B.J. Knefley

Much can be said about choices; they happen all the time. Many decisions affect not only the individual making them but also those around them. We often overlook how our choices impact the lives of others, but they truly do. Taking responsibility for our choices is another matter entirely. Many people prefer to blame others for what happens rather than own up to their decisions. Consequences are the results of our choices, and sometimes they are not pleasant. However, these consequences are normal outcomes of decision-making and can teach us to make better choices in the future. Have you ever noticed how selfish some people can be in their choices, acting as if they are the only ones who matter?

PUC Releases Additional Details for April 24 Hearing on Grid Impacts from Data Center Growth

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today released the agenda and additional information regarding its upcoming public hearing to explore the impact of data centers and other large load customers on the state’s electric grid.

This en banc hearing, approved by a unanimous vote of the Commission on March 27, 2025, will examine how to ensure a fair, transparent, and forward-looking approach to connecting high-energy users to the grid while protecting existing utility customers.

Peggy A. Bartlett, 59, of 47 Southgate Road Bradford, passed away, Saturday April 12, 2025 at her sister’s home.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com

This course is designed to help you harness the potential of Microsoft Teams, making remote collaboration smoother and more effective than ever. You can streamline communication, boost productivity, and maximize the tools at your disposal.

Learn all about the other virtual conferencing App and benefits over using Zoom. Learn all the features you can use with Microsoft Teams including setting up Teams, creating a Team file-share and, linking with OneDrive, scheduling and managing meetings, screen-sharing, file-sharing, and setting audio and video settings. Using the Chat feature, using the phone call feature where you can make ad-hoc one-on-one or conference calls, reactions (raise hand, etc.), embedding meetings within your Outlook calendar, recording sessions, changing views, add-on apps, and more. 

This class, taught by Ron Keeney, Professor in the Computer Science Department at Alfred State College of
Technology, is scheduled for Friday, April 25, 2025, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Education Council’s office at
5 Water Street, Coudersport. The cost is $65 per person. Register today! Visit www.pottercountyedcouncil.org
or call (814) 274-4877.

Mary Kay Sarnoski, 80, of St. Marys, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 with her family by her side. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Lynch-GreenFuneral Home.

Tiffany J. Thomas, 44, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Lynch-Green Funeral Home.

Michael A. WHITESELL, 69, a well-known, loved and respected, lifelong dairy farmer and resident of Wellsville NY, passed peacefully at his home on Monday, April 14, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones.  

Mike was a farmer with a passion for the land and his cows.  He was committed to a lifestyle of hard work, personal achievements, and determination.  He was the foundation of our family and a true definition of a man.  

Dean A. STEBBINS, 70, of Whitesville, NY, died Monday, April 14, 2025 in his home.  Born May 31, 1954, in Wellsville, he was the son of Alfred Duane and Mary “Eadie” L. Dunham Stebbins.  On June 17, 1972, in Harrison Valley, he married Darlene S. Button, who survives.

A graduate of Northern Potter High School, he worked in factories then became a logger for 20 years.  Dean and Darlene owned and operated Just One More in Shongo for 15 years.  He was a member of Wellsville Moose, Wellsville Legion, Wellsville VFW, and Knoxville Vets Club. 

HARRISBURG, Pa. (April 17) — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) reminds anglers and boaters that even as warmer temperatures arrive and the spring season begins to bloom across the Commonwealth, the annual cold weather life jacket requirement remains in effect through April 30.

BRADFORD, PA / OLEAN, NY – Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and Olean General Hospital (OGH), Kaleida Health facilities, will be hosting April community blood drives in partnership with ConnectLife, the region’s only community blood bank.

OGH will host its blood drive on Wednesday, April 23, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The drive will take place on the ConnectLife Bus, located at the Mildred Milliman Outpatient Surgery Center, directly across from the hospital. Anyone who would like to schedule an appointment can visit www.connectlifegiveblood.org and use sponsor code 000485, or call (716) 529-4270.

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised of overnight ramp closures on Interstate 80 at Exit 232 (Route 42 / Buckhorn) in Hemlock Township, Columbia County. This project is part of a multi-year reconstruction and resurfacing project on Interstate 80 in Columbia County.

Starting Tuesday, April 15, 2025, the contractor will begin work on the entrance and exit ramps at the Interstate 80 / Route 42 interchange (Exit 232 / Buckhorn). Motorists can expect the below closures.

Cite Need to Preserve $19 Million in Remaining Program Funds for PA, Ensure Federal Program’s Long-Term Sustainability

HARRISBURG – In a letter to the Commonwealth’s Congressional Delegation, Pennsylvania’s Public Utility Commissioners are urging Congress to take immediate action to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – including the preservation of $19 million in LIHEAP funding already allocated to Pennsylvania for the 2024-25 heating season.

STATESVILLE, NC – April 10, 2025– Blue Ridge Beef is recalling 1,080 lbs. of their 2 lb logs of Kitten Mix Lot # N26 0114 and 1,380 lbs of their 2 lb logs of Puppy Mix Lot # N25 1230 (Lot numbers are stamped in the clips on the end of the chubs/bags) due to contamination with Salmonella and Listeria.

Salmonella and Listeria can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Pipe Replacements Next Week on Salem Road in Penn Township, Union County

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised of daytime road closures next week on Salem Road (Route 1011) in Penn Township, Union County, for pipe replacement projects.

Starting on Monday, April 21, 2025, Salem Road will be closed between Route 522 and Fair Oak Road (Route 1002), while a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) maintenance crew replaces two cross pipes. Work includes milling of the roadway, removal of the deteriorated cross pipes, installation of the new pipe, and paving.

Motorists will use the following daytime detours while work is being performed.

• Monday, April 21, a detour using Route 522, Clifford Road, and Salem Road will be in place.
• Tuesday, April 22, a detour using Old Colony Road, Route 204, and Fair Oak Road will be in place.
• Wednesday, April 23, a detour using Old Colony Road, Route 204, and Fair Oak Road will be in place.

Work will be performed between the hours of 7:30 AM and 2:30 PM, weather permitting. Work on this project is anticipated to be completed on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

Motorists should be alert, slow down, expect delays in travel, and drive with caution.

Next Friday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m., Running On Jackson, an unforgettable tribute concert to the incomparable Jackson Browne will be in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.
 
This show captures Browne’s sound and embodies the look and feel of one of his concerts.

Earlier today, I had the opportunity to join officials with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) and Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) to help with trout stocking on Havens Run in Norwich Township and visit PGC’s habitat project in State Game Lands 30 on Potato Creek Road.

Hunting and fishing are among the many outdoor opportunities that help make our region a great place to live. Thanks to PFBC Executive Director Tim Schaeffer and PGC Executive Director Stephen Smith and their teams for organizing this collaborative stocking event.

HEATWAVE TURNED UP THE HEAT

“Turn up the heat, feel the flame! Heatwave’s here to change the game!  Big energy, we’re bringing the blaze.  Watch us shine and set the stage.  Who are we? HEAATTWAVVEEE!”

HeatWave has made their debut at Storm Athletics All Star Cheerleading for Season 15. This Senior Level 2.1 team, comprised of 8 athletes, has taken 1st place and Championship Titles at every competition they have competed during the season.   HeatWave has earned a very prestigious bid for The Liberty Spirit Championships. The Grand Finale Nationals Elite 2025 cheerleading competition is scheduled to take place on May 10-11, 2025, in Miramar Beach, Florida.  HeatWave will be representing our area and competing at this Championship.

The on-mat success comes from dedication, perseverance, and a strong community foundation.  HeatWave has displayed nothing short of the best anyone could ask from an athlete.  Their teamwork is phenomenal.  A small team earning such a high level of awards is what makes this earned bid so unbelievably exciting!  It’s a tough sport and the numbers do go against you when it comes to the size of your team.  (I am sending two photos.  The second one is right after their team finished competing and ran to huge each other.)

Storm is a very popular Cheerleading Program for children 3–18-year-olds based at Olean Center Mall in Olean NY. Storm Athletics has kids from all over! Our athletes come from Olean, Bradford, Smethport, Hornell and everywhere in between!

Program Provides Air Conditioning Units for Those Susceptible to Extreme Heat and Humidity, Older Adults and Families With Young Children Applications Accepted Beginning April 15 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that applications are open to help low-income New Yorkers stay cool this summer through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

Overseen by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the program will pay for an air conditioner and installation for eligible households that include someone who has a documented medical condition exacerbated by extreme heat, or households with young children or older adults.

Artists gathered at Elcam in Saint Marys to share first look at products

SAINT MARYS, PA – Artisans and manufacturers from the Pennsylvania Wilds region gathered for a pre-launch event on April 8, celebrating the inaugural PA Wilds Artisan Collaborative program offered by the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship Inc. (PA Wilds Center) and sharing a first look at some of the products they created together.

The Port Allegany Wine Walk, now in its 7th year, was held Saturday and has once again been deemed a huge success.  Over the past six years, the event has raised approximately $35,000 for local groups.  Totals from this year have not yet been calculated, but details will be announced as soon as they are available.  Recipients of this year’s proceeds are the Port Allegany Women’s Club Small Town Christmas and The Port Allegany Historical Society. 

Phyllis A. Evans, 81, of Painted Post, NY, passed away on April 14, 2025 at the Corning Center for Rehabilitation, Corning, NY. Born August 13, 1943 in Corning, she was a daughter of the late George and Mildred (Johnson) Evans.

She was a graduate of Northside High School in Corning and went on to work at Phillips Lighting in Bath, NY. Phyllis loved quilting, crocheting and sewing.