Dana A. Bunk: Loving Father, Grandfather, Son and Brother
Dana A. Bunk, 62, of 6739 Crabb Hollow Rd., Town of New Hudson, NY passed away unexpectedly Friday, June 28, 2024 at home.
Born on February 2, 1962, in Cuba, he was a son of William J. and Alice (Snyder) Bunk II.
Dana attended Cuba Central School. He was a General Laborer all of his career and was currently employed by Great Lakes Cheese of Cuba.
He enjoyed being outdoors, taking long walks in the woods with his dog Grizzly, collecting the perfect rocks for patios and was always setting himself up for future endeavors like buying a wood splitter to sell firewood and a saw mill to produce lumber. He aspired to always be independent.
On July 3, 2024, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation out of SP Amity arrested Gregory S. Miller, 54, of Penndel, PA for Attempted Murder 2nd degree, Assault 1st degree, Reckless Endangerment 1st degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd degree (two counts), Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd and Criminal Use of a Weapon 1st degree.
On July 3, 2024 at approximately 9:45 P.M., Troopers out of SP Amity responded to Smith Hollow Rd in the town of Wellsville for a shooting involving injury. Investigation determined that after several hours of consuming alcohol, Miller had a verbal argument with the 48-year-old male victim.
Miller then went to his vehicle, a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado, and returned with a Springfield Armory .45 ACP. Miller then discharged the firearm several times at the victim, striking him one time in the lower left leg. Miller was disarmed and held down by the others at the party until Troopers arrived on scene and took Miller into custody.
On July 3, 2024, at approximately 4:55 p.m., the New York State Police in Bath responded to a report of a fatal MVA on State Route 371 near State Route 21 in the town of Cohocton.
A preliminary investigation revealed a 2017 Dodge Caravan was traveling north on State Route 371 when it passed another vehicle in a no-passing zone. The operator, Lukas J. Ellsessor, age 31, of Angelica, NY, lost control of the vehicle and exited the roadway, causing the vehicle to roll over. The passenger of the vehicle, a 26-year-old male, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced deceased at the scene. Ellsessor was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital for minor injuries.
The New York State Police were assisted by the Cohoton Police Department, Cohocton Fire Department, Atlanta Fire Department, Hornell DOT, and Kanona DOT.
Janice C. Freeman, 81, of Coudersport, PA passed away Monday, July 1, 2024, at her home. Janice was born on November 22, 1942, in Arnaudville, LA the daughter of the late Elie and Agnes (Bourque) Marks. She married Thomas C. Freeman on December 27, 1997, and celebrated 14 years of marriage until his passing on September 8, 2012.
Janice retired from Adelphia and earlier in life, owned and operated the Pin Cushion, Coudersport. Janice was a very active member of St. Eulalia Catholic Church, Coudersport, and worked in the kitchen for all the fish dinners and all dinners at the church. She enjoyed sewing, alterations, and caring for her yard and garden. She was responsible for restoring the curtain at the Coudersport Theatre. She also volunteered at the Sweden Valley Manor and helped residence to the chapel for services.
At 12:12 PM on Thursday, Coudersport Fire & EMS have been dispatched to Tracy Brook Road in Hebron Twp. for an ATV rollover crash with an injured juvenile. This is near 1227 East Branch of Fishing Creek Road. A 16-year-old female has leg injuries.
There is no better place to celebrate Independence Day than our great Commonwealth.
It is days like today where I feel incredibly grateful to be governor of the place that not only is the home of Independence Hall, but also the birthplace of American democracy and freedom.
Today, I am thinking about all the freedoms we as Pennsylvanians are so lucky to have: the freedom to marry the person you love. The freedom to pray to whoever you choose. The freedom to work a stable job and provide for your family. The freedom to make your voice heard and have your vote counted.
I hope you take this day to relax, spend some time with friends and family, and enjoy all the freedoms we are so fortunate to have. From my family to yours, happy Fourth of July!
HARRISBURG – Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) today applauded Victaulic’s commitment to a $100 million-plus expansion project at its Lawrenceville foundry in Tioga County.
“Victaulic’s decision to stay here, invest here and grow here is a testament to the company’s loyalty to our community, as well as the outstanding work force and quality of life our region offers,” Owlett said. “I am excited by the opportunities this creates for us and hope it will encourage other long-time businesses, as well as potential new businesses, to invest in Tioga County and the Northern Tier.”
Victaulic received a funding proposal from the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $1.07 million Pennsylvania First Program grant and up to a $428,000 Workforce and Development Network grant to train workers.
(From Left to Right: Top Row- Madison Hoopes, Megan Hyde, Aubrey Anderson Middle Row- Garrett Fuher, Cale Kosa, Madison Metzger, Courtney Baker Bottom row- Riley Thompson, Wyatt Kibbe, Rebecca Martin)
10 FFA members from the Headwaters FFA Chapter are making waves on a national level. Each year thousands of FFA members flood Indianapolis, Indiana for the weeklong National FFA Convention. During the week, members participate in competitions, network, and are recognized for their esteemed achievements. This year 10 members of the Headwaters FFA will be joining their peers in Indianapolis to receive their American FFA Degrees.
An Open House Celebration was held Sunday afternoon at the Port Allegany Alliance Church in honor of the 70th Wedding Anniversary of Thomas Dean Burford and Beverly June Beset who were married on July 2, 1954. The couple was married by the Reverend William K. Fitzgerald in the Cyclone Community Church. They have four children, fifteen grandchildren and twenty-seven great grandchildren. State Representative Martin Causer presented the couple with a Citation from The House of Representatives.
Wellsville, NY— More than 40 people gathered outside at 84 N. Main St., Wellsville on Monday, July 1st to celebrate the official opening of the Allegany County Democratic Committee’s (ACDC) 2024 Election Headquarters.
ACDC Vice Chair Mark Holt welcomed guests, saying “this headquarters in historic downtown Wellsville will serve us and the electorate well as we head into this vitally important election.”
Hank Nowak, sitting NYS Supreme Court Justice serving the 8th Judicial District, briefly remarked on the headquarters space and the power of grassroots organizing. He offered his support to Tom Carle of Fredonia, NY, our candidate for NYs 23rd Congressional district.
Five area students were recently awarded scholarships stewarded by the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation.
Aubrey Luce and Colton Boser received the Chipmonk Community Hall Scholarship for $600 each.
This scholarship fund supports awards for graduating students of Allegany-Limestone Central School, with preference given to a current resident of or a relative of a current resident of the Allegany, NY area of Chipmonk.
Closures: The library will be closed on Thursday, July 4th. We will resume regular hours on Friday, July 5th.
Gertrude Hawk Candy Bar Sale: The library is selling Gertrude Hawk candy bars in various flavors. Stop at the library or Sprout’s Drug Store and get some today!
Adventure Begins at Your Library! Children: Summer reading begins June 1st and runs until August 31st. This year we have three fabulous ways to have a summer filled with adventure for the kids! We have the Reading Adventure, the Activity Adventure, and the Adventure Camp at the Library. Please call or stop in at the library for more information. Registration can be done at the library or on our website.
Do you have what it takes to become the Grand Champion Bark Peeler? Is your beard the envy of all your friends? Or maybe you bake the greatest apple pie this side of the Mississippi? No matter the reason, the Bark Peelers’ Festival, July 6-7, 2024, is the place to be!
Join us for the BIGGEST event of the year and celebrate Pennsylvania’s lumbering heritage. Enjoy live music, food and craft vendors, demonstrations, and more. The two-day festival is full of competitions and fun for the whole family. Be there – July 6-7, 2024 from 9 AM – 5 PM – and release your inner lumberjack!
John C. HINKLE, Jr., 76, of Cuba, NY, formerly of Scio, died Tuesday, July 2, 2024 in Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Williamsville.
Born June 20, 1948, in Wellsville, he was the son of John C. and Ella F. Antes Hinkle. A graduate of Scio Central School, he was employed by Dresser Rand in Wellsville for many years and was also self-employed, owning Vandermark Garage in Scio and Keystone Garage in Olean.
He served honorably with the US Army. John was well known in the local auto industry including the demolition derby at the fair.
Michael E. “Mike” Jefferies: Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Friend
Michael E. “Mike” Jefferies, 69, of 9364 Bradley Ave., Cuba, passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at Olean General Hospital after a brief illness.
Born on March 2, 1955, in Olean, he was a son of Harold D. and Mary Jones Jefferies. On August 26, 1978, at Our Lady of Angels Church he married the former Kathryn E. “Kay” James who survives.
Mike was a graduate of Cuba Central School’s Class of 1974. While in school he attended BOCES for Automotive Collision Repair.
He worked for Lester Chevrolet in Wellsville and for several other body shops in the area, but in 1994 he opened Mike’s Body Shop in Cuba and was currently still working and repairing cars at the time of his passing.
Mike was a former member of the Cuba Ambulance Squad for several years. Active in the community he volunteered at the Cuba Dairy Days Car Show and the Cuba Garlic Festival. He was quite often the first person to show up and lend a helping hand to anyone in need, whether he was plowing snow for area businesses, using his excavator to help his friends, or helping to improve businesses in town. He could be found every morning having coffee in town with his friends.
He loved riding Harley Davidson Motorcycles, camping with his family, restoring antique cars to add to his collection, and had mechanical skills that allowed him to fix anything.
In addition to his wife Kay, he leaves behind
His Children Jason Jefferies Cuba
Kelly (Christopher) Clayson Cuba
Colleen (Joshua) Bunk Cuba
Matthew (Jacy) Jefferies Cuba
His grandchildren Colston, Madison, Isabelle, and Watson.
Two Sisters Terry Toomey and Patsy Byers
Several Nieces and Nephews
In addition to his parents, He was predeceased by two brothers H. Dean Jefferies and Ronald Jefferies and a sister Judith Jefferies.
The family will receive friends at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., 9 Bull Street Cuba, on Sunday, July 7, 2024 from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, July 8, 2024 at 11:00 A.M.
Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Cuba, New York.
Memorials in Mike’s name may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
As a final tribute to Mike, his family requests those who have classic cars he has worked on to line Main Street in Cuba at 11:00 Monday, July 8, 2024, from the Fire Department headed east towards Friendship, for the funeral procession to pass.
Potter County Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Robert Rossman and Paul Heimel continue to seek volunteers willing to serve on any of several county authorities, commissions and advisory boards. In an effort to broaden diversity, geographic representation and background knowledge, the Board of Commissioners periodically issues call for volunteers. Goal is to build a roster of qualified individuals who have a willingness to serve. As vacancies arise or incumbents’ terms expire, the commissioners rely on that these rosters to determine potential appointees for agencies such as:
Potter County Planning Commission. Administers subdivision and land use/development regulations; countywide comprehensive planning; regional advocacy on transportation funding priorities and other initiatives; GIS services; reliable resource/liaison for township and borough governments.
Potter County Redevelopment Authority. Economic development; support services for business and industry; administration of federal/state grants and loans for economic development.
Potter County Housing Authority. Administration of programs meeting needs for safe, healthy and affordable housing.
Potter County Human Services. Multiple advisory boards to guide administrators on meeting local social service needs.
Potter County Solid Waste Authority. Operation of transfer station/recycling center in Gold; administration of state-approved solid waste management/flow ordinance.
Potter County Hospital Authority. Public agency assisting UPMC Cole in acquisition of funds for capital improvements and implementation of long-term planning objectives.
Farmland Preservation Board. Responsible for purchase of development rights to preserve agricultural land.
Local Emergency Planning Committee. Coordinates activities of firefighters, emergency medical services, fire police and related responders; liaison with Potter County Department of Emergency Services for training, funding opportunities, drills/exercises to test preparedness.
Those wishing to be considered for appointment should contact Paige Barroqueiro at 814-274-8290, ext. 214 or pbarroqueiro@pottercountypa.net.
After a Year of Contract Negotiations, Potter County Commissioners Still Refuse to Acknowledge Workers’ Concerns of Economic Instability.
The Potter County Commissioners’ comments imply that human services workers are being offered a generous wage package with a modest healthcare contribution. This is far from the reality of what Potter County is offering workers.
None of the starting raises for any bargaining unit position will reach $20 an hour. We have been deadlocked on wages for months. Many full-time employees with children are so poorly paid they qualify for public assistance, even as public workers. With so many vacancies across agencies, why work for Potter County when Mckean County will pay 30% more for the same job?
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania reimburses Potter County for approximately 90% of our salaries. The Commissioners want you to think they’re following principles of fiscal responsibility, but in reality, they’re spending tens of thousands of dollars on a union-busting law firm so they can continue suppressing wages in Potter County and neglect public services.
The healthcare contribution the Commissioners referenced in their statement conveniently leaves out that they are proposing that employees pay 25% of the County’s portion. This will negate the wage increases for multiple people over the life of the contract. It should also be noted that there are no in-network healthcare providers in Potter County under this healthcare plan.
“We have been in contract negotiations for over a year. We need a contract that will allow us to do our job and put food on the table for our families. I’m a breadwinner in my family, and so are many of my co-workers. The cost of living in Potter County has risen dramatically, and the current economic proposal is not enough to close the gap for many working families. How do the Commissioners expect us to make ends meet?” stated Lacey Crawford, SEIU Local 668 Shop Steward.
Attached is a chart of the current starting rates for select Potter County positions, with the County’s proposed wage proposal and the corresponding rate to comparable positions in Mckean County.
The McKean County Penn State Extension team is asking for assistance to kickstart agricultural education programs for the producers of McKean County. Extension is surveying local farmers to pinpoint interests and better understand the needs of the county.
McKean County Agricultural Assistant Riley Thompson says, “It is super important that we have opinions of the farmers we serve so we can better tailor our programs to fit the interests of our agriculturalists”.
A link to the survey can be found on the McKean County Penn State Extension Facebook Page. Please fill out the survey and provide some insight on things you would be interested in learning more about. This information will be used to provide educational workshops throughout the summer. The team can’t wait to hear from you! If you have any questions, please contact McKean County Agricultural Assistant Riley Thompson at
Penn State Extension strives to provide the community with the most current agricultural research and assist in using science to address real world issues. Your Extension team here in McKean County seeks to aid community individuals and local businesses in managing challenges of the industry and bring opportunities to McKean agriculturalists.
BRADFORD, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, including Hanley Library, will be closed Thursday, July 4, and Friday, July 5, in observance of Independence Day.
The Commons Café in the Frame-Westerberg Commons will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, July 5.
The Marilyn Horne Museum and Gift Shop and museum café in Marilyn Horne Hall on Veterans Square in downtown Bradford will be closed Thursday, July 4. The museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, however, the gift shop is closed for inventory. The café will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. For regular weekend hours, visit marilynhorne.org.
Normal business operations will resume on campus Monday, July 8.
To celebrate World Watercolor Month, artist Laurie Angood, will be teaching beginner level classes on two different days in July: Thursday, July 11, 2024 from 1 – 3pm and Friday, July 26 from 6-8:00 pm. Artist quality materials provided. Price of the class is $35.00.
Cross stitch artist, Julia Overton-Healy will be teaching a beginner cross stitch on Tuesday, July 16 from 6:30-8:30pm. Students will be offered a choice of two colors to complete their worth. All materials provided. Please bring a small pair of scissors. Price of the class is $25.00.
Staci from Fox & Fern Co. will be teaching a Succulent Dish Garden Workshop on Tuesday, July 2, starting at 6:00. This class is currently full. Look for more classes from Staci in the coming months.
The monthly Young Artisan Class with Laurie Angood will be held on Thursday, July 18, from 1 – 2:30 pm. Appropriate for Grades 2 through 6. Supplies and snacks provided. Price of the class is $25.00.
Spa Night returns on Thursday, July 18 from 5 – 8:00 pm. Cover is $10.00. Spa services, including Reflexology, Foot Detox, Massage, and Facials, are an extra fee. Refreshments served. For more information, please call the co-op at 814-274-8165.
To register for these classes and events, please call the Potter County Artisan Co-op at 814-274-8165. The co-op is located at 227 N. Main Street and is open from 9 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday.
Events and classes are supported in part by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the Elk County Council on the Arts, state agencies funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Classes are supported in part by the Potter County Creative Council (PC3).
