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Dr. Widad Emil Bazzoui, age 95, of Bradford, passed away at home, on March 6, 2025 with his wife and members of his devoted family by his side, He was born May 7,1929 the first-born son of the late Emile and Mary Homsey Bazzoui, in Baghdad, Iraq. 

Widad graduated from the American Jesuit High School in Baghdad, Iraq in 1946. He finished his medical education at the Royal Medical College of Iraq in 1953. He completed his Internal medicine Residency in 1954 and practiced Internal Medicine for five years in service to the Iraqi government as an internist in the outlying tribal areas of the country. You can learn more about his amazing life by reading his memoir, ‘The Man From Baghdad’.

The County of Cameron announces that 2025 real estate and per capita (personal) tax bills have been mailed to all property owners and residents.

Residents are encouraged to review their tax statements upon receipt. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your bill, please refer to the contact information provided on the tax notice. Each bill includes details on payment deadlines, accepted payment methods, and applicable discounts or penalties.

The County reminds residents to submit payments on time to avoid late fees or subsequent bills from the county’s delinquency collection agent, Keystone Collections Group, or one of the municipality’s appointed collection agencies. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring a smooth tax collection process.

For further information, please contact the appropriate tax office as listed on your bill.

Throughout March, 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.

Whether you are managing a health condition, navigating a loss, or caring for a loved one, programs offer valuable guidance and are open to the public.

The Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Workshop helps individuals take charge of their diabetes with expert guidance and support. The comprehensive program at OGH covers key aspects of diabetes self-care, including meal planning, medication management, and lifestyle strategies. The workshop will take place in the OGH Education Center on the first floor. The dates and times are as follows:

Wednesday, March 12, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Wednesday, March 19, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Diet-focused session)

Wednesday, March 26, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

For more information regarding the diabetes education and support workshop or to register, call (716) 375-4127.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
752 AM EDT Tue Mar 11 2025
…ELEVATED RISK OF WILDFIRE SPREAD THIS AFTERNOON…

A combination of dry and windy conditions this afternoon will
create an elevated risk of wildfire spread across Central
Pennsylvania. Minimum relative humidity values will range from 25
to 35 percent accompanied by wind gusts between 20 and 30 mph.

Residents are urged to exercise caution if handling any potential
ignition sources, such as machinery, cigarettes, or matches.
If dry grasses and tree litter begin to burn, the fire will have
the potential to spread rapidly.

For more information about wildfire danger and wildfire
prevention and education, please visit the Pennsylvania Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources website at
http://dcnr.pa.gov/Communities/Wildfire.

Belmont, NY – All Democrats registered to vote in Allegany County are invited to participate in the second in a series of general sessions on Saturday, March 15 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the David A. Howe Library, 155 N. Main St., Wellsville, NY.  The session will take place in the Nancy Howe Auditorium on the ground floor of the library, which is accessed from the back of the building.  Sign-in begins at 9:00 a.m.; the doors open at 9:20 a.m., so please dress for the weather.

Attendees will hear from candidates for local office and other special guests. The session will begin with a plenary discussion on current affairs and end with a roadmap for the party’s efforts in 2025.  We anticipate a lively, informative, consensus-building discussion.

Advance registration is required.  Please use this link: https://forms.gle/FM7x9zT69yPMWiLZ9

“Pirate School: Sea Dreams,” a fun show for the whole family, is at 7 p.m. this Thursday, March 13 in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.

Included in “Pirate School: Sea Dreams,” a riotous, interactive variety show suitable for all ages, are: magic, eye-popping puppetry, slapstick sword play, bubble-play, booming cannons, lively audience participation, and a rich score of music and cartoon-like sound effects. Where else can the young and the young at heart participate in a sea battle, or find a talking skull and the world’s only wearable pirate ship.

McKean County

Director of Security

McKean County is seeking qualified and highly motivated applicants for a full-time Director of Security located in Smethport, Pennsylvania.

The Director of Security will coordinate and implement initiatives regarding security and safety for all departments of the Court.  The candidate will provide technical and security related assistance/advice to other non-judicial offices in the courthouse upon request of the County Commissioners.  This position is responsible for the safety and security of all staff and public visitors in the courthouse.

Responsibilities:

• Perform a daily security sweep of the courthouse building and grounds prior to and at the close of business.
• Maintain order within the courthouse; settle disturbances as required.
• Develop and institute procedures and plans relating to security and safety.
• Assign hearing and/or meeting areas within the courthouse according to the daily schedule.
• Maintain a visible security presence within the building.
• Direct traffic (attorneys, litigants, witnesses, etc.) for hearings and meetings.
• Provide leadership to the Courthouse Security Committee on related meeting agendas, programs and policies.
• Provide effective supervision, coaching, mentoring and appraising of job performance to assigned subordinates.
• Accurately maintain required reports, files, records and certifications related to the position or courthouse security.
• Provide input into department annual budget.
• Create, issue, and monitor key fob access for all employees of the courthouse.
• Appear for events or assure other security staff appears for functions and proceedings held at the courthouse/court facilities on non-county/court hours.
• Appear at courthouse/court facilities to address emergency situations/events.
• Assign duties/hours to other Security Officers, full and part-time, as required for court/courthouse and court facility operations and functions.
• Assist with such other duties as may be assigned for the successful operation of the courthouse.

Special Requirements:

• Capable of meeting physical demands related to the use of restraint and self-defense and ability to handle potentially violent confrontations.
• Firearms and Taser Qualifications (May obtain training/certification after hire at discretion and under terms set by the court).
• Communication skills necessary to diffuse dangerous and/or threatening situations.
• Ability to complete annual firearms certification.
• Ability to use tact, yet decisiveness.

Qualified candidates should apply by sending a McKean County job application and resume to Patricia Brown, Court Administrator, 500 West Main Street, Smethport, PA 16749, or via email to pabrown@mckeancountypa.gov.  McKean County is an equal opportunity employer, M/F/D/V.
 

A moment of silence was observed at the F. W. Gunzburger County Office Building on Friday, memorializing U.S. Army Specialist Mike Franklin, who lost his life in the Global War on Terrorism 20 years ago, on March 7, 2005. A banner hangs on the wall next to the Main Street entrance. It was originally hung in downtown Harrisburg, through a partnership of a local civic organization and the American Gold Star Mothers. The banner was donated to the county by SPC Franklin’s parents, Tina and Bill Franklin, when they moved to Arizona.

The Coudersport soldier lost his life when an improvised explosive device detonated near his screening area in Ramadi, Iraq. SPC Franklin, who was a month shy of his 23rd birthday, was not scheduled to be on duty during that shift on 5. But he unselfishly agreed to stand in to help a friend. The checkpoint he was patrolling was established to trap guerrilla fighters through a dusk-to-dawn curfew. Similar operations were taking place in other towns in western Iraq, which were seeing heavy guerrilla fighting. A car had stalled and couldn’t be restarted. Just as Franklin and another soldier were about to begin searching the vehicle, the bomb was detonated by a remote-control device.

After her son’s death, Tina Franklin became involved with the work of Gold Star Mothers, an organization of those who have lost a son or daughter in battle. She has made multiple trips to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., to visit injured service members. Tina and Bill Franklin suggest that those wishing to honor military personnel who have fallen in war consider service to others through community organizations, churches or government agencies.

The Port Allegany Gator Baseball team invites you to join them Saturday, March 15 from 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the Port Allegany Moose Lodge for a Pancake Breakfast.  The event, sponsored by the PAHS Baseball Boosters, will feature a breakfast of pancakes, sausage, bacon, milk, coffee and juice; a basket raffle, 50/50 raffle  and a door prize.  Pictured as they practice flipping pancakes are several team members (from left to right) Joshua Lawrence, Tyler Fillhart, Derek Smith, Nick Wilfong, Jake Causer, Kellen Veilleux, Az Luk, Chase Boyd, Levi Howard and Tyler Carinci.  

This year’s final Property Tax/Rent Rebate Clinic hosted by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) will be held Thursday, March 13, at the Emporium Senior Center, 105 E. Fourth St., Emporium.

Assistance will be available from 10 a.m. to noon. Appointments are preferred and may be made by calling 814-486-3707. The service is free.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program benefits eligible residents 65 years and older; widows and widowers 50 years and older; and people with disabilities 18 years and older. This year’s income limit is $46,520 for both homeowners and renters; be sure to exclude 50% of Social Security or railroad retirement income. The maximum rebate is $1,000.

To file for the rebate, residents must have the following documentation to allow claims to be processed:

• Renters will need a 2024 PA Rent Certificate, completed by their landlord, or statement from HUD office; 2024 proof of income, such as Social Security/Disability Form 1099, employment W-2, Pension/Retirement Form 1099 and Interest/Dividends Form 1099; and a driver’s license or photo identification. Some may also need to bring a death certificate.
• Homeowners will need proof of 2024 paid property taxes to their county, municipality and school district; 2024 proof of income, such as Social Security/Disability Form 1099, employment W-2, Pension/Retirement Form 1099 and Interest/Dividends Form 1099; and a driver’s license or photo identification. Some may also need to bring a death certificate, life lease or deed.

Applicants who wish to receive their rebates through direct deposit should bring a check for account information. If not, paper checks will be mailed. Disbursements should begin after July 1.

Assistance is also available at Causer’s offices in Bradford (78 Main St., 814-362-4400), Coudersport (279 Route 6 West, Office 2, 814-274-9769) or Kane (54 Fraley St., 814-837-0880). Residents may also apply online at mypath.pa.gov.