Our 17th Candlelight Remembrance Ceremony was held on Saturday, December 23 at 5pm at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner. We had a large turnout of family members who came to light their loved one’s candle. If there was not a family member present, our daughter, Kathryn, and our granddaughter, Gwynne, lit that candle. We keep these families that have lost a loved one this year in our thoughts and prayers. 102 candles were lit for those who passed since our last ceremony and an extra candle was lit in memory of all those we have served in the past 39 years.
Harrisburg, PA – Members of the Shapiro Administration today reminded Pennsylvanians of resources that are available to support them during the holiday season and beyond. The departments of Human Services (DHS), Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), and Health (DOH), came together to reinforce the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to helping Pennsylvanians throughout the year, especially during the holidays.
“The holidays can be a joyous time as we gather with our loved ones to celebrate the season, but we know that this season comes with added responsibilities and expectations that can cause stress and lead to feelings of loneliness, anxiety or depression. Please know that if you are going through hard times, you are not alone – it is always okay to reach out for help if you need an extra hand, and the Shapiro Administration is here to help no matter the time of year,” said DHS Deputy Secretary for the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Jen Smith.
Some of the available resources highlighted at today’s event include:
Warren, PA: Northern Pennsylvania Regional College has announced students who achieved Dean’s List recognition for Fall 2023.
Students take classes at one of our over 20 different instructional locations and include Alicia Gingrich of Galeton.
The Dean’s List recognizes the academic achievements of students who remained in good academic standing and earned a 3.0 GPA or greater during the Fall 2023 term. This outstanding scholarship contributes to the high reputation for excellence at NPRC. A complete list of Dean’s List students for the Fall 2023 term can be found at regionalcollegepa.org/nprc-announces-deans-list-for-fall-2023/.
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to suspend and investigate proposed rate increase requests by Community Utilities of Pennsylvania Inc. (CUPA) for water and wastewater services.
CUPA provides water service to approximately 3,257 customers in portions of Monroe, Northampton and Pike counties and wastewater services to approximately 3,832 customers in portions of Monroe, Chester and Pike counties.
The Cole Foundation celebrated our annual Light Up A Life event on December 7, 2023. The campaign raised over $21,000 for Hospice and Cancer patients in our service area.
While celebrating the holidays, many of us are reminded of family members and loved ones. Light Up A Life offers a unique and meaningful way to express your appreciation for those who you love and cherish.
BRADFORD, PA / OLEAN, NY – Upper Allegheny Health System (UAHS) hospital campuses, Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC), and Olean General Hospital (OGH), are providing patients with a special holiday meal who cannot be home for the Christmas holiday on December 25.
For those who will be patients at BRMC and OGH as well as residents at the Pavilion on Christmas Day, the hospitals will be offering a festive complimentary meal. In addition, patients also receive a gratuitous meal for an invited guest to dine with them on Christmas Day. Additional patient guests may purchase a holiday dinner for $5.40.
The 2024 Step Outdoors Winter Outings Series will begin on New Year’s Day, Monday, Jan. 1 with First Day Hikes at three state parks, according to organizer Tim Morey, a natural resource specialist with the Hills Creek State Park Complex. Preregistration is not required for the hikes.
“In 2017, Step Outdoors expanded from being a Tioga County-based program to including activities in both Tioga and Potter counties,” said Morey, a member of the Step Outdoors Network. “For the first time in 2019, we offered activities not only in January and February but in March, too” he noted.
Hamilton-Gibson Productions has announced that Ward Manufacturing is HG’s Season Sponsor for 2024.Ward is continuing its financial support of HG for the third year in a row. The company was HG’s season sponsor in 2022 and 2023 and will be again in 2024.
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that all driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Saturday, December 23, 2023, through Monday, December 25, 2023, in observance of the Christmas holiday. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website. Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that all driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Saturday, December 30, 2023, through Monday, January 1, 2024, in observance of the New Year’s holiday. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website. Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.
The grant was awarded to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC). They and the project partners will take a comprehensive approach to mussel and river restoration through research, education, and community outreach. In addition to WPC and PFBC, partners include the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania at Lock Haven, and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission.
During the week leading up to Christmas Day, only wrestlers saw action for Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Closing out the 2023 portion of the college’s athletics schedule, the men’s basketball team will be in action Friday and Saturday at Juniata College’s Doc Greene Tournament and the women’s basketball team will be at Keystone College on Saturday.
WRESTLING
On Friday at the 90th Wilkes University Open, 149-pounder TJ Martin, of Honesdale, was the lone Wildcat place winner — finishing sixth — and became just the second Wildcat in program history to medal at the “Rose Bowl of College Wrestling.”
Music, a children’s skit and an inspiring message will highlight Open Arms Church’s annual Christmas Eve’s Eve Service on Saturday, Dec. 23.
“This year, current world events may have us wondering what the future holds, and maybe raising questions about the return of Jesus,” Lead Pastor Zoe Hatcher said. “We are taking time this Christmas season to look back at Jesus’ first coming to earth as a baby. But to also look forward to his second coming and to prepare ourselves for His return.”
The services – to be held at 5 pm and 7 pm at 1289 E. Main St., Bradford – will feature such music as “This Is Christmas” to “Silent Night.” The church’s Children’s Ministry will also perform a Christmas skit. Hatcher will deliver a message as well.
Transportation is also being provided for the 5 pm service. Pickup times and locations include 4:15 pm at the Barbour Street public housing near the VFW Bradford Post 212; 4:20 pm, Marilyn Horne Hall at Marilyn Horne Way; 4:25 pm, Tops entrance at 150 E. Main St.; and 4:30 pm, Togi’s Sub Station at 402 E. Main St.
The Commissioners of Potter County will be accepting applications for a full-time Secretary/Clerk II in the Sheriff’s Department. Job descriptions/applications can be obtained from Potter County CareerLink and/or on the Potter County Sheriff’s web page: Potter County Pennsylvania …Sheriff (pottercountypa.net). Completed resumes and applications can be emailed to Danielle Gietler at dgietler@pottercountypa.net. Applications will be accepted until 4:00 p.m., Friday, December 29, 2023.
Position Opening
Potter County Treasurer Department
Part-Time On-Call Secretary Clerk
The Commissioners of Potter County will be accepting applications for a part-time on-call Secretary/Clerk in the Treasurer Office. Job descriptions/applications can be obtained from Potter County CareerLink and/or on the Potter County Treasurer web page: Potter County Pennsylvania …Treasurer’s Office (pottercountypa.net). Completed resumes and applications can be emailed to Danielle Gietler at dgietler@pottercountypa.net Applications will be accepted until 4:00 p.m., December 29, 2023.
Position Opening
Potter County Public Defender Office
Full-Time Administrative Assistant
The Potter County Public Defender will be accepting applications for a full-time Administrative Assistant in the Public Defender’s Office. Job descriptions/applications can be obtained from Potter County CareerLink and/or on the Potter County Public Defender’s web page: Potter County Pennsylvania …Public Defender’s Office (pottercountypa.net). Completed resumes and applications can be emailed to Danielle Gietler at dgietler@pottercountypa.net. Applications will be accepted until 4:00 p.m., December 29, 2023.
Position Opening
Potter County Public Defender’s Office
Full-Time Secretary Clerk
The Commissioners of Potter County will be accepting applications for a full-time Secretary/Clerk in the Public Defender’s Office. Job descriptions/applications can be obtained from Potter County CareerLink and/or on the Potter County Public Defender’s Office web page: https://pottercountypa.net . Completed resumes and applications can be emailed to Danielle Gietler at dgietler@pottercountypa.net . Applications will be accepted until 4:00 p.m., December 29, 2023.
The Youth Group, God’s Adventure Camp, the Crusader Club, Potter County Christian School students, volunteers from the First Baptist Church and other churches will present a Living Nativity on Friday, December 22nd and Saturday, December 23rd from 6-8 pm. It will be held at the First Baptist Church on Main Street, Roulette. It will be a drive or walk-through theater with four life scenes of the First Christmas – (or at least our depiction of them.)
You’ll be greeted by a Roman Centurion taking the census. This was one of the reasons Mary and Joseph were to go to Bethlehem- to register for their taxes.
The first scene will be of the angels announcing the glad tidings of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds. There will be real sheep, horses and live people depicting the angels and shepherds. The Biblical narrative will be heard over a sound system, and carolers will interject Christmas carols. Imagine the shepherds’ shock!
The second scene will be the actual Nativity at the stable. All the real animals – cow, calf, sheep, goat, donkey and chickens will be there. A live Mary, Joseph and innkeeper will be there as well. A real baby Jesus may be there, depending on the weather. The Biblical story will be heard here. Pause to drink in the enormity of it all- Almighty God becoming human flesh!
The third scene is the palace scene of the time when the wise men come to see King Herod. They are inquiring as to where they can find the newborn King of the Jews. King Herod is jealous of a new king. Hear the Bible account from the Gospel of Matthew.
The fourth and final scene is the home where the wise men bring their gifts to the young child, Jesus. Rejoice with them as they see the star and find the Savior. Our stand-in camels, (horses and maybe alpacas) will be here. Hear the rest of the story and enjoy beautiful Christmas music.
There is no admission charge. Free hot chocolate, cookies and literature will be available.
Animals may be petted. Pictures and videos are encouraged. Donations may be made to the Roulette Youth Ministry or God’s Adventure Camp.
(MCKEAN COUNTY, Pennsylvania: December 22, 2023): District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that, following a sentencing hearing at the McKean County Courthouse, Darvin Carpenter, was sentenced to the equivalent of a life sentence following his conviction of hundreds of sex offenses against 7 juvenile females over the course of 20 years.
All of the victims except one is now an adult and some of them spoke at today’s sentencing.
The jury convicted CARPENTER, age 52, of 251 counts including several counts of Rape of a Child, Rape by Forcible Compulsion, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, Aggravated Indecent Assault, providing marijuana to juveniles, and many other crimes.