Coudersport Consistory Ca$h Ba$h 2026


Patrick James SAWYER, 52, of Wellsville, NY, passed away Monday, December 22, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with cancer at the Palliative Care Unit at Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester.
Born October 30, 1973, in Wellsville, he was the son of James L. and Sandra E. Wright Sawyer.
A 1992 graduate of Wellsville High School, he earned a degree in Computer Information Technology from JCC Cattaraugus Campus in 1994. Patrick was a former Assistant Store Manager at Giant Food Market in Cuba from 1996-2000 and then worked as a Project Manager and Corporate Training Consultant from 2000-2003 at Adelphia Communications and then became an Instructor for Adelphia University until 2006.
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service State College PA
215 PM EST Thu Dec 25 2025
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON FRIDAY TO 7 AM EST SATURDAY…
* WHAT…Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations up to two inches and ice accumulations up to two tenths of an inch.
* WHERE…A portion of central Pennsylvania.
* WHEN…From noon Friday to 7 AM EST Saturday.
* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday morning and evening commutes.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Rita M. Hulings, 81, of St. Marys, passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Elk Haven Nursing Home surrounded by the love of her family.
She was born on February 20, 1944 in St. Marys, PA, a daughter of the late Arthur and Helen Rucinski Gerber.
Rita was Catholic by faith and a graduate of Central High School, class of 1961. Together with her late companion, Lenny, Rita and Lenny would often spend time at Howard’s campground where they enjoyed campfires and the great outdoors. When she wasn’t camping, Rita could often be found curled up with a blanket, enjoying a good Lifetime movie. She enjoyed going for rides in the car, and never turned down the chance to enjoy a hamburger from McDonald’s with her granddaughters. Affectionately known as Grammie by all who knew and loved her, Rita will be remembered for her tenacious spirit and spunk. She earned the affections of the aides and staff alike during her time at Elk Haven, and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Drivers urged to watch weather forecasts, avoid unnecessary travel.
Go to 511PA.com or the 511PA smartphone app for the most up-to-date information on weather impacts and vehicle restrictions.
Harrisburg, PA – Ahead of winter weather expected across Pennsylvania starting Friday morning, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) are planning to implement vehicle restrictions across Pennsylvania’s Interstate network. The agencies are also advising motorists to watch weather forecasts, avoid unnecessary travel if possible and to exercise caution when driving.
Precipitation is expected to begin as freezing rain in the western portion of the state late Friday morning, with all of Pennsylvania seeing snow or ice by evening. The storm will begin as snow in central PA, turning to sleet and freezing rain. The eastern regions of the state will see more snow, with northeast PA receiving the most: 3 to 6 inches, with up to 8 inches in some areas. After the storm has completely moved through on Saturday morning, temperatures throughout most of the state will remain at or below freezing.
PennDOT and PA Turnpike crews will actively pre-treat roadways where necessary ahead of the storm to help prevent ice from forming a bond with the pavement during the early stages of a storm. However, salt does not resolve all risks, and drivers may encounter icy spots on the roadway. With freezing temperatures, roads that look wet may actually be icy, and extra caution is needed when approaching bridges and highway ramps where ice can form.
Restrictions are planned for certain vehicles during the storm, and will be communicated via variable message boards, the 511PA traveler information website and smartphone apps. Motorists can also sign up for personalized alerts on the website. Restrictions will be lifted as quickly as possible when conditions are safe. Restrictions can be changed based on conditions on the roadways, and reports from first responders, law enforcement and PennDOT personnel.

Winter Storm Watch issued December 24 at 1:19PM EST until December 27 at 10:00AM EST by NWS Binghamton NY
* WHAT…Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow and sleet
accumulations between 4 and 8 inches and ice accumulations around
one tenth of an inch possible.
* WHERE…In New York, Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben Counties. In
Pennsylvania, Bradford, Luzerne, and Wyoming Counties.
* WHEN…From Friday afternoon through Saturday morning.
* IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions
could impact the Friday evening commute.
INSTRUCTIONS: Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.
Issued By: NWS Binghamton NY

As another year winds down, many of us start thinking about fresh starts and resolutions. But before you jump into planning for the year ahead, now is the perfect time to take stock of your health. A simple year-end review can help you catch potential issues early, stay organized, and enter January feeling prepared and empowered.
1. Review Your Annual Screenings and Preventive Tests
Preventive care is one of the most effective ways to protect long-term health. Take a moment to check whether you’re up to date on age- and risk-appropriate screenings. These often include blood pressure checks, cholesterol panels, diabetes screening, colonoscopy, mammograms, Pap tests, and bone density scans.
If you’re unsure what you need, reach out to your primary care provider, we can help create a personalized schedule based on your age, family history, and health conditions.
2. Make Sure Your Vaccinations Are Current

Raymond L. Eidson, 94, of Bradford, formerly of Pleasantville, passed away Sunday December 21, 2025, at the Bradford Ecumenical Home.
Born on September 27, 1931, in Bradford, he was the son of the late Lloyd and Nova (Chapman) Eidson. He was a 1950 graduate of Bradford High School.
On August 26, 1950, he then entered the United States Army, he served in Germany during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged on June 17, 1952.
On April 14, 1951, he married Donna (Woodley) Eidson who preceded him in death on January 9, 2009. On June 19, 2010, he married Audrey (Knight) Shaffer, who died December 27, 2022.

Mary Esther Holmberg, 53, of Coudersport, passed away Friday, December 23, 2025, at her home after an extended illness.
She was born in Coudersport on October 12, 1972, the daughter of the late Jacob Frombach and Naomi (Minor) Frombach of Coudersport. She married Jason C. Holmberg on December 18, 1999, and just celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary.

The McKean County Coroner’s Office is looking for the relatives of a Shinglehouse, PA woman who died at the Bradford Manor, Bradford, PA on December 20th.
Donna L. Castrechino, 75, may have ties to the Rochester, NY area. Anyone with any information can call Michael Mascho, McKean County Coroner at 814-558-9495.

Genesee- Lawrence Michael Skroback “Loving Husband, Father & Grandfather”
Lawrence M. Skroback, 84, of Deer Creek Road formerly of 339 N 8th Street, passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2025 in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Larry was born on October 31, 1941, in Olean, he was the son of Michael and Alice Curtis Skroback. On September 2, 1967, at Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, he married Mary F. Muhitch, who survives.
Larry was a 1959 graduate of Portville Central School. He attended Montana University. Larry worked at various different places including Kodak in Rochester before he returned to Olean and worked at Clark Brothers for a few years. Larry then began working at MOOG, where he worked for over 44 years before retiring on August 31, 2017.
Larry enjoyed dairy farming since he was a boy and tending to his large garden. He was a huge animal lover. Larry was very active in sports. He enjoyed coaching baseball, softball, and basketball. He was also a referee for soccer and basketball for over 20 years in Section 6 and Section 5. Larry was a member of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels.

This winter figures to be a bit busier in the deer woods, thanks to a mix of hunting seasons, old and new, that kick off soon.
Pennsylvania’s flintlock deer season runs Dec. 26-Jan. 24 in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 2B, 5C and 5D and Dec. 26-Jan. 19 in the rest of the state. Archery deer hunting is open Dec. 26-Jan. 24 in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D and Dec. 26-Jan. 19 everywhere else in the state.
Extended antlerless firearms hunting, meanwhile, also is available Dec. 26-Jan. 24 in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, and Jan. 2-19 in WMUs 4A, 4C, 4D and 5A. Extended antlerless hunting is authorized on all Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) properties while in possession of a valid DMAP permit for that property, statewide Dec. 26-Jan. 24.
Finally, hunters with Agricultural Deer Control Permits can take antlerless deer on the properties for which their tags apply through April 15.
Antlerless licenses still remain available for WMU 4A; all other WMUs are sold out. DMAP permits remain available for various properties across Pennsylvania. Hunters can check for those at https://www.pgcapps.pa.gov/Harvest/DMAP.
Enjoying the different opportunities in different places this season might mean adhering to some different requirements.
If the extended season is open within a WMU, a hunter may use a WMU-specific antlerless license to take an antlerless deer within that WMU. If the extended season is not open within a WMU, hunters on DMAP properties need a valid DMAP permit for the property they’re hunting to take part in the season.
Late archery and flintlock hunters can harvest antlerless deer with a valid antlerless license or DMAP permit, or an antlered deer with a valid, unused antlered deer harvest tag. Flintlock hunters can take an antlerless deer with their unused antlered deer harvest tag, as well.

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the man accused of shooting at a vehicle as it was driving away from a residence in Gifford has now been charged with Attempted Criminal Homicide. Matthew LUKE is incarcerated on $1million bail after he was charged by Corporal Sierra Rooke (PSP-Lewis Run) following an emergency dispatch of Troopers to a residence for a report of shots fired on December 6th. LUKE is now charged with Attempted Criminal Homicide, Aggravated Assault, Burglary and other charges. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next week.

Clifford L. Green, 77, of St. Marys, passed away on Monday, December 22, 2025 at Penn Highlands DuBois following a brief illness.
He was born on October 17, 1948 in St. Marys, a son of the late Arthur and Dorothy Brown Green.
On July 8, 2002, he married the late Patricia Anderson Green, who preceded him in death on January 15, 2012.
Cliff was a lifelong resident of the area and served more than 40 years in the U.S. Army National Guard. He was employed by Motion Control for many years and also worked for some time as a security guard. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. Ever the jokester, Cliff enjoyed making others laugh and always had a funny joke to share. One of his favorite things to do was sitting around a campfire with family and friends, enjoying a cold beer and reminiscing.
District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer explains how a new bill (HB 1615 which was passed by Senate and House and signed by Governor) will help District Attorneys enforce the DUI statute while offering sentencing alternatives for some first-time DUI offenders.
A few court decisions have greatly impacted DUI sentences in Pennsylvania. One of the tools prosecutors have is the ARD program (or Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition). ARD is a program that allows prosecutors to offer a probationary sentence for most first-time DUI offenders with a focus on treatment by identifying first-time DUI offenders who are at low risk of reoffending. The probation allows the first time DUI offender to receive a sentence that does not include jail or house arrest and requires minimal license suspension. An appellate court decision greatly impacted the ARD program in Pennsylvania.

“To Those With Whom God Is Pleased”. What does that mean, and where does it come from? I’m glad you asked.
The passage comes from the Christmas story as told in the Gospel of Luke. Specifically, it is from Luke 2:14: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” It is also what the angels said to the shepherds. I think many have focused on the “peace on earth” part, but did we notice “with whom God is pleased”? We all want peace in some form or another, perhaps in our world, our home, or even with loved ones. We have heard that Jesus came to bring peace, but did he? This is what Jesus said in Matthew 10:34, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Doesn’t sound like peace to me, does it to you?
The peace spoken of in this passage has a direct bearing on who God is pleased with. Perhaps you’re thinking, but isn’t God about love? The answer is an astounding YES! So let me put it another way. I love my children, but I am not always pleased with them. You see, love is unconditional, but being pleased is not. That’s the part we often miss.

“Growing Good” isn’t just the mantra of the Community Foundation – it’s the driving force behind holiday generosity reaching those who need it most.
This year, CRCF-supported programs, along with dedicated nonprofit and community partners, helped hundreds of children and families celebrate the holidays through gift-giving initiatives including The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree, Interfaith Caregivers’ Gift Tree and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office Santa Sheriff program.
After a decade-long hiatus in the Angel Tree program, overwhelming community support ensured that every child enrolled in the program was adopted. Angel Trees were emptied quickly, with some being emptied multiple times. The trees were placed at local businesses, with organizations, churches and families stepping up to meet every need.

Jeanette M. Watts, 98, of Bradford, passed away Monday December 22, 2025.
Born February 4, 1927, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late David and Myrtle (Manry) Walb. She was a graduate of Bradford High School.
On February 14, 1947, she married Dalph E. Watts who preceded her in death on December 26, 2002.
National Weather Service State College PA
217 AM EST Wed Dec 24 2025
…WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY
MORNING…
* WHAT…Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow and sleet accumulations up to two inches and ice accumulations between one tenth and three tenths of an inch possible.
* WHERE…A portion of central Pennsylvania.
* WHEN…From Friday morning through Saturday morning.
* IMPACTS…Hazardous travel conditions are likely. Plan on slippery road conditions. Power outages and tree damage are possible due to the ice. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday morning and evening commutes.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the Pennsylvania Superior Court has affirmed the conviction of convicted murderer, Anthony FENTON. FENTON was convicted after a jury trial in 2024 in the death of Tammy PROSSER in 2021 in an apartment on Main Street in Bradford.
On May 10, 2021, City of Bradford Police Chief Michael Ward and Patrolman Jason Putt (now retired) and other officers and paramedics with Bradford City Fire Department responded to the apartment for an unresponsive female.
During an interview with Chief Ward and Chief County Detective Ryan Yingling, FENTON alleged that Tammy had fallen down the stairs the night before, walked across the street to Top’s Supermarket to buy a case of beer, and then succumbed to the injuries from the prior fall. This interview became critical to the case, according to DA Vetttenburg-Shaffer.
Video evidence from stores in the area disputed many of FENTON’S claims as did the Top’s clerk who testified that Tammy was fine while she was at the store, and he did not notice any injuries. An expert retained by the District Attorney’s Office testified that FENTON’S explanation of a stair fall was not possible due to the number and layout of the stairs and the amount of inertia that would have been required to go from the top of the stairs, across a landing and down another set of stairs and, further, the injuries did not match a stair fall. A medical examiner from Buffalo, Bradford paramedics and BRMC nurses also testified to the extraordinary injuries to Tammy’s body – all consistent with intentional infliction of trauma rather than stair fall. FENTON was convicted and appealed various court rulings from prior to the trial.
The District Attorney also appealed the sentence asserting that the Trial Court gave FENTON credit for more days served in jail prior to trial than he was entitled to. The Superior Court denied all of FENTON’S claims including that the trial court erred in admitting his statements to Ward and Yingling finding that he never asked for a lawyer and citing the long-standing law in Pennsylvania that a suspect must unequivocally request an attorney.