to the position on a temporary basis. I declined to submit my name for consideration for the temporary appointment and, now, I am announcing I will not run to fill the seat formerly. Myself, and other senior members of our bar association, understand our obligations to ensure that the legal system in the County runs efficiently. To that end, I have decided to remain as the District Attorney and in the role that I believe I am currently able to serve most effectively. I have been the District Attorney since 2016 and I am very proud of our accomplishments (the DA’s Office and McKean County Law Enforcement) and we continue to work to fulfill the criminal justice goals we have set. In fact, we are not done with the work I envision for our local criminal justice system.
I appreciate the important role of Judge and I hold it with the utmost respect. And I hold the position of District Attorney with similar respect. At the present time, my focus will remain on prosecution and community outreach for which I am very fortunate to have a voice.”
On March 11, at 2:30 pm Wellsboro and Morris Fire Depts. were dispatched with utvs to 532 West Hill Rd. in Covington for a wildfire fire.
On 3/8/2025 officers were provided video footage that did show Dantley Curry pry apart the securely locked front doors to the High Rise (2 Bushnell Street) which he was trespassed from entering. Curry did stick a part of a tree branch through the opening and utilized it to defeat a locking device. On 3/9/2025 at 7:38pm officers located Curry on High Rise property where he was arrested for felony criminal trespass. Curry was arraigned before Judge Luther and bail was set at $10,000. Curry, unable to post bail was remanded to the McKean County Jail.
** On October 9th, 2024, at approximately 0014 hours, City of Bradford Police responded to a call at the Holiday Inn Express, located at 30 Tarport Drive, regarding a large box truck striking the building and parked motor vehicles before fleeing the scene. Upon arrival, officers located the box truck in the downtown area and attempted a traffic stop. The operator, later identified as John Albert McWhinnie of Shelburne Falls, MA, fled from the vehicle on foot to evade officer contact.
Further investigation revealed that the box truck had been stolen from the Bradford Era, located at 43 Main Street, prior to the incident. The stolen vehicle had caused extensive damage to several parked vehicles and the Holiday Inn Express building, resulting in a large hole in one of the bedrooms and significant damage to the front overhang drive-through. Through diligent efforts, including scouring video footage and conducting numerous interviews, City Police were able to identify the driver as John Albert McWhinnie. It was determined that McWhinnie had fled the Bradford area back to Massachusetts. On March 10, 2025, the City of Bradford Police had McWhinnie extradited back to Pennsylvania, where he was arraigned by Magistrate Richard Luther.
McWhinnie was remanded to the McKean County Jail after failing to post $150,000 cash bail. Preliminary hearings are scheduled in the matter. The City of Bradford Police Department would like to thank the public for their cooperation and assistance in this investigation. The department is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community and will continue to work tirelessly to bring those responsible for criminal activity to justice.
