Roan Inc. Real Estate Auction April 27th In Coudersport
NEWS
Lawmakers Offer Update on Proposed Frontier Commonwealth Settlement
HARRISURG – A proposed settlement to address myriad service issues with Frontier Commonwealth has been recommended to the Public Utility Commission (PUC) for approval by the two administrative law judges on the case, according to a half dozen lawmakers who have been advocating for affected consumers.
The settlement was negotiated in response to a formal complaint filed by the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) and Office of Small Business Advocate (OSBA) against Frontier last year for its failure to provide reliable service to residential and business customers.
Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) and Reps. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Wyoming), Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford), Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne) and Joe Hamm (R-Lycoming/Sullivan) represent thousands of residents and businesses that receive telephone and/or internet services from Frontier. They issued the following statement:
Former Smethport Woman Becomes North East’s First Female Police Officer
On March 8, 2024, North East Mayor Bobbi Jo Morey swore in the North East Police Department’s first full-time female police officer.
The addition of Ptlm. Abbey Woodard completes the full-time complement of eight sworn police officers for the department.
Woodard is originally from Smethport, Pa. and is a graduate of Mansfield University. She then graduated from the Mercyhurst Municipal Police Training Academy in December 2023 and began her law enforcement career with the Conneaut Lake Regional Police Department before joining the ranks at the NEPD.
Article from North East News Journal.
Port Allegany Women’s Club Update
For an update as to the good news about our Town Square this season:
The Port Allegany Borough was granted funds from DCNR to make improvements to the Town Square. Some things you will see happening around the Square in the coming weeks include:
⭐️Updated electric and lighting
⭐️Removal of dead trees and trimming of dead branches
⭐️Sidewalks for handicap accessibility and through access
⭐️Tables and benches throughout
⭐️A face lift to the gazebo
⭐️New flowering and leafy trees
⭐️Updated landscaping
By mid-summer residents and visitors will be able enjoy a more user friendly, safer space with handicap accessibility. The Square will offer places to share an outdoor meal with your family or enjoy a peaceful lunch; places to sit and watch your kids play or read a book; and a beautiful, accessible gazebo for summer concerts and other events.
We hope you all are as excited as we are to be able to begin these updates to our lovely downtown!
We’ll let you know about the concert season very soon.
Thanks! Sharen (814) 642 – 5171
Statement from Governor Shapiro on Prompt Dismissal of the Pennsylvania Freedom Caucus’ Frivolous Attempt to Attack Automatic Voter Registration
March 26, 2024
Harrisburg, PA – Today, a frivolous lawsuit challenging the Shapiro Administration’s authority to implement Automatic Voter Registration was promptly dismissed by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
In response to this resounding defeat, Governor Josh Shapiro released the following statement:
“In 2020, I defeated Donald Trump and his conspiracy theorist allies in court more than 40 times to defend Pennsylvanians’ votes and protect access to the ballot box. Today, we’ve done it again by getting their frivolous effort to stop automatic voter registration in our Commonwealth dismissed. Automatic voter registration is safe, secure, efficient, and entirely within my Administration’s authority.
“As Governor, I will always remain focused on protecting our democracy and ensuring our elections are free, fair, safe, and secure. Let today’s ruling be another reminder that taking legal advice from Donald Trump is never a winning strategy.”
Judith S. “Judy” Wurm, 74, of 203 Clarion Street, Wilcox, PA
Judith S. “Judy” Wurm, 74, of 203 Clarion Street, Wilcox, PA passed away Sunday night, March, 24, 2024 at Penn Highlands-DuBois following a lengthy illness. She was born on April 1, 1949 in Kane, PA, a daughter to the late Joseph and Grace Kahle Zimmerman. On November 18, 1972 in St. Marys, PA she married Robert P. “Bob” Wurm, and he survives.
A lifelong resident of Wilcox, Judy was a 1968 graduate of Wilcox High School. She was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Wilcox. She loved spending time with her family and caring for her home and enjoyed crocheting blankets.
Judy had retired from Keystone in St. Marys after over 35 years of service.
Penn College Spotlight on Sports (March 24)
ESPORTS
The regular spring seasons have wrapped up for four of the college’s esports teams and three of them — Valorant, Overwatch 2 and Rocket League — will step into playoff action the week of April 1. The Valorant team is seeded No. 1, the Overwatch 2 team is seeded No. 2 and the Rocket League team is seeded No. 3.
Team managers recently assessed their regular seasons and playoff outlooks:
Valorant
PA Permit Violations Issued
| PA Permit Violation Issued to SENECA RESOURCES CO LLC in Covington Township, Tioga County |
| Description: Environmental Health & Safety violation issued on 3/21/2024 to SENECA RESOURCES CO LLC in Covington Township, Tioga county. 78a57(a) – CONTROL, STORAGE AND DISPOSAL OF PRODUCTION FLUIDS – Operator failed to collect brine and other fluids produced during operation of the well in a tank, series of tanks, or other device approved by the Department for subsequent disposal or reuse. |
| Incident Date/Time: 2024-03-21 00:00:00 |
| Tags: PADEP, frack, violation, drilling |
PITT-BRADFORD LAUNCHES NEW BRAND CAMPAIGN
BRADFORD, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford launched a new brand marketing campaign on Tuesday, March 26, which university officials believe will help them more effectively communicate the benefits of a Pitt-Bradford education and the University of Pittsburgh degree.
“This new campaign will convey the exceptional value our students receive,” said Rick Esch, Pitt-Bradford president. “At Pitt-Bradford, our students are part of a welcoming community where they can explore and belong and receive the inspiration and support they need to lead in their lives and their careers. And, as part of the University of Pittsburgh, they receive a degree that is forged in quality and commands respect around the world.”
The new campaign was developed by Red Cactus Marketing, a firm based in Tucson, Ariz., and was based on research conducted by Red Cactus, Prescience Associates and Stamats Inc. The research, which included surveys and focus groups, was conducted over the last several months and included faculty, staff, students, alumni and prospective students.
During that research, Esch said, four central pillars about Pitt-Bradford surfaced:
Auditor General DeFoor Announces County Children & Youth Agency Audits Released in First Quarter of 2024
HARRISBURG – The Department of the Auditor General released audits of nine county children and youth services agencies during the first quarter of 2024, Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor said today.
“Our audits ensure that counties are properly using state funds to protect at-risk children,” DeFoor said.
By law, the department audits the fiscal reports that county CYS agencies submit to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) which document how state funds are used to protect children.
The audit reports, which were shared with counties and DHS upon completion, are available online using the links provided below:
PennDOT Announces Bridge Preservation Project near Shinglehouse
Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has announced plans to begin a bridge preservation project along Route 4017 (Shay Town Road) on a bridge that spans Bell Run, approximately five miles south of Shinglehouse in Sharon Township, Potter County. This work will improve safety and ride quality for motorists traveling over the bridge and improve the overall condition of the bridge from “poor” to “good”.
The bridge will be closed to traffic beginning April 8, 2024, as crews perform preservation work. A detour will be in place utilizing Route 1009 (Bell Run Road) and Route 44. This project is expected to last two to three months. All work is weather dependent.
This ongoing bridge preservation effort in Potter County also included work on a bridge along Route 219 that was completed last year, and includes future work on another Route 219 bridge to be completed later this year. PennDOT will issue an advisory as upcoming work is scheduled.
Grace Pollock from Northern Potter is Student of the Week
Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center proudly celebrates Grace Pollock from Northern Potter as our Student of the Week in the Culinary Arts program. Grace, a second-year student, is immersing herself in the intricacies of the hospitality industry. With remarkable intuition, she adeptly organizes the lab, whether addressing sanitation needs or managing kitchen stations, often completing tasks without direct instructor guidance. While undecided about her post-graduation plans, Grace is actively seeking employment opportunities preferably aligned with her training. Congratulations, Grace!
Causer, Dush Announce Funding for Keating Township Transportation Projects
HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) and Sen. Cris Dush (R-25) today announced more than $914,500 in funding for two transportation projects in Keating Township, McKean County.
The township was awarded $400,000 for reconstruction of the Bordell Road Bridge and $514,523 for reconstruction of Reilly Hollow Road.
Bad Data Hampers PA Well Plugging Efforts, Causer Says
HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), Republican chairman of the House Environmental Resources and Energy (ERE) Committee, is calling on the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to engage in an honest conversation about orphaned and abandoned wells in the Commonwealth.
Causer’s comments came after an ERE hearing Monday in which DEP and several like-minded special interest groups continued to blame today’s conventional oil and gas producers for wells abandoned many decades or even more than a century ago, rather than focusing on initiatives that would actually resolve the problem.
“DEP’s propensity for publicizing incorrect, incomplete and misleading data is a major impediment to our efforts to plug wells that were abandoned so long ago that no responsible party remains to plug them,” Causer said. “I think we all want to see the influx of federal dollars for well plugging be used wisely, but there are some significant impediments to that, including DEP’s flawed database.”
Coudersport, Eldred, and Smethport Buchanan Brothers Pharmacy Closing In April
It is with mixed emotions we announce the sale of three of our locations to Rite Aid. It was a decision we did not reach lightly. Due to poor insurance reimbursement, independent pharmacies across the country are being forced to close their doors. Pharmacy organizations representing all sectors of retail pharmacy have been aggressively asking legislators to address these issues with the pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) for quite some time. Unfortunately, they have been slow in taking action. It simply is not a sustainable business model when total reimbursement is less than the costs we pay for medications.
Thank you to everyone in surrounding communities that have supported our business over the years. We appreciate you. It has been our pleasure to take care of your prescription needs.
A huge thank you to ALL of our employees, both past and present. We value each and every one of you. You are what made our business successful for over 40 years.
We are grateful that Rite Aid remains committed to serving rural Pennsylvania and has offered employment to all of our current staff in Potter and McKean counties. No action is required on your part to transfer your prescriptions. All of the prescriptions from our Eldred and Smethport locations will be automatically transferred to Rite Aid in Port Allegany and all of the prescriptions from our Coudersport pharmacy will be automatically transferred to Rite Aid in Coudersport. The last day of business in our Smethport location will be Monday, April 8th, Eldred will be Tuesday, April 9th, and Coudersport will be Wednesday, April 10th.
Please note that there is no change to our Westfield and Elkland locations. With a more diverse and better payor mix in Tioga County, those stores will continue to remain open and it will be business as usual. Once again, we are continuing to operate our stores in Westfield and Elkland.
We sincerely appreciate the support of our valued patients over the past several decades. It has been a privilege to serve you.
Buchanan Brothers Pharmacy
Raymond Lee Tomb, age 76, of Westfield, PA
Raymond Lee Tomb, age 76, of Westfield, PA passed away at his home on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
Born March 11, 1948 in Corning, NY, he was the son of Joseph and Helen (Hazlett) Tomb.
Lee was a jack of all trades and enjoyed tinkering on things.
Bolivar Man Arrested After “Shots Fired” / Pursuit Incident Sunday in Town of Wirt
The original NYSP Police Report listed the charges as Murder. That was not accurate. Russell is charged with Attempted Murder.
PFBC TO HOLD FISHERIES AND HATCHERIES COMMITTEE MEETING VIRTUALLY ON APRIL 3
HARRISBURG, Pa. (March 25) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will conduct a meeting of the Fisheries and Hatcheries Committee on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, beginning at 1 p.m. This meeting will be held online with committee members participating remotely.
Because this meeting is being held in a virtual format, the process for accepting public comment will be different than an in-person gathering. Public comments pertaining to the agenda can be submitted by calling (717) 705-7846 beginning on Thursday, March at 28 at 12 p.m. until Friday, March 29 at 4 p.m. Recorded comments will be limited to five minutes and will be presented to committee members prior to the meeting.
This meeting may be viewed remotely by joining the webinar from your internet browser using this link: https://bit.ly/FishHatchApr3
If prompted, please enter the following information:
Webinar number (access code): 2630 983 0658
Webinar password: public (782542 from phones)
PA House Republicans to Use Discharge Resolution Process to Advance Voter ID Constitutional Amendment
HARRISBURG – With a voter identification constitutional amendment having languished in committee for nearly a year, despite bipartisan support for the concept among both the public and House members, House Republicans held a press conference Monday announcing they will be utilizing the discharge resolution process to advance the measure.
House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) noted 22 House Democrats voted to support enhanced voter identification requirements in a prior House vote, meaning only three more Democrats need to sign on to the discharge petition to get the constitutional amendment out of committee.
