Esther C. (Brugger) Ansell, age 85, of Wellsboro, PA, died on Sunday, February 9, 2025.
She was born on May 7, 1939 in Elmira, NY a daughter of the late Albert and Christine (Stump) Brugger and was the wife of the late Daniel Ansell. Esther taught sewing, and enjoyed quilting and doing crafts. She was a graduate of the Cowanesque Valley High School class of 1957.
Student of the Week for the week of January 27, 2025 is Mitchell Blaniar from Welding. Mitch is a senior from Austin completing his third year in welding. He has grown a genuine interest in the welding trade and has developed great leadership skills. Mitch routinely completes his work with pride and is always ahead of schedule. Wherever Mitch ends up after graduation, I believe he will be successful in his pursuits.
Fire and emergency response organizations in Cameron, McKean and Potter counties have been awarded more than $527,000 in grants from the state, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) announced today.
“With fire and EMS companies struggling to keep their doors open, these grants go a long way toward helping to meet their financial needs,” Causer said. “We owe a great debt of gratitude to the men and women who work so hard to protect our communities, and I am pleased we can continue to support them with this valuable funding.”
The funding comes from an ongoing grant program created by the Legislature and administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC).
Since its inception, the program has provided more than $9.2 million in funding to fire and ambulance companies in the three-county area. Projects eligible for funding include construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, or reduction of existing debt.
Following is a list of local fire and ambulance companies and the amount of their grant awards. All companies that apply and meet requirements outlined by OSFC receive funding. Companies must file a grant agreement with OFSC to receive their grants.
Lorra A. Olson, 59, of St. Marys, passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2025 at Penn Highlands Dubois following a brief illness.
She was born on September 24, 1965 in Ridgway, a daughter of the late James and Gayle Hanes Day.
Lorra was a graduate of St. Marys Area High School, class of 1983 and attended Queen of the World Church. She worked in retail at various places in town, and always enjoyed the friends she met along the way. In her younger years, she loved going camping with her family, where she loved sitting on the back porch and visiting with her family. She loved her family dearly, and adored and cherished both of her children. She looked forward to spending each year at her cousin Lonnie’s 4th of July celebration and was also fond of her dogs, and loved spoiling them.
Craig L. Switzer, Sr., 73, of Eldred, passed away Sunday, February 9, 2025, at his residence.
Born on January 4, 1952, in Bradford, he was a son of the late Carl James and Anna Laura (Smith) Switzer.
He was a 1971 graduate of Bradford Area High School and received his Act 120 certification from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1983.
Craig was a Sgt, for the Foster Township Police Department. Worked for the Corydon Township Police Department, United States Forest Service and was the Otto Eldred Police Chief until his retirement in 2015. Along with his former wife, Evie, he owned and operated Fox’s Pizza Den of Eldred, for over 20 years.
He was a member of SLEA, Northern Star Lodge # 555, and Past Worshipful Master, Coudersport Consistory, the Eldred Conservation Club and the Otto Township Volunteer Fire Department.
Melvin R. “Dick” Johnston Sr., 86, of Hedgehog Lane, Bradford, passed away Saturday February 8, 2025, while at home, with his family by his side.
Born August 23, 1938, in Hornell, NY, he was a son of the late James and Violet (Grimes) Johnston.
Dick formerly worked at Owens Illinois and Charlie Schneider Service Station, and Bradford Air Cargo. Prior to retiring he worked for Paul Smith & Son as a mail truck driver delivering to and from the Pittsburgh area.
Dick was an avid hunter, fisherman, and the life of the party. He was a former member of the Eagles Club.
Donna M. Newpher, 83, of South Avenue, Bradford, passed away Thursday, February 6, 2025, at the Bradford Ecumenical Home.
Born April 6, 1941, in Bradford, she was the daughter of the late George D. and Helen L. (Nellis) Russell. She was a 1960 graduate of Bradford High School.
On October 25, 1980, in Bradford, she married Larry Daniel Newpher, who died May 7, 1995. Together they shared Trixie, Spunky, and Toby, their beloved dogs.
Donna was employed at Bell Telephone Company as an operator, and for 23 years as a Patient Care Sitter for the American Red Cross.
Pete Mealey, 69, of 48 Derrick Road, Bradford, passed away Thursday, February 6, 2025, at The Pavilion at BRMC.
Born February 2, 1956, in Bradford, he was a son of Marion (Brown) Mealey, of Bradford and the late Gerald “Tucker” Mealey.
He was a 1974 graduate of Bradford High School.
Pete had been employed as a groundskeeper for the Dorn Family, and later at Bradford Laundry for many years.
He enjoyed hunting, reading, and photography. He loved doing anything he could to help friends and others, but especially his family. He also had a fondness for his dog Tasha.
Melvin R. “Dick” Johnston Sr., 86, of Hedgehog Lane, Bradford, passed away Saturday February 8, 2025, while at home, with his family by his side.
Born August 23, 1938, in Hornell, NY, he was a son of the late James and Violet (Grimes) Johnston.
Dick formerly worked at Owens Illinois and Charlie Schneider Service Station, and Bradford Air Cargo. Prior to retiring he worked for Paul Smith & Son as a mail truck driver delivering to and from the Pittsburgh area.
Dick was an avid hunter, fisherman, and the life of the party. He was a former member of the Eagles Club.
February 15, 9:30am-2pm–Lumberjack Day & Pancake Breakfast: Shake off those winter blues with some black & red plaid and join us for some lumberjack fun. This program offers indoor entertainment for the whole family with foam axe throwing, lumberjack crafts, and games. We’ll celebrate the “birthday” of the biggest lumberjack of them all, Paul Bunyan, with some tall tales and eat like a lumberjack with pancakes and sausages cooked by museum personnel.
Lumberjack Day activities are included with regular admission to the museum while the Pancake Breakfast (which includes admission to the museum and Lumberjack Day activities) is $10 per adult and $6 per youth 4-11 years old.
The health assistant Student of the Week for the 2nd quarter is Alexis Morgan. Alexis is a senior at Kane Area High School and a third year student in the Seneca Highlands CTC health assistance program. Over the last three years,she has earned many certifications including her OSHA 10 for safety in healthcare, Basic Life Support, and her Pennsylvania Nurse Aide registry. Alexis participates in a capstone project his year at the Kane Lutheran Home.
In this extension of the classroom, Alexis has been able to build upon her skills learned in the classroom and apply them to real situations in the workplace. Her competence and work ethic have made her into a valuable asset for her employer as well as fellow students. Her future plans include attending college at the University of Pittsburgh in order to achieve her registered nursing license. In the classroom, Alexis uses her personal, leadership, and workplace skills to encourage and influence other students in the healthcare arena. She is a glowing example of what can be achieved at the CTC.
The annual Property Tax/Rent Rebate Clinics hosted by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) get underway this week in Kane and, the following week, in Eldred. The schedule is as follows:
The service is free, and no appointment is required.
For a full schedule of upcoming clinics, visit www.RepCauser.com/events.
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:
The Denton Hill Ski Patrol hosted the Western New York Region Senior Outdoor Emergency Care Clinic on Saturday, February 8th. Senior Candidates and Trainer/Evaluators from the Region came down to Denton Hill for a day of training activities and scenarios. Thanks to Denton Go for the use of the iconic Denton Hill Lodge. It was great having some more Ski Patrol activities in the Lodge, and the fire in the huge fireplace was greatly appreciated on such a cold Winter Day!
Applications for scholarships through both the Elk County and McKean County Community Foundations are now open for high school seniors as well as for non-traditional adult learners with a submission deadline of March 7, 2025. Through the 190 scholarship funds held at the two Community Foundations, almost 300 scholarships are awarded each year to students of all ages who are furthering their education.
In addition to the numerous scholarships offered to high school seniors, adult learners have a variety of scholarship opportunities available to them. There are 28 scholarship funds in Elk County and 17 scholarship funds in McKean County earmarked for college students, graduate level and non-traditional students. These adult learners may be pursuing general 2–4-year degrees, trade or vocational degrees or certificates, environmental studies, EMT or paramedic training, criminal justice, nursing, forestry and agriculture, military service, and more. Students are urged to log on to the foundation websites to explore the options available to them.
January, 14, 2025, was a big day at Coudersport Elementary. This is the day Coudersport Rotary Club’s Annual Dictionary Distributions to the 3rd graders happened! This has been one of our Community Service Projects since the 2015-2016 school year.
Rotarians Ruth Sallade, Dr. Ronnie Schenkein, Pat Northeimer, Deb Rinehart and granddaughter of Ruth Sallade, Mikayla Sallade, presented the dictionaries to the students. The enthusiasm in the room was off the charts.
Ruth took the students through the process of locating countries on the maps and words in the dictionary, their definition, parts of speech, and the origin of the word. Judging by the reactions of the students and facility, Coudersport Rotary Club will continue this project for years to come.
Richard M. “Dick” & “Sarge”, Manning, 74, passed away February 2, 2025.
Dick served 33 years and 12 days in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard with one active deployment to Germany. He worked most of his life as an automotive mechanic at multiple service stations throughout the area. Finally retiring from Ethan Allen.
On March 17, 1978, he married Linda L. Manning, who survives and resides in TX.
THESE SNOWMEN WERE MADE BY BERWYN CALCOTE IN MILLS, PENNSYLVANIA.
SUPER BOWL LIX TEAMS FOR TODAY, 2/9/2025
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS VS PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
