NEWS

Tionesta, Pa.:  The Army Corps of Engineers at Tionesta Lake and Volunteers for the Ruffed Grouse Society plan the renewal of alder for wildlife this March.  Woodcock, ruffed grouse, warblers, rabbits, mice, voles, bobcats, and fox all use the habitat created by an alder thicket.  As alder grows and gets too old, it starts to ‘lay down’ and roots will decay.  But, a simple and proven wildlife habitat management technique of stump cutting will remove the older stems and put abundant sunlight back on the ground and cut stump, and cause the alder to put up abundant new growth.  This new growth will provide habitat for many birds and small mammals over the next thirty years after the stump cutting.

Belmont, NY – Help combat food insecurity in Allegany County by joining us in partnering with Ardent Solutions to collect non-perishable food donations for local food pantries. Ardent Solutions will take part in the annual Souper Bowl Day of Caring by collecting donated items for local food pantries. An Access Allegany bus will be parked outside Tops Friendly Market in Wellsville on Saturday, February 7, where residents will have the opportunity to drop off donations throughout the day. Donation boxes have been placed at additional locations throughout the County including:

• Allegany County Courthouse
• Allegany County Office Building
• Allegany County Office for the Aging
• Andover Central School
• Ardent Solutions
• Community Bank (Wellsville)
• First Citizens Bank (Wellsville)
• Genesee Valley Central School
• Runnings (Wellsville)
• The Arena (Wellsville)
• The Shop on Main (Wellsville)
• Save-A-Lot (Wellsville)
  Donations help restock shelves of local food pantries and provide much needed support for our neighbors in need. For more information about the Souper Bowl Day of Caring, please contact Becky Nelson at Ardent Solutions at (585)808-7036.

The boil order has been lifted for the Village of Fredonia and their water customers. The conservation order remains in effect until further notice. The leaks have been fixed and the disinfection system has been repaired. However, the tank remains mostly empty. To conserve water, turn off the faucet while brushing teeth, shaving, or washing dishes. Only run the dishwasher or clothes washer when full. Do not allow faucets to run to keep pipes from freezing. For questions call the Village at (716) 679-2307 and Chautauqua County Health Department permitted facilities can call the Health Department directly at (716) 753-4481.

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RIDGWAY, PA: The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission is launching the update of its 2055 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). This plan will guide transportation decision-making for North Central rural communities over the coming decades, shaping the future of mobility, safety, and economic opportunities across the six-county region of Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Potter.

Long-range transportation planning plays a vital role in ensuring that residents, businesses, and visitors across the North Central Pennsylvania region have safe, reliable, and efficient ways to travel – whether by automobile, transit, bicycle, foot, or other modes. The LRTP identifies transportation needs, priorities, goals, and strategies for the next 20 years and beyond, taking into account evolving trends, changing demographics, and emerging technologies that affect how people and goods move throughout the region.

This week, we are proud to recognize Jadin Hardt, a senior from the Northern Potter School District, as Seneca Highlands CTC’s student of the week. Jaden is an outstanding student who truly makes our Welding Technologies shop a better place. He is helpful, considerate, and always willing to lend a hand to others. Whether a classmate needs help with an assignment or a teacher needs assistance, he is quick to step in with a positive attitude and a kind smile.

He consistently shows respect to everyone around him and sets a great example through his actions. His willingness to help others and his thoughtful nature do not go unnoticed. We are grateful to have such a caring and dependable student in our school community.

Congratulations Jadin! Keep up the great work, and thank you for being such a positive role model.

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed $53.26 billion state budget proposal outlined Tuesday before a joint session of the General Assembly:

“Once again, the governor has proposed spending more than we have. After draining the surplus to cover the current year’s budget, he is now seeking to use more than half of our state’s emergency savings by taking $4.58 billion from the Rainy Day Fund to help pay for his plan. He is also relying on legalizing recreational marijuana and taxing skill games to make his budget balance.

“These proposals have been non-starters in the General Assembly, and the Rainy Day Fund will quickly run dry at this rate of spending. It’s time for a different approach.

Congratulations to Aliza Penick, a senior from Port Allegany School District, on being named Student of the Week in the Culinary Arts Department at Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center.

Aliza consistently demonstrates strong culinary discipline and professionalism. She is always in the right place at the right time, willingly takes on any task assigned, and leads by example by setting high standards for herself and others. Her leadership and reliability make her a valued member of the program.

Outside of the culinary classroom, Aliza competes in long jump and serves as President of the Yearbook Organization at her home school, further reflecting her commitment, leadership, and dedication.

Well done, Aliza!

SHINGLEHOUSE, PA.  Mr. Erich Zaun, Principal, has announced the following students, grades six through twelve, have been named to the Honor Roll for the second nine-week grading period at the Oswayo Valley Jr./Sr. High School.  Students named to the High Honor Roll have maintained an average of 93% or above, while those on the Honor Roll have averaged 87% or above.

HIGH HONOR ROLL

GRADE 12:   Lucas Dickerson, Luke Karr, Ridge Mesler, Trevor Miller, Soi Sang Nguyen, Rachel Rathbun, Mia Shaffer, Wynter Turek

Considering a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)? Penn College has scheduled an Information Session for its upcoming LPN course beginning in April. 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, 1,536 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 the Information Sessions scheduled for Thursdays, February 12th and March 12th, at 6:30 p.m. at Penn College/Wellsboro, 22 Walnut Street, or live via Zoom at the Education Council’s 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.

Chili & Chowder with a Chance for Chocolate is back with sweet and savory goodies on Saturday, Feb. 14, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. during the Ice and Spice Winter Weekend in Wellsboro, Pa. Proceeds benefit Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries and go directly to help Tioga County animals in need.

Several local businesses (15 last year; this year’s TBA), will concoct and serve up chili and/or chowder. With the purchase of a tasting passport for $10, participants can visit each business to sample the creations, and enter to win a different chocolate-themed gift basket at each site. The passport comes with a map, and signs outside will mark each site, all downtown within walking distance. When done tasting, participants can vote for their top three favorite dishes, with those chefs being recognized at the end of the event.

The Bingham Township Supervisors are seeking applications for a part-time Secretary/Treasurer.  Experience in bookkeeping with QuickBooks, Computer skills, and Secretarial skills are needed.  Duties would include:

Payroll, Quarterly Taxes, Annual W-2’s, Reconciliations, Paying & Recording Invoices, Making Deposits, Balancing Bank Statements, State Reports, DCED Reports, Grant Applications, Attending monthly meetings, Taking & Recording Minutes, providing Financial Records, Assessment Building Permits, Driveway Permits, Road Bonds & Permits, Open Record Requests, and Budgets.

Position will begin June 1^st, 2026

For more information, please call 814-848-9863

Resumes may be mailed to: Bingham Township

843 Bingham Center Road,

Genesee, PA 16923

Last week in review: A two-win week allowed the women’s basketball team not only to surpass last season’s win total, but matched the most wins since the 2008-09 squad won 16 games, and, with three regular-season games remaining, put it in position to match or surpass the program-win record of 19 set in 2005-06. The victories also clinched a United East Conference postseason playoff berth.

On the horizon: The athletics department will host its eighth Girls and Women in Sports Day Clinic from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8, at Bardo Gymnasium on West Third Street. The registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 6. During the free clinic, student-athletes from basketball, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball will instruct participants on the basics of their respective sport. Each participant will have the opportunity to participate in all five sports. 

Sign Up Link: https://forms.office.com/r/R75jJ22pz0?origin=lprLink
For more information, contact Britni Mohney at bem25@pct.edu. 

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The Bingham Township Supervisors are seeking applications for a part-time Secretary/Treasurer.  Experience in bookkeeping with QuickBooks, Computer skills, and Secretarial skills are needed.  Duties would include:

Payroll, Quarterly Taxes, Annual W-2’s, Reconciliations, Paying & Recording Invoices, Making Deposits, Balancing Bank Statements, State Reports, DCED Reports, Grant Applications, Attending monthly meetings, Taking & Recording Minutes, providing Financial Records, Assessment Building Permits, Driveway Permits, Road Bonds & Permits, Open Record Requests, and Budgets.

Position will begin June 1^st, 2026

For more information, please call 814-848-9863

Resumes may be mailed to: Bingham Township

843 Bingham Center Road,

Genesee, PA 16923

Elk County, PA — The St. Marys Area United Way Board convened on January 29, 2026, for its quarterly meeting to celebrate the success of the 2025 fundraising campaign, announce grant awards, and recognize the generosity of the community that made the campaign possible.

The organization extends heartfelt thanks to local residents, businesses, and partners whose contributions helped St. Marys Area United Way meet—and exceed—its annual fundraising goal. Through payroll deductions, corporate giving, leadership contributions, and individual donations, the community rallied together to support vital services that strengthen health and human welfare throughout the region.

Funds raised through United Way campaigns are distributed locally through grant support for nonprofit agencies that provide critical programming and assistance for individuals and families across Elk County and the surrounding communities.

The Bingham Township Supervisors are seeking applications for a part-time Secretary/Treasurer.  Experience in bookkeeping with QuickBooks, Computer skills, and Secretarial skills are needed.  Duties would include:

Payroll, Quarterly Taxes, Annual W-2’s, Reconciliations, Paying & Recording Invoices, Making Deposits, Balancing Bank Statements, State Reports, DCED Reports, Grant Applications, Attending monthly meetings, Taking & Recording Minutes, providing Financial Records, Assessment Building Permits, Driveway Permits, Road Bonds & Permits, Open Record Requests, and Budgets.

Position will begin June 1^st, 2026

For more information, please call 814-848-9863

Resumes may be mailed to: Bingham Township

843 Bingham Center Road,

Genesee, PA 16923

Village of Fredonia and their customers must boil their water and conserve water until further notice. Inadequately treated water has entered the water mains due to a treatment issue at the plant, and a water main break has caused water levels in the system to decrease rapidly. Bring all water that you drink or use for cooking to a rolling boil for at least 3 minutes and cool before using. To conserve, turn off the faucet while brushing teeth, shaving, or washing dishes. Only run the dishwasher or clothes washer when full. Do not allow faucets to run to keep pipes from freezing. For questions call the Village at (716) 679-2307 and Chautauqua County Health Department permitted facilities can call the Health Department directly at (716) 753-4481.

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