NEWS

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today adopted changes impacting the agency’s license-issuing agent program.

The Game Commission recently evaluated that program, partly because changes in how licenses are sold significantly have impacted issuing agents via reduced license sales opportunities and increased business costs. The goal of the assessment was to find ways to decrease costs and requirements for those license-selling partners.

That’s resulted in several changes.

When deputy state game wardens find individuals in possession of controlled substances or drug paraphernalia on state game lands, they can file the appropriate charges.

But on properties enrolled in the Hunter Access Program – private lands where the Game Commission works with landowners to allow public hunting – deputies don’t have the same authority to enforce drug violations. Instead, a deputy must request assistance from a state game warden or police, and when those options aren’t available in a timely fashion, the violations might go unaddressed.

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today took a step to change that, giving preliminary approval to a regulation that extends the drug-enforcement authority deputies now have on game lands to Hunter Access properties, too. The measure is slated to be brought back to the January meeting for a final vote.

State game wardens and deputies report they are encountering more drug violations on Hunter Access properties than ever before.

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today added substantially to the state game lands system, with three deals especially noteworthy.

First, the commissioners approved an oil and gas agreement with Pennsylvania General Energy Co. (PGE). PGE will extract oil and gas from beneath a portion of State Game Lands 75 in Brown and Pine townships, Lycoming County, using existing infrastructure so that there’s no net increase in surface disturbance.

In exchange, PGE will convey to the Game Commission 2,195 acres in Spring Creek Township, Warren County, known as the Spring Creek Tract, and 943 acres in East Taylor and Croyle townships, Cambria County, known as the South Fork Tract.

The Spring Creek Tract is considered one of the most prized in the area because of its biological diversity. It will become an entirely new game lands, State Game Lands 337.

The South Fork Tract will become part of State Game Lands 79.

Second, the commissioners approved another oil and gas agreement with PGE allowing it to extract oil and gas from beneath a portion of State Game Lands 134 in Gamble and Plunketts Creek townships, Lycoming County, and Hillsgrove Township, Sullivan County, provided it confines all of its equipment to one right of way.

In exchange, PGE will convey to the Game Commission 3,931 acres in Jay Township, Elk County – the heart of the elk range – for what will become State Game Lands 338. PGE will also make a $500,000 contribution to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for use in creating elk habitat in cooperation with the Game Commission.

Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the following schedule of maintenance activities in McKean County the week of September 18. PennDOT performs year-round maintenance in its mission to provide a safe, efficient transportation system, and the scope of work in McKean County for the coming week is as follows:

D9Sports.com

1h  · 9-16-23 at 12:12 PM

UPDATE ON MASON MARTIN

We really appreciate the concern for Mason and we are not bothered when people ask about his condition or if there are any changes. It’s difficult to update regularly because things change daily and sometimes even hourly.

Last Saturday evening Mason’s cranial pressure increased rapidly and Doctors had to intervene to basically save his life. They believed this was caused by respiratory issues which they addressed through medication. The next day his sodium levels became dangerously elevated. They again battled through and got his levels back down to a safe level. This took about 24 hours for it to lower so it was another intense day.

Monday was pretty calm as he was heavily medicated. Tuesday started out well but turned very quickly. Mason had an aggressive coughing spell. Afterwards everything seemed okay. Instead of just walking out of his room his nurse stopped and stared at his monitor. I don’t know what made her stop, maybe her instincts or a feeling she had (yes, she is that good), but that action saved him. She yelled, “he’s in V-Tech” and took off running to alert everyone. Now it was the nursing staff’s turn to save his life. Within seconds they were in here doing their superhero stuff and saved him. Shortly after all his vitals returned to normal.

By the next morning he was in such a good spot they started removing most of his meds. His body started self-regulating and his vitals were the best they’ve ever been. He started reacting to light well in both eyes and Wednesday through Friday were very encouraging days.

Today, only one eye is reacting to light and it’s not reacting as well as it previously was, but his purposeful movements in his arms seem pretty good.

As you can see, almost every day is different. There is no linear path or set timeline for injuries like this. We said we would be honest with the community and this is what our weeks look like. To respond to such a simple question of “How’s he doing?” is difficult to answer. As always we are so thankful for the support and prayers. He is fighting like crazy and there’s not an ounce of giving up in him. Please keep fighting for him! Thanks.

Jeremiah 29:11

Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the following schedule of maintenance activities in Potter County the week of September 18. PennDOT performs year-round maintenance in its mission to provide a safe, efficient transportation system, and the scope of work in Potter County for the coming week is as follows:

Terrie O’Brien, RN, patient safety and quality RN, was presented the September star award for BRMC. Jared Capra, maintenance worker, was presented the September star award for OGH.

           BRADFORD, PA & OLEAN, NY – Upper Allegheny Health System (UAHS) parent company of Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and Olean General Hospital (OGH), are proud to announce the September star award winners for each hospital campus.  Terrie O’Brien, RN, and Jared Capra were recognized at in-person ceremonies at BRMC and OGH, respectively.

The star award is offered monthly at BRMC and OGH to an employee who displays exceptional performance and inspires others to do the same. Members of the team are nominated for outstanding customer service, ongoing performance improvement, teamwork, communication, ownership/accountability, and excellence.  Employees are selected by patients as well as co-worker nominations.

Ignite Church is launching Sunday nights in Lewis Run, starting Oct. 1. 

The experience will begin at 6 pm at the Lewis Run Volunteer Fire Department at 46 Main St. in Lewis Run.

“The Sunday night experience will be a time for people to come together to worship God, learn from the Bible, and connect with others,” said Pastor Greg Newkirk. “The Sunday night experience is open to everyone, regardless of their background or beliefs.”

Ignite Church is a church-planting initiative that is part of the Free Methodist Church. 

For more information, contact Ignite Church at 814-366-2107 or ignitechurchlr@gmail.com.

STPR® Spectator Guides, featuring maps and directions to the four spectator areas on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 15 and 16, the parc exposé on Sept. 16 and rally car service area at the Tioga County Fairgrounds in Whitneyville are available for purchase for $5 each from 8:30am to 4pm Tuesday, Sept. 12 through this Friday, Sept. 15 and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 16 at the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce office at 114 Main Street in Wellsboro, across from The Green. Also available for purchase at the chamber office will be STPR® T-shirts with a new design by Mark Newruck of Mountain Graphics. For more information, call 570-724-1926 or stop in at 114 Main Street. 

By State Rep. Mike Armanini, 75^th Legislative District

Historically known as a hub of industrial innovation, Pennsylvania is now poised to enter a new era of economic prosperity through the mining and refinement of rare-earth minerals. As global demand for these critical elements skyrockets, the Commonwealth has a unique opportunity to leverage its rich geological endowment to not only boost its economy but also contribute significantly to technological advancements and our nation’s security.

Rare-earth minerals, a group of 17 elements, play a pivotal role in modern technology. They are crucial to manufacturing consumer electronics, renewable energy systems, and advanced defense technologies. Electric vehicles, rechargeable batteries, wind turbines, smartphones, laser and missile guidance, and even medical devices depend on these minerals for their functionality. With the nation’s increasing focus on electrification and technological innovation, the demand for rare-earth minerals has reached unprecedented levels.

Responding to the growing number residents dealing with illegible license plates on their vehicles, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) is hosting an event to help get those plates replaced at no cost.

The event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 4-7 p.m. at the Lewis Run Volunteer Fire Department, 46 Main St., Lewis Run.

“State law requires PennDOT to replace license plates that are deemed illegible at no cost to the vehicle owner,” Causer said. “I encourage residents whose plates are worn and difficult to read to take advantage of the opportunity to get the replacement process started.”

A registration plate is deemed illegible when one or more numbers or letters cannot be recognized from 50 feet or if the registration plate shows any blistering, peeling, discoloration or loss of reflectivity.

The McKean County Sheriff’s Office will be on hand to view driver’s plates, and if the plates are deemed illegible, paperwork to start the replacement process will be completed. Those who plan to attend should bring their vehicle with the affected plate attached, along with their unexpired PA driver’s license and current vehicle registration card.

Registration is requested and may be completed online at www.RepCauser.com/Events or by calling Causer’s Bradford office at 814-362-4400.