NEWS

Liberty Township

WEATHER PERMITTING

(1) we will blacktop Wrights on Monday, the 29th. The road will be completely closed from 8AM to 3PM while we are working.

(2) Wednesday, May 1st we will be working on Freer Hollow. The road will be completely closed while we are working.

(3) Thursday, May 2nd Freer Hollow will be completely closed from 8AM to 3PM while we are blacktopping.

(4) Friday, May 3rd we will be blacktopping Comes Creek from Buck McGarvey’s house to Marc Budd’s house. Road will be completely closed until we are done. Sorry in advance for any inconvenience!

Potter County has been selected along with 90 government entities to receive training on the Appalachian Regional Commission’s federal funding programs to build community capacity. The training is free.

RIDGWAY – Potter County has been selected by the Appalachian Regional Commission to receive training through the READY Local Governments initiative.

Potter County was one of 90 local governments selected to receive the no-cost training, along with access to READY Local Governments Initiative funding. The county will receive expert guidance and funding opportunities to help apply for, manage, and implement federal funding.

Heartstrings

by

Pastor B.J. Knefley

What or who has your heartstrings? Is it a person or is it a thing? Have you even thought about it? What are heartstrings? It’s what draws you, draws to your deepest feelings and desires. A grand parent might say that a child is tugging at their heartstring. That means that the child is touching the deepest part of them. When someone or something reaches that place, they have gained a place of great importance.

The question could be asked of anyone, “What has your heart?” The answer to that question may or may not be accurate. For example, I might say that God has my heart, but a careful look at my checkbook might reveal that there are many more things that have my heart than God. The same could be said for those that identify their spouse, or family as having their heart. A quick look at how and where they spend their time and money might reveal something entirely different.

In the Book of Mark, Jesus encountered a young man who was patting himself on the back because he had kept all the commandments. Jesus told him he had one more thing to do, sell all that he had and give it to the poor and then come follow him. He turned and walked away with a heavy heart because his heartstrings were attached to his money (Mk10:17-22). Morally this man was good. He was doing the right thing. But doing and being is two different things. In this case he was doing it. The commandments were met. In today’s terms he went to church, gave his money, served the poor and was helping in every place you could think of. But one thing was lacking. When it came to giving it all away and just being with Jesus, he couldn’t do it.

When it comes to the heart we can say one thing but the heart will reveal our true motives. Outward actions do not always reveal what’s in the heart. As in our story, a person can do all the right things, but for all the wrong reasons. Ask yourself the question, “What has my heartstrings?” The answer might surprise you. Think about it. 

RIDGWAY – The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission (North Central) and the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) are excited to offer a collaborative training session for DCED’s online Single Application portal.

The training sessions will focus on the DCED Multimodal grant, which is currently open, and the DCED’s Local Share Account (LSA) grant, which is expected to open in a few months.

During this training, North Central’s Elise Grovanz and DCED’s Terri Cunkle will guide participants through the process of completing DCED’s online Single Application, provide tips for writing your grant, and allowing time for addressing any questions you may have about the grant or the filing process.

The first training session, which will offer in-person and virtual attendance, will be held at 1:30 p.m. May 9 at the Brookville Borough Building, located at 18 Western Ave., Brookville, PA 15825.

The second training session, which is in-person only, will be held at 10 a.m. May 16 at the Emporium Volunteer Fire Department, 419 N. Broad St., Emporium, PA 15834.

The two locations aim to accommodate municipalities throughout North Central’s six-county region, which serves Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Potter counties.

To reserve your spot for this training, click here.

(The link to link to the registration is found at https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=bYEJwuPDdkeOj6Mx85EWcdm6yFYO47xFlTrWiADGoQlUQTFCWTg5VEwwRzNWMURFMkk4QzlPODFaQS4u)

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The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission is a premier regional development organization that serves the public and private sector through a wide range of economic, community, infrastructure, human services, and technology programs for Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Potter Counties.

Pennsylvania’s Solar for All will benefit more than 14,000 low-income households, help save more than $192 million on Pennsylvanians’ electric bills over the next two decades, and cut carbon emissions

Harrisburg, PA?– Yesterday, Pennsylvania was awarded over $156 million from the Biden Administration to deliver affordable, reliable, and sustainable solar power to low-income Pennsylvanians and environmental justice communities.

The Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority’s (PEDA) Solar for All initiative is estimated to benefit more than 14,000 Pennsylvania households, save more than $192 million on Pennsylvanians’ electric bills over the next twenty years, and cut 43 million tons of carbon emissions over the next twenty years – for reference, that’s the equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions from ten million gasoline-powered vehicles.

Roadway Improvement Project Continues Next Week on Route 414 and Blockhouse Road

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a two-year roadway improvement project continues next week on Route 414 (Water Street), Route 2005 (Blockhouse Road), and Route 2007 (Williamson Road) in Liberty Borough and Liberty Township, Tioga County.

On Monday, April 29, 2024, Water Street will be closed in both directions between Shaffer Hill Road and just south of Bloss Mountain Road, while the contractor, Glenn O. Hawbaker, begins work on a replacement of an 84-inch culvert, utility relocations, and drainage work.

Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced a bridge replacement project will begin in Galeton Borough in Potter County on Wednesday, May 1. The bridge is situated on Route 1022 (Mill Street) spanning Pine Creek between Route 6 (Main Street) and Clinton Street. This will improve safety and ride quality for motorists by replacing the bridge and improving the overall condition rating from poor to good.

Preliminary work will begin May 1, utilizing flaggers and signing for traffic control during daylight hours. PennDOT will close Mill Street and implement a detour in June. It will issue an update prior to implementation of the detour.

In addition to replacement of the bridge structure, pavement, base drain, and guide rail will be installed, and relocation of a water main and sewer line will occur, as well as miscellaneous construction activities, for a total length of approximately 646 feet.

Rylind Construction of Muncy, PA, is the contractor on this $2.8 million project. PennDOT anticipates completion in November, but all work is weather dependent.

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) today applauded a state grant to support sidewalk and pedestrian improvements in Bradford.

The $704,840 grant will be used to install new sidewalks, curbs and pedestrian street lighting on North Bennett Street. A stamped asphalt crosswalk and street signage will be installed on the street near West Washington Street. The project will also include intersection improvements at North Bennett Street, Barbour Street and Campus Drive, and pedestrian access improvements for the playground and the McDowell Community Trail. These improvements include new ADA-compliant curb ramps, signage, colored asphalt crosswalks and a new sidewalk on the west side of Campus Drive.

“This is a valuable investment in our local infrastructure that will help make the City of Bradford safer and more efficient for pedestrians,” Causer said.

BRADFORD – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) is again offering area veterans the opportunity to work with a representative from the American Legion to ensure they get the services and support they need.

Appointments are required for meetings with the Legion representative, whether they are in person, by phone or by tablet. The schedule is as follows:

• Coudersport office: Thursday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Coudersport office is located at 107 S. Main St. Please call 814-274-9769 to schedule an appointment.
• Bradford office: Wednesday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Bradford office is located at 78 Main St., first floor. Please call 814-362-4400 to schedule an appointment.
• Kane office: Wednesday, May 29, from 9 a.m. to noon. The Kane office is located at 54 Fraley St., Suite 2. Please call 814-837-0880 to schedule an appointment.

Assistance is available with issues such as compensation, education, pension, health care and death benefits. Veterans need not be a member of the American Legion to participate.

Potter County

Harrison Township Firefighters’ Relief Association – No findings.

Roulette Chemical Engine Co. #1 Inc. Relief Association – No findings.

Tri-Town Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Association – 1 finding: Failure to adhere to relief association bylaws and inadequate signatory for the disbursement of funds.

Elks County

Jay Township Volunteer Firefighters’ Relief Association – No findings.

St. Marys Firemen’s Relief Association – 1 finding: Noncompliance with prior audit recommendation: Failure to maintain a complete and accurate equipment roster.

McKean County

The Ludlow Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Association – No findings.

Tioga County

• Westfield Borough – received a $957,846 grant and a $401,654 loan to place approximately 2,300 linear feet of sanitary sewer pipe serving Westfield Borough and portions of Westfield Township. Failing 6-inch vitrified clay pipe will be replaced with 8-inch high density polyethylene pipe using trenchless rehabilitation techniques.
• All existing laterals will also be replaced, and new cleanouts will be installed, from the sewer main to the property line.
• This project will improve the reliability and performance of the sanitary sewer system, prevent future sinkholes due to current structural deficiencies, and reduce operational and maintenance costs for the plant.

BRADFORD – State Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) will hold monthly satellite office hours on Thursday, May 2, at the following locations:

• Emporium Borough Office – 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Port Allegany Borough Office – 11 a.m. to noon.

Services available include assisting constituents with state-related issues or concerns, assistance with driver license and vehicle registration applications, and help in filling out applications for various state programs, such as the senior citizen Property Tax/Rent Rebate and PACE prescription drug assistance programs.

People who cannot make the satellite sessions may contact Causer’s offices in Bradford at 78 Main St., first floor, telephone 814-362-4400; or Coudersport, 107 S. Main St., Room 1, telephone 814-274-9769; or Kane, 54 Fraley St., Suite 2, telephone 814-837-0880. Information is also available at www.RepCauser.com or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/RepCauser.