solomonswords

Can Birdie and it’s a service for elderly and disabled people that takes the trash out to the curb on trash day and brings the can back after collection. My service areas are Bradford, Smethport, Eldred, Port Allegany and their surrounding communities.

Potter County Commissioner Nancy J. Grupp has announced her intentions to run for re-election on the Republican ballot in the May 16 Primary Election.

During her first term in office she served as the chair of the Board of Commissioners, County Salary Board, and County Retirement Board. She has served in an unpaid capacity as Potter County Director of Emergency Services, saving the county thousands of dollars each year and is a member of the county’s Aging Advisory Board.

During her tenure, Commissioner Grupp has also spearheaded improvements in county operations, including technology upgrades and updates to personnel and human resources policies. She was also chosen by her peers to chair the executive board of the regional community and economic development agency, North Central Regional Planning and Development Commission.

Some of the current board’s accomplishments under her leadership have included:

— Creating programs during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to support small businesses along with fire and ambulance services and other non-profits that were negatively impacted during the shutdown.

— Facilitating COVID relief grants to those significantly impacted in the hospitality industry, many of which would not have survived without those funds.

— Adoption of a countywide Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) ordinance, making available county tax breaks for businesses building or expanding operations to create jobs and support economic development.

— Improving services for Potter County veterans by expanding the Veterans Affairs Director position to full-time, giving military veterans much-needed assistance in accessing the benefits and services to which they are entitled.

— Supporting a collaborative effort to bring cost-free transportation to veterans who require rides to medical appointments.

— Repurposing federal grant revenue totaling more than $500,000 to support infrastructure projects in Genesee, Galeton and Ulysses to date.

Fiscal responsibility has been a high priority for the board under Commissioner Grupp’s leadership. While improving services in multiple ways, the board has not raised real estate taxes, which she considers a major accomplishment. Grupp is a lifelong resident of Potter County, has 30 years of experience working in the finance industry, and has served as a township auditor and secretary/treasurer, as well as president for the Potter County Township Officials Association.

She and her husband, Lynn, live in Coudersport.

Commissioner Grupp states, “Rather than engaging in extreme politics, if re- elected I pledge to continue to bring common sense leadership to Potter County. Thank you for your support.”

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ELECT FOR POTTER COUNTY SHERIFF

My name is Angela Milford, and I am a Republican candidate running for the position of Potter County Sheriff. I was born and raised and have worked in this area my entire life. I have worked for Potter County government for approx. 29 years in the jail. I was a Corrections Officer and was moved up into management of Deputy Warden and now Warden for approx. 14 years of that. I work very closely with the Sheriff’s Department and am very familiar with their role. I am being endorsed by the current Sheriff, Glenn Drake. He has expressed to me his desire and intention, should I be elected, to stay on with the department in a part-time capacity, which will assist me in my transition into this new job. The role of Sheriff has many different aspects with much of it being administrative and delegating other functions to deputies. I do some parts of the administrative tasks already in assistance to their department such as coordinating transports, going on transport, taking care of extradition requirements and many other tasks. I am confident I will be able to jump into this position and take it on. I do understand and know there will be training that I need to attend and look forward to learning. I believe I am the best candidate for this position as I am motivated by a desire to help people. I am firm but I am also fair. I hope you will vote for me as your next Sheriff. I would appreciate my democratic friends to write me in also. Thank you.
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During a 48-hour period in March, Bradford resident Alec Peinkofer embarked on a challenging event to raise $820 for the United Way of the Bradford Area. 

Peinkofer, who lives in Bradford with his wife, infant son and two dogs, is employed by Protocol 80. He is also an outdoor enthusiast and a longtime runner. Additionally, Peinkofer is a MBA graduate from St. Bonaventure University’s School of Education. He was motivated to conduct the “Goggins Challenge” as a fundraiser as it is a worldwide event started by former Navy SEAL and ultra-marathoner David Goggins. The event challenges participants to run four miles every four hours during a 48-hour span. 

“Every year, I like to do something really difficult to remind myself that we, as humans, are both physically and mentally capable of so much more than we think,” Peinkofer said of factors that motivated him. “I gained inspiration for this event in particular by following Harley Thompson on Strava while he crushed his own Goggins Challenge a few weeks earlier while training for the Boston Marathon.”

Peinkofer admitted the challenge, conducted on March 17 and 18, was very hard for him to endure. “Between the lack of sleep and the cumulative miles on the legs, the runs became increasingly trying,” he recalled. Peinkofer continued on, however, as money raised for the United Way helps many people and organizations in the community. “I wanted to make this experience bigger than myself and raising money for United Way was the obvious choice,” he explained. “Because UW supports so many charities and nonprofits in and around the Bradford area, I know every dollar raised during this event will go to the ones that need it the most.”

Peinkofer also noted that helping the community is important, as no one succeeds alone.

“When we work together and show kindness to each other, everyone wins,” he remarked. 

“I was incredibly lucky to have the support of my family, both at home and from afar, throughout this challenge,” he added. “Other than the couple of overnight runs I did by myself, I had company on every mile.”

Peinkofer concluded by thanking everyone who “donated to an awesome cause and made this community just a little bit better. Each donation fueled me to get back out into the cold for the next leg of the challenge.”

Sarah Lonzi, Executive Director of the United Way, said “I am so thankful and appreciative for the support we receive from our community and fundraisers such as Alec’s. What Alec was able to accomplish with a strong support system and motivator just reinforces just how lucky and selfless our community members are.” On behalf of the UWBA Board of Directors, Staff and 2023 funded agencies, we thank you Alec for your hard work and efforts for the United Way.

4th Of July Parade Booster Club Duck Race – The 3rd Annual King of the Wing Festival held in Galeton on Saturday, May 13th included a Duck Race sponsored by the Galeton 4th of July Parade Booster Club.  Scuba Joe escorted the 300 ducks adorned with glasses from when they entered Pine Creek and continued into Berger Lake until they reached the finish line.  Lots of cheering went on from onlookers as well as a continuous update announced by Scuba Joe. 

In photo is Scuba Joe reading off the numbers of the three winning ducks.  Scuba Joe proceeded to gather the remaining 297 ducks for future races.   Photo by Andy Lychalk, Jr. 

COUDERSPORT, Pa., May 12, 2023 – While they cannot walk yet, newborns at UPMC Magee-Womens labor and delivery units in north central Pennsylvania are already “running” laps around their moms’ hearts to just in time for Mother’s Day. Staff cheered on moms and babies as they crossed the finish line of delivery at the start of life.

“Women often refer to labor as a marathon, and crossing the finish line at delivery is an emotional whirlwind for moms knowing that at that same moment, their newborn’s race has only just begun,” said Katelyn Fowler, unit director, UPMC Magee-Womens in North Central Pa. “This year’s theme for our Mother’s Day newborns, ‘Running Laps Around Mom’s Heart,’ is a fun play on words for how loved these little ones are from day one. No matter the race they run, they’re all winners in our eyes and our staff really enjoy these fun celebrations.”

In recognition of Mother’s Day, babies born at UPMC hospitals in north central Pennsylvania each received a set of handmade “sneakers” donated by Jane Wynn, leader of the Bald Eagle United Presbyterian Church Prayer Shawl Ministry, and a special UPMC Magee-Womens onesie.

Penn College archers, golfers set for nationals

With finals week behind them, Pennsylvania College of Technology archers and golfers have turned their full attention to the task at hand: competing next week at nationals.

By winning the United East Championship April 29-30, the golf team qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships for the second time in three years and will compete starting Tuesday at Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

The college’s archers will be in Statesboro, Georgia, Friday through Sunday for the USA Archery Collegiate Target Nationals.

GOLF

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