NEWS

*NEW UPDATE – ONE LANE OPEN*

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

NY-Alert Support – NYAlertSupport@its.ny.gov

www.Alert.ny.gov

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! 

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. 

Position Vacancy

Mathematics & Learning Innovation Teacher

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

Qualifications

• Pennsylvania certification in Mathematics required (Middle Level and/or Secondary Mathematics preferred)
• Additional certifications are highly desirable
• 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

Email: krees@austinsd.net
Phone: 814-647-8603

Austin Area School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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.”

663 Telescope Road, Ulysses, PA 16948

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.

View Full Recall

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.

Smethport – Anna K. Chubon, 98, of Smethport, and River Cliff Terrace, Kittanning, PA, died peacefully Thursday (July 30, 2026) at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital, Kittanning.

She was born May 21, 1928 in James City, PA and was the daughter of John and Mary (Gribik) Stanko. Anna was a graduate of Kane High School Class of 1946.

She married Francis S. Chubon in Sheffield in 1948 and lived in Kane prior to moving to Smethport, where she and her husband owned and operated the Western Auto Store for twenty years.

After her husband’s death in 1983, she worked at the cafeterias of Smethport Elementary School and Sena Kean Manor. She enjoyed cooking and baking ethnic foods for her family and travelling to visit her families.

Anna was active in the Girl Scouts and a volunteer at the Hamlin Memorial Library, Lakeview, and Sena Kean Manor. She was a member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, Smethport.

She is survived by a daughter, Julie A. (Jerry) Arbaugh of Kittanning, PA and a son, Francis L. (Mary Beth) Chubon of Lock Haven, PA and New Smyrna Beach, FL

Four grandchildren: Lisa (Gary) Montebell, David Hipchen, Christy (Matt Schmit) Hipchen, and Corey (Kristen) Chubon

Five great grandchildren: Galen Trey (Kimber) Montebell, Marcus Montebell, Maren Schmit, Eloise and Vivian Chubon

Four great-great grandchildren: Lyla, Ariella, Abisai, Liora Montebell

Anna was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Mary Ann (Stan) Rossman and Helen Stanko; her brothers John and Steve (Phyllis) Stanko and granddaughter, Shannon Chubon.

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 3, from 10-11 AM at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, Main St., Smethport, where a Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11AM in the church, with the Rev. Joseph Dougherty, pastor as Celebrant. Burial will be in St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Smethport.

Memorials may be made to St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, 307 Franklin St., Smethport, PA 16749. Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.

(Dickinson Center, Inc. employees pictured: Wenzday Koskey in the dark blue dress with upcoming kindergarten students & Deb Freeburg, in the flower dress.)

ST. MARYS, Pa — Dickinson Center, Inc., in collaboration with the Saint Marys Area School District and Johnsonburg Area School District, recently concluded its annual Kindergarten Readiness Program. During the six-week program, students built confidence, formed new friendships, and developed the skills needed for a successful transition to kindergarten.

Designed to prepare students for their first year of school, the program was offered at South Saint Marys Street Elementary School, Fox Township Elementary School, and Johnsonburg Elementary School. Students and their families were introduced to the school environment through fun, engaging activities led by Mental Health Liaisons Deb Freeburg and Wenzday Koskey, along with Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Summer Worker Terra Hnath.

As Pennsylvania’s elk rut approaches, wildlife enthusiasts can once again experience one of the most anticipated natural events in the state. The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Elk Cam will go live on August 1 and will bring all the sights and sounds of the bugling bulls to your screen.

The cam is located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s elk range, an area totaling more than 220,000 acres including State Game Lands 311 and Elk State Forest. Video and sound from the camera will be livestreamed at www.pa.gov/pgc and viewers can expect not only to see elk, but turkey, deer and other wildlife, as well.  Elk, which in the coming weeks will ramp up activity – with bulls becoming more vocal and competing with one another for available cows – always seem to take center stage. Enjoying the show is just a few clicks away.

Rena M. BLISS, 92, of Eldred, PA, died Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Cuba Memorial Hospital, Cuba, NY.  Born March 16, 1934, in Port Allegany, she was the daughter of Floyd A. and Iva L. Harris Studer.  On April 28, 1952, in Duke Center, she married James Arthur Bliss, who predeceased her on May 5, 2019.  Rena was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and caregiver.  

Surviving are: a daughter, Cheryl L. (James) Scheffer of Apalachin, NY; a daughter-in-law, Peggy Bliss of Rogersville, TN; five grandchildren, Brian J. Bliss, Brandon M. (Michelle) Bliss, Bradley (Amanda) Bliss, Amy Jacobs, and Brandy Howe; ten great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.  

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a son, James B. Bliss; three brothers, Floyd “Bud” Studer, Joseph Studer, and Fernley A. Studer; and six sisters, Clasa Studer, Mildred Ludwig, Donna Williams, Virginia D. Heany, Esther M. Ross, and Joan Y. Waid.  

Services will be private.  Pastor Chris Stavish will officiate.  Burial will be in McKean Memorial Park, Lafayette.  Memorials may be made to Eldred Borough Fire Department.  Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Switzer Chapel, 77 Willow Street, Port Allegany, PA. 

Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.