solomonswords

To the Editor:

As Congress considers H.R. 899, which would terminate the Department of Education (ED), rural communities face catastrophic losses. According to recently released data, New York alone would lose $5.5 billion annually ($3.2 billion state/$2.3 billion local), forcing property tax hikes—already rural residents’ heaviest burden—to fund schools.

We would also lose Federal programs like the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP), which directly supports underfunded rural districts without raising local taxes. REAP lets local leaders upgrade infrastructure, retain teachers, and expand career training—preserving community control. Thousands of rural schools depend on these funds to avoid program cuts.

This isn’t bureaucracy—it’s fiscal responsibility.

Eliminating Career/Tech Education grants would cripple programs training welders, nurses, and agricultural technicians through partnerships with employers like CABOCES. These initiatives reduce post-graduation social support reliance while strengthening local economies.

Dismantling the ED also threatens Pell Grants for workforce-bound students, school meal programs (shifting costs to states), and protections for disabled children—our most vulnerable. New Yorkers in both parties must ardently defend these lifelines or yield to those who will.

Rural schools anchor communities and economies. Without federal support, towns face grim choices: slash children’s programs or deepen family financial strains. Preserving the ED maintains local decision-making, prevents tax increases, and upholds the rural ideals of opportunity and self-sufficiency. Those who won’t fight for these principles on either side of the aisle don’t deserve rural America’s trust.

Joshua Johnston

Wellsville, NY

Mark your calendars for the 4^th Annual Coudersport Area School District’s Scholarship Fundraiser to be held on Saturday, March 15!    The Fundraiser will be held again this year at the Coudersport American Legion Post 192 with the doors opening at 4:00 PM. 

This event has become a very popular mid-winter blues buster with a terrific fun night full of good music, food, friends, drink, raffles and auction items all of which goes to benefit students from Coudersport Area School District.  The public is invited to come early just to take a chance on the many raffle items available or come and enjoy a delicious buffet dinner prepared by Eddies on Main while hearing the music of local teacher and guitarist Dana Daisley.    This well attended gathering has gained a reputation for a great night to break up the winter doldrums.    The Coudersport High School National Honor Society offers childcare for this event for a donation of the patron’s choosing so that parents can enjoy the night out while their children are involved in some fun activities with their friends at the high school.  

This event is sponsored through a partnership between district personnel and our local PTSA and provides community members with several opportunities to participate in providing scholarship funds to our students.  Community members are invited to donate their time and/or items for basket raffles or auctions as well as items for the dessert bar bake sale.

Tickets for the full event including the delicious buffet food offerings from Eddies on Main are being sold at $30 per person and $50 for a couple.   Tickets can be purchased at the school district front offices and the business office.

Donations of raffle, auction and baked items are very much appreciated and currently are being accepted by contacting the school’s business office at 274-0509.   Come join the fun on March 15^th and help our students!

Johnsonburg, Pa.:  More foxes continue to come in to Rolfe Beagle Club’s Statewide Coyote and Fox Hunt or Trap.  Josh Bizzak started off Saturday’s weigh-in with two foxes he had harvested in the wee hours of Saturday.  On his first stand Saturday morning at 12:30 a.m., Josh harvested a 10.4# male red fox on private lands in Elk County.  Josh was using an electronic call and hunts with a .17 caliber rifle. 

On Josh’s sixth stand of the morning at 5:30 a.m., Josh had just set up and ‘squeaked in’ a female red fox weighing 9.0#.  This was also on private lands in Elk County.

Josh stated, “It was a good night to be out hunting.  The moon was full and bright, but a light cloud cover moved in and it was perfect for hunting.”

Steve Krug contributed to the successful hunter list to date by bringing in an 8.6# female gray fox from private lands in Elk County.  Steve also shoots a .17 caliber rifle, and was using a Primos electronic call.  Steve harvested the gray fox at 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning.

Hunters are reminded that if they choose to participate during the third weekend of this three-weekend hunt or trap, they must have their registration postmarked by Thursday, 2/20.

Weigh-in is at 4:00 p.m. every day.  Categories include coyote, fox, largest female coyote, and largest female fox.  Additional information at the Facebook Page, Rolfe Beagle Club.

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the Bradford man charged with raping a child over a several year period has pled guilty in a plea hearing before the Judge on February 13th.  

Andrew SILSBY of Bradford pled guilty to Rape of a Child and Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse for numerous incidents of sex assault against a minor child from 2016 to 2024 including intercourse with the victim 20 times when the child was between the ages of 10 and 15 and oral sex 15 times during that time period.  The District Attorney’s Office gave notice of its intention to seek the higher sentence permitted for under a special provision in the law for offenders who commit sex crimes against children.  

SILSBY will be required to be assessed by the Sex Offender Assessment Board as required by Pennsylvania law for anyone convicted of a sex offense to determine if he meets the definition of a sexually violent predator.  That assessment must be received by the District Attorney’s Office prior to sentencing.  Sentencing was scheduled for May.

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a New York man has been sentenced to state prison for a firearms violation. Ronald BILLINSGLEY was sentenced to 50 months to 108 months in state prison after a sentencing hearing at the McKean County Courthouse on January 30th.

The charges were filed after Bradford City Police responded to a disturbance involving BILLINGSLEY at an apartment building in Bradford.

BILLINGSLEY pled guilty to Possessing a Firearm Without a License to Carry – Felony 3 and Simple Assault (against an inmate at the McKean County Jail). The Firearms’ charge carried an enhanced penalty due to the firearm being loaded or having ammunition available. BILLINGSLEY, a convicted felon, was not permitted to possess a firearm under Pennsylvania law.

Potter-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Clearfield-Northern Centre-Tioga- Northern Lycoming-Sullivan- Including the cities of Coudersport, Trout Run, Emporium, DuBois,
Philipsburg, Mansfield, Laporte, Clearfield, Renovo, and Wellsboro 10:08 AM EST Sun Feb 16 2025


* WHAT...West winds increasing to 20 to 30 mph during the mid to late afternoon hours with gusts up to 65 mph expected.

* WHERE...Cameron, Clearfield, Northern Centre, Northern Clinton, Northern Lycoming, Potter, Sullivan, and Tioga Counties.

* WHEN...Until 4 PM EST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines.
  Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult,especially for high profile vehicles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Do not touch downed lines and report any power outages to your
electric company. Travel is highly discouraged due to slick roadways
and the possibility of downed trees and power lines.

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

Fasten loose objects or shelter objects in a safe location prior to
the onset of winds.

DESCRIPTION: * WHAT…Freezing rain. Additional ice accumulations around one
tenth of an inch.

* WHERE…Broome, Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, Southern
Cayuga, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, and Yates Counties.

* WHEN…Until 11 AM EST this morning.

* IMPACTS…Difficult travel conditions are possible.

INSTRUCTIONS: Slow down and use caution while traveling. Prepare for possible
power outages.

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be
obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Issued By: NWS Binghamton NY

With a wrestling conference championship in the bag and playoffs looming for the basketball teams, the winter sports season has been great for Pennsylvania College of Technology athletics.

The men’s basketball team, seeded 12th in the United East Conference, will travel to fifth-seeded St. Mary’s (Md.) College on Wednesday, while the women’s squad, seeded fourth, on Saturday will host the winner of Wednesday’s first-round game between No. 5 Bryn Athyn and No. 12 Cedar Crest.

Wrestling

The Wildcats gave crosstown rival Lycoming College all it could handle on Thursday night in a 20-20 standoff that host Lycoming won 21-20 on criteria as it captured six of the 10 bouts.

Posting wins for Penn College were Kaden Ware of Brooklyn, Connecticut, at 133, Noah Hunt of Muncy at 141, Carter Davis of York at 165, and Nicholas Woodruff of Wyalusing at 197.

The First Presbyterian Church of Coudersport will not have worship services or their planned Annual Congregational Meeting this Sunday, February 16.  The decision was made because both pastors are sick and the weather predictions could put anyone traveling to church at risk. May God keep you all safe.

The February 4, 2025 meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Anthony Plants with three Supervisors, three residents, and secretary present. The minutes of the January 6, 2025 meeting were read and approved by Greg Maxson and seconded by Jeff Moyer.  

Old business was discussed starting with the Solar panels being brought in on property located on Slippery Elm. No one from the Township will be attending the PSATS Conference this year. Overtime for Jeff Moyer will be paid for any hours over forty-eight worked in one week. The bank signature card was signed and treasurer able to sign for financial items. There will be no road closures for haulers on all township roads this year. There will be no hauling on roads if temperature above 28 degrees. The bond amount per road will be per Penn Dot set fee.  

* WHAT…West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 50 to 60 mph possible.

* WHERE…A portion of central Pennsylvania.

* WHEN…From Sunday afternoon through Monday morning.

* IMPACTS…Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines.
Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult,
especially for high profile vehicles.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…The strongest wind gusts will occur just
behind the cold front on Sunday afternoon, but gusty winds will
continue into Monday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Do not touch downed lines and report any power outages to your
electric company. Travel is highly discouraged due to slick roadways
and the possibility of downed trees and power lines.

Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates on this
situation.

&&
For more information from the National Weather Service visit
weather.gov/StateCollege