NEWS

Coudersport, Pa., December 16, 2024 – With the new year approaching, many of us strive to set resolutions to improve our family’s health. UPMC is committed to addressing pediatric obesity through innovative prevention and treatment programs that promote healthy lifestyles for children and their families. Our multifaceted approach combines education, personalized family-centered care, and collaboration with specialists to support children, youth, and families on their journey to better health.

“At UPMC Cole, we are dedicated to helping children build healthy habits for life. Through our evidence-based programs and partnerships, we provide families with the tools and resources they need to lead healthy and active lives,” said Mary Ann Rigas, M.D., UPMC Pediatrics. “Our pediatric providers participate in quality improvement education programs through the American Academy of Pediatrics, ensuring they stay up to date on the latest in pediatric obesity and treatment.”

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners’ Wildlife Management Committee will hold a virtual meeting on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 1 p.m. to discuss and recommend proposals for the 2025-26 hunting and trapping seasons.

The Wildlife Management Committee was formed this fall, with the purpose of reviewing and recommending proposals to be included on the agenda for the board meeting that will take place in January 2025.

The committee is comprised of Commissioners Dennis Fredericks, Scott Foradora, Kristen Koppenhafer, Allen DiMarco and Bob Schwalm.

The committee is slated to discuss a number of proposals, including expanding “Ag Tag” seasons and making the application process easier; creating a general unit antlerless deer license that could be used in multiple Wildlife Management Units; removing the requirement for mentored youth under 7 years old to receive big-game tags by transfer; limiting the number of elk licenses that can be drawn by nonresidents annually; establishing an early archery season for antlerless deer; allowing fall turkey hunters to use single projectile muzzleloading firearms; allowing any muzzleloading firearm to be used on properties enrolled in the Deer Management Assistance Program during the flintlock deer season; and raising the number of antlerless licenses that an individual can be in possession of in Wildlife Management Units 5C and 5D.

A proposal that is approved by the committee will be included on the agenda for the commissioners’ January 2025 meeting, at which 2025-26 hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits will be preliminarily approved.

The Dec. 19 virtual meeting will be livestreamed on the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s YouTube channel, which can be accessed through www.pgc.pa.gov. Those unable to watch on Dec. 19 will be able to view thereafter.

The full Board of Commissioners is scheduled to meet Jan. 24 and 25 at the Game Commission’s headquarters, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg. The agenda for that meeting will be posted online prior to the meeting.

This past weekend Famous Wabbits, a Potter County 4-H Club, participated in the Quiz Bowl that took place in McKean County.

The Jr Livestock team consisted of Natalie Brewer, Addison Brewer, Kaydence Barber, and Lila Bowles. This team was the division winning team.

The Jr Rabbit team consisted of Kaydence Barber, Brooklynn Larson, Addison Brewer, and Natalie Brewer. This team was also awarded as the division winner.

The Jr Dairy team consisted of Brooklynn Larson, Emily Koester, Alyssa Koester, and Natalie Brewer they were also the Jr division winners.

Standings for The 2nd Annual Regional Quiz Bowl Competition hosted by McKean County!

Senior Division Livestock

1st place – Huntington County

2nd place – McKean County

Junior Division Livestock

1st place – Potter County

2nd place – Huntington County

Senior Division Rabbit

1st place – Washington County

Junior Division Rabbit

1st place – Potter County

Senior Division Dairy

1st place – McKean County

Junior Division Dairy

1st place – Potter County

Great job everyone!

More Pictures Below

The Lies We Tell

By

Pastor B.J. Knefley

We tell lies, or do we? If you say that you’ve never told a lie, then you are fooling yourself and others. We all have lied. Some overtly and others covertly, but we all have done it. Sometimes it’s a straightforward out-and-out lie while others are with deception and sleight-of-hand trickery. With our words, body language, and other methods we convince people that what they think we have done we have not. We are as innocent as a babe or a dove and wouldn’t hurt anyone with such behavior. Honestly!

Someone once asked me why they lied after having been caught in a lie. They knew better; they knew they were wrong even before the words were out of their mouth, so why did they do it? Many have found themselves in that place, so why do we lie when we know better? The simple answer is that we’re trying to protect our image. Our image of ourselves is already low, and we lie to cover that up. Because we see ourselves as having low value, we struggle with self-esteem and self-worth. Lying is a way of covering up and painting a picture that is more acceptable, easier to look at, or grasp. No one wants to look like a failure, a nobody, or worthless, so we lie.

We lie to cover the truth. Again, it’s to cover up the true picture with one that is fake. We are often very good at it because we’ve practiced it for most of our lives. Sadly, for some, it has become second nature. As the saying goes, if you want to tell how you know certain people are lying you just have to see their lips moving. I have seen people utterly broken with grief and embarrassment after having been caught in a lie. Confession and repentance follow for a time, only to have the same lying behavior return.

Some have learned to lie because the truth that they must live with is so horrendous and tragic that they create a false self. I’ve often described this as the wearing of a mask. Their behavior is motivated by fear, guilt, shame, and other emotions that keep us a prisoner. In the end, I believe that the only thing that will set us free is the truth. Embarking on that path will take courage. Think about it.

Penn College women go to 3-0 on court in UE

During a week when fall semester finals wrapped up, the Pennsylvania College of Technology women’s basketball team was the only one to see action as it stayed unbeaten in United East Conference play.

This week, women’s basketball and wrestling are on the docket.

Women’s Basketball

In a game played on Saturday after being postponed on Friday, the Wildcats downed winless Penn State Berks on the road 64-38 as Gigi Parlante of Williamsport earned a double-double — her fourth in a row and her seventh of the season — with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Penn College outscored its opponent 45-14 in the two middle periods and led in points in the paint 38-18.

UE standings through Sunday: Penn College 3-0, Bryn Athyn 3-0, Penn State Abington 3-0, St. Elizabeth University 3-0, St. Mary’s (Md.) 3-0, Valley Forge 2-1,  Wilson College 2-1, Penn State Harrisburg 2-2, Lancaster Bible College 2-2, Notre Dame (Md.) University 2-2, Gallaudet University 1-2, Keystone College 1-2, Cedar Crest College 1-3, Penn State Berks 0-3, Penn State Brandywine 0-3, Rosemont College 0-3, Cairn University 0-4.

Matthew Davis, almost 3 years old, watches from the balcony as Pastor Greg Newkirk delivers the message at Ignite Church’s new building, the former Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Lewis Run. The building opened under the new church on Sunday with more than 50 people in attendance. The worship experience takes place 10 am Sundays at 35 Lafayette Ave., Lewis Run. 

After 18 years with the city fire department, we are pleased to announce that Captain Jeff Kloss will be promoted to Deputy Fire Chief. As deputy chief he will be tasked with assisting in the supervision of all fire departments operations. He will also serve as the training supervisor and fire code official. In the absence of the fire chief he will fill in as needed. Captain Kloss has extensive knowledge, experience, natural leadership capabilities and training. His most notable training includes but is not limited to paramedic, fire service instructor 1, fire officer 1, vehicle rescue technician, firefighter 2 and hazardous materials operations. Captain Kloss has a distinguished reputation for leadership, dedication and professionalism that will undoubtedly take us to the next level of quality service to our community.

Dungeons & Dragons Club for Grades 5 – 12

Embark on an adventure like no other! This is your chance to dive into epic storytelling, forge friendships, and develop key life skills – all while having an amazing time.

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is more than just a game; it’s a gateway to creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Students become heroes in a world of their own making, working together to solve puzzles, strategize, and defeat challenges. With a focus on teamwork and storytelling, every session taught by Brent Bryant, Networking and Security Instructor at Seneca Highlands CTC, is a chance to explore, problem-solve, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Whether your student is a seasoned adventurer or new to role-playing games, they’ll be guided by experienced facilitators in a safe, welcoming environment. No special experience or materials required – just imagination!

Hamilton Gibson Productions hosts their 4th annual New Year’s Eve celebration this year, and all are invited to the “Laurel Highland Fling” on Tuesday, December 31st from 5:00 – 9:00pm at the Wellsboro Fireman’s Annex Banquet Hall, 21 East Ave. in Wellsboro, PA. 

This year the 911 Toy Express tried something new and it was a great success!

Shop with a Cop is a national program that pairs children with police officers to help families have a better holiday season.

This program allows children to view police officers in a different atmosphere to promote positive relationships. Young kids are selected each year during the end-of-the-year holiday season to shop with a cop. Each child is given an amount of money to spend and officers escort them around the store to assist in selecting gifts.

Tonight Walmart in Bradford, PA was the warmest place in McKean County. Santa greeted each child with a Ho! Ho! Ho!

The event was hosted by the City of Bradford Police Department with event organizer School Resource Officer Shelby Fuqua.

Area fire agencies and law enforcement agencies, including the Pennsylvania State Police, Bradford City Fire Department, Bradford Township Police Department, Foster Township Police Department, McKean County Sheriff’s Department, Derrick City Volunteer Fire Department, UPB Campus Police and sponsors all participated to make Shop with a Cop a wonderful event! Many Thanks to All and a special thank you to the kind Walmart Staff who tied up the evening wrapping all the gifts! Of course the biggest thank you to Santa Claus himself! Merry Christmas to All!

December 14, 12pm-3pm–Santa in the Shay: Santa will be in the cab of our Shay locomotive to listen to all your holiday requests. Take an instant pic with St. Nick and make a special ornament for your tree. Cookies and hot cocoa will be served in the museum program room.

December 14, 2024 — The United Way of the Bradford Area is making a final call to action as it enters the last few weeks of its “Back to the Community” fundraising campaign. With just nearly 18 days remaining, the organization is urging the community to unite and contribute to creating a positive impact on the region.