NEWS

On Saturday May 11, at 11am, the Elk County Council on the Arts, in partnership with Remake Learning Days, will host an ice-dye workshop at the ECCOTA Gallery on Main Street in Ridgway. Unlike traditional dyeing methods, ice dyeing involves placing ice on fabric and sprinkling powdered dyes on top.

Hamilton-Gibson Productions will offer live sign language interpreters for an upcoming performance of Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson at the Coolidge Theater.  

The play is about real-life astronomer Henritta Leavitt, whose work led to our ability to map the stars and learn more about the scope of our universe, and our place in it. Henreitta lived with hearing loss, and in the play we see her utilizing a hearing device. This production will feature an ALS interpreter for the matinee performance on Sunday, May 12 at 2:30pm. Tickets should be reserved in advance if you would like to attend this performance.

            BRADFORD, PA/OLEAN, NY – Upper Allegheny Health System (UAHS), which consists of Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and Olean General Hospital (OGH), is launching the 2024 flags of honor program. This tribute is a great way to honor a family, friend, or neighbor who has or is serving in the military.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has begun its 2024 Black Fly Suppression Program, monitoring and treating 48 rivers and streams spanning more than 1,800 miles. 

“As the weather turns warmer, Pennsylvanians will be spending more time outdoors, and black flies (biting gnats) are a pest that can make being outside a lot less fun,” said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “This annual treatment program reduces this nuisance so that Pennsylvanians and visitors can fully enjoy outdoor activities.” 

The program involves aerial and backpack spraying. Spraying activities will be performed both by helicopter and ground crews. Helicopter treatments involve aircraft flying low over waterways and dispersing treatment material that looks like chocolate milk. 

BRADFORD, PA – Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) is excited to announce that a new service will now be available in the outpatient services tower. Now credentialed in Pennsylvania, Joseph Staszel, MD, pain management and physical medicine & rehabilitation (PM&R), is accepting new patients at BRMC.

Dr. Staszel treats a number of diseases and conditions including neck and back pain, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, chronic pain, arthritis, spasticity, headaches and migraines, abdominal and pelvic pain, and cancer pain in collaboration with palliative care and oncology.

“I understand that pain is more than just arthritis or more than a herniated disc in someone’s spine. Chronic pain is also about acknowledging someone’s suffering, frustration, loss, depression, anxiety, and fear. Chronic pain is more than just the primary pain generator that needs treated. The bio-psycho-social approach is key. I take a multidisciplinary approach to chronic pain treatment including rehabilitation, pain psychology, medication therapy, and interventional pain procedures,” Staszel said.

“We’re pleased to have Dr. Staszel open his practice here in the Bradford community providing convenience to our local residents. This is another step for us to improve our services here at BRMC and expanding on growth opportunities,” said Jill Owens, MD, president, UAHS. “Dr. Staszel’s expertise and patient-centric focus has been immensely valuable to the local community since joining our physician network.”

Dr. Staszel earned a medical degree at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, completed a residency and pain medicine fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation as well as American Board of Anesthesiology.

Dr. Staszel is now accepting new patients at BRMC 116 Interstate Pkwy., suite 32, Bradford, PA., as well as 2666 W. State St., Olean, NY. Appointments can be made by calling (716) 701-1707.

Spring Showcase 2024 was presented Friday night at PAHS by the Port Allegany Music Department.  A variety of music, including a couple of originals, were performed.  Hosts for the evening were Lily Babcock and Lillianne Reed.  First up was I Remember Everything with Amber Funk and Henry Troupe, vocals and Henry on guitar.  Jolene was sung by Darian Mosher and Bella Shaffer-Lannager with vocal music instructor Rachael Karwowski on guitar.  Riptide was next with Chloe Triplett and Lily Madison, vocals and Lily on Ukulele.  No Children was sung by Ade Langfitt followed by Godspeed with Henry Troupe, vocals and guitar.  

RIDGWAY – The Pennsylvania Women’s, Infants, and Children (WIC) program will be holding virtual public meetings throughout May to solicit feedback and suggestions on how to improve the program.

St. Marys, Pa. — May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Penn State Extension Educators, in collaboration with the Cameron/Elk Suicide Prevention Task Force, will lead a training, “Question, Persuade and Refer,” developed by the QPR Institute. Participants can learn to recognize warning signs of suicide in friends, coworkers, family members, or neighbors in need.

At the April 24 Legislative Board meeting, the Allegany County Board of Legislators adopted a resolution recognizing Ronald B. Truax of Cuba for service to his community and Allegany County.

Ronald Truax was born and raised in Cuba, New York, and graduated from both Houghton University and Alfred University.

RIDGWAY – The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission’s (North Central) NC Export Marketing Program is co-sponsoring a pair of training events in State College designed to help companies who export their products better serve overseas customers.

The event is being held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 22 at 200 Innovation Blvd., Room 243, State College, PA. The event is free of charge, and the deadline to register is May 15. The event includes a continental breakfast, refreshments, course materials, and certificate of completion.