Montoursville, PA – Ryan Lahr is the PennDOT District 3 District Office Employee of the Quarter for the third quarter, 2025.
Ryan is an Information Technology (IT) Generalist 1 with the Commonwealth. In this position, he provides technical assistance and troubleshooting to end users, resolving hardware issues such as desktops, laptops, printers, and mobile devices; software problems including operating systems, applications, and security updates; and network challenges like connectivity, VPN access, and Wi-Fi performance to ensure smooth daily operations.
USDA Seeks Applications for Funding to Help Rural Towns Strengthen Housing and Economic Development
WASHINGTON, July 8, 2025 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development invites applications for grants to provide strong rural communities the leadership and technical know-how to keep growing.
The Totally Ninja Raccoons searching for Bigfoot (shown) is a drawing by Chris Jones, illustrator of the Totally Ninja Raccoons 10-book series written by Kevin Coolidge, owner of From My Shelf Books and Gifts at 7 East Avenue in Wellsboro.
“This year’s hunt to find Bigfoot is off to a great start,” Coolidge said.
Some children and adults have already turned in their passports. This year’s hunt started on July 1 and will end on Thursday, July 31. The drawing for the winners of the $250 cash prize and the 25 gift cards from participating businesses will be on Aug. 2. There is still time to join the hunt. For more information, call the bookstore at 570-724-5793 or stop in at any of the participating businesses.
Fredonia water customers, including those in the Town of Pomfret are on a boil water order due to treatment issues at the water plant. Water operators are working to correct the problems with the treatment processes. However, the water coming from the treatment plant is still not safe to drink without boiling. You must continue to boil all water used for cooking and drinking. Bring all water used for drinking or cooking to a rolling boil, then cool before using. You will be notified when it is no longer necessary to boil water. For more information call the Village at 716-679-2307 or the County Health Department at 716-753-4481
This is an important message from the Town of Pomfret and Village of Fredonia Office of Emergency Management. Due to the ongoing boil-water notice, if you are a resident and unable to secure bottled water, please call the Fredonia Fire Department at 716-672-2125 and press OPTION 1. A water delivery tracker is in place for those needing assistance. Thank you.
Galeton Fireworks – Since 1964, the Galeton Fireworks Committee have put on a display in Centertown Park. This year was no exception. Thousands of spectators lined the streets and the area around Berger Lake to view the continuous fireworks display that lasted over 35 minutes.
Karl L. Simonds, age 75, of Tioga, PA, passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2025. He was born on September 14, 1949 in Tioga, PA, a son of the late Oscar and Mildred (Cole) Simonds and was the husband of Cheri V. Wheatley.
He was a Vietnam Veteran serving in the US Marine Corps. Karl was retired from Commonwealth Telephone Company and enjoyed hunting, raising deer and fish, his 1956 Willy’s – Jeep and taking care of his home and yard.
It’s that time again for the Turtlepoint Farmers Market! Happening this Saturday, July 12th from 9-12. Stop down to meet local vendors, farmers and growers to supply your cookout needs! There will be a variety of goods ranging from hydroponic lettuce, an assortment of veggies, homemade breads to Amish baked goods! Vendors are always welcome to come set up. We run on a first come, first serve basis for table spots under the pavilion. The market is located at the Turtlepoint Park, on Larabee Road, Turtlepoint PA! For more information, please visit our Facebook page!
Life is full of ups and downs. As much as we plan and prepare, we’re often surprised by the unexpected. Sometimes, the question that comes to our minds is “Why?”. We all have wondered and questioned, but are the answers that simple? Can we attribute the events of life to a simple cause and effect, or does life happen?
Roger Dale Tingue, 67, of 3 Bayberry Court, Bradford, passed away, Friday, January 3, 2025, surrounded by his loving family at his home.
Friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life where we will honor this incredible man and the lasting impact he made on Sunday, July 13, 2025 from 2 – 5 pm at the West Valley Volunteer Fire Department, 9085 Rt. 240, West Valley NY 14171. He will be interred at his West Valley Hall of Fame property.
Olean, NY – Olean General Hospital (OGH), a Kaleida Health facility, is pleased to announce that Katlin Sikes, FNP-BC, has joined its primary care team. Sikes, a board-certified family nurse practitioner, will be working alongside Dr. Zia Sheikh to provide compassionate care for patients 18 and older.
Legislation that will fully repeal Pennsylvania’s Sunday hunting ban was signed into law today by Gov. Josh Shapiro, marking a historic day for Pennsylvania hunters and the future of wildlife conservation in the Commonwealth.
“The Pennsylvania Game Commission could not be more excited to celebrate this long-awaited moment,” Executive Director Steve Smith said. “This landmark law effectively will contribute to keeping hunters engaged and performing the valuable public service they provide in helping manage our wildlife populations and ensuring the future of wildlife conservation. Today is a win for wildlife. Today will forever be remembered.
“We could not have reached this milestone alone,” Smith said. “Many thanks go to Representative Mandy Steele, who sponsored House Bill 1431, which was signed into law today; all supporting members of the General Assembly, including Senator Dan Laughlin, who long has championed this issue; Governor Shapiro; a multitude of sportsmen’s groups who care deeply about wildlife; the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau; and last but not least, the hard-working staff of the Pennsylvania Game Commission and our Board of Commissioners. All played a huge role in getting us here, and on behalf of hunters statewide, I thank you.”
Smith said the Game Commission plans to implement new Sunday hunting opportunities this fall.
Summer nights in Pennsylvania are a spectacular experience: cool air, countless stars, and the chorus of bugs set a peaceful scene after a hard day’s work for many people across the commonwealth. However, fireflies, an icon of these nights, have been noticeably scarce or even absent in recent years, spurring an alarm for anyone who enjoys watching them.
Fireflies, or lightning bugs, are a favorite of many people in the summer. Kids collect jars of them, and adults like myself love to sit and watch the hypnotic show they perform as the sun fades behind our rolling hills, and the moon begins to rise and illuminate the night sky. These beloved bugs may have been few and far between in the past few weeks, causing many to notice their vacancy among the darkness.
These insects, which are beetles despite the common names firefly and lightning bug, are truly incredible. The captivating ritual they perform at night catches not only our attention, but also the attention of other fireflies nearby. This allows them to find mates to further supply our night with a light show that can only be described as breathtaking.
Dr. Betsey Eggler, right, talks with Sara Ciavardini, a chemistry and forensic science major from Sayre, about her research, “Heavy Metal Presence in Various Tampon Brands,” at the Spring Chemistry Colloquium at Pitt-Bradford. A new gift from Eggler, a Smethport native, will support undergraduate research in the chemistry program. Photo by Andrew Truman.
To this day, Dr. Betsey Abbey Eggler is not sure who it was who changed her life.
A 1967 graduate of Smethport Area High School, she was smart and especially good at science. After graduation, she had a job offer to work at a lab in Bradford. She was just about ready to start that job when she got a call from the four-year-old University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. She was offered full tuition, room and board, but never knew who had put up the money.
By contrast, the students who benefit from a new chemistry research fund named for her will know who helped them. The Betsey Abbey Eggler Undergraduate Chemistry Research Fund was created with a $100,000 gift from Betsey and her husband, Dr. David Eggler. Eggler scholars may even have met their donor.
Penn State Extension will offer in-person food preservation workshops in Potter County this July.
Instructors will present research-backed information to help dispel food preservation myths, point out unsafe practices and offer practical tips to ensure a positive experience when preserving food at home. These workshops will help attendees — whether seasoned experts or beginners — to gain valuable food-preservation skills.
— Home Food Preservation: Atmospheric Steam Canning. Participants can learn the basics of atmospheric steam canning. Instructors will present recommendations on acidifying tomatoes, the use of salt and sugar, and principles of canning high-acid foods such as tomatoes, pickles, salsa, fruits, jams, and jellies. This session will be held from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 17 at the Penn State Extension office, 216 Gunzburger Building, 1 North Main St., Coudersport. The cost is $15. Registration is required at https://extension.psu.edu/home-food-preservation-atmospheric-steam-canning. To register by phone or receive more information, call 877-345-0691.
— Home Food Preservation: Freezing. Although freezing is a long-established method to preserve foods, recent advances have deepened our understanding of the science behind it. This session will provide preparation tips and safe processing methods for successfully preserving foods via freezing at home. The 90-minute workshop will start at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 17 at the Penn State Extension office, 216 Gunzburger Building, 1 North Main St., Coudersport. The cost is $15. Registration is required at https://extension.psu.edu/home-food-preservation-freezing-workshop . To register by phone or receive more information, call 877-345-0691.
During the break between workshops, pressure canner gauge testing will be offered free of charge. Please call the Coudersport Extension office at 274-8540 x100 to reserve a 10-minute time slot for testing between 4:30 and 5:30 pm.
Annie, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and book by Thomas Meehan opens Thursday, July 10 and runs till Sunday, July 13, with five performances. Hamilton-Gibson Productions brings a cast of over 50 to the Straughn Auditorium stage at Commonwealth University-Mansfield’s campus. Evening shows are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 pm and matinees are Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 pm.
Richard J. Gardner, Jr., 75, passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2025 at Penn Highlands Elk following a brief illness.
He was born on June 24, 1950 in Ridgway, a son of the late Richard J. “Sup” Gardner, Sr. and Loretta P. Luchs Gardner.
Richard was a lifelong resident of the area and graduate of Ridgway High School. He worked at Elcam for many years. In his earlier years, Richard was active in the Spark Club in St. Marys and loved going to the dances on Friday nights with the friends he met there.
Carla E. Miller, 80, of Coudersport, passed away Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at her home. She was born on November 16, 1944, in Summit Hill, the daughter of the late Carl and Helen (Heffelfinger) Breiner. She married William C. Miller on September 16, 1962, and celebrated 55 years of marriage until his passing on June 8, 2018.
Carla worked as a milk tester in Potter County for the Pennsylvania Dairy Herd Inspection Association, and she was an Avon Lady for 20+ years. She loved gardening, quilting, spending time with her family, and her dogs, Tiny and Snickers.
Carla is survived by a son, Will Miller of Coudersport; a daughter, Audrey Montgomery of Vallejo, CA; grandchildren: Travis (Melissa) Montgomery, Brittany Montgomery, Erin (Mat) Fryer, Dalton Miller, and Claudia Miller, great grandchildren: Thea, Felicity, Liam, Maverick, Charlie, Theodore, Kinsley, and Lakeyn-Duane. In addition to her husband and parents, Carla was preceded in death by 3 brothers, a sister, and a daughter-in-law, Bonnie Sue Miller.
Services for Carla will be announced at a later date. The family has entrusted her arrangements with the Thomas Fickinger Funeral Home 210 N. East Street Coudersport. To share a memory or condolence with her family visit www.thomasfickinger.com.
District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a Mount Jewett man sentenced to 12 years to 24 years plus 3 years of consecutive probation after his conviction at a jury trial of committing sex crimes against two minor children has had his request to be released to hospice care denied. McKean County Judge Pavlock denied the request of Kevin BROWN to be placed in hospice at the residence of his wife. BROWN appealed the Judge’s denial of his motion without first holding a hearing. The Superior Court affirmed the Judge’s denial without a hearing noting that the Judge found that release of BROWN to the residence of his wife where the crimes occurred would pose an undue risk of escape or danger to the community. No hearing was necessary for the court to decide the matter. The Superior Court agreed with the Judge’s findings.
Cattaraugus Gives, powered by the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, will return this year on Giving Tuesday, December 2, to support Cattaraugus County nonprofit organizations.
The high-energy online fundraising event invites 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Cattaraugus County and CRCF funds to collaborate, compete and raise critical dollars for their missions.
Last year, 96 participating organizations raised $331,512 in just one day – contributing to the more than $1.5 million raised since the initiative began in 2018.
In addition to donations, nonprofits compete for cash prizes throughout the event. In 2024, CRCF awarded $23,350 in bonus prizes, further boosting the impact of local campaigns.
