COUDERSPORT, Jan. 31, 2024 – UPMC has expanded stroke specialty care services at UPMC Cole by offering 24/7, 365 virtual consultation services with world-renowned stroke specialists from UPMC Stroke Institute at UPMC Presbyterian, a certified Comprehensive Stroke Center.
“This collaboration is giving our patients superior access to quality stroke specialty care close to home which is very important because time is a critical element of stroke care,” said Gaurav Dighe, M.D., medical director, Stroke Care, UPMC in North Central Pa. “We are harnessing telemedicine technology to enhance and support the local emergency department teams who are already providing exceptional care and can benefit from additional medical expertise in complicated cases. With this service, the tools are in place to provide fast access to lifesaving treatments helping improve outcomes and prevent or reduce long-term disability from stroke.”
When a patient is suspected of having a stroke, the physician engages the Telestroke team through a virtual consultation. The remote specialist can ask the on-site doctor and patient questions, review the brain scans and lab work, assess how severe the symptoms and whether they could be due to a stroke, and guide the doctor on treatment or whether to transfer the patient to a comprehensive stroke center or higher level of care for further evaluation.
“It’s a challenge to have specialists on-call and on-campus 24/7 at our hospitals, especially our smaller, more rural hospitals like UPMC Cole,” said David Lopatofsky, M.D., chief medical officer and vice president of Medical Affairs, UPMC in North Central Pa. “With innovative telemedicine programs like Telestroke, we’re seamlessly leveraging our expertise from across the system to effectively use telemedicine technology and other resources to keep patients connected to their providers and enhance specialty care needed closer to home.”
To learn more about the comprehensive stroke care services available at UPMC in North Central Pa., visit UPMC.com/NeuroNCPA.
January 31st, 2024—The Potter County Jail Board public meeting originally scheduled for Feb. 2 has been cancelled. The next meeting will be held at noon on Tuesday, March 1, at the F.W. Gunzburger County Office Building auditorium. Telephone access to the meetings is available at 814-274-0844; PIN is #114477.
During the board’s most recent meeting, Sheriff Kevin Siska and Commissioner Robert Rossman were welcomed as new members. They succeed Glenn Drake and Barry Hayman, respectively. Other board members are Judge Stephen Minor, District Attorney Andy Watson, and Commissioners Nancy Grupp and Paul Heimel. Those with questions or comments about the jail are reminded that they can submit them to the board through an email sent to pcjailboard@pottercountypa.net.
Goal: In partnership with the Potter County Jail Board, retain the Pa. Counties Risk Pool (PCoRP) to conduct a comprehensive risk management review of the county jail and develop a plan to implement recommendations.
Engage an expert to study operations, facilities, policies and procedures and pinpoint areas that might increase the risk of litigation or other adverse outcomes at the jail (completed)
Refer findings to the Jail Board to prepare recommendations for full board (completed)
Continuing review of best practices.
CURRENT STATUS: Implementation of recommendations/best practices underway.
3 — Grant Writing/Administration
Goal: To make Potter County more competitive in qualifying for federal, state and foundational grants; to coordinate the pursuit of grants with county departments and agencies, local governments, community organizations, regional agencies and other stakeholders.
Develop a strategic plan that will incorporate specialized training, an assessment of internal resources, and the development of partnerships.
Pursue grants to support county government and countywide initiatives, with potential to expand to grant-writing assistance to boroughs, townships, businesses and nonprofits.
Affiliation with professional grant-writing organizations, Northcentral Pa. Regional Planning and Development Commission/Grant Assistance Division, and other resources.
CURRENT STATUS: In progress.
4 — Short- and Long-Term Financial/Operational Management Planning
Goal: Engage with the Pa. Dept. of Community and Economic Development to qualify for DCED’s Strategic Management Planning Program and implement consultants’ recommendations.
Circulate Request for Proposals to list of qualified consultants (completed)
Create short- and long-term financial plans (budgeting, capital projects planning, overall efficiency and opportunities for improvements).
Review each department’s operations/staffing and needs.
Implement consultant’s plan and establish system to measure results/progress through scheduled periodic review.
CURRENT STATUS: DCED grant approved; awaiting bid packages from consultants.
5 — Update of Human Resources Policies
Goal: Engage a PCoRP risk management specialist to review county personnel policies and a broad spectrum of related issues.
CURRENT STATUS: Review has been completed and draft findings submitted by consultant for review and implementation by county administration.
6—Strategic Economic and Community Development/”Revitalize Potter County”
Goal: Coordination, communication and unified long-term planning to implement high-priority community/economic development strategies identified in the Potter County Comprehensive Plan 2020-2029 to address population loss and youth outmigration.
Fill Community Development Coordinator vacancy and combine County Community Development and Planning/GIS Departments for shared administrative resources and day-to-day coordination (completed)
Application to Pa. Dept. of Economic and Community Development for Countywide Economic Revitalization Implementation Plan (completed; grant approved).
Outreach to Potter County Redevelopment Authority, townships/boroughs, community organizations, regional agencies, employers and other potential partners/stakeholders.
Engagement with Pa. Economic Development Assn., National Rural Action Caucus and other agencies dedicated to supporting agriculture/forest management, travel and tourism, manufacturing and other economic drivers.
CURRENT STATUS: In progress
7—Improvement of 911 Emergency Communications System
Goals: Inspection of county 911 emergency communications towers/infrastructure to ensure reliable 24/7 coverage; assistance to local fire, ambulance, police and other public safety agencies; improved communications with local emergency service providers.
Contract with MCM Consulting Group Inc. to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the county’s emergency communications system and develop a technical plan for any recommended enhancements (completed).
Inspect county’s public safety radio communications infrastructure (towers/supplemental power sources/other infrastructure) and review dispatching services (completed).
Review radios, repeaters and other equipment being used by local and regional emergency response agencies to ensure compatibility and functionality with the county’s infrastructure (completed).
Solicit input from fire, ambulance and police agencies on their needs (completed).
Review county staffing/support services (completed)
Assess and implement consultant MCM’s recommendations (in progress).
Sealed bids for the Black Hole Road Culvert Replacement project consisting mainly of demolition and disposal of the existing 4’ diameter, 2’ diameter, and 1.25’ diameter culvert pipes, installation of a new corrugated metal pipe arch with headwalls and wingwalls, roadway repair, and associated stream restoration being comprised of scour hole repair will be received by the Summit Township Supervisors, Potter County, Pennsylvania, until 6:00 pm, on February 29, 2024, at the Summit Township Office located at 811 Big Moores Run Road, Coudersport, PA 16915.
The bids will be publicly opened and read at the Summit Township meeting at 6:00 pm on March 5, 2024. Bids should be sealed and clearly marked “Sealed Bids for the Black Hole Road Culvert Replacement”. Plans, specifications, and bid forms may be examined at the office of E & M Engineers and Surveyors, P.C., 24 Derrick Road, Bradford, PA 16701. Copies of specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the office of E & M Engineers and Surveyors, P.C., for a non-refundable price of $50.00 payable to the Summit Township Supervisors.
There will be a $25 postage fee payable to E & M Engineers and Surveyors, P.C. for mailing bidding documents. Addenda, if any, will be issued to only those persons whose name and address are on record with the owner as having obtained the bidding documents. A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on February 12, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. The meeting location will be at the project site near the intersection of Black Hole Road and First Fork Road, Coudersport, PA.
All Bidders are required to attend. A certified check or bank draft, payable to the order of the Summit Township Supervisors or a satisfactory Bid Bond executed by the Bidder and an acceptable surety, in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the total of the Bid shall be submitted with each bid. A performance bond and payment bond in the amount of one hundred percent (100 %) of the contract as awarded will be required as security for faithful performance of the contract. The successful contractor will be required to comply with all applicable prevailing wage rates, and the contractor must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, age, color, religion, sex, national origin, or handicap. Proposals must be submitted on the forms prescribed. The Owner reserves the right, as its interests may require, to reject any and all proposals or waive any formalities or technicalities. Summit Township Supervisor
Jett Finch has been selected as the Student of the Week for his outstanding performance and dedication in the Heavy Equipment Maintenance program.
Jett’s positive attitude, commitment to learning, and active participation in both academic and extracurricular activities have truly set him apart. Jett consistently demonstrates a strong academic aptitude in his first year of Heavy Equipment Maintenance. His proficiency in the program’s core subjects is commendable, reflecting his dedication to mastering the material.
Jett’s excellence extends beyond the classroom, as he excels in his electives, showcasing a well-rounded academic approach. In addition to his academic accomplishments, Jett is an active participant in sports for the Coudersport School District. His commitment to athletics reflects a balanced approach to his overall development. Jett’s involvement in sports not only contributes to his physical well-being but also emphasizes teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills.
Today, my office filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, supporting unrestricted access to reproductive healthcare and medication, like mifepristone, which has been proven to be safe, affordable and vital healthcare.
@GovernorShapiro filed a similar brief, joining 21 other governors who support a women’s right to choose. Both briefs are aimed at the Supreme Court’s review of the 5th Circuit reversal of the FDA’s approval of mifepristone.
Access to mifepristone has had a monumental impact in PA, where women can rely on the medication as a safe and affordable care option. I cannot and will not stand silent as those rights are threatened and women face potential physical harm without safe reproductive care options.
At 3:35 PM on Tuesday, Westons Mills Fire & EMS have been dispatched to Windfall Road & Dugan Road for a two-vehicle crash. One vehicle is in the roadway. The other vehicle is over an embankment.
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) today invited the public to provide comments on its delivery of public safety services, a required component of its accreditation review by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).
Members of the public can post their comments on the Accreditation Public Comment Portal (calea.org). Comments can be in the form of commendations for good performance, suggestions for improvement, or concerns.
CALEA is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization that ensures public safety agencies are abiding by current best practices and continually self-evaluating policies and procedures to maintain compliance with over 450 applicable standards. Accreditation is a highly prized recognition of professional excellence.
BRADFORD, PA – Mike Wilt, PA-C, cardiology provider at Upper Allegheny Health System (UAHS) is set to lead the February Walk with a Doc. The walk will take place on Thursday, February 1 at 5 p.m. The event is hosted by Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and the Guidance Center (TGC) and will take place at Richard E. McDowell Trail on Campus Drive.
The walk is free and open to everyone. In honor of American Heart Month, participants are encouraged to wear red to the event. Prior to leading the walk Wilt will be discussing a health-related educational topic with participants. His discussion topic will be the effects of sleep apnea on cardiac health. If interested, please register at walkwithadoc.org/Ewaiver.
An alternate indoor location has been reserved for the event in the case of inclement winter weather. The location is the University of Pitt at Bradford Fitness Center located at 300 Campus Drive, Bradford, PA 16701. Any changes in the location will be announced on the Walk with a Doc Bradford Facebook Page the day of the event.
RIDGWAY, Pa (January 25, 2024)— Dickinson Center, Inc. (DCI), an affiliate of Journey Health System, is proud to appoint Board Certified Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist Mary Anne Albaugh, MD, as their new medical director. She will also continue to serve as a psychiatrist at Deerfield Behavioral Health, an additional Journey Health System affiliate.
“We’re excited Dr. Albaugh will lead our talented team of psychiatric providers at Dickinson Center,” said Jim Prosper, executive director of Dickinson Center, Inc. “Our consumers will benefit from the exceptional skill set and knowledge she will share with our providers.”
Dr. Albaugh began working within the Journey Health System at Deerfield Behavioral Health in 2015. She is a graduate of Gannon University and Hahnemann University School of Medicine (now Drexel University College of Medicine) and is double-board certified in general psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry. With more than 40 years of clinical experience, she has dedicated her career to improving the mental well-being of communities throughout northwestern Pennsylvania.
There will be a Maple Festival Committee Meeting at Vinny’s Bar & Grill, at 762 N Main Street, Coudersport in the dining room on Monday, February 5, 2024 at 5pm. Volunteers are needed and welcome!
Applications for scholarships through both the McKean County and Elk County Community Foundations are now open for high school seniors as well as for non-traditional adult learners with a submission deadline of March 7, 2024. Through the 178 scholarship funds held at the two Community Foundations, over 300 scholarships are awarded each year to students of all ages who are furthering their education.
In addition to the numerous scholarships offered to high school seniors, adult learners have a variety of scholarship opportunities available to them. There are 14 scholarship funds in McKean County and 25 scholarship funds in Elk County earmarked for college students, graduate level and non-traditional students. These adult learners may be pursuing general 2–4-year degrees, trade or vocational degrees or certificates, environmental studies, EMT or paramedic training, criminal justice, nursing, forestry and agriculture, military service, and more. Students are urged to log on to the foundation websites to explore the options available to them.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (January 30) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) Boating Advisory Board will meet on Monday, February 5, 2024, beginning at 10 a.m. at the PFBC headquarters located at 1601 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110. The meeting is open to the public.
The complete schedule and agenda for this meeting is available on the PFBC website (Fishandboat.com).
This meeting may be viewed remotely by joining the webinar from your internet browser using this link: https://bit.ly/BoatingFeb5
If prompted, enter the webinar access number code: 2634 899 6583
On January 26, 2024, representatives from the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center travelled to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to compete in the District 6 Skills USA competition at the Pennsylvania College of Technology. The participants were given the opportunity to show how vital career and technical education are to America’s future through their applied learning, presentations, demonstrations, and speaking and employability skills.
Skills USA is a nonprofit national student organization that serves students enrolled in a career and technical school. Its mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers and responsible citizens, and it complements the skills training received at the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center. The advisors at the Career and Technical Center are Mr. Brent Bryant and Mrs. Kim Mooney.
The following list is made up of sixteen students from the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center and their home district who participated in the competition. First Place students will attend the state competition for Skills USA coming up in Hershey, Pennsylvania. We are so very proud of all the student competitors who attended the district-level competition, and perhaps some of our students at the Seneca Highland Career and Technical Center may advance to the national level!
Harrisburg, PA –01/29/2024– The Allegheny River in western Pennsylvania has been selected by a public vote as the state’s 2024 River of the Year, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Janet Sweeney of the Pennsylvania Organization for Waterways and Rivers (POWR) announced today.
“We are excited to honor the Allegheny River as Pennsylvania’s 2024 River of the Year, and I cannot wait to celebrate this incredible river during a sojourn later this year,” Dunn said. “Congratulations to Three Rivers Waterkeeper for the successful campaign and earning this prestigious honor. Thank you to everyone who voted in this wonderful competition highlighting one of our most precious natural resources.”
The historic Allegheny River starts as a stream in Potter County, meandering through a field of wildflowers before crossing briefly through New York and then through six counties in Western Pennsylvania.
The 325-mile river ends in Pittsburgh where it meets the Monongahela River and flows into the Ohio River, providing drinking water to more than one million people and acting as an ecologically and economically precious water trail.
Fishing the Allegheny River at Roulette, Potter County, PA https://solomonswords.net
The fertile valleys and abundant biodiversity have led many communities to call this place home, including the O-non-dowa-gah (Seneca Nation) who call the Allegheny Ohi:yo’ (beautiful river), the Lenni Lenape (Delaware Nation) who named it welhik-heny (most beautiful stream), and French settlers who referred to it as La Belle Riviere.
Ridgway, PA – The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission (North Central), in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), is pleased to announce a new Greenways mini grant funding round.
North Central is encouraging municipal entities and authorities, council of governments, 501C3 tax exempt corporations, educational institutions, incorporated watershed associations, conservation districts, and county and local governments within the region that are interested in expanding the North Central Pennsylvania Greenways network to apply for funding under the commission’s Greenways Implementation Block Grant Program.
Eligible applicants must be located within the six county region comprised of Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Potter counties.
Harrisburg, PA –The Shapiro Administration invites all first through sixth grade students in Pennsylvania to enter the 2024 Lyme Art Contest by creating a short video or poster focusing on the theme: “Protect. Check. Remove.”
The annual contest helps students, scout troops, and community youth programs learn how to prevent Lyme disease by educating them about ticks, including where they live, how to prevent bites, and how to remove ticks that do bite.
BRADFORD, Pa. – Joshua Schuessler of Rixford had already earned 15 college credits – equal to a typical semester – before ever stepping onto the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s campus as a first-year student.
Schuessler earned those credits while at Otto-Eldred High School through Pitt-Bradford’s College in the High School program, which allows students to earn college credits from certain courses taught by their high school teachers who are certified through the program.
Tuesday, January 30, 2024—McKean County has been awarded grants in direct federal funding for an amount of $17,679 under Phase 41 of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). Each phase requires a separate application and will be voted on separately.
The National Board is comprised of representatives from health and human service agencies across the country. The United States Congress appropriates funds annually to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas nationally.
The NCFLA (North Central Forest Landowners Association) is hosting an online program presented by Penn State Extension. Join Cat Pugh, Penn State Extension Forestry and Wildlife Educator, as she discusses non-timber forest products grown in the PA Wilds. Enjoy this free program from the comfort of your home. The program will be set up in Zoom meeting format, so participants can ask questions. Feel free to share, this is open to everyone. Thank you to Penn State Extension for making this program possible.
**All are welcome to join the live program January 30th at 7 pm by simply using the link/web address: https://psu.zoom.us/j/93063617715
The North Central Forest Landowners Association is a non-profit organization providing educational programs and resources to forest landowners in Cameron, Elk, McKean, and Potter counties. Learn more and find a membership application at https://ncfla2.wixsite.com/website
In team competition, Pennsylvania College of Technology wrestling and basketball squads went a combined 0-7 last week, but three wrestlers went unbeaten in their three matches and each of them posted wins over regionally ranked opponents during the John Reese Duals at Wilkes University on Sunday.
WRESTLING
Kaden Ware, of Brooklyn, Connecticut, sixth in the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Mideast Regional rankings, had two wins by decision — one over Wilkes’ Michael Richardson, who is ranked fifth in the Southeast Region — and one win by major decision at 133 pounds.
Noah Hunt, of Muncy, fourth in the Mideast, recorded a technical fall, a major decision over Jack Bauer, of Wilkes, ranked seventh in the Southeast that avenged a loss to Bauer a year ago, and added a win by decision at 141.
Emporium — The Cameron County Republican Party will be holding a petition-signing event from 6 to 7pm on Tuesday, February 6, at BMBM Library Conference Room.
Petitions will be available for Representative in Congress candidate Glenn GT Thompson; Representative in the General Assembly candidate Martin T Causer; Senator in the General Assembly candidate Cris Dush; Auditor General candidate Tim DeFoor; State Treasurer candidate Stacy Garrity; United States Senator candidate Dave McCormick; and Attorney General candidate Dave Sunday.
Johnsonburg, Pa.: Thursday, February 8, is the last date to register for Rolfe Beagle Club’s 8th annual Statewide Coyote and Fox Hunt or Trap. The hunt is scheduled for two weekends in February, 2/9-11 and 2/16-18. Your registration must be received or postmarked on Thursday, February 8, if you plan on hunting both weekends.
Registration must be received or postmarked no later than Thursday, February 15, if you are going to participate in the second weekend only. All registrations must be received at the Rolfe Beagle Club, 1016 Long Level Road, Johnsonburg, PA 15845. Registration must include a phone number or an email. Questions may be addressed to wlhab9@gmail.com.
Weigh-in is at 4:00 p.m. every day. Categories include coyote, fox, and largest female coyote or largest female fox. Additional information at the Facebook Page, Rolfe Beagle Club.
