Community Alert: Bitcoin Scams Targeting Elderly Residents

Dear Bradford Community,

Recently, we’ve seen an alarming rise in Bitcoin scams targeting our elderly residents. Scammers are using deceptive tactics online and through local Bitcoin machines to exploit unsuspecting individuals. They lure victims into providing personal information and making Bitcoin purchases, only for the funds to end up in the scammer’s hands.

Bitcoin can be a legitimate and profitable investment, but it’s crucial to understand the risks involved. Please remain vigilant and educate yourself and your loved ones about these scams. If you or someone you know has fallen victim to such a scam, please report it immediately to the police.

Together, we can protect our community from financial fraud. Stay informed, stay cautious, and let’s keep Bradford safe.

Chief Michael P. Ward
City of Bradford Police Department

Come join the pool for some summer fun! The Smethport Pool would love to welcome you and your family and friends to the pool this summer! 

 – Heated water for comfort

 – Water aerobic classes

 – Swim lessons 

The Pennsylvania College of Technology men’s lacrosse team had a record-setting win this past week, while in other action, the women’s softball team went 2-2 in the United East.

Men’s Lacrosse

Playing first-time opponent Elmira College on Saturday, the Wildcats posted their largest margin of victory in program history with a 28-1 win. The 27-goal win differential bettered the previous mark of 26 in a shutout win over La Roche in 2023. Keying the rout were Roman DeCenzo of Red Bank, New Jersey, with six goals; Elliot Dotson of Wilmington, Delaware, with four goals and four assists; and Jake Small of Bloomsbury, New Jersey, with a hat trick and four assists.

At Kean on Wednesday, Owen Kupsey of Chadds Ford scored four goals and Will Ehret of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, had a hat trick and an assist in an 18-8 nonconference loss.

Belmont, NY –  The Allegany County Democrats collected a score of bags and boxes of non-perishable food and personal care items when they met recently in Belmont. The goods were donated to the ACCESS Center Food Pantry at 84 Schuyler St. in Belmont, operated by ACCORD Corporation. This service project is one of the ways the Democratic Committee lives its motto: “Serving our Community.”

According to Community Operations Director Belinda Knight, the pantry is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to Noon, and from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  “All Allegany County families are eligible to visit the pantry when they need food,” Ms. Knight commented.  “We serve between 180 and 200 families each month.” 

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.