solomonswords

This year’s SR EXPO & SR CENTER COUNTY WIDE GET-TOGETHER held yesterday in the Coudersport Arboretum was a HUGE SUCCESS!!!

This annual event is sponsored by the Coudersport Arboretum Association and in collaboration with Potter County Human Services Area Agency on Aging.

Many thanks to all of the vendors who set up, the Arboretum Committee Members, My Works for all their help, Donnie Hoffman, John Stilson & Rickie Ordway from Playing It Forward, Potter County AAA & Senior Centers and all the attendees!!

ATA provided transportation for some of the SR Center participants.

Special thanks to Rep. Martin Causer and Senator Cris Dush for sponsoring the morning refreshments and free hot dog lunch for everyone. Although they were not able to attend, due to working hard on the state’s budget to continue to bring programs and services to benefit us, their offices had tables set up with valuable information.

Also, we are very grateful for all of the door prizes and gift certificates donated by businesses, organizations and the vendors.

What a great community event!!

Pictures will be posted soon on the Coudersport Arboretum Association and Potter County Senior Centers Facebook pages!

Totally Cool, Inc., Recalls All Ice Cream Products Because of Possible Health Risk

Totally Cool, Inc. of Owings Mills, Maryland is recalling multiple brands of ice cream products, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

Williamsport, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will host a virtual public hearing on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, beginning at 6:00 PM to accept public comments as part of its permit review for the Phase IV Pipeline Project proposed by Pennsylvania General Energy Co., LLC (PGE) in Cummings and McHenry Townships, Lycoming County. 

The proposed project would include the construction of 19,925 linear feet of twelve-inch natural gas pipeline and 19,887 linear feet of two flexsteel waterlines. DEP’s Oil and Gas Program is currently reviewing PGE’s permit applications, including an Erosion and Sediment Control General Permit-3 (ESCGP-3) and a Joint Application for PA Chapter 105 Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit and USACOE Section 404 Permit (JPA).  

Individuals who wish to testify during the virtual public hearing must contact Megan Lehman at meglehman@pa.gov or 570-327-3659 no later than noon on Monday, July 1, 2024, to register. Individuals simply wishing to attend the virtual public hearing, but not testifying, do not need to register. Instructions to access the virtual public hearing will be available on DEP’s Calendar of Events. 

Our pet dog, Daisey, chased this bear up a tree Monday on Canada Hollow Rd, Shinglehouse. Robert Burnham.

The McKean County Mosquito Control Program will be conducting a truck-mounted ultra-low
volume (ULV) mosquito control operation in Annin, Keating, and Eldred Townships and Eldred
Borough, McKean County. Residential and recreational areas in the township and borough will
be sprayed for adult mosquitoes.

The control work will begin late evening on Tuesday, June
25th through Thursday June 27th, weather permitting.

High populations of adult nuisance mosquitoes have been detected in the areas through
surveillance efforts.

The truck-mounted ULV spray will be conducted by McKean Environmental Solutions LLC in
cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The business
license is 13152. The product used will be Biomist 3+15 applied at a rate of 0.75 oz/ac. This
product is designed to provide quick knockdown and effective control of adult mosquitoes.
Weather conditions, surveillance data, and other unexpected events could delay or cancel this
spray operation.

If this operation is cancelled due to weather conditions, it will be rescheduled
for Monday, July 1st. Please call Heather McKean at 814-598-3652 if you have any questions or
concerns.

St. Marys, PA – The Elk County Democratic Committee will hold its June meeting this Thurs. June 27^th starting at 7:00pm at its 2024 Victory Headquarters, 210 Brusselles St. in downtown Saint Marys. The Committee will continue to work on its plans for the summer and fall election season along with finalizing details of several upcoming voter outreach initiatives and events.

After the meeting, everyone is encouraged to stay at Headquarters to watch the first Presidential Debate of 2024. Democrats will be cheering on the 46^th President of the United States Joe Biden as he seeks his second term. Area Democrats are excited about the progress that Biden has made in protecting our democracy, standing up for the rights of women, children, senior citizens, and minorities while strengthening protections for the environment and workers. The debate is scheduled to get underway at 9:00pm and the Committee will have it playing up on the big screen at the Headquarters.

As always, the meeting and the debate watch party are open to all area registered Democrats and those that stand up for the values and principles of the Democratic Party. For more information, contact the Committee via phone/text at (814) 636-1030 or email elkcountydemocrats@gmail.com.

With the biggest, and arguably the loudest, holiday of the summer approaching, many are rushing to take advantage of last-minute firework sales, counting their matches, and ensuring they have all the hot dogs, burgers, and apple pie anyone could ever eat. However, these fun and joyous celebrations can take a turn for the worse, quickly. Here’s some advice to celebrate Independence Day the right way.

Firework Facts

As impressive and fun as fireworks can be, one thing is clear: They also come with potential dangers, particularly in the hands of the untrained. In some states, they’re illegal for consumers to use. Know the facts before spending hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars that will just go up in smoke.

In 2022, at least nine people died – and an estimated 11,500 were injured – in incidents involving fireworks, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. In addition:

• There were an estimated 1,500 emergency department-treated injuries associated with firecrackers.
• Another 1,100 were treated for injuries from sparklers, which can reach 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Adults 25 to 44 years of age experienced about 32% of the injuries.
• Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for 29% of the injuries.

Dos and Don’ts

If you choose to include fireworks at your next party, keep the following safety tips in mind.

Do:

• Store fireworks where children can’t reach them.
• Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby. You can use either to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire.
• Model good behavior. Teach children that fireworks are explosives and only adults should handle them.
• Only light one firework at a time.
• Keep children and other adults at a safe distance from any areas where fireworks are going off.
• Wear protective eyewear when lighting fireworks.
• Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.

Don’t:

• Re-light a firework.
• Approach a firework that’s smoldering.
• Drink alcohol when using fireworks.
• Pick up fireworks from the ground.
• Hold onto a firework once you light it.
• Point or throw lit fireworks at anyone.
• Try to modify fireworks.
• Allow young children to handle fireworks, including sparklers.
• Light fireworks indoors, near houses, or next to flammable materials.
• Light fireworks in a container.
• Try to make your own fireworks.

Treating Common Firework Injuries

If you or a loved one gets burned by fireworks, you need to act fast.

• Remove clothing and jewelry from the burned area.
• Run the burned area under cool (not cold) water for a few minutes to help stop the burn.
• Never put ice on a burn.
• Wrap the injury with a clean, dry towel.

Partial thickness burns (previously called second degree burns) or full thickness burns (previously called third degree burns) need immediate medical treatment. Some partial thickness burns appear wet or blistering. Others appear deep cherry red. Full thickness burns appear white or charred. These burns might not even be painful, as nerves may have been damaged.

Fireworks occasionally cost people their fingers or toes. Prompt medical treatment can reattach them.

• Call an ambulance immediately.
• Lie the victim down and elevate the injured body part.
• Remove any visible foreign objects.
• Apply direct pressure to the wound for 15 minutes to stop bleeding.
• If possible, retrieve the amputated finger or toe and rinse (don’t scrub) it clean, then wrap it in a clean, damp cloth and make sure it goes to the hospital with the victim. Don’t place the digit on ice – this will damage the blood vessels and make reattachment difficult.

Always call 911 for large burns or if you are involved in an explosion.

This 4^th of July, don’t let yourself or a loved one become a fireworks safety statistic. Remember to celebrate safely. Leave explosives to the professionals and consider firework alternatives such as glowsticks, noise makers, bubbles, silly string, and confetti, which are safer for all ages.

Kayla Keen, R.N., is the injury prevention coordinator, Trauma Services, UPMC in North Central Pa. For more information, visit UPMC.com/TraumaNCPA.