The 109th 2025 Pennsylvania Farm Show was held January 4th-11th at the Pennsylvania Farm Show and Expo Center in Harrisburg.This event boasts as being the largest indoor agriculture event in the nation.
Six youth representing Potter County traveled to Harrisburg to exhibit their market animals at this state show.
How many times do we encounter hearing impaired people and wish that we could communicate with them? As we age, we gradually lose some of our hearing. Sign language can help. Also, mothers of pre-lingual children can use sign language as a tool with their little ones. Here is your opportunity to learn basic sign language that could help you communicate with someone you care about.
The course will cover beginning sign language, including the alphabet, conversational phrases, and a variety of commonly used signs. The instructor will customize the curriculum based on how participants plan to use sign language. Basic facts essential to the correct use of the language will also be addressed. A dedicated student could learn as many as 800 signs, understand signing/interpreting rules, basic deaf culture, and medical situations that cause deafness and loss of hearing.
Basic Sign Language, taught by Sheri Greene, is scheduled for Mondays, February 24 – March 31, 2025, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Education Council’s office at 5 Water Street, Coudersport. The cost for this 6-week course is $160/person. Registration is required; the deadline is Tuesday, February 18th. To register, visit www.pottercountyedcouncil.org or call (814) 274-4877.
DESCRIPTION: * WHAT…Heavy lake effect snow possible. Significant accumulations
possible in the most persistent lake snows.
* WHERE…Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Southern Erie
Counties.
* WHEN…From late Sunday night through Wednesday morning.
* IMPACTS…The potential exists for a significant long duration
lake effect snow event. There is considerable uncertainty in exact
band placement and amounts, but multiple periods of heavy snow are
possible. Travel could be very difficult with very poor visibility
and deep snow cover on roads.
INSTRUCTIONS: During lake effect snow, the weather can vary from bands of locally
heavy snow with greatly reduced visibilities to dry conditions just
a few miles away. Be prepared for rapid changes in weather,
visibility, and road conditions.
Issued By: NWS Buffalo NY
Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) today announced a $250,000 grant has been awarded to the Tioga County Partnership for Community Health to help expand its after-school programs.
“After-school programs are so valuable, especially to working families who need care for their children beyond the standard school day,” Owlett said. “I applaud the partnership for providing this resource and especially for making good use of this time to help students both academically and emotionally.”
The grant will specifically allow the partnership to expand its Community Care Initiative to two additional school districts, serving an additional 120 youth in kindergarten through grade six over the next two years. Funds will be used to staff the program and purchase necessary supplies to serve the students.
The grant was awarded by the Pennsylvania School Safety and Security Committee through the Building Opportunity Through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) grant program. Applicants were eligible to receive up to $250,000 in funding to support structured programs or activities with engaged mentors and evidence-based/informed practices provided to school-age youth before school, after school or during the summer.
Margaret J. Grimone, 87, of Emporium, PA passed away with her family by her side at Pinecrest Manor, St. Marys, PA on Friday afternoon (January 17, 2025). She was born January 30, 1937 in St. Marys, PA, a daughter of the late John and Mildred Sebring Kinsler. On April 7, 1956 in St. Marks Catholic Church she married the late William J. Grimone.
Forty-five Northern Tioga School District students in grades 3-9 will perform The Big One-Oh! Jr. on Friday, January 31 at 7:00pm and Saturday, February 1 at 7:00pm at Clark Wood Elementary School in Elkland. These performances are the culmination of twelve rehearsals after school during the Hamilton-Gibson Productions Winter Theatre Arts Camp for Kids, which are free thanks to the Deerfield Charitable Trust.
“This is the largest group of campers we’ve had since Covid,” said Thomas Putnam, who runs the camps. “I’m so pleased. And they’re really having a good time.”
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners will meet Jan. 24 and 25 at the agency’s Harrisburg headquarters.
The meeting on Friday, Jan. 24 begins at 1 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is for the board to hear reports from staff. Public comment will not be accepted at this meeting.
Public comment – limited to five minutes – will be accepted at the Saturday, Jan. 25 meeting on a first-to-register, first-to-speak basis. Registration begins when the doors to the Harrisburg headquarters open at 7:45 a.m. The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. PowerPoint presentations are not permitted during public comment.
New Role Reinforces PUC’s Commitment to Safe, Efficient, and Economical Utility Services
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today announced that Commissioner Kathryn L. Zerfuss has been appointed to the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Committee on Gas and the Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety.
These appointments, made by NARUC President Tricia Pridemore, highlight Commissioner Zerfuss’s commitment to ensuring the safe, efficient, and economical delivery of natural gas and reflect the PUC’s long-standing leadership in addressing critical utility issues at a national level.
“The safe, efficient, and economical delivery of natural gas is a critical component of our energy future,” Commissioner Zerfuss said. “I am excited to collaborate with national leaders and federal partners through the NARUC Committee on Gas and the Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety to address evolving challenges and build a more secure and sustainable energy system for consumers.”
NEW YORK – The Healthcare Trustees of New York State’s board of governors is pleased to announce its 2025 officers and two new board members.
The board elected the following officers to serve a second one-year term:
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that USDA is accepting applications for grants to help agricultural producers and farmers expand market opportunities and generate more revenue.
USDA is making the grants available under the Value-Added Producer Grants program. The grants help farmers and ranchers generate new products, create marketing opportunities, and increase their incomes through value-added activities.
Eligible applicants include independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures.
To learn more, read the full Stakeholder Announcement.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Francis “Frank” Lupro, age 77, on January 15th 2025, following a brief illness. Born March 31st, 1947, Francis entered into eternal rest, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, devotion, and cherished memories. Francis was a lifelong resident of Cameron County. He grew up in Sinnemahoning and lived out his years in Emporium. He graduated from Cameron County High School, served in the U.S. Army, and retired from GKN.
BRADFORD, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s creative arts magazine, Baily’s Beads, will hold a celebration Jan. 22 to launch the 2025 issue.
Admission to the launch is free, and the public is invited to the event, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Mukaiyama University Room in the Frame-Westerberg Commons. The event is co-sponsored by Pitt-Bradford Arts and the Pitt-Bradford creative and professional writing program.
Attendees can expect live readings from magazine contributors, an open mic for those interested in sharing their own creative work, refreshments and prizes.
Preventing Floods, Fires Requires Local Control
By Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford)
The devastating footage coming out of California creates lasting images in my mind, as I’m sure it does in yours. The loss of life, homes, businesses and schools, and the environmental effects, are staggering. At the same time, I’m equally impacted by the images of people coming together to help in a time of need. It reminded me of how our community pulled together after the devastating floods in our region back in August.
After every natural disaster there must be a concerted effort to reevaluate the decisions leading up to the event. While the magnitude of floods, hurricanes and wildfires may make us feel nothing can be done, I personally reject that notion.
I’m reminded of how New York got to work cleaning out its streams directly after the August flood to create the volume needed for a significant storm that will most certainly happen. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul took decisive action to make sure she was protecting lives and livelihoods in her state. She challenged the current environmental practices and pointed out the impact of several decades of not allowing local governments and landowners to protect their homes and property. And then she got to work with commonsense, meaningful maintenance.
In the name of protecting the environment and science, are we actually in a worse position? If you talk with the previous generation of leaders in my area, the answer is a resounding YES! If you talk with the previous generations of leaders in California who built firebreaks and maintained water supply, I bet they would also agree.
While I may not have all the answers, I do know this. It’s a crying shame that entire communities have to worry about a one-inch rainstorm flooding their home, business or farm in the name of protecting the environment. Our local officials can and should be able to lead and get the job done.
Could the answer be very simple? Give local community leaders the resources and tell the bureaucrats to support them, not restrict them. Could the answer be to give county elected officials the lease and royalty money that has been collected from under the very streams that need to be maintained, as I have proposed in House Bill 88? What about allowing the state and local governments the ability to assure a creek is actually hitting a bridge or other structure the way it was engineered to take water, as I have suggested in House Bill 200 of last session (soon to be reintroduced)? One thing I do know is money without significant policy and oversight flexibility will not work.
Like our region, the communities in California affected by this catastrophe will pull together and rebuild, but not after devastating loss of life and precious belongings. While our communities are still in a bad spot and New York is ready, we can only hope California leaders will see the need to refocus on actually being prepared for tragic events that will inevitably continue to happen. Just like protecting our communities from flooding, those could be long-term and very involved projects. But some of them may also be as simple as using good, sound, commonsense judgment calls. The problem is that common sense is not all that common anymore.
The Community Education Center’s Leadership Elk and Cameron program’s (LEC) monthly session focused on health and human services in January. The day started at the St. Marys Area Ambulance with manager Nick Burdick and staff hosting the morning by giving a presentation about the services they provide. Bill Floyd, with Cameron County Mountain Rescue, also gave an informative presentation while at the ambulance center. One participant shared “I was never aware how much goes into the ambulance services and how much it costs. It has made me think about volunteer work and personal donations.” Next on the agenda was a community resource simulation at the Red Fern. Thirteen health and human services agencies from the area participated by setting up stations while the participants rotated through the stations learning what the agencies have to offer. Agencies attending the event were Clarion Psychiatric Center, CAPSEA, Dickinson, Keystone Rural Health, CareerLink, OHS/Aging, Timerland Credit Union, Alliance for Nonprofit Resources, ADAS, Guardian Angel Center, ATA, and St Marys Area School District. Lunch was provided by Red Fern and was sponsored by Dickenson Center and Doris Stackpole Foundation.
As our region prepares for a cold spell next week, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the churches and libraries that are opening their doors to provide warm spaces for community members in need.
We encourage residents to take advantage of these facilities if they need a warm and safe place during the extreme cold weather. Additional details, including updated library schedules and other warming locations, will be shared as they become available.
Thank you to all the organizations and individuals who have stepped up to support our community during this challenging time. Your compassion and generosity embody the spirit of unity and care. Please see attached list and current schedule of participating Churches and Libraries.
For more information or updates, please contact Allegany County Office of Emergency Management at (585) 268-5290 or oesinfo@alleganyco.gov.
Tuesday 1/21/25- Ulysses and Oswayo Valley Centers are closed due to cold weather. Stay home – keep warm.
Penn College has scheduled Information Sessions for their upcoming LPN course beginning in September. When you enroll in the full-time Practical Nursing program, you’ll be on your way to a fulfilling career in just one year. With skilled faculty, hands-on learning labs, 1,546 hours of instruction, and access to Penn College student services, you’ll be confident and ready to take the Practical Nursing licensing exam (NCLEX-PN), and if you want to advance your career, we have pathways to get you there.
To learn more, attend one of the Information Sessions that are scheduled for Thursdays, January 16 or February 13, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at Penn College/Wellsboro, 22 Walnut Street, or live via Zoom at the Education Council’s Coudersport office at 5 Water Street. Registration is required. For more information or to register for an Information Session, call Wendy Joachim at (570) 724-7703.
The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation will open its 2025 scholarship application process on January 31.
Students can apply through the online scholarship portal at cattfoundation.org/apply-for-scholarships.
By completing the universal application, students become eligible for over 100 scholarship opportunities tailored to various interests and career goals.
In 2024, CRCF awarded $312,853 in scholarships to 172 students across 249 awards, including continuing payments for multi-year scholarships.
Scholarships are available to students throughout the region, including, depending on the criteria of each fund, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Chautauqua and McKean (PA) counties for a multitude of career aspirations.
On Monday, January 13, 2025, the Coudersport Area Lions Club presented Coudersport Senior Center volunteer, Nancy Lent, with a check for $250.00. The Lions Club made this donation during the Senior Center’s well-attended and delicious Soup and Bake Sale. The Lions hope the donation will help the senior center as they provide vital information, interesting speakers, games, and activities for the seniors of our community.
The Coudersport Senior Center is located at 200 Chestnut Street. It is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8 AM – 2 PM. A lunch is served, which needs to be pre-ordered. New members and volunteers are always welcomed. Stop by the Senior Center for a copy of the monthly lunch menu and activity schedule, or call 814-274-7887.
The Coudersport Area Lions Club meets the first Monday of each month at 3:30 PM in the Ambulance Hall located at 122 E 2nd Street. The Lions Club is a volunteer organization that supports our local community through service projects. If you are interested in finding out more about the Lions, please feel free to join us at one of our meetings, or call 814-203-3664.
Peter C. Bosnik, 68, of 319 Sorg Street, St. Marys, PA passed away unexpectedly Thursday, January 16, 2025 at his home. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc.
Peggy A. HURLER, 65, of Westfield, PA, died Wednesday, January 15, 2025 in her home. Born April 2, 1959, in Osceola, she was the daughter of Willard and Helen Wells Spencer.
On July 23, 2011, in Little Marsh, she married Ronald D. Hurler, who survives. A graduate of Elkland High School, she studied at Corning Community College. Peggy was employed by Westfield Tanning Co., Viant, and Tops. She and Ron owned and operated Hurler’s Grocery in Westfield. She enjoyed bird watching, camping, bonfires, four-wheeling, stock car racing at Woodhull, and cooking. Peggy loved her dogs, Luna and Sadie.
Gloria B. Harvey, 83, of 508 Charles Street, St. Marys, passed away peacefully Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at Elk Haven Nursing Home surrounded by her family.
She was born March 23, 1941 in St. Marys, daughter of the late Alfred and Virginia “Scotty” Bauer. She was a lifelong resident of the area and a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1959.
On November 5, 1977, in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Gloria married the late Leo J. Harvey, Sr., who preceded her in death on November 20, 1995.
