The SHCTC Networking and Security instructor, Mr. Bryant is proud to announce the Student of the Week, William Myers. Wiliam, a senior at Smethport High School has demonstrated the resiliency and persistence needed for success in his future endeavors. He provides consistent help to his classmates and exhibits an outstanding work ethic in shop labs and on theory assignments. William earned his PC Pro certification in May and is currently seeking his Network Pro certification.
At 1519 Hours, dispatched for Trees and Wires Down at the above location. Engine 48-3 (w/3) responded and upon their arrival, the incident was unfounded. Units returned to service.
9/7/23
600 BLOCK OF ROUTE 44
TREE DOWN
At 1942 Hours, Chief 48 (Phelps) located a tree down in the roadway, cleared it himself and returned to service.
9/8/23
35 S MAIN ST – PORT ALLEGANY
STRUCTURE FIRE – 1ST ALARM
At 1559 Hours, the Rescue and Truck Companies were dispatched as a part of the First Alarm Assignment for a reported House Fire at the above location. Rescue 48-8 (w/6) responded shortly after dispatched and were placed in service while enroute. Units returned to service.
9/10/23
246 ROUTE 244 N
MVA WITH INJURIES
At 0027 Hours, dispatched for a single-vehicle crash into a pole at the above location. Rescue 48-8 (w/5), Engine 48-3 (w/3) and Patrol 48-4 (w/2) all made the response. Chief 48 (Phelps) arrived to a vehicle into the ditch and the driver self-extricated with cable lines down. Crews assisted on scene as needed until the vehicle was removed by the towing company. Units then returned to service.
9/11/23
BUFFALO ST / KIO RD
TREE DOWN
At 0003 Hours, dispatched for a Tree Down in the roadway. Chief 48-30 (Dunn II) and Patrol 48-4 (w/2) responded and upon their arrival found a PennDOT crew on scene already clearing the roadway. Units returned to service.
9/12/23
22 OAK LN – ROULETTE TWP
STRUCTURE FIRE – 1ST ALARM
At 1528 Hours, dispatched for a Reported House Fire at the above location. Tanker 48-5 (w/6), Engine 48-1 (w/3), and Engine 48-3 (w/2) all made the response. While responding, the incident was scaled back and command requested the Tanker Company to continue into the scene and the remainder of units were returned to service. Upon the Tanker’s arrival, crews assisted 46 for minor overhaul and any other tasks that were needed. Crews were released shortly thereafter. Refer to Roulette Chemical Engine #1 for additional information
9/18/23
802 VINE ST
AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARM
At 0901 Hours, dispatched for an Automatic Fire Alarm at the Coudersport Elementary School. Chief 48 (Phelps) received a phone call from property maintenance and confirmed the alarm was false. Units were placed in service after dispatch.
TRAINING ASSIGNMENTS
While also handling calls for service, multiple members traveled to various classes throughout the counties.
Firefighter’s J. Duell, S. Greene, D. Greene, & D. Hunt traveled to Genesee to partake in a Pump Operations 1 class for the weekend.
Firefighter K. Saulter Jr and Lieutenant Rodriguez traveled to the Tri-County Fire School to partake in a Arson Fire Investigation class for the weekend.
Did you know that about 70% of the housing in Allegany County was built before 1978? These homes are more likely to contain lead-based paints, which were banned for residential use in 1978. Sanding and scraping paint in these older homes can release lead dust. A child can get lead poisoning by swallowing paint chips with lead or breathing in dust from lead paint. Lead poisoning can cause problems with a child’s growth, behavior, and ability to learn. Lead can also harm babies before they are born.
Description: Environmental Health & Safety violation issued on 9/19/2023 to EQT ARO LLC in McIntyre Township, Lycoming county. CSL 402(b) – POTENTIAL POLLUTION – Conducting an activity regulated by a permit issued pursuant to Section 402 of The Clean Streams Law to prevent the potential of pollution to waters of the Commonwealth without a permit or contrary to a permit issued under that authority by the Department.
Description: Environmental Health & Safety violation issued on 9/18/2023 to XTO ENERGY INC in Chapman Township, Clinton county. 78a86 – CASING AND CEMENTING – DEFECTIVE CASING OR CEMENTING – Operator failed to report defect in a well that has defective, insufficient or improperly cemented casing to the Department within 24 hours of discovery. Operator failed to correct defect or failed to submit a plan to correct the defect for approval by the Department within 30 days.
Elk County- Ed Gerg, Owner of Allstate-Gerg Insurance and Financial Services, presented a generous donation to the St. Marys Area United Way. Ed presented this check to (L-R) Jim Ryan, United Way Vice-President; Doug Bauer, United Way Payroll Campaign Chair; Leah Whiteman, United Way board member; Mark Saline, United Way board member; Jason Gabler, Corporate Campaign Chair; and Doug Gaffey, United Way President.
Genesee Township Volunteer Fire & Ambulance Dept., Inc.
405 Main Street
PO Box 9
Genesee, PA 16923
At 7:29 AM on September 22, 2023, the Genesee Township Volunteer Fire & Ambulance Dept., Inc. was dispatched to Ridge Road, in Genesee Township, for a motor vehicle accident with injuries. Reports said this to be a school bus rollover. Seventeen members of Genesee (Dept. 37), responded and set up triage and began assessing students, while other departments were called in to help with transporting to Cole Memorial Hospital. In all, 31 students and 1 bus driver were taken to Cole Memorial by ambulance or private vehicle for further evaluation by emergency room staff.
Genesee Chief Officers would like to thank parents for being patient while students were being evaluated prior to transport to the hospital. We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the following who were involved in the incident; Ulysses Dept 47, Wellsville Ambulance, Whitesville Ambulance, Medical Transport, Harrison Valley Dept 20 for standby with a rescue, Northern Potter Administrators & Staff, PSP, Genesee Township, Whites Towing, Tioga County Dispatch and Cole Memorial Hospital.
Thank you,
Chief Officers of the Genesee TWP Vol. Fire & Ambulance Dept., Inc.
Northern Pennsylvania Regional College is hosting a virtual Information Session on Tuesday, October 24 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. for anyone who may be thinking about applying to NPRC in 2024. Those interested in attending are encouraged to sign-up on NPRC’s website at NPRCEvents.org.
Attendees will learn about the College’s history and mission, receive information and resources regarding tuition rates and how to pay for college, along with more details about NPRC’s offerings.
NPRC is a two-year, open admission college that offers associate degrees and workforce development training courses that guide students to prosperous careers and foster economic growth throughout the region. Associate degrees available include business administration, criminal justice, early childhood education, liberal studies, and social sciences. Workforce development programs include, but are not limited to, commercial driver’s license (CDL), emergency medical services (EMS), child development associate (CDA), industrial maintenance basics, and supervision and leadership. Several of these programs are eligible for financial assistance through the local CareerLink®.
More than anything, NPRC creates opportunities for those who may have never had the chance to sit in a college classroom before by only requiring a high school diploma or equivalent to apply. NPRC educates, inspires, and serves the region in a way that is unique to its needs. We are more than a college; we are a second chance, a necessity, and an opportunity where learning and growth never stops.
“NPRC can be someone’s second chance at college, the step for a better life for themselves and their family, or a way to reinvent their career,” says NPRC’s Assistant Director of Community Engagement, Kelsey Angove. “The College has something to offer almost anyone. If you’re interested in earning a college degree, learning a trade, taking a community enrichment class, or are just curious about NPRC, this is the perfect opportunity to learn all about us. We are excited to welcome everyone!”
Info session dates for 2024 will be released in the coming months.
James J. Rupprecht, 95, of 430 Washington Street, St. Marys, passed away Monday, September 25, 2023 at his home.
He was born February 11, 1928 in St. Marys, son of the late Alois “Fatty” and Mary Gleixner Rupprecht. He was a lifelong resident of the area.
On July 26, 1952, in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, he married Shirley Hollobaugh, with whom he was blessed to share 71 years of marriage.
Jim is survived by his wife Shirley and four children: Rick (Cheryl) of Ashville, New York, Sandy (Dale) Miller, Mark (Annette) Rupprecht, and Joe (Renee) Rupprecht, all of St. Marys. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Tim (Erica) Shine, Greg (Shelly) Shine, Jennifer (Jason) Figured, JJ (Carolyn) Miller, David (Lisa) Miller, Angie Miller, Haley Rupprecht, Stephen Rupprecht, Jeff (Brandy) Miller, and Belinda (Rod) Dinsmore, 20 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.
The Potter County Education Council, Tri-Co Connections, the Potter County Human Services Area Agency on Aging, and our local school districts are continuing to team up to implement a county-wide program called Seniors 2 Seniors. This program teaches basic computer skills, digital literacy, and cybersecurity to senior citizens so that they have the skills and knowledge to utilize the many benefits of high-speed Internet. As a part of this program, local high school students volunteer to provide on-site support to each of the adults who participate in the course.
The Seniors 2 Seniors technology course is being offered at the following senior centers in Potter County on a six-week rotating schedule, meeting on Wednesdays (following the school districts’ calendars), throughout the 2023-2024 school year. The course is scheduled to meet at the Coudersport Senior Center on Wednesdays, November 1st – December 13th (no class on November 22nd) from 12:45 – 2:15 p.m. Ulysses and Galeton Senior Centers will offer the classes in Spring 2024, dates to be determined.
The registration deadline for the Coudersport course is Wednesday, October 18th. Register yourself, a parent, or a grandparent by calling (814) 274-4877 or by stopping by the Potter County Education Council office at 5 Water Street.
The McKean County Recycling Center Compactor on Route 6 in Smethport is currently non-operational. Parts have been replaced and we are currently waiting on further maintenance to resolve the issue. Once the situation has been resolved and the compactor is operational, we will inform the public immediately.
The Allegany County Legislature has recognized Rick Gould of Bolivar for his extraordinary contributions to the Bolivar and Richburg communities.
Gould currently serves as Supervisor of the Town of Bolivar, a position he has held for twenty-one years, and is a member the Bolivar-Richburg Water Board. He previously served on the Bolivar Village Board for six years.
In addition to his municipal work, Mr. Gould is a current Board Member and former Treasurer and Past-President of the Bolivar Lions Club, an organization that he has served with for over thirty years. For his contributions, he has been recognized with the Robert J. Uplinger Award, which honors those individuals who provide significant service to their Club, District, or community.
Coudersport Rotary Club was pleased to have Kelby Streich, an 8th grader at Coudersport High School as a speaker at our September 18th meeting. Coudersport Rotary Club sponsored him to attend the Potter County Conservation Camp. He described the wide variety of activities they did, and how much he learned and appreciated the experience. His favorite activity was elk management. One other activity, of many, during the weeklong camp, was the Game Warden trapped a bear, pulled a tooth, gave it a health exam and released it.
Kelby was given the Wayne Winick Spirit Award for honoring the practice of conservation and sharing that passion with his peers.
Kelby is also a member of the Black Forest Trap Team. Although this was his first year, his squad placed 1st in the State and 2nd in the National Competition. He thanked our club for
supporting the Team.
Thank you, Kelby, for speaking before the Coudersport Rotary Club!
According to Pennsylvania College of Technology esports coach Joshua Young, “(This) week will kick off the start of our fourth year in the NACE Starleague Varsity + league for our Rocket League, Overwatch 2, Valorant and CS:GO teams. The regular season will span six weeks and conclude on Nov. 10, with the playoff starting Nov. 13-17 (round of 6), Nov. 27-Dec. 1 (round of 4) and the divisional championship the week of Dec. 4-8.
“League of Legends will start on Oct. 10 and consist of matches every Tuesday and Thursday through Oct. 31.
“We are very excited about the start of this season as we have all our team managers returning from last year to support our squads.
“They are:
Rocket League—junior Alex Nazarchuk, of Lebanon;
Overwatch 2—sophomore Frankie Gagliardi, of Pottstown;
Valorant—senior Drew Thomas, of State College;
CS:GO—sophomore Joe Hartland, of Pennsdale;
League of Legends Varsity—sophomore Zachary Rhodes, of Shippensburg;
iRacing—senior Austin DeLong, of Pittsburgh (which began a few weeks ago).
“We had major interest in League of Legends this year that we could start a development/junior varsity team. This team will be managed by one of our esports veterans, senior Jasaiah Capps, of Williamsport. He will work with the players to get them ready for the next level and will be the scrimmage partner for the varsity team. Our varsity team has four returning players from last year and has added transfer student Madison Cuckovic, of Mechanicsburg, to the roster. I am really looking forward to the future of this team with the talent we have on varsity and having the ability to develop new players into our system. This should allow us to create a strong team for the next couple of seasons.
WESTFIELD, PA – An early Sunday morning house fire is believed to have claimed the lives of a couple on September 24, 2023, in Chatham Township.
The two story home was already engulfed in flames when the Toga County 911 Center received a call from a neighbor about the fire and possible entrapment at the home on Mosher Road shortly after 3:00 AM.
Fire crews from Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Company, Middlebury Township Volunteer Fire Department, and Clymer Township Volunteer Hose Company and a Fire Coordinator were the fire units to respond to the house the fire.
Chatham fire personnel were first to arrive at the home around 3:17 AM and confirmed that the structure was fully involved. Tri-County Rural Electric was requested to turn power off on Mosher Road. Later UGI was contacted to respond and a request was made for the Fire Marshal to respond.
By 3:24 AM a second alarm was called for and fire units from Wellsboro Fire Department, Crary Hose Company from Westfield, Tioga Fire Department, as well as A RIT Team from Elkland and the Rehab unit from Blossburg Fire Department were requested for mutual aid.
Firefighters had to do an exterior attack on the blaze, as the 123-year-old house was fully involved in flames.
Westfield firefighters set up a water supply so tankers could be refilled as fire crews worked hard to bring the fire under control.
The fire was reported under control around 3:50 AM.
It was said that two Fire Marshals arrived at the house fire around 5:30 AM.
An excavator was brought in from Owlett’s Logging and Firewood to assist fire crews at the scene.
By 9:07 AM the fire was reported out, however, firefighters were still taking care of putting out hot spots
The coroner arrived at the scene of the fire as it was confirmed that two individuals had perished in the devastating fire. (It was indicated to FNN that the couple who owned the home were the ones that passed away). The home which was a total loss was owned by Leland and Laura Rouse.
Firefighters were on scene for over 6 hours. All remaining fire units were cleared from the fire location shortly after 10:00 AM.
A cause of the fire has not been provided and with the extreme damage done, the cause may not be able to be determined.
A number of other fire departments were on standby at other stations. Mansfield Hose Company covered Middlebury, Lawrenceville covered for Tioga and Galeton was requested to standby for Wellsboro. Woodhull was also on standby but unsure which department they covered for.
FNN staff extends our condolences to the Rouse family.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission has announced that 30 to 40 deer found dead in the vicinity of State Game Lands 214 in North Shenango and Sadsbury townships, Crawford County, the week of Sept. 8, succumbed to hemorrhagic disease.
Hemorrhagic disease (HD) affects wild cervids and is caused by viruses — either epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus or bluetongue virus — that are spread by biting midges.
Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the following schedule of maintenance activities in McKean County the week of September 22. PennDOT performs year-round maintenance in its mission to provide a safe, efficient transportation system, and the scope of work in McKean County for the coming week is as follows:
Bridge Maintenance & Cleaning
Route 346 in Bradford Township. Monday, September 25, through Friday, September 29. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control during daylight hours.
Pennsylvania has some of the oldest bridges in the country, with an age of more than 50 years on average. Preventive maintenance is vital in extending the life of the structures. As such, PennDOT maintenance crews perform some bridge deck patching and structural repairs.
Manual Patching
Route 6 in Hamlin and Wetmore township and Kane Borough. Monday, September 25, through Friday, September 29. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control.
Route 46 in Foster, Keating and Otto townships. Monday, September 25, through Friday, September 29. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control.
Route 546 in Otto Township. Wednesday, September 25, through Friday, September 29. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control.
Most permanent pothole patching is completed in the spring/summer when temperatures stay consistently above freezing. If maintenance crews were not repairing potholes, the road surface would break up further and require more expensive corrective measures.
Pipe Replacing & Cleaning
Route 770 in Bradford and Lafayette townships. Thursday, September 28, and Friday, September 29. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control.
Pipe replacement and cleaning are essential in maintaining water flow around state roadways. Controlling water flow is one of the most important aspects of maintaining pavements. Uncontrolled water flow will damage both the pavement surface and the area under the pavement, which causes deterioration across the length of the pipe.
Shoulder Maintenance
Route 2004 (Christian Hollow Road) in Norwich Township. Monday, September 25, through Wednesday, September 27. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control.
Shoulder cutting removes excess material and debris from unpaved shoulder areas. Shoulder grading involves the shaping and stabilizing of those same areas. Both operations improve drainage, allow water to leave the roadway, and eliminate shoulder drop-offs. These are crucial highway maintenance operations because when drainage systems do not function properly, water collects on the road, weakens pavement, accelerates the formation of potholes, and creates the potential for icing conditions in the winter months.
Side Dozing
Route 6 in Liberty Township. Monday, September 25, through Thursday, September 28. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control during daylight hours.
Side dozing removes excess material from beneath guide rail areas, which improves drainage and allows water to sheet flow off the roadway. Side dozing is a crucial highway maintenance operation because when drainage systems do not function properly, water collects on the road, weakens pavement, accelerates the formation of potholes, and creates the potential for icing conditions in the winter months.
PennDOT urges motorists to exercise caution in these and all work zones to ensure their safety and the safety of county maintenance staff.
This schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions, emergencies, or other unforeseen interruptions.
Customers can report road concerns by calling 1-800-FIX-ROAD. If calling after hours, please leave a name and phone number.
On September 25 at 9:18 am. St. Marys Fire was dispatched to Jet Metals at 412 Grotzinger Rd. for a structure fire. The fire is close to being extinguished
