NEWS

Nancy M. BURTNER, 68, of Coudersport, PA, died Sunday, March 2, 2025, in UPMC Cole, Coudersport.  She was born January 11, 1957, in East Liverpool, OH. 

Embankment Stabilization Project Resumes on Route 44 in Lycoming County

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a two-year embankment stabilization project will resume next week on Route 44 between Route 973 and Waterville in Cummings and Watson townships, Lycoming County.

Starting on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, the temporary traffic signals located between Route 973 and Waterville will be placed in flashing mode while the contractor, Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc., begins to mobilize equipment and materials to the work site.

Award nominations due by April 7

The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc. (PA Wilds Center) is pleased to announce that Brass 16823 inside Titan Park in Bellefonte, Centre County, will be the location for the 2024 PA Wilds Dinner & Awards. Planned for Thursday, July 24, this special event is the premier networking opportunity in the Pennsylvania Wilds. 

The Port Allegany Ministerium has announced Lenten Services in Port Allegany as follows:  On Ash Wednesday, March 5, the Evangelical Covenant Church will have a self-paced experience set up from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. People are invited to stop in at their leisure and experience interactive, contemplative, and reflective stations.  At 6:30 p.m., community worship will be held at the Port Allegany United Methodist Church with Pastor Jim Cannastraci.  Imposition of ashes will be available.

There will be no noon services March 12 and 19.  March 26, a Lenten service and Luncheon will take place at noon with speaker Pastor Garen Smith of the First Presbyterian Church.  April 2nd, Pastor Stephen Kroh of the Alliance Church will speak and April 9, Pastor Jim Cannastraci of the Port UMC will speak.  

Good Friday Services will be held on April 18 at noon and will be followed by a luncheon.  Pastor J. T. Madison of the Evangelical Covenant Church will be leading the service.  

All Lenten services will be held at the Port Allegany United Methodist Church located at 307 North Main Street.  Luncheons will be provided for the noon Lenten Services and Good Friday Service by the United Church Women.  The lunch will be provided by the Sartwell Creek and Alliance churches on March 26; by the Evangelical Covenant and Gethsemane Lutheran churches

Susan H. Silvestri, who attended the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in the early 1970s and has been an active and loyal supporter of her alma mater, will receive the Presidential Medal of Distinction, the university’s highest honor.

Rick Esch, Pitt-Bradford’s president, will present the medal to Silvestri at Pitt-Bradford’s commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 4.

“Sue has been instrumental in shaping and strengthening our campus community,” Esch said. “Through her exemplary volunteer service, financial support and invaluable expertise, she has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to Pitt-Bradford’s growth and success over many years.

With just two months remaining until the May 7 federal REAL ID enforcement deadline, officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Philadelphia International Airport, American Automobile Association (AAA), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are encouraging Pennsylvanians to prepare now to ensure they can fly domestically without disruptions.

These efforts reflect the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to ensuring residents have the information and opportunities they need to comply with the federal deadline.

Getting a REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania, but beginning May 7, travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card, or another form of federally-acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight, and enter military bases and other federal facilities that require ID at the door. More than 2.5 million Pennsylvanians have gotten a REAL ID driver’s license or ID card since they became available in the state in 2019.

Disney’s ALADDIN JR. Playing at the Portville Central School Auditorium in Portville, NY

Portville, NY Tuesday, March 4, 2025 – Disney’s Aladdin JR. is playing at the PCS Auditorium from Friday, March 28 at 7:00 pm through Saturday, March 29 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm. The spectacular musical, designed for multi-aged performers, is based on the 1992 Disney film and the 2014 Broadway adaptation. The grades 2-12 cast and crew includes over 100 students (48 Drama Club members in grades 7-12 and over 60 elementary students) led by Director, Cheri Maxson, Vocal Director, Lynne Weimer and Stage Manager, Amanda Burdick.

Audiences will love this exciting stage adaptation of the legendary tale of the lovable thief with the heart of gold! Join Aladdin, Jasmine, and the fast-talking, wisecracking Genie as they discover mystical caves, take magic carpet rides, and outwit the evil sorcerer, Jafar. Adapted especially for young performers, this musical includes favorite Alan Menken songs such as “Friend Like Me,” “A Whole New World,” and “Prince Ali,” as well as wonderful new songs added for the Broadway production. With new, colorful characters and nonstop adventure, Aladdin JR. is sure to be a crowd-pleaser for all ages!

Every spring, we look forward to the days getting longer. In exchange, we lose an hour of sleep when the clocks ‘spring ahead’ every March, which often leaves people worried about the effect it will have on their sleep.

The beginning of daylight saving time can bring about a sense of dread. After all, the transition results in more than just a lost hour of sleep each spring. It causes a shift in our circadian rhythm, the 24-hour cycle that regulates our body’s sleep, appetite, and mood.

One study found that people get 40 minutes less sleep the Monday after ‘springing forward’. This “Sleepy Monday” describes the phenomenon of increased fatal car accidents, hospitalizations for conditions like heart attacks or atrial fibrillation, and a general sense of grogginess that people may experience. The misalignment of our circadian rhythm may also lead to accumulated sleep debt while our bodies adjust to the new normal.

Even though most people adjust quickly to the change, others may experience chronic sleep loss. If left untreated, this can cause increased blood pressure and heart disease, weight gain, decreased immune function, and the development of psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety.

Tips for a smooth transition into daylight saving time

Keystone Powdered Metal Company’s (KPMC) Charitable Contributions Committee recently presented a check to Dickinson Center, Inc. (DCI), an affiliate of Journey Health System, in support of the “Building for Tomorrow” capital campaign. This generous contribution, along with donations from local businesses, organizations, and individuals, played a crucial role in helping Dickinson reach its $1.5 million capital campaign goal. 

“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Dickinson for the essential services that are provided to our community. We hope our gift will help further your mission of helping individuals reach their full potential with the services you provide,” from all of the employees at Keystone Powdered Metal Company-St. Marys.

Pennsylvania College of Technology senior Noah Hunt of Muncy became the second Wildcat wrestler in program history to advance to the NCAA Division III Championship after his third-place finish Sunday in the NCAA Division III Region 2 Championship at Lycoming College. In team competition, Penn College was 10th of 19, its best regional finish to date.

Wrestling at 141 pounds, Hunt posted a 5-1 record over two days of action — including two falls and a technical fall — as he hiked his career record to 103-45 and season mark to 20-6.

Also for the Wildcats, who set a program record with five on the regional podium, Carter Davis of York went 3-2 and placed fourth at 165, Isaac Cory of Montoursville, who went to nationals two seasons ago after placing second in the region, went 4-2 and placed fifth at 184, Nicholas Woodruff of Wyalusing went 2-3 and finished sixth at 197, and TJ Martin of Honesdale went 3-2 and placed eighth at 149.

Alayna Palmer, trumpet and Raelin Meacham, clarinet, will advance to the PMEA Region II Band Festival March 6 – 8 at United Junior-Senior High School in Armagh.  Raelin is a senior at Port Allegany High School and Alayna is a sophomore.

Editor’s note: Yvon Woappi pronounced “E-von wah-PEE”

BRADFORD, Pa. – Dr. Yvon Woappi ’11, who researches wound healing and regeneration at his lab at Columbia University, will address the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s 2025 graduating class during commencement exercises May 4.

Ceres Township Auditors will hold a meeting to finalize their 2024 annual Auditor’s Report at 5:30 p.m. on March 4, 2025 at the Ceres Township Building located at 12 Barbertown Road, Eldred, Pa. The auditors will present the report to the Supervisor’s at the regular March monthly meeting at 6:00 p.m. on March 4, 2025.  

Submitted by: Brenda Moyer 

Ceres Township Secretary 

Route 225 Bridge in Northumberland County Now Open

Montoursville, PA – The damaged bridge on Route 225 in Little Mahanoy Township, Northumberland County is now open, one month ahead of schedule. The truss bridge was struck by a truck hauling an excavator in December 2024. Upon a bridge inspection, PennDOT crews closed the bridge for safety until it could be repaired.

The bridge carries Route 225 over Mahanoy Creek. The contractor was able to complete all aspects of the project today, no further lane restrictions will be required.

J.D. Eckman, Inc., is the prime contractor for this emergency bridge repair project. Work on this project included removal of the damaged steel truss members and replacement with new steel beams, heat straightening, and miscellaneous repairs. Work began on February 3 and was originally anticipated to be completed by the end of March 2025. Additional work includes bridge painting, and miscellaneous construction work.

Crash on NY 19 both directions Town of Scio; Town of Wellsville Line (Wellsville) All lanes closed delays due to an incident

Visit 511NY.org for more information

February 2025 may be best described as cold, windy, cloudy, snow, rain and ice. I will not add anything else . It really wasn’t a very nice month weather wise. Of course there were multiple holidays and shorter school days because of weather conditions.   Most mornings the temperatures were in the teens and twenties . A few afternoons it did “warm” up to the low 40’s.

Rain and melted snow amounted to 3.35″ and total snowfall was 5″. Last year we received 2.01″ and 2″ of snow.  We had 18 days with 1″ of snow on the ground with 2″ the greatest snow depth on multiple days. Fog was recorded on 5 mornings. We enjoyed icy conditions for several days . 

Pine Creek and Berger Lake were frozen solid until the 27th. Heavy rain and warmer temperatures on the 27th sent the ice downstream and Pine Creek looks very nice.

Thus far I have not been fired from my 50 plus years of reporting the weather.  It is a voluntary job.

Henry W. LushNational Weather Service Observer