NEWS

Recently, G2 Gymnastics of Shinglehouse, traveled to Erie, PA to participate in the Stars & Stripes Gymnastics Competition hosted by Erie Gymnastics Center. The event was held at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center and hosted over 1,800 athletes from 40 gymnastics centers across PA, NY, OH, WV.  Thirty-seven members represented G2 Gymnastics at the largest competition of their regular season. G2 brought home 4 awards in the Team Division and over 130 individual awards. Team Standings: Level 2 – 2^nd place, XCEL Silver – 2^nd place, XCEL Platinum – 3^rd place, XCEL Gold – 4^th place.

Kashif Chaudhry, M.D.
Heart and Vascular Institute, UPMC

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, better known as CPR, is a practice used in emergency situations to help someone when their heart has stopped beating and they are unconscious – a condition known as cardiac arrest, often associated with gasping or no breathing at all. CPR is the act of pushing down on someone’s chest to help pump the heart manually, allowing blood and oxygen to continue moving through the body. Even if the blood flow created by CPR is only partial, this procedure can double, if not triple, the chances of survival.

Chain of Survival

The American Heart Association (AHA) uses the Chain of Survival, a series of steps to take if you suspect someone is having a cardiac arrest.

1. Call or ask someone to call 911 and alert Emergency Medical Services (EMS) of the unresponsive person immediately.
2. Perform CPR to the best of your ability. Any attempt of CPR is better than no attempt at all. Also, Good Samaritan laws are in place to protect bystanders that act in good faith by providing reasonable first aid.
3. Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is near. An AED is a medical device often found in public spaces that can measure heart rhythms and produce an electric shock to the heart. AEDs have straightforward instructions for anyone to follow.
4. EMS will take over once they arrive.

By following these measures, you are contributing to a more positive outcome for the victim.

Performing CPR

It is recommended for the general public to use Hands-Only CPR, or CPR with compressions only and no breaths. To perform CPR on adults, follow these instructions:

1. Place one hand on the center of the chest and your other hand on top of that hand, lacing the fingers.
2. Use the heels of your hands to push hard and fast, keeping your arms straight and shoulders over your hands allowing your body weight to help with compressions.
3. Compressions should be two inches deep and occur at least 100 times per minute. Think of the song “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees as recommended by the AHA.
4. Do not stop until an AED is ready to use, EMS arrives, or if the victim displays an obvious sign of life.

Minutes Matter

Brain damage is possible after only four minutes of a stopped heart. After six minutes, this possibility increases, and after 10, it is almost certain. The immediate use of CPR is absolutely vital to help save someone’s life when experiencing a stopped heart.

While this column provides the basics of CPR, it is advantageous to seek out an official training to practice with a CPR mannequin and a trained professional. This gives you the opportunity to see what it takes to perform high quality chest compressions and gain confidence if you should ever have to use CPR.

Kashif Chaudhry, M.D., is an electrophysiologist with UPMC’s Heart and Vascular Institute and sees patients at the UPMC Health Innovation Center, 740 High St., Williamsport. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Chaudhry, call 570-321-2800. For more information, visit UPMC.com/HeartNCPA.

The Shania Twain and Garth Brooks Tribute Show is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 3 in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.

Donna Huber looks and sounds like Shania Twain and Les Smith like Garth Brooks.

Smith is the leader of Fresh Horses; a high-energy show band that performs Garth Brooks hits and also backs Donna Huber as she performs Shania Twain hits.

Huber was living and working in Canada when she began receiving compliments from strangers about how much she looked like Shania Twain.

After watching Twain’s videos over and over, countless hours of practicing to sing like her, emulate her moves and the way she presented herself, Donna met with an agent in the music business. The agent listened to her sing, and took note of her uncanny resemblance to one of country music’s most beautiful and successful women. It was obvious that Huber was about to embark on something that would change her life forever.

They worked to put a band together, practiced for a few months, and the rest is history.

Huber has been on the road since March of 1996 as the most successful tribute act in Canada and throughout the United States and Europe.

Smith looks and sounds so much like Brooks that people often comment that they forget they are watching a tribute act.

Fresh Horses tours North America, pleases crowds with their music and entertaining show and has received excellent reviews along with a great following of fans of all ages.

Admission is $30. For tickets or more information, visit deanecenter.com or call 570-724-6220.

Aveanna Healthcare is offering Shift Differentials, competitive rates of pay, flexible scheduling and weekly pay. PRN work is available in all areas. Direct Care Workers, no experience needed, we provide all training! Must be 18 years old, and be vaccinated for covid or be willing to apply for a medical or religious exemption. RN/LPN Payrate based on acuity and experience Base rates start at $22-$30/ hour.  CNA base rate $14/ hour, School cases $17/hour. DCW base rate $12/hour

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YWCA Bradford will host an open interview/job fair from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 24 and Monday, February 27 at its Administrative Office located at 24 West Corydon Street in Bradford, PA. The job fair will feature both full-time and part-time positions currently open at YWCA Bradford. YWCA Bradford is seeking candidates who want to make a difference in someone’s life! Open positions include Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Program Staff and Sexual Assault Advocate.

YWCA Bradford offers full-time employees competitive pay, health insurance, vision insurance, paid time off, sick days/bereavement leave, AFLAC, Colonial Life and YW Retirement.
Those interested must have a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver’s license and must be at least 18 years old. Applicants should provide a copy of their resume. For more
information, contact ywcaadmin@ywcabradford.org

Rebecca Renn is pleased to announce her candidacy for the Magisterial District Judge position in Coudersport left vacant by the Honorable Annette Easton. Renn has practiced law in Potter County since moving to Coudersport in 2009. Originally from Georgia, Renn holds a degree in secondary education and, prior to beginning her legal career, worked as both a high school and middle school English teacher in Muscogee County, Georgia.

After attending law school in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Renn upheld individual’s rights as a criminal defense attorney in Columbus, Georgia. She and her family relocated to Potter County in 2009, where she practiced as a family law attorney for several years under her former name, Rebecca Ross, at the firm of Ross & Ross. From 2013 through 2018, she served as Assistant District Attorney for Potter County, during which time she worked extensively in both the Magisterial District Court and the Court of Common Pleas. Since 2018, Renn has maintained a private practice in the areas of franchise law and commercial leasing, while also serving the children of Potter County as a guardian ad litem in the Court of Common Pleas. In this capacity, she represents the best interests of children who are the subject of Children and Youth Services involvement or highly contested custody matters. 

Renn cares deeply for the people of this community. She raised her family in Coudersport, and her children attended Coudersport schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade. She has served as a school director on the Coudersport Area School Board as well as a coach for the high school mock trial team. She has also volunteered as a coach with the Coudersport Area Soccer Association, organized a clothing closet for foster children in placement in Potter County, and facilitated a 12-step recovery program for those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.

While a Magisterial District Judge in Pennsylvania is not required to hold a law degree, the judge oversees the initial stages of every criminal proceeding as well as the final disposition of many minor offenses. Renn’s legal education and experience make her the most qualified candidate for the position, having practiced in almost every aspect of civil and criminal litigation, including experience as both prosecutor and defense counsel in criminal matters. Renn brings a unique combination of training, experience, and perspective, which combined with her integrity, honor, and compassion, make her an excellent choice for this position.  

Jim Howe, organizer of the 2023 Chili With A Chance For Chocolate Taste-Off and Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries president, announced the first through third place taste-off winners on Saturday, Feb. 11. This was the eighth taste-off held since the first one in 2015. It is a Wellsboro Winter Celebration event. 

The first place winner was awarded $100 and the second and third place winners $50 each in Wellsboro Chamber Dollars that can be redeemed at any of more than 40 area participating businesses.

“All 13 chili chefs will soon be receiving a special thank you gift for participating,” said Howe.

The 315 people who each bought a $5 taste-off passport had the opportunity to try all or some of the 13 different types of chili beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday. They cast their votes and then turned in their passports at any taste-off location by 2 p.m.

Taking first place was Zack Luczak with his Wine’ing for Chili at Oregon Hill Winery’s retail store at 87½ Main Street.

Luczak’s chili includes Oregon Hill’s Ensemble Rouge, a blend of dry red wines along with ground beef, bacon, onions, red peppers, diced tomatoes, five different types of beans, spices and a secret ingredient.

In 2022, Luczak took second place with his Wine-ing for Chili made with Oregon Hill Cabernet Sauvignon. “My chili’s name was spelled with a hyphen last year and with an apostrophe this year to signify they are different,” he said.

“I tweaked my 2022 chili to create this year’s marriage of flavors by taking out some of the spices and two of the meats I had used and adding some new ingredients,” said Luczak.

“I’ve been around the food industry most of my life because my dad was a chef and I would help him. I began working in area restaurants about 16 years ago and been at Oregon Hill Winery for the past two and a half years. I am currently an assistant winemaker but continue to cook, too. Through Oregon Hill, I have catered several private events at the main winery and for the past two years made the chili for the taste-off.”

Taking second place with her Mammy’s Sweet Chili was Pat Schramm, owner of Shabby Rue at 69 Main Street. “I am surprised and thrilled. I’ve never won before and have been participating in the taste-off since it started in 2015, most of the time with my Mammy’s Sweet Chili. I don’t consider myself a great cook but I Iove to make chili. Several people have asked me for my recipe but I don’t follow one,” Schramm said.

Third place winner was Greg Nagy with his Smoked White Chicken Chili. He is the head chef at Beck’s Bistro, 104 Main Street. The Main Street Creamery at 17 Main Street was the tasting location. In his chili were marinated, barbecued chicken; grilled corn; great northern beans; onions, peppers and spices. He won third place in 2018, second place in 2019 and first place in 2020 at the taste-off with a different chili he had made for another business in Wellsboro. “I am hoping to do that with this one – tweak it into first place,” he said. “I have lived in Wellsboro all my life and became interested in cooking thanks to my grandfather. I spent summers with my grandparents in Canada after he retired and he would always be cooking.”

Proceeds from the sale of the passports will benefit rescued animals and programs offered by Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries, according to Howe.

FIRST News Now

1 INJURED IN BLAZE THAT DESTROYED 2 BARNS, 2 SHEDS AND CLAIMED MANY ANIMALS – GOFUNDME SITE is SET UP TO HELP FAMILY & A SPAGHETTI DINNER BENEFIT SCHEDULED FOR MARCH

FNN Article © Saturday, February 18, 2023.

Fire images from scheduled benefits (Links to assist the family provided to FNN. Links in article below).

MANSFIELD, PA. — Late Wednesday evening, February 15, 2023, firefighters from Mansfield Hose Company, as well as EMS crews and fire units from Blossburg Fire Department responded around 10:55 PM to a reported barn fire at the Lehman/Brooks residence located at 719 Wood Road in Richmond Township.

One large barn approximately 50×50 in size and a second barn approximately 30×40 were both well involved before fire personnel even arrived on scene.

Mansfield fire personnel were on scene by 11:01 PM and immediately a 2nd and 3rd alarm was requested as winds fueled the flames, putting other buildings at risk of catching fire.

According to Mansfield Fire Chief, Jim Welch, fire crews from Mansfield, Blossburg, Wellsboro, Big Elm (out of Daggett, PA), Millerton, Tioga, Lawrenceville, Liberty, Lindley (out of NY), and Troy assisted in battling the burning barns and sheds. Other fire departments provided stand-by coverage.

The fire was so intense that it lit up the night sky and the orange glow could be seen from a few miles away, according to residents. Embers continuously blew in the wind creating a hazard for other fires to be started.

By 11:12 PM the main barn, where the fire had started, collapsed, while the second barn was reported to have partially collapsed at that time, sending more embers hundreds of feet into the night sky.

A water fill site was set up on the Kellytown Road at a large pond area, so tankers could refill with water and head back to the fire scene.

Firefighters worked hard to fight the flames and bring the fire under control. The fire was brought under control around 1:22 AM.

Several fire units were able to head back to their stations around 2:12 AM. As other crews continued to work at extinguishing the flames.

The last fire units were cleared from the scene around 3:00 AM. However, by 4:00 AM the winds fueled some hot embers and soon Mansfield Hose Company crews headed back out to the Lehman residence to deal with a rekindle of the flames that claimed the family’s two barns and two sheds. It is unknown how long fire crews remained on scene for the rekindle.

Fire Chief Welch noted that a number and variety of animals were lost in the fast moving fire. Those animals lost included over 30 goats, dozens of chickens, sheep, lambs, cattle, pigs, and rabbits, some of which were show animals. Many of the animals the children cared for and raised as they were involved in 4H. The kids lost everything, from their animals they bred, to the items they needed to care and showcase their animals. FNN was told that the family did not have insurance.

One female resident suffered burns to her back while trying to rescue animals. The woman was transported by Mansfield Ambulance to UPMC Wellsboro Hospital for treatment. It was later reported that the burn victim was sent onward to Lehigh Valley Burn Center in Allentown to receive treatment for 3rd degree burns.

FNN was told by a friend of the family, that two goats were rescued that evening.

The Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshall was on scene the following morning investigating the cause of the fire. Often with fires as extensive as this one, finding a cause is most unlikely.

A Spaghetti Dinner Benefit has been set for the Lehman and Brooks family for Saturday, March 18, 2023, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Tioga County Fairgrounds. Please visit the following page event for more details; https://www.facebook.com/events/946490200053035 . Also a GoFundMe link has been set up so those wishing to help. One can donate any amount they wish to the family. Just click the following link to help; https://www.gofundme.com/…/tragic-loss-of-farm-and… .

* Article #312 in 2023.

Johnsonburg, Pa.:  Paul Costanzo entered a 30.2# male coyote into Rolfe Beagle Club’s Statewide Predator Hunt or Trap after a resilient weekend.  Paul hunts with an electronic call and an AR .223 caliber equipped with a thermal scope. 

While crossing a field to set up for a calling sequence, Paul noticed a coyote crossing the field edge with his monocle scanner.  Dropping to the seated position, Paul shot 180 yards to the field edge dropping his target.  But the coyote ran off after a hard hit.  Paul searched for several hours but, without any blood or evident trail, Paul abandoned the trail until the morning light would make searching easier.  Paul returned 12 hours later after reviewing his thermal footage of point of impact.  Paul brought his Plott hound Annie Cujo to the start of the trail and roughly 150 yards later, through thick cover, the coyote was finally recovered.   

Hunters are reminded that if they choose to participate during the second weekend of this two-weekend hunt or trap, they must have their registration postmarked by Thursday, 2/16.

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.

Click this link to see the Offices and Terms for the Primary Election. 

Aveanna Healthcare is offering Shift Differentials, competitive rates of pay, flexible scheduling and weekly pay. PRN work is available in all areas. Direct Care Workers, no experience needed, we provide all training! Must be 18 years old, and be vaccinated for covid or be willing to apply for a medical or religious exemption. RN/LPN Payrate based on acuity and experience Base rates start at $22-$30/ hour.  CNA base rate $14/ hour, School cases $17/hour. DCW base rate $12/hour

RN/LPN

Fulltime nights available in Bradford, Kane, and Rew.

Full time days available in St Mary’s, and Bradford.

Part time Days in Roulette, St Mary’s, Port Allegany  

Part time nights in Eldred, Port Allegany, Bradford, St Mary’s

Part time evenings in Emporium.

CNA

School cases in Johnsonburg, Kane, Port Allegany, Coudersport, and Warren

Evenings Roulette

PRN in Port Allegany, Bradford, Kane, Eldred, Smethport, Ludlow, Lewis Run,  Rixford, Rew, and St Mary’s

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Days and evenings in Kane, Ludlow, Roulette, Bradford, Rew, Eldred, St Mary’s, Smethport, Rixford, and Lewis Run

Please call Today at 814-642-9500 to set up your phone interview today!

Coudersport Rotary Club was very pleased to present a $200 check to Dalton Miller for his Eagle Project at their January 30, 2023, meeting at A&W West End Grill. Dalton will build a “Care Closet” at the Coudersport Jr/Sr High School for students who need personal hygiene items, non-perishable food, and clothing items. Pictured: Rotarian Courtney Cole, Dalton Miller, and Rotary President Lynne Ruffner

(St. Marys, PA)  If you haven’t heard yet, the Elk County Democratic Committee is keeping its 2022 Headquarters for the 2023 election cycle. This is the first time in the committee’s history that they have been able to have a headquarters in an odd year municipal election cycle through the generosity of a handful of key donors. The committee is marking this achievement by hosting a 2023 Grand Opening at their Headquarters, 210 Brusselles St. in Downtown St. Marys on Friday, February 17th starting at 6:00pm. The event is open to Democrats from Elk and surrounding counties.

They will have light refreshments and drinks, and encourage all local and statewide Democratic candidates to join them and help celebrate. This will kick off the first weekend of the 3 week petition signing period so it is a great opportunity to stop in, meet candidates, and sign petitions to get them on the May primary ballot. In Elk County, all County row offices are on the ballot in 2023 along with numerous township, city, borough and school director (school board) positions.

Along with local races, there are also four statewide offices on the ballot – one vacancy on Commonwealth Court, two vacancies on Superior Court and one vacancy on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The Committee has petition forms for Elk, Cameron, Jefferson and Forest County Democrats to sign for several of the Democratic statewide candidates and they will be available to sign at the Grand Opening. 

In addition, the Committee is hosting a food drive for local charities and will be accepting non-perishable items. They did this in 2021 during Covid and collected hundreds of pounds of food to help local families and they hope to exceed that amount this year.

Following the Grand Opening, the Headquarters will be staffed several other days throughout the end of the Petition Signing Period which ends Tuesday March 7^th to allow Democrats that cannot make the Friday 17^th event to sign petitions.

For more information about the Committee, questions about running for office, or to find out when the Headquarters is open, visit their Facebook Page www.facebook.com/ElkCoDC, email elkcountydemocrats@gmail.com or call/text (814) 636-1030.

Photo provided. The Tannahill Weavers ninth concert of their current USA tour is in Wellsboro.

This Sunday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. the Tannahill Weavers will perform their fire-driven instrumentals, foot-stomping jigs and reels, topical songs, and original ballads and lullabies on the Coolidge Theatre stage at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.

They are known worldwide for their exuberant and humorous performances, harmony singing and acoustic instruments.

This premier Celtic band began their current 18-show USA tour on Feb. 8 in Minnesota. Their ninth concert is at the Deane Center on Sunday and their last in West Virginia on March 4.

Roy Gullane is the lead singer and plays guitar. Singing harmony are Phil Smillie on flute, bodhran and whistles; Malcolm Bushby on fiddle and bouzouki; and Iain MacGillivray on bagpipes, fiddle and whistles.

This concert is BYOB with audience members encouraged to bring their favorite snacks and beverages and sit at a table with family and friends.

Admission is $25. For tickets and to reserve a table, call the Deane Center at 570-724-6220 or go to the website at deanecenter.com.