NEWS

To the Editor:

As Congress considers H.R. 899, which would terminate the Department of Education (ED), rural communities face catastrophic losses. According to recently released data, New York alone would lose $5.5 billion annually ($3.2 billion state/$2.3 billion local), forcing property tax hikes—already rural residents’ heaviest burden—to fund schools.

We would also lose Federal programs like the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP), which directly supports underfunded rural districts without raising local taxes. REAP lets local leaders upgrade infrastructure, retain teachers, and expand career training—preserving community control. Thousands of rural schools depend on these funds to avoid program cuts.

This isn’t bureaucracy—it’s fiscal responsibility.

Eliminating Career/Tech Education grants would cripple programs training welders, nurses, and agricultural technicians through partnerships with employers like CABOCES. These initiatives reduce post-graduation social support reliance while strengthening local economies.

Dismantling the ED also threatens Pell Grants for workforce-bound students, school meal programs (shifting costs to states), and protections for disabled children—our most vulnerable. New Yorkers in both parties must ardently defend these lifelines or yield to those who will.

Rural schools anchor communities and economies. Without federal support, towns face grim choices: slash children’s programs or deepen family financial strains. Preserving the ED maintains local decision-making, prevents tax increases, and upholds the rural ideals of opportunity and self-sufficiency. Those who won’t fight for these principles on either side of the aisle don’t deserve rural America’s trust.

Joshua Johnston

Wellsville, NY

Mark your calendars for the 4^th Annual Coudersport Area School District’s Scholarship Fundraiser to be held on Saturday, March 15!    The Fundraiser will be held again this year at the Coudersport American Legion Post 192 with the doors opening at 4:00 PM. 

This event has become a very popular mid-winter blues buster with a terrific fun night full of good music, food, friends, drink, raffles and auction items all of which goes to benefit students from Coudersport Area School District.  The public is invited to come early just to take a chance on the many raffle items available or come and enjoy a delicious buffet dinner prepared by Eddies on Main while hearing the music of local teacher and guitarist Dana Daisley.    This well attended gathering has gained a reputation for a great night to break up the winter doldrums.    The Coudersport High School National Honor Society offers childcare for this event for a donation of the patron’s choosing so that parents can enjoy the night out while their children are involved in some fun activities with their friends at the high school.  

This event is sponsored through a partnership between district personnel and our local PTSA and provides community members with several opportunities to participate in providing scholarship funds to our students.  Community members are invited to donate their time and/or items for basket raffles or auctions as well as items for the dessert bar bake sale.

Tickets for the full event including the delicious buffet food offerings from Eddies on Main are being sold at $30 per person and $50 for a couple.   Tickets can be purchased at the school district front offices and the business office.

Donations of raffle, auction and baked items are very much appreciated and currently are being accepted by contacting the school’s business office at 274-0509.   Come join the fun on March 15^th and help our students!

Johnsonburg, Pa.:  More foxes continue to come in to Rolfe Beagle Club’s Statewide Coyote and Fox Hunt or Trap.  Josh Bizzak started off Saturday’s weigh-in with two foxes he had harvested in the wee hours of Saturday.  On his first stand Saturday morning at 12:30 a.m., Josh harvested a 10.4# male red fox on private lands in Elk County.  Josh was using an electronic call and hunts with a .17 caliber rifle. 

On Josh’s sixth stand of the morning at 5:30 a.m., Josh had just set up and ‘squeaked in’ a female red fox weighing 9.0#.  This was also on private lands in Elk County.

Josh stated, “It was a good night to be out hunting.  The moon was full and bright, but a light cloud cover moved in and it was perfect for hunting.”

Steve Krug contributed to the successful hunter list to date by bringing in an 8.6# female gray fox from private lands in Elk County.  Steve also shoots a .17 caliber rifle, and was using a Primos electronic call.  Steve harvested the gray fox at 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning.

Hunters are reminded that if they choose to participate during the third weekend of this three-weekend hunt or trap, they must have their registration postmarked by Thursday, 2/20.

Weigh-in is at 4:00 p.m. every day.  Categories include coyote, fox, largest female coyote, and largest female fox.  Additional information at the Facebook Page, Rolfe Beagle Club.

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the Bradford man charged with raping a child over a several year period has pled guilty in a plea hearing before the Judge on February 13th.  

Andrew SILSBY of Bradford pled guilty to Rape of a Child and Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse for numerous incidents of sex assault against a minor child from 2016 to 2024 including intercourse with the victim 20 times when the child was between the ages of 10 and 15 and oral sex 15 times during that time period.  The District Attorney’s Office gave notice of its intention to seek the higher sentence permitted for under a special provision in the law for offenders who commit sex crimes against children.  

SILSBY will be required to be assessed by the Sex Offender Assessment Board as required by Pennsylvania law for anyone convicted of a sex offense to determine if he meets the definition of a sexually violent predator.  That assessment must be received by the District Attorney’s Office prior to sentencing.  Sentencing was scheduled for May.

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that a New York man has been sentenced to state prison for a firearms violation. Ronald BILLINSGLEY was sentenced to 50 months to 108 months in state prison after a sentencing hearing at the McKean County Courthouse on January 30th.

The charges were filed after Bradford City Police responded to a disturbance involving BILLINGSLEY at an apartment building in Bradford.

BILLINGSLEY pled guilty to Possessing a Firearm Without a License to Carry – Felony 3 and Simple Assault (against an inmate at the McKean County Jail). The Firearms’ charge carried an enhanced penalty due to the firearm being loaded or having ammunition available. BILLINGSLEY, a convicted felon, was not permitted to possess a firearm under Pennsylvania law.

Potter-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Clearfield-Northern Centre-Tioga- Northern Lycoming-Sullivan- Including the cities of Coudersport, Trout Run, Emporium, DuBois,
Philipsburg, Mansfield, Laporte, Clearfield, Renovo, and Wellsboro 10:08 AM EST Sun Feb 16 2025


* WHAT...West winds increasing to 20 to 30 mph during the mid to late afternoon hours with gusts up to 65 mph expected.

* WHERE...Cameron, Clearfield, Northern Centre, Northern Clinton, Northern Lycoming, Potter, Sullivan, and Tioga Counties.

* WHEN...Until 4 PM EST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines.
  Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult,especially for high profile vehicles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Do not touch downed lines and report any power outages to your
electric company. Travel is highly discouraged due to slick roadways
and the possibility of downed trees and power lines.

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

Fasten loose objects or shelter objects in a safe location prior to
the onset of winds.

DESCRIPTION: * WHAT…Freezing rain. Additional ice accumulations around one
tenth of an inch.

* WHERE…Broome, Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, Southern
Cayuga, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, and Yates Counties.

* WHEN…Until 11 AM EST this morning.

* IMPACTS…Difficult travel conditions are possible.

INSTRUCTIONS: Slow down and use caution while traveling. Prepare for possible
power outages.

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be
obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Issued By: NWS Binghamton NY

With a wrestling conference championship in the bag and playoffs looming for the basketball teams, the winter sports season has been great for Pennsylvania College of Technology athletics.

The men’s basketball team, seeded 12th in the United East Conference, will travel to fifth-seeded St. Mary’s (Md.) College on Wednesday, while the women’s squad, seeded fourth, on Saturday will host the winner of Wednesday’s first-round game between No. 5 Bryn Athyn and No. 12 Cedar Crest.

Wrestling

The Wildcats gave crosstown rival Lycoming College all it could handle on Thursday night in a 20-20 standoff that host Lycoming won 21-20 on criteria as it captured six of the 10 bouts.

Posting wins for Penn College were Kaden Ware of Brooklyn, Connecticut, at 133, Noah Hunt of Muncy at 141, Carter Davis of York at 165, and Nicholas Woodruff of Wyalusing at 197.

The First Presbyterian Church of Coudersport will not have worship services or their planned Annual Congregational Meeting this Sunday, February 16.  The decision was made because both pastors are sick and the weather predictions could put anyone traveling to church at risk. May God keep you all safe.

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

Old business was discussed starting with the Solar panels being brought in on property located on Slippery Elm. No one from the Township will be attending the PSATS Conference this year. Overtime for Jeff Moyer will be paid for any hours over forty-eight worked in one week. The bank signature card was signed and treasurer able to sign for financial items. There will be no road closures for haulers on all township roads this year. There will be no hauling on roads if temperature above 28 degrees. The bond amount per road will be per Penn Dot set fee.  

* WHAT…West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 50 to 60 mph possible.

* WHERE…A portion of central Pennsylvania.

* WHEN…From Sunday afternoon through Monday morning.

* IMPACTS…Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines.
Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult,
especially for high profile vehicles.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…The strongest wind gusts will occur just
behind the cold front on Sunday afternoon, but gusty winds will
continue into Monday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Do not touch downed lines and report any power outages to your
electric company. Travel is highly discouraged due to slick roadways
and the possibility of downed trees and power lines.

Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates on this
situation.

&&
For more information from the National Weather Service visit
weather.gov/StateCollege

Johnsonburg, Pa.:  John and Isaac Dellaquilla, a father/son predator hunting duo from St. Marys and Kersey, routinely hunt predators together.  They started hunting on public lands in Elk County last Friday when they successfully harvested a 34.0# male coyote.  John did the shooting with a .243 rifle with a thermal scope.  They moved over to private lands in Elk County for their Sunday hunting and John scored again at 3:00 a.m. with a male coyote weighing in at 33.6#.

Hunters are reminded that if they choose to participate during the third weekend of this three-weekend hunt or trap, they must have their registration postmarked by Thursday, 2/20.

Weigh-in is at 4:00 p.m. every day.  Categories include coyote, fox, largest female coyote, and largest female fox.  Additional information at the Facebook Page, Rolfe Beagle Club.

BRADFORD, Pa. – Several faculty and staff members from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, whose combined service totals 366 years, were honored at a special recognition dinner Thursday.

Five members of the Pitt-Bradford community were honored for their more than 30 years of service to the university: Bill Kline, director of Computing, Telecommunications and Media Services; 41 years; Dr. David Soriano, associate professor of chemistry, 40 years; Karen Strotman, enrollment services assistant, 40 years; Dr. Hashim Yousif, professor of physics, 35 years; and Bob Dilks, assistant vice president of enrollment management, 35 years.

Those who were recognized for more than 20 years of service were Dr. James Baldwin, vice president for enrollment management, 25 years; Dr. Stephen Robar, associate professor of political science, 25 years; Alex Nazemetz, associate vice president of enrollment management, 25 years; Denise Perkins, administrative assistant in the Office of Residence Life and Housing, 20 years; and Laurie Dennis, an administrative assistant in the Division of Biological and Health Sciences, 20 years.

Employees reaching the 10-year service mark were Zach Foster, head baseball coach; Melissa Odorisio, laboratory administrator; Jonathan Prosser, maintenance worker III; and Angie Wolfe, associate dean of experiential learning and leadership.

Finally, those marking five years of service were Dr. Drew Flanagan, assistant professor of history; Matt Lovell, sport information director, Chelsea Schwab, head coach for the men’s and women’s swimming teams; and Michelle Therminy, executive scheduler.  

Warren-McKean-Potter-Elk-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Clearfield-Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Tioga-Northern Lycoming-Sullivan-Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-
Including the cities of Clearfield, Philipsburg, Mansfield, Warren, State College, Wellsboro, Trout Run, Ridgway, St. Marys, DuBois, Laporte, Lock Haven, Emporium, Coudersport, Williamsport, Renovo, and Bradford 420 AM EST Fri Feb 14 2025


* WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet
  accumulations between 1 and 3 inches and ice accumulations between
  a tenth and quarter of an inch.

* WHERE...A portion of central Pennsylvania.

* WHEN...From 9 AM Saturday to 9 AM EST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road
conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by
calling 5 1 1.

COUDERSPORT, Pa. — Pennsylvania pesticide applicators seeking recertification credits can earn two core and two category credits in private category, 01 or 18 during an upcoming Penn State Extension workshop.

The “Agronomic Pesticide Update” workshop will take place from 7pm to 9pm Tuesday, February 18 at Penn State Extension office at the Gunzburger Building on 1 North Main Street, Coudersport, PA. For directions or elevator access please call ahead at 814-274-8540.

This session is designed for private applicators. Attendees can learn about the pest management decision-making process, pest identification, life cycles and control alternatives, and safe, proper, and legal use of pesticides. Recertification helps ensure applicators stay compliant with industry standards and regulations.

The registration fee is $10. Registering before the event is encouraged and appreciated, organizers said. Register online or by calling 877-345-0691.

More information is available on the Penn State Extension website at https://extension.psu.edu/agronomic-pesticide-update .  

Dickinson Center, Inc. (DCI), a nonprofit organization and affiliate of Journey Health System (JHS), is thrilled to announce that it has exceeded its $1.5 million capital campaign goal. While fundraising efforts continue to cover additional expenses, current gifts and pending pledges have successfully pushed the campaign beyond its target.

This achievement is a testament to the dedication of the Building for Tomorrow capital campaign committee, led by Chair Bob Ordiway, alongside, Co-chair Dr. William C. Conrad, and JHS Director of Institutional Advancement Tana Smith. Their leadership combined with the tireless efforts of the committee and the incredible generous contributions of foundations, corporations, businesses, and individuals has made this milestone possible.   

DCI extends heartfelt appreciation to the following campaign committee members, as well as the entire community for their support: 

The Elk County Democratic Committee will be hosting two events this week. First, they will have their February monthly meeting this Wednesday evening followed by a Coffee & Donuts Petition event on Saturday morning.

The Wednesday February 19th meeting will be held at the Elk County Democratic Headquarters, 210 Brusselles St. in downtown Saint Marys starting at 7:00pm. In addition to the in-person meeting, a remote Zoom option is also available. Zoom credentials are available by emailing elkcountydemocrats@gmail.com. Topics of discussion include the upcoming municipal election, candidate recruitment and petition signing, special elections for state offices in Pennsylvania and federal elections in New York & Florida, fundraising and outreach goals for 2025, and initial planning for other events throughout the year. All precinct committee members, Democrats interested in running for office in 2025, and all area Democrats are encouraged to attend.

Rounding out the week, the Committee will be having a Coffee & Donuts petition signing event, open at all area Democrats, at their Headquarters from 10:00am to 12:00pm on Saturday Feb. 22^nd. The Committee has petition forms for both of their statewide judicial candidates, Judge Brandon Neuman for Superior Court, and Judge Stella Tsai for Commonwealth Court. In addition, all Democratic candidates for local office can attend with their petition forms and meet the vote. The Committee chair will be there to inform candidates about the various candidate resources they offer including sign & literature design assistance, volunteer support for phone banking & canvassing, potential financial support, candidate meeting space at headquarters, as well as access to and assistance with Votebuilder, the party’s online voter database.

This year, 2025 marks the fourth year in a row that the Elk County Democratic Committee will have a permanent headquarters, one of the smallest counties in the state to do so. For more information, call or text (814) 636-1030.

Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) today announced that fire and ambulance companies in Tioga County will collectively receive nearly $325,000 in state grants thanks to the state’s Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program.

“Our fire and EMS personnel risk their lives daily to ensure the safety of our communities, and that mission has become more difficult for several reasons,” Owlett said. “As we work to adopt policies to encourage recruitment and retention of our first responders, these grants are a big help with the financial challenges our companies face.”

The grants are awarded through an ongoing program created by the Legislature and administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC). All companies that apply and meet requirements outlined by OSFC receive funding.

Projects eligible for funding include construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, or reduction of existing debt. In order to receive funding, recipients must file a grant agreement with OSFC.

The grants were awarded as follows:

Student of the Week for the week of February 3, 2025 is Bryin Roberts from Heavy Equipment. Bryin is a second-year student from Otto-Eldred, and excels in the Heavy Equipment Maintenance program with a 95% grade. He is highly attentive, always willing to take on any task, and demonstrates a strong work ethic including almost a perfect attendance record. Bryin has already secured a job with Plants and Goodwin for the summer and after graduation, showcasing his dedication to the field.