Clearfield, PA – Two major winter storms impacted the north central PA region last month. Now, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) in District 2 is reminding motorists that being prepared for winter weather includes being educated about the winter services PennDOT provides. PennDOT District 2 serves nine counties across the region, including Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Junita, McKean, Mifflin and Potter.
“Everyone plays a part in staying safe while traveling in winter weather,” said District 2 Executive Tom Zurat. “Along with understanding PennDOT’s methods for winter service, motorists should also review road and weather conditions through 511PA before they head out.”
Lancaster, PA – The Pennsylvania State Police, Troop J today filed criminal charges against a former PennDOT employee accused of using his government position to facilitate a fraud scheme that allowed ineligible drivers to operate motor vehicles.
Angelo Carrion, while employed by PennDOT as a driver’s license examiner assistant, solicited money from customers in exchange for his help with knowledge tests. Carrion’s actions allowed the customers to receive learner’s permits and, subsequently, driver’s licenses, according to a criminal complaint filed by Troop J’s Vehicle Fraud Investigations Unit.
As temperatures decline and residents turn up thermostats, UGI urges customers to take several steps to ensure proper operation of natural gas heating equipment and appliances to prevent a build-up of carbon monoxide (CO) inside homes.
CO is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that is a byproduct of the incomplete combustion of fuels such as wood, charcoal, gasoline, kerosene, oil, natural gas, and propane. CO can be caused by malfunctioning heating systems or appliances as well as damaged or blocked vents and chimneys.
Indicators of CO poisoning include flu-like symptoms such as headache, nausea, and dizziness, as well as fatigue and shortness of breath. Individuals who think they might be experiencing CO poisoning should immediately seek fresh air and prompt medical attention.
Here are some simple steps to help ensure your safety:
Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. CO detectors/alarms should be located on each floor of a home, including one in each bedroom, or sleeping area.
Have a qualified professional check your furnace, water heater, and other internal combustion appliances annually.
Check the connections to your chimney or flue for damage or corrosion. Contact a heating professional to have your chimney and flue checked.
Verify that both internal and external combustion air vents are unobstructed. External vents can become blocked by leaves and other debris.
Potter County has signed up for another year of service from a notification system that provides the public with important alerts and time-sensitive messages on tornadoes, floods, or other emergencies.
At last week’s business meeting, Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Barry Hayman and Paul Heimel renewed a contract with OnSolve, the company that provides the “CodeRED Reverse-911 System.” Cost for another year of service is $4,763.
CodeRED sends early warnings using phone calls, email, social media sites and text messaging. Residents of Potter County are encouraged to click on the CodeRED logo to enroll their contact information. There is no fee. Additional information is also available at 274-8900, extension 501.
Do your future plans include taking college courses? The Northern Pennsylvania Regional College (NPRC) Spring 2023 semester begins Wednesday, January 18th, bringing affordable education to a classroom near you! Nearly forty courses are being offered, including Introduction to Psychology, Interpersonal Communication, Foundations of Math, Music Appreciation, and Environmental Biology. These courses are part of five associate degrees – Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Liberal Studies, and Social Sciences. If you are not interested in pursuing an associate degree at this time, NPRC’s team will help you select courses or training that meets your educational goals.
These courses are perfect for recent high school graduates, mid-career adults seeking to advance their career or begin a new one, and even current eligible high school juniors and seniors who want to earn college credits while still in high school. This program is affordable with tuition rates 70% less than the average tuition at brick-and-mortar institutions. Students with a high school diploma or GED pay $185 per credit hour. Current eligible high school students pay $60 per credit hour. Institutional Aid and scholarship opportunities are available.
These courses are offered at the Education Council’s Coudersport office, as well as more than 20 additional locations throughout northwestern Pennsylvania.
The Spring 2023 registration deadline is Thursday, January 12, 2023. For more information, contact the NPRC admissions team at admissions@rrcnpa.org or (814) 230-9010.
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), Republican Whip Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington), Appropriations Committee Chair Rep. Seth Grove (R-York), Caucus Chairman Rep. George Dunbar (R-Westmoreland), Caucus Secretary Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia) Caucus Administrator Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) and Republican Policy Committee Chair Rep. Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) on Tuesday congratulated Rep. Mark Rozzi (I-Berks) on his election to Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
“We want to congratulate Rep. Mark Rozzi, Pennsylvania’s first Independent Speaker of the House, on his election today. Reflecting the realities of an evenly divided chamber, it is imperative we have a truly independent voice to conduct House business and manage the House floor.”
Rozzi was elected to be Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 115-85. Upon being elected, Rozzi pledged to become an Independent and caucus with neither party in the House.
Leader Cutler added, “As a former Speaker myself, I can attest to the fact that the presiding officer of this chamber must remove himself or herself from their own political beliefs and put the institution before individuals. I have known Rep. Rozzi for many years and know he will rise to the occasion and meet the moment as a truly independent leader for the Pennsylvania House.”
Upon Rozzi becoming an Independent, the partisan makeup in the House will be 101 Republicans, 98 Democrats and one Independent.
BRADFORD – State Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) will hold monthly satellite office hours on Thursday, Jan. 5, at the following locations:
Emporium Borough Office – 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Port Allegany Borough Office – 11 a.m. to noon.
Services available include assisting constituents with state-related issues or concerns, assistance with driver license and vehicle registration applications, and help in filling out applications for various state programs, such as the senior citizen Property Tax/Rent Rebate and PACE prescription drug assistance programs.
People who cannot make the satellite sessions may contact Causer’s offices in Bradford at 78 Main St., first floor, telephone 814-362-4400; or Coudersport, 107 S. Main St., Room 1, telephone 814-274-9769; or Kane, 54 Fraley St., Suite 2, telephone 814-837-0880. Information is also available at www.RepCauser.com or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/RepCauser.
Anthony “AJ” Herring, a student in Mr. Bryant’s Networking and Security shop at the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center, earned his Ethical Hacker Pro certification on December 22, 2022.
AJ is a Senior from Northern Potter School District. He previously earned his PC Pro, Network Pro, Cyber Defense Pro, and Ethical Hacker Pro certifications. In addition, AJ was featured in Certification Magazine (www.certmag.com) in July 2022 for his academic accomplishments. AJ’s certificate is backed with a $1000 employment guarantee ensuring his skills are workforce-ready.
For more information on the Networking and Security program, feel free to contact Mr. Bryant at bbryant@iu9ctc.org or (814) 642-2573.
Due to a conflict in schedules the Roulette Township Supervisors have moved their Organizational Meeting time from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the same place as usual. There will be a special meeting held right after the Organizational Meeting to open the tree removal bids only. No other business will be discussed.
Bradford, PA – Start your new year off in a healthy fashion by attending the Walk with a Doc event Thursday, January 5. The event will take place at Richard E. McDowell Trail on Campus Drive, starting at 5pm. Be sure to get there early as the first 15 walkers receive a prize issued by the Guidance Center Safety Committee.
The walk is coordinated through a partnership between the Guidance Center and Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC). This month’s providers that will be leading the walk are Francesca Parry, CRNP from Universal Primary Care (UPC) and Kim Ditz, CRNP from The Guidance Center. Francesca Parry, CRNP will discuss the importance of pediatric immunization and the flu vaccine. The walk is free and open to anyone. If interested, please register at walkwithadoc.org/Ewaiver.
Francesca Parry, CRNP from Universal Primary Care (UPC) and Kim Ditz, CRNP from The Guidance Center.
An alternate indoor location has been reserved for the event in the case of inclement winter weather. The location is the University of Pitt at Bradford Fitness Center located at 300 Campus Drive, Bradford, PA 16701. Any changes in the location will be announced on the Walk with a Doc Bradford Facebook Page the day of the event.
By: Eric Barlett, Physical Therapist UPMC Rehabilitation Services
Simply put, aquatic physical therapy is the practice of physical therapy in the water. Also known as hydrotherapy, it’s often an effective, evidence-based option to consider as an alternative for people who have trouble exercising due to pain, weakness, and weight-bearing and mobility limitations. The pools used are designed specifically for physical therapy and are often smaller and have adaptations, like handrails and lifts, to enhance patient comfort and accessibility. An aquatic program is designed by a patient’s physical therapist as part of an individualized treatment plan to achieve specific goals.
Is Aquatic Therapy an Option for Me?
Aquatic therapy can be beneficial for a number of different patients and is not utilized for specific diagnoses, but instead is used to address particular problems a patient may have including:
Calling all thespians! So you’ve never acted before but would love to? Come learn the essential skills needed to be on the stage. Even if you are not a novice, this is an excellent opportunity to refresh those skills and maybe learn something new to add to your repertoire, such as improvisation or different techniques. The local theatrical group, Potter-McKean Players, has plans to offer productions in the upcoming months. This course will teach you what you need to be ready for those auditions.
This 4-part course will be taught by local director Paul Herzig and actor Jared Empson, of Eliot Ness Fest fame. The classes will take place on Tuesdays, January 10 – January 31, 2023 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Education Council’s Coudersport office. The cost of the course is $25 per person. Class size is limited, so register today at www.pottercountyedcouncil.org or call (814) 274-4877.
