Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the following schedule of maintenance activities in Potter County the week of August 3. PennDOT performs year-round maintenance in its mission to provide a safe, efficient transportation system, and the scope of work in Potter County for the coming week is as follows:
All of Route 1005 (Phoenix Road/Phoenix Run Road). Monday, August 3, through Friday, August 7. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control during daylight hours and may deploy a pilot vehicle. When encountering a pilot vehicle with a “Pilot Car Follow Me” sign mounted on the rear and a revolving yellow light, drivers must remain behind it until it has left the roadway. Do not pass.
Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the following schedule of maintenance activities in McKean County the week of August 3rd. PennDOT performs year-round maintenance in its mission to provide a safe, efficient transportation system, and the scope of work in McKean County for the coming week is as follows:
Bridge Maintenance & Cleaning
Route 346 at a bridge spanning an unnamed tributary of Foster Brook in Foster Township. Monday, August 3, through Friday, August 7. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control during daylight hours and may deploy a pilot vehicle. When encountering a pilot vehicle with a “Pilot Car Follow Me” sign mounted on the rear and a revolving yellow light, drivers must remain behind it until it has left the roadway. Do not pass.
Pennsylvania has some of the oldest bridges in the country, with an average age of more than 50 years. Preventive maintenance is vital in extending the life of the structures. As such, PennDOT maintenance crews perform some bridge deck patching and structural repairs.
Edmond R. “Ed” Fichte, 94, of Bradford, passed away on August 1, 2026, with his beloved wife by his side.
Born on September 25, 1931, in Oil City, he was the son of Ernest and Martha Fichte (nee Rupert) and grew up in St. Petersburg.
In 1956, he married the love of his life Joyce Fichte (nee McBride).
Ed was a Navy veteran serving for eight years on active duty and reserves. He later graduated with a BS degree in electrical engineering. Settling in Bradford to raise his family, Ed worked at various engineering jobs including Corning Glass and Ingersoll Rand. After retirement, he and his wife enjoyed traveling to campgrounds and later purchased a trailer at a camp resort in Bath, NY where they had many happy times.
Ed was an avid nonfiction reader and researched information for his many interests and projects. His talents were vast, and he was able to repair and build almost anything. Ed enjoyed hunting, growing flowers and vegetables, and also raised chickens that he hatched in his basement incubator. Ed and his granddaughter Sara loved to discuss Buffalo Bills football.
Surviving in addition to his wife Joyce, of 70 years, is one daughter Lesa (Thomas Koppenhaver) Fichte, one granddaughter Sara Koppenhaver, one brother Daniel Fichte, sister-in-laws Carol (Richard) Ashbaugh, Sandra (Robert) Best, Deborah Myers, Gladys Fichte, as well as nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death in addition to his parents, are a brother Mark Fichte, his son Casey Fichte, and many beloved dogs.
Services will be private. Interment will be in the St. Petersburg Cemetery, St. Petersburg.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to the McKean County SPCA, PO Box 113, Bradford, PA 16701 or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
In 2025, Women’s Giving Circle awarded $9,000 to 5 local organizations. Pictured are representatives from these organizations along with Women’s Giving Circle steering committee members and MCCF Executive Director Tiffany Boschert. Does your group have a project in need of funding? All nonprofit organizations in McKean County are eligible to apply.
If your McKean County organization has been looking for a way to fund a new project or enhance an existing program, consider applying for a Women’s Giving Circle (WGC) grant.
Women’s Giving Circle, a project of the McKean County Community Foundation (MCCF), is pleased to announce that grant applications for the 2026 granting cycle are now available. Applications must be submitted by September 23, 2026, and grant awards will be presented at the group’s annual meeting in November.
All nonprofit organizations, municipalities, schools, and churches serving the public in McKean County are eligible to apply for funding. Grants may be awarded for start-up initiatives, new projects, or enhancements to existing programs. Projects must enhance the quality of life for families in McKean County.
The maximum grant award is $2,000. The application is now online and available through the MCCF website at www.mckeancountyfoundation.org. The new process is designed to be simple and accessible. Organizations needing assistance with the application process are encouraged to contact the Community Foundation at 814-834-2125.
Since its first granting cycle in 2020, Women’s Giving Circle has awarded more than $49,000 in grants throughout the community. The organization brings together women from diverse backgrounds who combine their charitable contributions to strengthen McKean County through the power of collective giving.
The McKean County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies, is dedicated to improving lives throughout the region by partnering with philanthropic donors to help them achieve their charitable goals.
On July 21, 2026, the City of Bradford Police Department arrested Matthew Haas, following an investigation into a theft incident that occurred on June 5, 2026. According to the investigation, Haas allegedly stole a baby stroller from the front porch of a residence located at 59 Jefferson Street.
The stolen stroller was valued at $450.00. Haas was taken into custody and arraigned by Magistrate Luther. He was remanded to McKean County Jail on $10,000 straight cash bail. Preliminary hearings in the matter have been scheduled.
All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The City of Bradford Police Department is committed to serving and protecting our community.
In 2025, the Borough of Ridgway Charitable Fund, held at the Elk County Community Foundation, granted $24,127 to seven organizations that support the Ridgway community. Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 granting cycle. The deadline to apply is September 15.
RIDGWAY—The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) is accepting applications for grants from the Borough of Ridgway Charitable Fund through September 15. The fund supports organizations and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents of the Borough of Ridgway.
Grants are available to nonprofit organizations, municipalities, schools, and churches that serve the Ridgway area. Funding may be awarded for start-up initiatives, new projects, or improvements to established programs that benefit the community.
The Borough of Ridgway Charitable Fund was established in 2006 through a generous gift from the estate of Sara-Jane Stackpole. Since its inception, the fund has awarded more than $330,000 to organizations serving Ridgway residents.
“The Borough of Ridgway Charitable Fund continues to provide valuable resources for local organizations working to strengthen our community,” said Tiffany Boschert, ECCF Executive Director. “We encourage eligible organizations to apply for projects and programs that will have a lasting impact on the residents of Ridgway.”
The deadline to submit grant applications is September 15. Instructions and a link to our online grant portal are available on the Foundation’s website at www.elkcountyfoundation.org. For additional information, contact the Elk County Community Foundation at 814-834-2125.
The Elk County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies, strengthens the region through development, stewardship, and grantmaking while partnering with donors to achieve their philanthropic goals.
Belmont, NY — The Allegany County Department of Health is investigating one confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated resident with a recent history of travel to Ohio. The Allegany County Department of Health was notified of the positive result on August 2, 2026. The resident began showing symptoms on Saturday, August 1, 2026, and is safely isolating at home until they are no longer contagious. To protect resident/patient privacy, additional details will not be released. Potential public exposure site(s) have been identified, and the Health Department has reached out to those who may have come in contact with the resident.
Potential Exposures & Contact Tracing
Because measles is a highly contagious airborne virus, public health officials conduct thorough contact tracing of the confirmed case. The Allegany County Department of Health, in close contact with local health care providers, has successfully identified and directly contacted all individuals known to have been exposed. To date, 23 direct contacts have been identified through contact tracing and have been provided information and guidance. The Health Department has notified other community and health care partners to place them on high alert.
What Exposed/Non-Exposed Individuals Should Do
Check Your Immunity / Vaccination Status
You are generally considered immune to measles if you meet one of the following criteria:
You have documented records of receiving two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
You were born before 1957.
A healthcare provider has previously confirmed through a blood test that you are immune.
If you are fully vaccinated, your risk of contracting measles is very low. Unvaccinated individuals, young infants, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals are at the highest risk for severe complications. If you have symptoms or someone has notified you of an exposure, limit your activity outside of your home and with others.
2. Monitor for Symptoms for 21 Days
If you were exposed or think you were exposed, monitor yourself and your family members for symptoms.
Early symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure and include:
High fever (often rising above 101 degrees F)
Cough
Runny nose (coryza)
Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
Subsequent symptoms:
A red, blotchy rash typically appears 3 to 5 days after initial symptoms begin, usually starting on the face along the hairline and spreading downward to the rest of the body.
3. Post-Exposure Options (Act Quickly)
If you are unvaccinated, pregnant, or immunocompromised AND were exposed, contact your health care provider or ACDOH right away.
The MMR vaccine given within 72 hours of exposure, or immune globulin (IG) given within 6 days, can prevent or reduce the severity of measles illness.
4. Call Ahead Before Seeking Medical Care
DO NOTwalk into a clinic, urgent care, or emergency room without calling first.
If you develop symptoms or suspect you were exposed, call your primary care provider or the Emergency Room before arriving. Inform them that you may have been exposed to measles. This allows healthcare facilities to take precautions—such as placing you in an isolated room immediately—to prevent spreading the virus to other vulnerable patients in the waiting room or other areas.
About Measles
Measles is a viral illness spread through coughing and sneezing. The virus can remain alive and infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the room. An individual who has measles is contagious 4-days prior to a rash beginning and 4-days after the rash appears. Symptoms of measles typically begin between 7 and 14 days after exposure to the virus. Approximately 9 out of 10 unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to the virus will contract it.
Risk to the Public
The overall risk of measles to the general public remains low, particularly for individuals who are fully vaccinated against the disease. However, measles is extremely contagious, and anyone unvaccinated, pregnant, under 12 months of age, or immunocompromised is at a higher risk and should talk with their health care provider.
Tractor trailer fire on I-86 eastbound Exit 39 – NY 960U; Babcock Hollow Road; Ramp (Bath) to Exit 40 – NY 226; Ramp (Bath) ALL LANES closed EB lanes closed Detour exit 39 to SR 415 Visit 511NY.org for more information
It’s that time again for the Turtlepoint Farmers Market! Happening Saturday, August 8th, from 9-12. Stop down to meet local vendors, farmers, and growers from our area! There will be a variety of goods ranging from fresh produce and homemade breads to Amish baked goods! Mammy’s Market will be present with plenty of fresh produce, accepting the Farmers Market Nutrition Program checks. Issued by the Office of Aging and also to WIC participants.
Vendors are always welcome to come set up. We run on a first-come, first-served basis for table spots under the pavilion. The market is located at Turtlepoint Park, on Larabee Road, Turtlepoint PA! For more information, please visit our Facebook page!
(From left to right) Mike Gleason, Mitchell Brinsky, Dan Brinsky, and Payton Dustin topped the Emporium Food Market/Olean Food Barn Flight to win the CARE ‘fore’ Children Golf Tournament on Sunday at the Pennhills Club in Bradford. (Far left) is Rylie Strotman, Rainbow Corner Preschool Student, and Tournament Co-chair and CARE Board Member, Norm Strotman. The tournament has raised over $45,000 to date to support services for children of all abilities
Bradford, PA – The 33rd Annual CARE ‘fore’ Children Golf Tournament, presented by Premier Sponsors Allegheny Bradford Corporation, the Kids and Cancer Benefit, the Philo & Sarah Blaisdell Foundation, and Zippo Manufacturing Company, was held on Sunday, August 2nd at the Pennhills Club in Bradford.
To date, the tournament has raised over $45,000, with proceeds benefiting CARE for Children’s free outreach services for children with developmental delays and disabilities. These services include pediatric developmental screenings, therapeutic recreation, and child safety initiatives aimed at preventing injuries and fatalities.
This year’s Course Sponsors included Brad Mangel – in memory of Sally Mangel, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Marshall Insurance Services, Inc. Flight Sponsors were Emporium Food Market and Olean Food Barn, Greg and Cherie Booth – in memory of Ashley Booth Griffin, CNB Bank, Northwest Bank, Pine Valley Nurseries, and Joe & Erin Strotman.
Pictured: Front Row: Andrianna Keesler-Miss Smethport, Mara Ours-reigning Fair Queen, Braelyn Taylor – Miss Port Allegany, Second Row: Ellie Bennett – Miss Otto Eldred, Rory Undercoffer – Mis Kane, Claire Storer – Miss Bradford, Back Row: Jim Trussell – Mt Jewett Rotary Club President
The Mt Jewett Rotary Club held their Annual meet the McKean County Fair Queens picnic at Forty-Acres. (Special thanks to President Trussell for once again opening his home to the event).
President Jim Trussell Welcomed the Queens to the Annual Event. As is the tradition for this event President Trussell presented each of the queens with a jar of pickles. He also presented each with two ornate wooden Swedish Dala Horses in recognition of the upcoming Swedish Festival. Each of the five contestants gave a short presentation about their background and highlighted a day’s events at the upcoming McKean County Fair. The Mount Jewett Rotary Club wishes all of the Queen contestants the best in all of their endeavors.
The Austin Area School District is seeking an innovative, student-centered educator to join our team as a Mathematics & Learning Innovation Teacher beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
This unique position offers the opportunity to make an impact well beyond the classroom by supporting mathematics instruction while contributing to the district’s innovative educational initiatives.
Primary Responsibilities
Teach Middle School Mathematics (Grades 7 and 8)
Teach one upper-level high school mathematics course (anticipated Geometry)
Collaborate with colleagues to strengthen mathematics instruction across grade levels
Support implementation of the district’s Enhanced Learning Academy through instructional collaboration and planning
Provide instructional leadership and consultation to colleagues as appropriate
Contribute to the continued growth and sustainability of Pathway Studios and other innovative district initiatives
Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or Principal
Strong instructional knowledge and commitment to student growth
Collaborative mindset and willingness to work across grade levels
Interest in innovative instructional models and personalized learning
Why Austin?
Austin Area School District is a small rural district with a big vision. We believe every student deserves opportunities typically found only in much larger schools. Through initiatives such as Enhanced Learning Academy and Pathway Studios, we are reimagining what education can look like in a rural community.
We are looking for educators who value:
Building meaningful relationships with students
Collaboration and continuous improvement
Creative problem-solving
Innovation in teaching and learning
Being part of a close-knit school community where every staff member makes a difference
Salary and Benefits
Salary and benefits in accordance with the Austin Area Education Association Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Application Process
Interested applicants should submit:
Letter of interest
Standard Pennsylvania teaching application
Resume
Pennsylvania certificate
Transcripts
Current clearances
Three letters of reference
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Please submit application materials to:
Kimberly Rees, Superintendent Austin Area School District 138 Costello Avenue Austin, PA 16720
Members of the Coudersport Rotary Club learned how local generosity continues to strengthen healthcare throughout the region during the club’s July 27, 2026, meeting at the A&W West End Grill.
Rotarian Ronnie B. recently remarked during a Rotary officers meeting that she had no idea how many programs and services are supported by the Cole Foundation after President Andrea Streich shared examples of the organization’s work. That conversation prompted the club to invite Streich, Executive Director of the Cole Foundation, to speak about the foundation’s mission and impact. Streich will celebrate ten years as Executive Director this September.
A lifelong Coudersport resident, Streich is the daughter of Wic Furman, a past president of the Coudersport Rotary Club. After graduating from Penn State University, she married her husband, Jason, and together they have five children and two grandchildren. Before joining the Cole Foundation, Streich spent 15 years serving as Director of Education for St. Eulalia Catholic Church in Coudersport and St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Port Allegany. While fundraising was one aspect of her work, she said her primary mission was helping develop trustworthy, conscientious, and respectful individuals who would strengthen the community.
Streich explained that in the early 2000s, leaders at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital recognized that the hospital would eventually need to merge with a larger healthcare system to remain viable. To ensure that charitable donations intended to support local healthcare would continue benefiting the region after that transition, the Cole Foundation was established in 2012.
Today, the Cole Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to supporting Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, doing business as UPMC Cole. Governed by its own Board of Directors and bylaws, the foundation works to identify the hospital’s greatest needs while connecting generous donors with meaningful opportunities to improve patient care. Board members represent communities served by UPMC Cole, including Coudersport, Port Allegany, Smethport, Ulysses, and Galeton.
“The foundation exists to keep local gifts local,” Streich explained. “Every donation made through the Cole Foundation stays here to benefit our hospital and our communities.”
She emphasized that strong community support is essential to preserving healthcare services in rural areas. Without local investment, residents would be forced to travel significant distances for specialized care. Community donations have helped maintain services such as those offered through the Hillman Cancer Center, allowing cancer patients to receive life-saving treatments close to home.
As Executive Director, Streich works to match donor contributions with the hospital’s most pressing needs. The foundation hosts four major fundraising events each year: its annual Golf Tournament on August 9, Light Up a Life, Operation Appreciation, and its Gala scheduled for September 12.
By law, the Cole Foundation distributes at least 4.5 percent of its three-year rolling average of assets back to UPMC Cole each year. In 2025, that amounted to $135,870. The largest single purchase was an $82,685 pulmonary function testing machine for the Respiratory Department, allowing patients to receive specialized testing locally rather than traveling elsewhere.
Since its founding, the foundation has helped fund numerous improvements, including the expansion of the Emergency Department, Rural Health Care Clinics, and Cole’s dental practice.
During 2025 alone, the Cole Foundation supported weekly exercise programs for Cole Manor residents; purchased pediatric cholesterol testing devices; funded hospice comfort bags for families and tribute programs honoring veterans and nurses at the end of life; renovated resident physician housing; supplied breast cancer handbooks for newly diagnosed patients; provided clothing for Emergency Department patients needing to be discharged with dignity; funded staff appreciation events; distributed daily newspapers throughout the hospital; made devotional materials available for patients, visitors, and staff; and restored the historic portraits of Charles Cole and Edith Irwin.
This year’s largest investment has been the purchase of a SimMan, an advanced medical simulation manikin that allows healthcare professionals to practice complex patient care scenarios in a realistic but controlled environment. The foundation also hosted Employee Appreciation Days in March, offering massages and facials to hospital staff. More than 151 employees participated, reflecting the foundation’s commitment to supporting employee wellness and retention.
Streich concluded by reaffirming that the Cole Foundation’s mission remains unchanged.
“The Cole Foundation will continue to exist solely to support UPMC Cole and this region,” she said. “Every local gift and grant remains here, preserving Charles Cole’s legacy while helping ensure that our hospital continues to provide modern, high-quality healthcare for generations to come.”
The Coudersport Rotary Club thanks Andrea for an informative and inspiring presentation and for her continued service to the community.
The free Deane Center Outdoor Concert Series will feature the Infrared Radiation Orchestra based in Seneca Falls, New York performing their original songs as well as cover tunes next Friday, August 7 at 6 p.m. on the outdoor stage at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.
ST. MARYS, Pa(July 30, 2026) —Dickinson Center, Inc. (DCI), and their parent company Journey Health System, hosted an annual staff service awards celebration on July 30 at their main building in Ridgway, Pennsylvania.
DCI’s Executive Director Jim Prosper, was pleased to announce the 2026 Sis Simons Distinguished Service Award recipient, Betty Johnson, certified peer specialist at DCI.
Prosper said, “I’m excited to announce that Betty Johnson is this year’s award recipient. Congratulations to Betty and we truly appreciate her dedication to the agency.”
Pictured (left to right) are members of the St. Marys Community Pool lifeguard team (names unavailable) along with St. Marys Area United Way representatives Doug Bauer, President; Shane Ford, Vice-President; Doug Gaffey, Board Member; and Tiffany Boschert, Board Member.
St. Marys, PA— The St. Marys Area United Way recently approved funding to assist the City of St. Marys Parks and Recreation Department with an unanticipated budgetary expense associated with preparing for the 2026 summer pool season.
As the City worked toward reopening the Community Pool for the 2026 season following repairs and improvements, an unexpected need arose to certify 20 lifeguards prior to opening. The additional certification costs were not anticipated during the City’s budgeting process, creating a funding gap that needed to be addressed.
Recognizing the importance of the Community Pool as a valuable recreational resource for local families, youth, and residents, the St. Marys Area United Way provided grant funding to help cover the certification costs.
529 Commerce, LLC of Parkland, Florida is recalling 3,860 units of its 4oz and 12 oz packages of its Rooted in Rare brand Aquafaba Powder because the product may contain undeclared egg. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to egg run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products.
The recalled Rooted in Rare brand Aquafaba Powder was distributed through Amazon.com and direct to customers nationwide between June 2025 and July 2026 via our website www.rootedinrare.com.
The recalled Rooted in Rare brand Aquafaba powder is packaged in 4oz (113g) and (12 oz (340g) flexible foil pouches with UPC #199284530959 (4oz) and #199284306226 (12oz). The following “best buy” dates are included in the recall, which are printed on a sticker and placed on the back bottom left of the product package:
Best by 12/14/2026
Best by 12/12/2027
The recall was initiated after a consumer reported an allergic reaction after consuming the product. No other reports of illness have been received to date.
The American Heart Association presents the Get With The Guidelines® awards for proven dedication to best practices, life-saving care
OLEAN, NY — Olean General Hospital (OGH), a Kaleida Health facility, has received four American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® achievement awards for demonstrating a commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease helping save lives, support recovery and reduce hospital readmissions.
Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 4 causes of death in the United States, respectively, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report. Studies show patients can experience better outcomes when care teams consistently follow evidence-based treatment guidelines.
