NEWS

Published on 8/30/2023

DeFrank Notes Importance of Challenging Energy Issues Facing Pennsylvania and the Nation; Highlights PUC Mission to Ensure Safe and Reliable Public Utility Service at Just and Reasonable Rates

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today recognized Governor Josh Shapiro’s appointment of Commissioner Stephen M. DeFrank as the PUC’s new chairman, effective immediately.  

DeFrank replaces Commission Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille, whose tenure as PUC chair and as a commissioner ended with the confirmation of incoming Commissioner Kim Barrow.   

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), and safety partners gathered today to urge motorists to celebrate responsibly ahead of the Labor Day holiday.

“Crashes involving impaired drivers are entirely preventable,” said PennDOT Executive Deputy Secretary Cheryl Moon-Sirianni. “If your end-of-summer celebration includes alcohol, plan ahead for a sober driver. Make plans with a friend or use public transportation or a ride-share service, but never drive impaired.”

According to PennDOT data, in 2022 there were 1,214 crashes resulting in 17 fatalities and 817 injuries statewide over the Labor Day holiday weekend (Friday, September 2 through Monday, September 5. Of those, 114 crashes resulting in six fatalities and 90 injuries were alcohol-related and 27 crashes resulting in two fatalities and 20 injuries were drug-related.

Last year, Life Lion responded to more than 2,600 motor vehicle crashes across central Pennsylvania, many of which involved traumatic injuries that resulted in transport to a hospital for further treatment.

Ridgway, PA – The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission (North Central) will host a free electric vehicle (EV) event, Driving Forward: EV Charging Station Partnership on September 27, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, 1400 Leonard Street, Clearfield, PA 16830.

This informative event will feature presentations on EV charging basics, existing infrastructure in the region and funding opportunities. Interactive discussions will be conducted to further evaluate gaps, opportunities and challenges, and to provide businesses a chance to interact with supporting organizations that can help plan and implement new charging infrastructure across the region.

Penn College has scheduled a full-time program in Wellsboro and Coudersport. The program begins September 11, 2023, and students will graduate approximately one year from the start of the program. A second program will begin in January 2024 in Wellsboro only.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is awarding $266 million in loans and grants to agriculture producers and rural small businesses to make investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will lower their energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen the resilience of their operation. This funding is made possible in part by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combatting the climate crisis.

“Creating opportunity for rural communities means investing in farmers, ranchers, and small businesses,” Secretary Vilsack said. “A key pillar of Bidenomics, President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is ensuring our producers and business owners are not only a part of the clean energy economy but are directly benefitting from it. These once-in-a-generation investments in renewable energy, like wind and solar, and energy efficient technologies create new markets and deliver real cost savings for our small and mid-sized agricultural operations and Main Street businesses, building and keeping wealth in rural America.”

For more information, read full NEWS RELEASE.

​Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised Route 15 is closed in both directions in Clinton Township, Lycoming County due to a multi-vehicle crash near the intersection with Blind Road.  

Southbound traffic is being detoured via Routes 54, 405 and 44. Northbound traffic is being detoured via Routes 44 and 2001 (Elimsport Road).

Motorists should seek alternate routes if possible. The roadway is expected to be closed for several hours.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 

REGULAR MEETING

AUGUST 9, 2023

The regular meeting of the Galeton Borough Council was held this date in the Municipal building with the following members present: Joe Petrencsik, Doug Droppa, Darrell Jackson, DJ Fuller and Denny Dean. Not present was Ron Tarabori.

Others present were Foreman-Joe Cimino; Solicitor-Mike Plummer; Officer Yoder; Joey Cimino; Marc Mosher; Citizen-Kristin Bierley; and Borough Secy-Andrea Caracciolo

President Petrencsik called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM followed by the Pledge to the Flag.

Minutes

Coming up at Hills Creek State Park at 111 Spillway Road, Wellsboro, PA 16901-9676 are free in-person programs this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1, 2 and 3.

The park is seven miles northeast of Wellsboro in Charleston Township via Charleston Street and Hills Creek Lake Road. All programs are held rain or shine. 

Free, in-person programs are being held this Friday and Saturday, Sept. 1 and 2 at Cherry Springs State Park at 4639 Cherry Springs Road, Coudersport, PA 16915. The park is 12 miles from Route 6 in Galeton via West Branch Road and 15 miles from Coudersport via Route 44.