NEWS

CERES TOWNSHIP MEETING MINUTES       MARCH 4, 2025

AJ Plants: (716)244-8585                      Greg Maxson: (716)474-8272                            Jeff Moyer: (814)203-6262

The March 4, 2025 meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Anthony Plants with three supervisors, five residents, and secretary present. The minutes of the February 4, 2025 meeting were read and approved by Greg Maxson and Seconded by Jeff Moyer.

Minutes of the February 4, 2025 meeting were read and approved.

OLD BUSINESS:  Resolution for Tax Collector to collect fee for duplicate tax bill and returned checks.  Twenty-five ton of salt ordered from Costars.  Solar Panel Ordinance info submitted to Alferi & Alferi.  Building Permit Fee increased to $25.00 per application.  Resolution signed for Small Flow System yearly inspection fee $350.00 for David Nease new small flow system. Resolution to notify Tax Collector of all ownership and address changes.

NEW BUSINESS :  The Auditors Report was submitted to the Supervisors. Motions were made and approved to discontinue HP Ink agreement for automatic shipment of print cartridges and a fifty dollar donation to Eldred Conservation Club. Busy Beaver will be performing daylighting of Powerhouse Road. Bruce Osgood complaint of rat infestation. Complaint to Township of trailer of animal carcasses sitting by road for prolonged period of time. Multi Modal grant was awarded to Township for resurfacing Barden Brook Road. Motion made and approved for Grant application be submitted to Wildfire Defense for mowing tractor and Application for 2% state loan for mowing tractor to be completed.

$15 per meal. Door prize ticket included, additional raffles available for purchase.

Cornbeef, cabbage, potatoe, dessert, and beverages.

Please come support a great non-profit supporting the community. We provide clothing items for children along with supporting other meaningful causes that support the community. We even offer coats to children outside of Eldred, we support our area and need your support in return! Thank you.

After a fall season that produced just one win for the combined Pennsylvania College of Technology men’s and women’s tennis teams, second-year coach David Straub is hopeful for improved spring showings for his squads.

The Penn College men open at home at the Central PA Tennis Center at 2 p.m. on Saturday, hosting Penn State Altoona. The women start on Friday, March 21, hosting King’s College, also at the South Williamsport indoor facility.

United East Conference play begins on March 29 for both teams.

(McKean County, March 11, 2025):  District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer announced today that she will not be running in the upcoming election to fill a vacancy in the county’s 2^nd judge seat left after the retirement of Judge Hauser in 2024. 

McKean County has two County Judges – President Judge John Pavlock and the position formerly filled by Judge Hauser that is temporarily filled pending the upcoming election results. 

DA Vettenburg-Shaffer:  “Over the last several years, and, with more urgency in the last few months, I have received numerous inquiries on my intentions as to the judgeship that was expected to be vacated when one of our Judges retired.  In 2024, applicants submitted letters of interest seeking to be appointed to the position on a temporary basis.  I declined to submit my name for consideration for the temporary appointment and, now, I am announcing I will not run to fill the seat formerly.  Myself, and other senior members of our bar association, understand our obligations to ensure that the legal system in the County runs efficiently. To that end, I have decided to remain as the District Attorney and in the role that I believe I am currently able to serve most effectively.  I have been the District Attorney since 2016 and I am very proud of our accomplishments (the DA’s Office and McKean County Law Enforcement) and we continue to work to fulfill the criminal justice goals we have set.  In fact, we are not done with the work I envision for our local criminal justice system. 

I appreciate the important role of Judge and I hold it with the utmost respect.  And I hold the position of District Attorney with similar respect.  At the present time, my focus will remain on prosecution and community outreach for which I am very fortunate to have a voice.”  

** On October 9th, 2024, at approximately 0014 hours, City of Bradford Police responded to a call at the Holiday Inn Express, located at 30 Tarport Drive, regarding a large box truck striking the building and parked motor vehicles before fleeing the scene. Upon arrival, officers located the box truck in the downtown area and attempted a traffic stop. The operator, later identified as John Albert McWhinnie of Shelburne Falls, MA, fled from the vehicle on foot to evade officer contact.

Further investigation revealed that the box truck had been stolen from the Bradford Era, located at 43 Main Street, prior to the incident. The stolen vehicle had caused extensive damage to several parked vehicles and the Holiday Inn Express building, resulting in a large hole in one of the bedrooms and significant damage to the front overhang drive-through. Through diligent efforts, including scouring video footage and conducting numerous interviews, City Police were able to identify the driver as John Albert McWhinnie. It was determined that McWhinnie had fled the Bradford area back to Massachusetts. On March 10, 2025, the City of Bradford Police had McWhinnie extradited back to Pennsylvania, where he was arraigned by Magistrate Richard Luther.

McWhinnie was remanded to the McKean County Jail after failing to post $150,000 cash bail. Preliminary hearings are scheduled in the matter. The City of Bradford Police Department would like to thank the public for their cooperation and assistance in this investigation. The department is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community and will continue to work tirelessly to bring those responsible for criminal activity to justice. 

Dr. Widad Emil Bazzoui, age 95, of Bradford, passed away at home, on March 6, 2025 with his wife and members of his devoted family by his side, He was born May 7,1929 the first-born son of the late Emile and Mary Homsey Bazzoui, in Baghdad, Iraq. 

Widad graduated from the American Jesuit High School in Baghdad, Iraq in 1946. He finished his medical education at the Royal Medical College of Iraq in 1953. He completed his Internal medicine Residency in 1954 and practiced Internal Medicine for five years in service to the Iraqi government as an internist in the outlying tribal areas of the country. You can learn more about his amazing life by reading his memoir, ‘The Man From Baghdad’.

The County of Cameron announces that 2025 real estate and per capita (personal) tax bills have been mailed to all property owners and residents.

Residents are encouraged to review their tax statements upon receipt. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your bill, please refer to the contact information provided on the tax notice. Each bill includes details on payment deadlines, accepted payment methods, and applicable discounts or penalties.

The County reminds residents to submit payments on time to avoid late fees or subsequent bills from the county’s delinquency collection agent, Keystone Collections Group, or one of the municipality’s appointed collection agencies. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring a smooth tax collection process.

For further information, please contact the appropriate tax office as listed on your bill.

Throughout March, Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and Olean General Hospital (OGH), Kaleida Health facilities, are offering a variety of classes and support groups designed to provide health education, encouragement, and community connection.

Whether you are managing a health condition, navigating a loss, or caring for a loved one, programs offer valuable guidance and are open to the public.

The Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Workshop helps individuals take charge of their diabetes with expert guidance and support. The comprehensive program at OGH covers key aspects of diabetes self-care, including meal planning, medication management, and lifestyle strategies. The workshop will take place in the OGH Education Center on the first floor. The dates and times are as follows:

Wednesday, March 12, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Wednesday, March 19, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Diet-focused session)

Wednesday, March 26, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

For more information regarding the diabetes education and support workshop or to register, call (716) 375-4127.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
752 AM EDT Tue Mar 11 2025
…ELEVATED RISK OF WILDFIRE SPREAD THIS AFTERNOON…

A combination of dry and windy conditions this afternoon will
create an elevated risk of wildfire spread across Central
Pennsylvania. Minimum relative humidity values will range from 25
to 35 percent accompanied by wind gusts between 20 and 30 mph.

Residents are urged to exercise caution if handling any potential
ignition sources, such as machinery, cigarettes, or matches.
If dry grasses and tree litter begin to burn, the fire will have
the potential to spread rapidly.

For more information about wildfire danger and wildfire
prevention and education, please visit the Pennsylvania Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources website at
http://dcnr.pa.gov/Communities/Wildfire.

Belmont, NY – All Democrats registered to vote in Allegany County are invited to participate in the second in a series of general sessions on Saturday, March 15 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the David A. Howe Library, 155 N. Main St., Wellsville, NY.  The session will take place in the Nancy Howe Auditorium on the ground floor of the library, which is accessed from the back of the building.  Sign-in begins at 9:00 a.m.; the doors open at 9:20 a.m., so please dress for the weather.

Attendees will hear from candidates for local office and other special guests. The session will begin with a plenary discussion on current affairs and end with a roadmap for the party’s efforts in 2025.  We anticipate a lively, informative, consensus-building discussion.

Advance registration is required.  Please use this link: https://forms.gle/FM7x9zT69yPMWiLZ9

“Pirate School: Sea Dreams,” a fun show for the whole family, is at 7 p.m. this Thursday, March 13 in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.

Included in “Pirate School: Sea Dreams,” a riotous, interactive variety show suitable for all ages, are: magic, eye-popping puppetry, slapstick sword play, bubble-play, booming cannons, lively audience participation, and a rich score of music and cartoon-like sound effects. Where else can the young and the young at heart participate in a sea battle, or find a talking skull and the world’s only wearable pirate ship.

McKean County

Director of Security

McKean County is seeking qualified and highly motivated applicants for a full-time Director of Security located in Smethport, Pennsylvania.

The Director of Security will coordinate and implement initiatives regarding security and safety for all departments of the Court.  The candidate will provide technical and security related assistance/advice to other non-judicial offices in the courthouse upon request of the County Commissioners.  This position is responsible for the safety and security of all staff and public visitors in the courthouse.

Responsibilities:

• Perform a daily security sweep of the courthouse building and grounds prior to and at the close of business.
• Maintain order within the courthouse; settle disturbances as required.
• Develop and institute procedures and plans relating to security and safety.
• Assign hearing and/or meeting areas within the courthouse according to the daily schedule.
• Maintain a visible security presence within the building.
• Direct traffic (attorneys, litigants, witnesses, etc.) for hearings and meetings.
• Provide leadership to the Courthouse Security Committee on related meeting agendas, programs and policies.
• Provide effective supervision, coaching, mentoring and appraising of job performance to assigned subordinates.
• Accurately maintain required reports, files, records and certifications related to the position or courthouse security.
• Provide input into department annual budget.
• Create, issue, and monitor key fob access for all employees of the courthouse.
• Appear for events or assure other security staff appears for functions and proceedings held at the courthouse/court facilities on non-county/court hours.
• Appear at courthouse/court facilities to address emergency situations/events.
• Assign duties/hours to other Security Officers, full and part-time, as required for court/courthouse and court facility operations and functions.
• Assist with such other duties as may be assigned for the successful operation of the courthouse.

Special Requirements:

• Capable of meeting physical demands related to the use of restraint and self-defense and ability to handle potentially violent confrontations.
• Firearms and Taser Qualifications (May obtain training/certification after hire at discretion and under terms set by the court).
• Communication skills necessary to diffuse dangerous and/or threatening situations.
• Ability to complete annual firearms certification.
• Ability to use tact, yet decisiveness.

Qualified candidates should apply by sending a McKean County job application and resume to Patricia Brown, Court Administrator, 500 West Main Street, Smethport, PA 16749, or via email to pabrown@mckeancountypa.gov.  McKean County is an equal opportunity employer, M/F/D/V.
 

A moment of silence was observed at the F. W. Gunzburger County Office Building on Friday, memorializing U.S. Army Specialist Mike Franklin, who lost his life in the Global War on Terrorism 20 years ago, on March 7, 2005. A banner hangs on the wall next to the Main Street entrance. It was originally hung in downtown Harrisburg, through a partnership of a local civic organization and the American Gold Star Mothers. The banner was donated to the county by SPC Franklin’s parents, Tina and Bill Franklin, when they moved to Arizona.

The Coudersport soldier lost his life when an improvised explosive device detonated near his screening area in Ramadi, Iraq. SPC Franklin, who was a month shy of his 23rd birthday, was not scheduled to be on duty during that shift on 5. But he unselfishly agreed to stand in to help a friend. The checkpoint he was patrolling was established to trap guerrilla fighters through a dusk-to-dawn curfew. Similar operations were taking place in other towns in western Iraq, which were seeing heavy guerrilla fighting. A car had stalled and couldn’t be restarted. Just as Franklin and another soldier were about to begin searching the vehicle, the bomb was detonated by a remote-control device.

After her son’s death, Tina Franklin became involved with the work of Gold Star Mothers, an organization of those who have lost a son or daughter in battle. She has made multiple trips to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., to visit injured service members. Tina and Bill Franklin suggest that those wishing to honor military personnel who have fallen in war consider service to others through community organizations, churches or government agencies.

The Port Allegany Gator Baseball team invites you to join them Saturday, March 15 from 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the Port Allegany Moose Lodge for a Pancake Breakfast.  The event, sponsored by the PAHS Baseball Boosters, will feature a breakfast of pancakes, sausage, bacon, milk, coffee and juice; a basket raffle, 50/50 raffle  and a door prize.  Pictured as they practice flipping pancakes are several team members (from left to right) Joshua Lawrence, Tyler Fillhart, Derek Smith, Nick Wilfong, Jake Causer, Kellen Veilleux, Az Luk, Chase Boyd, Levi Howard and Tyler Carinci.  

This year’s final Property Tax/Rent Rebate Clinic hosted by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) will be held Thursday, March 13, at the Emporium Senior Center, 105 E. Fourth St., Emporium.

Assistance will be available from 10 a.m. to noon. Appointments are preferred and may be made by calling 814-486-3707. The service is free.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program benefits eligible residents 65 years and older; widows and widowers 50 years and older; and people with disabilities 18 years and older. This year’s income limit is $46,520 for both homeowners and renters; be sure to exclude 50% of Social Security or railroad retirement income. The maximum rebate is $1,000.

To file for the rebate, residents must have the following documentation to allow claims to be processed:

• Renters will need a 2024 PA Rent Certificate, completed by their landlord, or statement from HUD office; 2024 proof of income, such as Social Security/Disability Form 1099, employment W-2, Pension/Retirement Form 1099 and Interest/Dividends Form 1099; and a driver’s license or photo identification. Some may also need to bring a death certificate.
• Homeowners will need proof of 2024 paid property taxes to their county, municipality and school district; 2024 proof of income, such as Social Security/Disability Form 1099, employment W-2, Pension/Retirement Form 1099 and Interest/Dividends Form 1099; and a driver’s license or photo identification. Some may also need to bring a death certificate, life lease or deed.

Applicants who wish to receive their rebates through direct deposit should bring a check for account information. If not, paper checks will be mailed. Disbursements should begin after July 1.

Assistance is also available at Causer’s offices in Bradford (78 Main St., 814-362-4400), Coudersport (279 Route 6 West, Office 2, 814-274-9769) or Kane (54 Fraley St., 814-837-0880). Residents may also apply online at mypath.pa.gov.

A Friend of God

By

Pastor B.J. Knefley

In James 2:23, it is stated that “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was called a friend of God. What does it mean to be a “friend of God”? If you’re unfamiliar, it comes from Isaiah 41:8, “But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham, my friend.” God called Abraham a friend, not the other way around. So, how does one get this position?

Let’s start with a definition of friendship. A friendship is based on trust, respect, support, and care. A friendship is often more potent than the bond of family. Friends usually share common interests, values, experiences, and goals. In the case of Abraham, he trusted God, which was demonstrated in various ways. Perhaps the most significant is in the story of God asking Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. Abraham showed his willingness to follow God’s request right up until the moment that God provided a ram for the sacrifice. Would this describe our relationship with God, or would we be like Eve, who questioned the validity of what God had said?

This whole idea of being a friend of God also presents another idea. If I am a friend of God, is God a friend of mine? In life, we all know that sometimes friendships are one-sided. The level of trust, support, and respect is different. Some might even question whether there is an actual friendship in place. If we have entered a faith relationship with Jesus, wouldn’t that mean we have also entered into a friendship with Him? But have we? Isn’t that friendship also related to the trust of the other? If we trust, wouldn’t it seem that we would also follow just as Abraham did with God the Father? Sadly, we question and resist. We bulk at His direction and even rebel. Even the Apostle Paul struggled. He states, “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?” (Romans 7:24-25) The answer to this question is Jesus Christ. So, the question of friendship is that Jesus is our friend and constantly draws us into a deeper friendship with Him. Submitting to that is our problem. Think about it.

The 3Ds will play a variety of folk, jazz, Celtic, old-time and Americana songs during their concert for the Golden Afternoons program at 1 p.m. next Tuesday, March 11 in the lobby at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.

The concert is free. Anyone who is 55 years of age or older is welcome to attend. Free cookies and coffee or tea will be provided.

The 3Ds include David Milano on guitar; David Driskell on clarinet, flute, whistle and musical saw; Daria Lin-Guelig on hammered dulcimer and concertina; and Anne Acker on upright bass. 

Their genre-blending experiment has given each member of the group an opportunity to stretch their musical legs, and resulted in a unique ensemble   with an uncommonly engaging and diverse musical repertoire. 

The United East Conference distributed postseason awards this past week, and four Pennsylvania College of Technology basketball players were among the recipients. Three other Wildcats also picked up UE weekly honors.

Men’s Basketball

For the second consecutive season, seniors Livingston Cross of Union, New Jersey, and Gavin Barrett of Roselle, New Jersey, were awarded UE first-team honors on Wednesday. Barrett became the first Wildcat in the NCAA era to earn three all-conference selections, and the Barrett-Cross duo are the first back-to-back first-team selections since Penn College became a member of the NCAA in 2014. 

Barrett led the conference and was third nationally, with 179 assists, and he was fourth, averaging 6.4 assists per game. He was one of three Division III players to record a triple-double this season. Barrett had six 20-point games and scored a career-high 33 points against Alfred State on Dec. 3. He finished his career with 1,608 points, tops in the NCAA era and third on the all-time list behind Greg Solyak’s 1,629 and Leroy Joiner’s 1,620.

Barrett and Joiner are the only three-time first-team all-conference recipients in program history. 

Cross led the nation with 23 double-doubles and was the lone conference player to average a double-double (22.3 points, 13.2 rebounds). He led the league and finished in the top-five nationally in rebounds per game and defensive rebounds per game (9.14).

Cross ended the season with a team-high 623 points and 369 rebounds to set new program single-season records in both categories. He closed out his career after joining the team nine games into the 2022-23 season with 1,315 points, second in the NCAA era and fifth all-time, and his seven 30-point games are the most in the men’s program history. He also set a new career rebounding record with 711.

“Pirate School: Sea Dreams” is a hilarious family show that inspires kids and their caregivers to live out their dreams of swashbuckling adventure and quench their thirst to join the briny buccaneers of yore. 
 
Performed live by veteran New York actor David Engel, “Pirate School” will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 14 in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.
 
From Engel who plays the bumbling pirate professor, Billy Bones, children learn the finer points of light-hearted mischief through zany lessons on how to stand, talk, sing and laugh like sea dogs.
 
During “Pirate School: Sea Dreams” cannons boom, skulls talk, cutlasses drop, critters cavort and everyone, young and old, participates in a grandiose sea battle for their final exam.
 
Features of a Pirate School experience are its signature immersive and boisterous audience participation, antic bubble-play, adept magic, eccentric props, the appearance of the World’s only wearable pirate ship and a rich score of music and cartoon-like sound effects created by Richard Spooner, the sound designer of TV’s ‘Bob The Builder’ and ‘Chuggington.’
 
Run time is 60 minutes without an intermission. Children are encouraged to wear pirate costumes.
 
Mr. Engel is an actor with years of stage and screen experience, from performing major roles in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” “Macbeth,” “Titus Andronicus,” etc. to appearing in film and on television. 
 
For thirteen years, he worked as a clown doctor bringing stress-reducing humor to pediatric hospitals with the Big Apple Circus’ world-renowned in-hospital Clown Care Program. Mr. Engel continues to offer outreach at pediatric hospitals and sensory sensitive shows.
 
Tickets are free for youngsters ages 2 and under; $10 for children ages 3 to 12 and $15 for those 13 and older, including adults. For tickets or more information call 570-724-6220 or visit deanecenter.com. 
 

by

Pastor B.J. Knefley

The Apostle Paul called for the followers of Jesus to not be conformed to this world but instead be conformed and transformed by the word of God. (Romans 12:1-2) This passage is one of my favorites, but it is also troublesome. It is Troublesome because it is perhaps the hardest thing I’ve attempted to do. Why? The world is confronting and trying to conform to us all the time. It’s relentless.

The world tells us to worry and fret when the Word talks about being still. Events in life create anxiety and stress. Rather than responding with trust and faith, we respond with worry and concern. Even when we try to get still, the world and all its concerns bombard us at every turn.

The Word tells us to trust Him and not lean on our understanding; we don’t do it. Oh, we might try, and we might have a little success, but again, we replace trust with worry. How do we not do this? How do we practice trust amid the storm? How do we move forward when we have no idea which way forward is?

It is so easy to take on the world’s posture regarding life. We quickly follow the dictates and customs of this world. We don’t want to, but we do. It’s natural; it’s a part of our nature and our behavior. As the saying goes, what we live with, we learn, what we know, we practice, and what we practice, we become. So, what is our hope? How do we change? How do we not allow the world to conform to us but instead be conformed by His Word? The simple answer is that we need to practice, and that is where we fail.

Practice means that when we fall and allow the world to be our influence, we get back up and break the hold. We also need to be students of His Word. That means studying it and putting it into practice. Learning to lean into Him takes practice and perseverance. Are you willing to put in the time to accomplish this? Think about it.