NEWS

New Owners of Lydia’s Country Store – On October1, John and Teresa Tubbs, in photo, took ownership of Lydia’s Country Store located at 14 East Main Street in Galeton, PA .  The building holds a great deal of history from a primary home to an optician’s office and now a unique country store.  There are several rooms on the first and second floors displaying a multitude of items to adorn your home for every day as well as seasonal items in addition to Dixie Belle paints. 

Kenneth E. “Ken” Launer, Jr., 74, of 1173 Long Level Rd., Johnsonburg, passed away Thursday October 30, 2025 at UPMC-Hamot, Erie, PA following a brief illness. He was born March 22, 1951 in Ridgway, a son to Kenneth E. Launer, Sr. and the late Naomi Huckabone Launer. He married the former Bonnie Baggs in Johnsonburg, and they have been happily married for over 50 years. 

A lifelong resident of Johnsonburg, Ken was a 1969 graduate of Johnsonburg Area High School. He was a member of the Wilcox Presbyterian Church, the James W. Brown Masonic Lodge #675 where he had been the Worshipful Master and the Kane Masonic Lodge #566 where had served as Secretary for many years. Ken loved to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He loved trips to the beach, particularly the Outer Banks, he loved his dogs, hunting and going to camp and his 4 mile walk every day. He was an excellent gardener and loved to can his produce. 

A Vietnam Era Navy Vet, Ken served at sea aboard the USS Basilone as an Electronics Technician, Petty Officer Second Class, for which he received the National Defense Service Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Vietnam Service Medal with One Star.

Closures: The library will be closed on Thursday, November 27th, for the holiday. Regular hours will resume on Friday, November 28th.  

Scarlet Lily Thanksgiving Floral Centerpiece Class: Join us at the library on Tuesday, November 18th, to design and take home a floral centerpiece for your holiday table, to give to a hostess, or as a gift for a loved one. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $25 per person. Limited seats are available. Please call or stop in at the library to sign up! 814-697-6691.

Early Intervention Activities: Join us at the library on Tuesday, November 25th, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm for a fall craft and activities brought to you by the McKean-Potter Early Intervention.

On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Christine Hartnett born July 22, 1942, passed away at the age of 83. Christine will be remembered by her daughter, Heather Hartnett and her husband, Michael Duffy.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday November 6, 2025, at 11:00 am in Holy Redeemer R.C. Church, 11 Russell St., Warren, PA, with the Rev. Mark O’Hern, pastor, officiating. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com. The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home Inc. has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

10/31/2025 UPDATE: Roadway Maintenance Next Week on Canoe Camp Creek Road in Richmond Township, Tioga County

10/31/2025 UPDATE: Work on this project continues and the new expected reopening date is Wednesday, November 5, 2025.

10/22/2025 UPDATE: Work on this project continues and the new expected reopening date is Friday, October 31, 2025.

10/7/2025 UPDATE: Work on this project has been postponed. The project has been rescheduled for Tuesday, October 14 through Friday, October 24.

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a portion of Canoe Camp Creek Road (Route 2027) will be closed next week in Richmond Township, Tioga County, for a roadway maintenance project.

Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that rehabilitation work on the Mifflin County Veterans Memorial Bridge that spans the Juniata River along Route 103 in Lewistown Borough and Granville Township will resume Monday, November 3. This work will improve the ride quality over the bridge, extend its service life, and improve its overall condition rating.

(McKEAN COUNTY, Pennsylvania, October 31, 2025): District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that her office has received reports from residents who have received telephone calls that purport to be from the McKean County Courthouse but are not.

The caller is not actually calling from the courthouse, but the number on the caller ID is the courthouse number. The caller pretends to be calling from a legitimate state or federal government agency.  

A County Detective is investigating the recent reports. However, the District Attorney warns residents to be aware that scammers can “spoof” a telephone number or website so that it appears to be from a trusted source causing a fake sense of security in the recipient. “Spoofing” is a well-known type of scam where a scammer disguises their identity to appear as a trusted source to trick a victim into disclosing personal information such as social security numbers or passwords to accounts.

Once a scammer gains access to a victim’s information or passwords, they can apply for loans and credit cards or deplete their financial accounts. The only way to avoid becoming a victim is to be extremely skeptical about any call, text, or email where we are asked for identifying information, banking information, passwords for accounts, or anything else that we would not disclose publicly. Do not give out personal information over the phone or in an email.  Created Oct 31, 2025 @ 11:38 AM

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://mckean.crimewatchpa.com/da/136029/post/county-detective-investigating-scam-targeting-residents

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised a two-year road improvement project continues on Route 414 near the intersection with Blockhouse Road (Route 2005), in Liberty Borough and Liberty Township, Tioga County.

This afternoon, Friday, October 31, 2025, the long-term detour will be lifted, and Route 414 will be open to traffic.  Although the roadway will be open, the project is not yet complete. While the contractor works to finish the project, motorists can expect single lane conditions under flagging during daylight hours.

“From November first through the end of April, everybody is required to wear a life jacket when on a watercraft 16 foot or smaller. That’s everything from paddleboards, kayaks, canoes.”

“Cold water is nothing to mess with.  If you fall in this time of year with your life jacket on, you will stay above water, and you’ll stay breathing. But if you don’t have your life jacket on, there’s a good chance that you’ll succumb to hypothermia, you’ll be gasping for air, and there’s a better chance that you’ll drown.”

October 2025 started out dry then we had 13 days of measurable rain. We certainly needed the moisture. Pine Creek was very low.The morning temperatures were mainly in the  mid 40s . We had our first frost on the 9th. Then we had 4 mornings with readings in the high 20s with freezing temperatures. Afternoon readings were in the 40s and 50s.It was a cool month.   Unfortunately the Fall foliage colors were not as colorful as usual. The hard maples particularly were nor their usual red colors. The dry conditions cause them to be less colorful and they fell to the ground early.

We received 4.26″ of rain which is slightly above normal. Last year the reading was 1.50″

Now we start the month of November. The rainfall we received in October allowed the grass to get green and grow.  I know growing grass pleases many.  I note  the lawn mowers are still mowing. The next opportunity to use those tractors will occur with the arrival of snow.  8 out of the last 10 years we had measurable snow in November.  The “old timers” often told me snow won’t come until the streams are running full of water. We are now getting there.

Henry W. LushNational Weather Service Observer

Bradford, PA – Olean Medical Group (OMG), a Kaleida Health organization, celebrated its official grand opening of the new women’s health clinic with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce helped coordinate the event that had many local leaders and community members present.

“This is an exciting ribbon cutting for our community,” said Heidi Scrivo, president, Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce. “To know that we now have dedicated women’s health services right here on the hospital campus is truly wonderful. It’s a great step forward for local healthcare and for the women in our region.”

Elk County- The St. Marys Area United Way Board of Directors has elected a new president and recognized outgoing president Jim Ryan for his years of dedicated service.

As seen in the photo, Doug Bauer, United Way Vice President, presents Jim Ryan with a plaque in appreciation of his leadership and commitment as President of the St. Marys Area United Way. Jim served as president for the past two years and will continue to serve as a board member.

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a bridge inspection project will begin next week Route 87 in Forksville, Sullivan County.

Between Monday, November 3, 2025, and Tuesday, November 11, 2025, the contractor, Modjeski and Master, will be inspecting the truss bridge on Route 87 between Main Street and Route 154. Motorists can expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic between the hours of 7:00 AM and 4:30 PM daily.

Motorists should drive with caution in the area and expect minor delays.

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a drainage improvement project is set to begin next week on Riverside Drive / Euclid Avenue (Route 654) in South Williamsport and Duboistown Boroughs, Lycoming County.

Starting on Monday, November 3, 2025, the contractor, Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc., will begin upgrades to the drainage pipes and inlets between Brown Street in South Williamsport Borough and Arlington Street in Duboistown Borough. Motorists can expect single lane conditions with flagging Mondays through Fridays between the hours of 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc., is the contractor for this drainage improvement project for Duboistown Borough. Work includes excavating, upgrading drainage pipes and inlets, and paving. Work on this project is anticipated to be completed in December 2025, weather permitting.

At the Galeton Public Library on Thursday, November 6^th from 1:30pm to 6:30pm

AND

At the Coudersport Public Library on Wednesday, November 12th from 10:00am to 6:30pm

PA-MEDI Counselors are also available at Potter County Human Services at 62 North Street in Roulette on the following days:  November 3^rd, 10^th, 13^th, 17^th, 20^th, 25^th and December 1^st, 2^nd and 4^th. Hours are from 9:00am to 3:00pm for appointments excluding the lunch hour.

Anyone wanting assistance with their Medicare changes for 2026 will need to call for an appointment at 814-544-7315 or 800-800-2560, choose Option 3 and ask for a PA-MEDI Counselor. Please bring your insurance cards and a detailed list of your medications. If you feel you qualify for PACE, Extra Help or Medicare Savings Program, please also bring your income and asset information.

HEADLINE: Wind Advisory issued October 30 at 12:02PM EDT until November 1 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Binghamton NY

DESCRIPTION: * WHAT…West winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts of 45 to 50 mph expected.

* WHERE…Portions of central New York and northeast Pennsylvania.

* WHEN…From 11 AM Friday to 5 AM EDT Saturday.

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

INSTRUCTIONS: Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

Secure outdoor objects.

Issued By: NWS Binghamton NY

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that calibration testing for the Truck Rollover Warning System is on hold at the Route 15 / Interstate 180 / Route 220 interchange in the City of Williamsport, Lycoming County.

Starting on Monday, November 3, 2025, there will be a pause on calibration testing for the Truck Rollover Warning System. Motorists can expect lane restrictions to be lifted while calibration is paused.

Bruce-Merrilees Electric Company is the prime contractor for this $879,000 Truck Rollover Warning System. The project includes the installation of a Dynamic Curve Warning System designed to alert tractor trailer trucks approaching the Route 15 southbound curve when they are traveling over 45 MPH. Work on this project includes installation of two upstream facing radar detectors 2,000 feet in advance of the curve to monitor each lane of approaching vehicles. The system will trigger two downstream message boards to activate and provide a message and graphic to warn a speeding truck driver to slow down for the approaching curve ahead. The message board will be blacked out when not activated. Work on this project is anticipated to be completed in the fall 2025, weather permitting.

Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center hosts the annual Occupational Advisory Committee dinner on October 23rd.

Culinary students at the SHCTC were involved in every aspect of planning and delivering the dinner under the direction of their instructor Chef Paul Farmelo. This gives the students community service experience as well.

SHCTC would like to thank all of our community members from the industries for your support of the amazing things that are going on here at the CTC

The Culinary Arts program at Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center is proud to recognize Makenzie Mack, a dedicated Northern Potter student, as our Student of the Week.

Makenzie brings tremendous energy, enthusiasm, and focus to the Culinary Arts program each day. Whether he’s preparing ingredients, assisting classmates, or taking on challenging kitchen tasks, Makenzie works quickly, efficiently, and with only minor mishaps—always showing a willingness to learn and improve. His positive attitude and constant drive reflect the professionalism and stamina demanded by the culinary field.

Outside of the kitchen, Makenzie remains just as active. He’s a proud member of the Northern Potter Cross Country and Spring Track and Field teams, a dedicated Boy Scout, and an engaged representative on the SHCTC Student Committee. His commitment to leadership, teamwork, and service truly sets an example for his peers.

Makenzie Mack demonstrates the work ethic, energy, and character that make him a standout student and a future leader in any professional kitchen or organization.

This has been a colder fall this year than we had hoped, a challenging growing season for our fruit and vegetables growers, as well as our seasonal vendors.  Farming can be hard. 

Friday’s forecast is rain, windy, and temperatures in the 40’s again. This makes it difficult for market vendors to be outside and keep their products intact. The forecast contributes to canceling “market on the court house square” for Friday, October 31st.

We will be moving to our winter indoor market at the Riley Gallery on Main Street next to the Crittenden in Coudersport, PA on Saturdays from 11 am to 2 pm, beginning November 8th.  Many of our vendors will also be taking part in Coudersport’s Small Town Christmas on November 29th. 

As always, if you have a request for our baker or vendors please contact them. They would be happy to help you.

We appreciate your loyalty and support. See you at the fall and winter market as we prepare for spring.

[NOTICES: 

*  The outdoor market is held each Friday from May through October (weather permitting).  In November, the farmers market goes indoors for the Saturday fall and 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]

Donald E. Pangburn, 80, of 2536 Route 275, Wirt, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at home.

Born on August 22, 1945, in Cuba, he was a son of Nuel and Ethelyn (Dorrett) Pangburn.  On June 28, 1965, in Washington, D.C. he married the former Emma J. Ross who survives.

Don attended Richburg Central School.  He served in Untied States Marie Corps from November 7, 1963 until December 7, 1967 and received the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal for his service.