NEWS

The 2025 North Central Region District VIII PA 4-H Horse show was held September 5th & 6th at the Grange Fairgrounds in Centre Hall, PA.

Lucille Rutkowski-Hood showing her AQHA mare, “Huntin For Paradise” qualified for the the PA State 4-H Horse Show held October 23-26 in Harrisburg by winning the championship in Western Pleasure Horses(8-13) and Western Horsemanship(8-13). Lucille also placed 5th place in Western Grooming and Showmanship and 4th place Miniature Horse Driving(8-13) with her AMHR mare, “Star Lakes My Oh My”.

Harriet Rutkowski-Hood showing her AQHA mare, “My American Princess” and her AMHR gelding, “Stone Ridge Dust Me With Diamonds” qualified by winning the championship in Western Grooming and Showmanship(8-11), 2nd in Western Pleasure Ponies and 3rd in Western Horsemanship(8-13), the championships in Miniature Horse Trail (8-11), Miniature Horse Driving(8-13) and 2nd in Miniature Horse Jumping(8-13). 

Lucille and Harriet are daughters of Michelle Rutkowski and Hank Hood. Granddaughters of Gary and Sissy Rutkowski and Kathy Rutkowski of Rimersburg. Grand nieces of Deborah Rutkowski of Genesee and members of Famous Wabbits 4-H Club.

Last week in review: Pennsylvania College of Technology’s fall sports teams went a combined 4-4-1, with the men’s soccer team winning both of its matches.

MEN’S SOCCER

Last week’s hometown highlights: In Tuesday’s win at Pitt-Greensburg, freshmen stepped up with Will Watson of Collegeville scoring the lone goal and goalkeeper Justin Crismale of Glen Gardner, New Jersey, making three stops and recording his second shutout. On Saturday, in a win at Keuka College, Silas Miller of Mechanicsburg scored unassisted in the 81^st minute, and Crismale recorded shutout No. 3 in the goal.

Schedule/Records

Overall: 3-1

3 Day Estate Sale! Huge Sale!

September 11 to 13 – Thursday and Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 4pm

811 South Ave, Bradford, PA 16701 (along Route 219, use caution).

Lawn tractor, 4-wheeler, bedroom furniture, living-room furniture, Kendall items, collectible oil items, power-tools, woodworking tools, hand-tools, Pyrex, Corning items, outdoor items, shelves, Rubbermaid cabinets, lawn cart, lawn trailer, lawn roller, vintage toys, tool boxes, kayak, kitchen table & chairs, Kitchen-aid mixer, dressers, shelves, holiday decor, glassware, TV, desk, bows, arrows, CDs, garden items, and so much more. Clean home and so many great items!  

All sales final and no returns. Park in a safe place and watch traffic. Do not block driveways. We look forward to seeing everyone for another great sale. 

At our August 18, 2025, meeting at A&W West End Grill, we were treated to a very entertaining biography of District Governor Dawn Linn, which was spiced up by another Rotarian.

Dawn Linn is a retired CEO, Professional Philanthropist and Accidental Daredevil (Mostly on Purpose). She was CEO of YWCA North central PA from 2017 to January 2025. Before that, she spent 15 years at Peoples State Bank and Wachovia Wealth Management, then 14 years as the VP of Planned Philanthropy at the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania. She has been known to rappel down tall buildings, zip line through forests and navigate white-water rapids. She also likes to garden, read and create silk flower arrangements. She’s been married to her husband, Thomas, for 39 years and is the mother of 3 adopted grown children.

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) will once again host his annual Senior Citizens Expo in Kane to provide area seniors and their family members and caregivers convenient access to a wide range of information in one convenient location.

The expo will be held on Friday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kane Community Center, 46 N. Fraley St., Kane.

There are so many programs and services available to support our senior citizens, but it still can be difficult for people to find the help they need,” Causer said. “I hope area seniors will take advantage of the opportunity to gather a lot of helpful information in one place.”

Due to the expo, Causer’s offices in Kane and Bradford will be closed all day on Friday, Sept. 12. People in need of urgent assistance that day should contact the Coudersport office at 814-274-9769 or the Harrisburg office at 717-787-5075.

The event is free to attend, and lunch will be provided. State, county and local exhibitors will be on hand to distribute information and answer questions about a variety of issues. Health screenings will also be offered, and door prize drawings will be held.

Causer noted he will also hold another expo on Friday, Oct. 10, at the Roulette Fire Hall.

For more information about the expo, contact Causer’s Kane office at 814- 837-0880. Information is also available at RepCauser.com or on Facebook at Facebook.com/RepCauser.

* WHAT…Temperatures as low as 32 will result in frost formation.

* WHERE…Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, McKean, Potter, and Somerset Counties.

* WHEN…Early Monday morning. *

IMPACTS…Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… Those with agricultural interests should protect sensitive vegetation. Near-ground freezing temperatures could kill uncovered sensitive outdoor vegetation.

Two Pitt-Bradford professors were among a select group of scholars chosen for a U.S. State Department Fulbright-Hays program in West Africa this summer, an experience that is already reshaping how they teach their students this fall.

Dr. Drew Flanagan, assistant professor of history, and Dr. Obinna Ezeihuoma, assistant professor of criminal justice, traveled with a dozen other University of Pittsburgh scholars to Senegal and the Gambia. Senegal is the westernmost country in Africa, and it nearly surrounds the Gambia, a skinny country consisting of land along either side of the Gambia River.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the following schedule of maintenance activities in McKean County the week of September 8. 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:

Crack Seal & Hot Pour Mastic

• Route 6 between Lincoln Street in Kane Borough and Route 219 in Hamlin Township. Monday, September 8, through Friday, September 12. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control during daylight hours.

Crack sealing and hot pour mastic operations prevent water intrusion from seeping through cracks or joints in an asphalt road, which can lead to potholes and pavement breakup. They are proactive preventive maintenance strategies to prevent water from entering the roadways and accelerating the formation of potholes and other failures.

Pipe Replacing & Cleaning

• Route 6 between Bloomster Hollow Road in Hamlin Township and Jarett Lane in Smethport Borough. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control during daylight hours.

Pipe replacement and cleaning are essential in maintaining water flow around state roadways. Controlling water flow is one of the most important aspects of maintaining pavements. Uncontrolled water flow will damage both the pavement surface and the area under the pavement, which causes deterioration across the length of the pipe.

Side Dozing

• Route 46 between Route 646 in Foster Township and the Route 219 interchange in the City of Bradford. Wednesday, September 10, and Thursday, September 11. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control during daylight hours.
• Route 321 between Sugar Bay Fishing Road and Route 346 in Corydon Township. Monday, September 8, and Tuesday, September 9. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control during daylight hours.
• Route 646 between Route 46 and Route 346 in Foster Township. Friday, September 12. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control during daylight hours.

Side dozing removes excess material from beneath guide rail areas, which improves drainage and allows water to sheet flow off the roadway. Side dozing is a crucial highway maintenance operation because when drainage systems do not function properly, water collects on the road, weakens pavement, accelerates the formation of potholes, and creates the potential for icing conditions in the winter months.

Vegetation Management

·         Route 146 between Route 6 in Hamlin Township and Route 46 in Norwich Township. Friday, September 12. This work takes place off the roadway and has little, if any, traffic impact.

·         Route 346 between Red Rock Road in Foster Township and Route 246 in Otto Township. Monday, September 8. This work takes place off the roadway and has little, if any, traffic impact.

·         Route 446 at the intersection of Route 155 in Eldred Township. Tuesday, September 9. This work takes place off the roadway and has little, if any, traffic impact.

Route 770 between Route 646 in Keating Township and Foster Hollow Road in Bradford Township. Wednesday, September 10. This work takes place off the roadway and has little, if any, traffic impact.

Mowing, herbicide spraying, and selected tree thinning help maintain a safe roadway free of obstructing vegetation, improving visibility to spot signage, traffic control devices, and other motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and animals approaching the road. Additionally, a well-maintained roadside can improve drainage and prolong the life of the roadway.

This schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions, emergencies, or other unforeseen interruptions.

Customers can report road concerns by calling 1-800-FIX-ROAD. If calling after hours, please leave a name and phone number.

On 08/30/2025 at about 11:55 p.m., Olean Police Patrol Officers observed a female acting suspiciously at 1 Blue Bird Square . The female was attempting to conceal her face and was subsequently stopped and identified as Brittany A Howell, N.P.A.. It was determined that Howell had two active warrants issued out of the City of Olean Court. Howell was placed into custody and a search of her person revealed numerous bags of individually packaged Crack Cocaine as well as narcotic pipes and loose crack cocaine. Howell was remanded to the custody of the Cattaraugus County Jail to appear at a later date for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B Felony and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th Degree, a class A misdemeanor.

Marjorie A. “Marge” Grove, 89, of East Main Street, Bradford, passed away Thursday, August 28, 2025, at Bradford Ecumenical Home.

Born on December 27, 1935, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late Raymond and Eva (Walker) Storer. She was a 1953 graduate of Bradford High School.

On September 19, 1959, in Bradford, she married Jack A. Grove, who preceded her in death on December 11, 2014.

The Potter County Farmers Market will be outdoors AT OUR NEW LOCATION on the Courthouse grounds, at the corner and across the street from the square, every Friday (weather permitting) from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm. The next market will be this Friday, September 5th. Below is a list of who plans to be there and what they plan on bringing to the Market:

[NOTICES: 

*  We’re back on our summer schedule of Friday markets, BUT AT OUR NEW LOCATION due to renovations on the square.  We’ll be across the street from the square, along the sidewalk to the right of the courthouse entrance, and around the corner on East Street to the driveway.

*  The outdoor market is held each Friday from May through October (weather permitting; on very rainy days, we will relocate into the Riley Gallery (if available)).  In November, the farmers market goes indoors for the winter market.

*  Market times have been established after many trial times over the years.  If you are not able to visit us and would like something particular from one of the vendors, please contact them directly.  They are willing to try to accommodate your request.

 *  If you are interested in joining the market this year or have any questions please contact …. Netra Baker, 814-598-0649 netrabaker2@gmail.com]

CHRISTIE MARSHALL,  I will be at the Farmer’s Market on Friday.  I will have my collection of grapevine wreaths. At this time I will be accepting cash.

BLUE MARBLE FARM will hopefully be at the market with local, organically grown beautiful produce.  We will have Heirloon Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Watermelon, Squash, Italian Sweet Peppers, Hot Peppers, Onions, Beets,  Cucamelons, Tomatillos and more.   Fresh Cut Flowers. Sustainable Wood Crafts made from wood harvested on our Farm. We accept cash, checks, FMNP checks and credit cards. For more information, contact Lisa at bluemarblefarm@outlook.com, 814-320-1308 or bluemarblefarm.weebly.com  

ME AND MY BOYS SOAP will be there on Friday we will have a selection of goat milk based products. We accept cash or card payments. 

QUIET ACRES will be attending this Friday. We will have our line of Haldeman Mills products (2 lb bag). We have aprons for children and adults of numerous motifs including NFL teams and rope creations of many sizes and designs. We accept cash payments 

DICKINSON CENTER will have vegs they have grown this summer as part of agriculture awareness

AMISH FARMS will be at the market with a colorful assortment of healthy large mums. 

Now What?

by

Pastor B.J. Knefley

How many times have we wondered when the other shoe will drop? Life rarely unfolds as expected. In fact, the popular saying is, “Life happens while we’re making other plans.” Sometimes, we realize that life is either happening to us or for us. How we view it often influences how we interpret life’s events. Sadly, our interpretation of life impacts every part of our lives and those around us.

Some see life through a half-empty glass, while others see it through a full glass. Interestingly, we all tend to fall into one of these two perspectives. Where someone stands in this area is primarily shaped by their core beliefs. Personally, I believe that each person is created with a purpose. In other words, there is a greater design for life beyond my own thoughts and will.

What might seem like random acts or events are part of a larger plan that I cannot see. People might wonder if there is a plan for their life, so how does free will fit into it? Do I have choices in my life, or is everything already predetermined? When Joshua said, “Choose this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15), he was emphasizing that it is always about choice. Even Jesus, as he faced the cross, stated that if it was within the Father’s will to let the cross of suffering pass, nevertheless let His will be done.

We tend to blame God for many things. We often overlook the impact of our own actions and choices on our lives and those of others. Personal responsibility is often overlooked as we seek excuses to blame others or society for our problems. That shoe that’s about to drop is probably the result of something we caused days or even months ago. And we wonder why?Ultimately, life always boils down to choices—mine and others’. We may not always notice or realize it, but the option is always available. That’s why it’s so crucial to take responsibility for what belongs to you. Ultimately, we are each responsible for our own choices, not those of others. Think about it.

Douglas Foster BARNEY, 49, of Whitesville, NY, died Monday, September 1, 2025 as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.  Born November 24, 1975, in Wellsville, he was the son of William and Cheryl Hall Barney.  He was a 1994 graduate of Whitesville Central School.  On November 2, 1996, in Wellsville, he married the love of his life, Kelly J. Walters, who survives.  

Pipe Replacement Project Continues on Route 220 in Ulster Township, Bradford County

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised a pipe replacement project continues on Route 220 in Ulster Township, Bradford County with a scheduled detour implementation on Friday evening, September 5, 2025.

Friday, September 5, 2025, at 6:00 PM – Monday, September 8, 2025, at 7:00 AM

Craig Sven LINDSTROM, 82, of Smethport, PA, formerly of Olean, NY and Bolivar, NY, died Thursday, August 28, 2025 in the Comfort House of Allegany County, Wellsville, NY.  Born October 17, 1942, in Buffalo, NY, he was the son of Sven V. and Mary S. McAdam Lindstrom.  

A 1960 graduate of Olean High School, he owned and operated a hardware store in Olean, NY.  Surviving are: a friend, Starr Stratton of Smethport; a son; grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins.  

He was predeceased by a brother and sister-in-law, Hugh M. and Jeredith Lindstrom; a nephew, H. Randall Lindstrom; and a niece, Laura Jane Lindstrom.  

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.