NEWS

The ‘Wild’ Envirothon was held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 hosted by the Veterans Memorial in Port Allegany. The Envirothon began in 1989 in McKean County. 110 students from both Cameron and McKean Counties that included Cameron County High School, Bradford High School, Kane Area High School, Otto-Eldred High School, Port Allegany High School, and Smethport Area High School, participated in the event.

During this hands-on competition, students may be asked to measure a tree…identify a frog or toad call…or determine soil erosion potential according to a soil survey. They work as a 5-member team to answer questions, and use their critical thinking to find solutions to reality-based situations.

Partners helping to make the day possible included DCNR Bureau of Forestry, PA Game Commission, USDA Natural Resources & Conservation Service, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford as well as staff and volunteers from the Cameron and McKean County Conservation Districts.

The event was sponsored by McKean and Cameron County Conservation Districts, American Refining Group, Zippo, Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit 5, International Waxes, Casella Waste Management, Upper Allegheny Watershed Association, Zook Motors, Lafayette Township, Dresser Utility Solutions, Kiwanis Club of Bradford, Kane Elks Lodge, Kane Save A Lot, Pine Valley Nurseries, Team Minard Screen Printing & Embroidery, Kessel Construction Company, Pine Haven Veterinary Clinic, Miller-Raffaele VFW Auxiliary Post 6221, North Point Contracting, Solveson Contracting, Cameron County Outdoor Youth Activities, May Hollow Sportsmen, Cameron County Vet’s club, McKean County E-Sales, Emporium Food Market, J. Ream Engineering, Sinnemahoning Sportsman Association, Emporium Hardwoods, and IUE-CWA Union Workers of G.E. Motor Coils of Emporium

The Elk County Democratic Committee will hold its monthly meeting on Sunday May 4^th starting at 1:00pm at its Headquarters, 210 Brusselles Street in downtown Saint Marys. THIS IS A RESCHEDULED MEETING REPLACING THE APRIL MEETING POSTPONED EARLIER THIS WEEK due to severe weather. 

All precinct committee members are requested to attend or be excused. The Committee’s meetings are open to all area Democrats and anyone considering registering to be a Democrat, and we encourage all 2025 Democratic candidates to join as well. A Zoom option is available. Credentials can be obtained by sending an email to elkcountydemocrats@gmail.com prior to 12:00pm on the day of the meeting.

A Headquarters cleanup will be held immediately following the meeting for anyone that can stick around and help us clean up and get ready for our 2025 campaigns.

For more information on the Elk County Democratic Committee, visit their Facebook Page www.facebook.com/elkcodc or email elkcountydemocrats@gmail.com.  

On May 2 at 10:02 pm Corydon Twp. was dispatched to the 62 Sugar Bay Boat Access launch Rd. for a boat in distress. The boat is anchored but will not start

Power Back for Many, But 130K+ Still Out After Historic SWPA Storms

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today noted the significant progress made by electric utilities across the Commonwealth in restoring service to hundreds of thousands of customers following a powerful and fast-moving storm system earlier this week, while continuing to emphasize the need for sustained restoration efforts and clear communication with consumers.

LODGE, SC – May 2, 2025 – Williams Farms Repack LLC is recalling Tomatoes sizes; 4×5 2 layer, 60ct 2layer, 3ct trays in the Williams Farms Repack label, and 5×6 25lb, 6×6 25lb H&C Farms Label, due to a potential contamination of Salmonella. Salmonella an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

On April 29, 2025, the firm was notified via telephone by Southeast Tomato Distributors that tomatoes supplied from H&C Farms may be contaminated with Salmonella.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

View Full Recall

Ferrarini USA, Inc., Recalls Ready-to-Eat Prosciutto Products Imported Without Benefit of Import Reinspection

Ferrarini USA, Inc., in Secaucus, N.J., is recalling approximately 70 pounds of ready-to-eat sliced prosciutto (cured ham) products that were not presented for import reinspection into the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

On May 2 at 6:22 pm Westfield was dispatched to 143 Potter Brook Rd. for an iPhone reported crash with unknown details

The National Weather Service in State College PA has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for…
Northeastern McKean County in north central Pennsylvania…
Northwestern Potter County in north central Pennsylvania…

* Until 530 PM EDT.

* At 451 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Bradford,
moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE…Radar indicated.

IMPACT…Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage
to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include…
Ceres, University Of Pittsburgh – Bradford, Shinglehouse, Eldred,
Bradford, and Rew.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Stay inside a well built structure and keep away from windows.

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a Rew man has been charged with drug crimes.  Robert WALLIN, of Rew, was charged by McKean County Drug Task Force Detective Michael Ward with Possession with Intent to Deliver (22.34 grams cocaine)-Felony; Possession; and Paraphernalia.  WALLIN was charged after the McKean County Drug Task Force received information from a Detective with the Drug Task in Potter County which led to a search warrant. 

WALLIN is charged with possession with the intent to deliver cocaine along with a large amount of drug paraphernalia including powder commonly used as a cutting agent with cocaine, a digital scale, sandwich baggies commonly used for packaging cocaine and other items. The Detectives noted that numerous firearms were located in close proximity to the cocaine.  WALLIN was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Richard Luther who set bail at $100,000.  WALLIN was remanded to the Potter County Jail where he has been held on prior drug crimes charged in Potter County. WALLIN is scheduled for central court in McKean County next Thursday.  If you suspect illegal drug activity, contact the McKean County Detectives at the District Attorney’s Office (814) 887-3312 or leave tips at McKeanDA.org.

3 Day Estate Sale!

May 2 to 4, Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm, and Sunday 9am to 1pm

519 N. Elk Ave. Kane, PA (From Route 6 turn into Poplar St. and follow to right onto Elk Ave.)

Live edge furniture, freezer, beds, dressers, couch, recliner, power tools, hand-tools, clothes, collectibles , Simplicity lawn mower, woodworking tools, pressure washer, hunting items, fishing items, boat w/ trailer and motor, hutch, cast iron, TVs, canoe, kitchen items, and much more.

Do not block driveways or park on lawns.

The Potter County Farmers Market will be outdoors on the square across from the county jail, every Friday (weather permitting) from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm. The next market will be this Friday, May 2nd . 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, ON THE SQUARE ACROSS FROM THE COUNTY JAIL.

*  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]

BLUE MARBLE FARM will be at the market with local, organically grown beautiful produce and plants.  We will have Spinach and herb plants. We accept cash, checks and credit cards. For more information, contact Lisa at bluemarblefarm@outlook.com, 814-320-1308 or bluemarblefarm.weebly.com 

HAY HOLLOW GARDENS AND GREENHOUSE will be there Friday with a few hanging baskets and veggie plants.

ME AND MY BOYS SOAP will be there on Friday. We will have a selection of goat milk based products that include soap bars, shampoo bars, lotions, lotion bars and bath bombs. We accept cash or card payments. For more information contact us at meandmyboyssoap@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page.

MILL CREEK MARKET will be attending this week with a variety of sustainably grown mushrooms, hydroponic greens, and Grown Kits. Accepting cash, check, and Venmo. Our farm is registered with the Department of Agriculture, and our facility is inspected by the Bureau of Food Safety. For more information, find us online at: https://wildscopa.org/members/mill-creek-market   

QUIET ACRES will be at market May 2 with our selection of Haldeman Mills products from Lancaster County- Gluten free Teff (dark and ivory) and Buckwheat Flours, Brinser’s and Stauffer’s Cornmeal, Buttermilk and Buckwheat Pancake Mixes, Soft Pretzel Mix, Funnel Cake Mix, Shortcake/Cobbler Mix.  For our handmade crafts we have aprons, kid and adult, including but not limited to, sports teams, Harry Potter, sunflowers, night sky, etc.  Also, we have handcrafted home decor – rope bowls of various sizes, styles and colors; braided trivets and bowels. We accept cash payments.

At 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, the Bell Bottom Blues will present their high-energy “Live Eric Clapton Experience” Show with both electric and acoustic sets in celebration of Clapton’s 80th birthday. The concert will be in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.

 
Born in England in 1945, Clapton turned 80 on March 30 of this year. He is the only three-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. In 1992, Clapton was inducted as a member of The Yardbirds; in 1993 as a member of Cream; and in 2000 as a solo artist.

PennDOT continues to focus on enforcement and education to improve traffic safety

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that the number of people who lost their lives on Pennsylvania highways decreased to 1,127 in 2024, the second lowest since record keeping began in 1928 and 82 less than in 2023.

“While this decrease in fatalities is certainly good news, even one life lost is one too many,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “PennDOT will continue to work with our partners to decrease traffic deaths through education and outreach, but we will only get to zero fatalities when everyone works together. Please pay attention when you are driving, always follow the speed limit, and never drive impaired. And buckle up! Your seat belt can save your life in a crash.”

As part of Governor Josh Shapiro’s mission to provide a safe transportation system for all Pennsylvanians, PennDOT annually invests approximately $32.4 million statewide in federal grant funds in behavioral safety programs to reduce fatalities and serious injuries. In addition to behavioral safety, PennDOT focuses on infrastructure improvements. Approximately $591 million in federal Highway Safety Improvement Program funds were invested in 392 unique safety projects from 2020 to 2024. During that same time, another $50 million in state funds was invested in low-cost safety improvements at over a thousand locations – which include centerline and edge-line rumble strips, warning signs and pavement markings, and high friction surface treatments.

Seven long-time employees of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will be retiring before the end of summer, including some of the longest-serving members of the staff and faculty.

All told, Bill Kline, Dr. David Soriano, Leasa Maley, Dr. Don Ulin, Pat Frantz Cercone, Jody Randolph and Dr. Nancy McCabe have a combined 218 years of service at the university.

“Each retiree has left a unique imprint – whether in the classroom, behind the scenes or out in the community representing our values,” said Richard Esch, president of Pitt-Bradford, at a reception held for retirees last month.

Kline, director of computer, telecommunications and media services is the longest-serving staff member at Pitt-Bradford. He and Soriano, associate professor of chemistry, both began working at Pitt-Bradford in 1984.

ATTENTION WATER CUSTOMERS! The Boil Water Advisory has been LIFTED. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

April weather was more like March. “just enough spring to ———” It was  a drier than average month and very windy. However, we did have some April showers with measurable precipitation on 14 days.  Morning temperatures were mainly in the 30s except a few 40’s were were recorded. Afternoon readings were in the 60’s except the 70’s did show up in the final week.

Of course lawn mowers were heard in early April guided by the thinking that one must start mowing in April whether the grass needs it or not.  More serious and realistic mowing started mid to late month.

We had three thunderstorms in April and serious hail on the 16th.  Damaging winds were noted on the 16th and 29th. The power was off in parts of town on the 29th and 30th. Driving over Denton Hill on the 15th it looked more like January with white ground cover.Last April we received 5.72″ of rain and this year the total rainfall and melted snow was 3.43′ with 0.5″ of snow.

The flowering bushes and trees are very nice this year.  May flowers are showing up too.
Get ready for summer. It will be arriving soon.

Henry W. Lush

National Weather Service Observer