Coudersport Ambulance to Cherry Tree Lane
At 12:42 PM on Thursday, Coudersport Ambulance has been called to Cherry Tree Lane for difficulty breathing.
At 12:42 PM on Thursday, Coudersport Ambulance has been called to Cherry Tree Lane for difficulty breathing.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Nov. 30) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today announced that none of the water samples collected in Presque Isle Bay, Erie County, during October 2022 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) contained environmental DNA (eDNA) of Silver Carp or Bighead Carp.
Invasive carp, including Bighead Carp and Silver Carp, pose a significant threat to the Great Lakes ecosystem, the $7 billion-fishery, and other economic interests dependent on the Great Lakes and its tributaries. Bighead and Silver Carp compete with native and recreational fish species and are known to quickly reproduce. Anglers are urged to become familiar with the identification of invasive carp, including both adults and juveniles, as the spread of juvenile invasive carp using live bait buckets has been identified as a potential point of entry into Great Lakes waters.
To learn more about invasive carp and other aquatic invasive species, visit the PFBC website (Fishandboat.com) or www.invasivecarp.us. Members of the public can report sightings of aquatic invasive species to the PFBC using an online form: https://pfbc.pa.gov/forms/reportAIS.htm.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (December 1) – Whether it’s the holiday season or next year’s fishing season already on your mind, anglers can start gearing up today by purchasing their 2023 Pennsylvania fishing license, permits, and gift vouchers!
Beginning December 1, 2022, fishing licenses, permits, and vouchers for the 2023 season can be purchased through the HuntFishPA online portal on the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) website (Fishandboat.com), on your smartphone using the FishBoatPA mobile app, or by visiting one of nearly 700 retail license issuing agents. 2023 licenses, permits, and vouchers purchased now are valid immediately for up to 13 months, from December 1, 2022, through December 31, 2023.
“A fishing license is truly your ticket to outdoor fun for the whole year,” said Tim Schaeffer, PFBC Executive Director. “Whether you’re purchasing a license for yourself, or a voucher to give as a gift to a family member or friend, you’ll be opening the door to fishing adventures that can become lifelong memories. Purchasing a license now ensures that you’ll be covered for every fishing season for the rest of this year and next year.”
Fishing licenses, permits, and vouchers can be purchased easily, conveniently, and safely online from your computer or smart phone. Licenses may be printed immediately upon purchase or saved digitally to a smart device which serves as proof of possession. While many customers still prefer to purchase fishing licenses in person from local issuing agents, online purchases can save time and help you avoid long lines, especially right before the spring trout season, which begins statewide on Saturday, April 1, 2023.
In addition to licenses and permits, such as the trout or Lake Erie permits, customers may choose to purchase vouchers that can be given as gifts and be redeemed by recipients.
“Introducing someone new to fishing can be very rewarding and purchasing a fishing license gift voucher is an easy way to get a new angler started,” added Schaeffer. “Vouchers are also great gift ideas for active anglers, or maybe someone who likes to fish but hasn’t been out on the water for a while. The gift of a voucher might be just what they need to rediscover their passion for fishing and join you next season.”
Once again for the 2023 license year, customers can purchase a collectible fishing license button. This year’s button features a vibrant yellow background with the PFBC logo. In 2023, a limited-edition production of 10,000 buttons will be produced, and customers will receive a randomly numbered button between 00001-10000. Please note that buttons are not issued at the time of purchase and will be mailed to the buyer.
In 2023, anglers who visit a license issuing agent in person can receive the Fishing Summary/Boating Handbook free of charge. The book outlines current fishing and boating regulations, seasons and creel limits, and safety information, and includes advertising and coupons. A digital version of these publications can be viewed and printed for free on the PFBC website, or viewed on the FishBoatPA mobile app. Customers should note that 2023 Fishing Summary/Boating Handbooks are still being shipped to retail locations in early December and may not be immediately available at all locations. Customers should access the free online version or return to a retail location later for a free printed copy.
Voluntary Permits
Customers who purchase a 2023 fishing license can once again support their favorite PFBC programs through the purchase of voluntary permits for Bass, Musky, Wild Trout/Enhanced Waters, and Habitat/Waterways Conservation. These permits are not required for fishing and carry no additional privileges, but all funds generated through them are reinvested into their respective program. Thanks to the generosity of anglers, the PFBC has invested more than $520,000 into special projects funded by the sale of voluntary permits since 2019.
While youth anglers under age 16 do not require a fishing license, they must have either a Voluntary Youth Fishing License or a free Mentored Youth Fishing Permit to participate in any special youth opportunities throughout the 2023 season. This includes the statewide Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day on Saturday, March 25, 2023.
The PFBC is a user-funded agency that operates primarily on funds generated through the sale of fishing licenses, boating registrations, and associated fees. The PFBC receives no Pennsylvania General Fund tax revenue to support its programs.
The PFBC reminds anglers and boaters to protect themselves by always wearing a life jacket during the fall and winter months. From November 1 through April 30, all boaters aboard boats less than 16 feet, including all kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, are required to wear a life jacket. Anglers should also wear a life jacket while ice fishing.
Important 2023 Fishing Dates:
December 1 (2022) – 2023 Pennsylvania Fishing Licenses, permits, and vouchers on sale
March 25, 2023 – Statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day
April 1, 2023 – Statewide Opening Day of Trout Season
November 1, 2022, through April 30, 2023 – Mandatory Life Jacket Requirement in effect
2023 Fishing Summary: https://www.fishandboat.com/Fish/FishingRegulations/Documents/2023summarybook.pdf
2023 Boating Handbook: https://www.fishandboat.com/Fish/FishingRegulations/Documents/2023BoatingHandbook.pdf
The Education Council has an opening for a part-time Career and Vocational Mentor (“Mentor”). If you enjoy working with students and would welcome the opportunity to have a positive impact on the next generation, this position may be a good fit for you!
The Career Mentor Program was developed to help all students establish career paths and connections before they leave school. Mentors work closely with school counselors in school districts to introduce students to career opportunities. They assist school counselors with career activities and help develop opportunities for job shadowing, apprenticeships, internships, mock interviews, and more. Mentors coordinate guest speakers within the school environment to improve the students’ knowledge about specific career paths, such as required education or training, salary, duties, etc. They also assist with completing end of school year surveys with graduating high school seniors.
Mentors are passionate and self-motivated. Their job is interesting, and they make a difference in the lives of students. If you would like more information about this position, please contact Mr. Bob Wicker, Business Education Liaison, Potter County Education Council, at (814) 274-4877.
Galeton weather for November was fairly normal. Daytime highs were mainly in the 40s and morning lows were in the 20’s . However, it did hit 60 on the 6th and it dropped into the teens from the 19th through the 24th. We reported 6 foggy mornings.
Tomorrow is the beginning of meteorological winter. The lawnmower may officially be put away until spring unless of course you would like to have them set outside to look at as a reminder that mowing season will be just around the corner. Now is the season when snow shovels should be brought out and a snow blower or blade installed on the tractor. Just a reminder.
Now to get back to the details of the November report.
The average high temperature is 45 degrees and the average low is 28 degrees. The average rainfall total is 3.07″ This year we received 4.69″ and last year we recorded 1.63″ Snowfall. This year we received 4.3″ last year 5.2″ We had 2 days with 1″ or more snow on the ground with the greatest depth of 3″ on the 16th. We had 5 days with at least a trace of snow on the ground.
In three weeks we will begin to see longer days.
Real estate taxes in Potter County are expected remain at their current rate for a fifth straight year in 2023.
In addition, Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Barry Hayman and Paul Heimel have decided not to collect the $5.00 per-capita tax that many other counties levy.
Actions will be finalized at the commissioners’ year-end meeting next month.
A copy of the drafted 2023 operating budget will be available for public review at the commissioners administrative office in the Gunzburger Building beginning on Nov. 30.
Under the spending plan, real estate taxes would be 18.5 mills. A mill is one-tenth of one percent, levied against a property’s assessed value. Because state law prohibits county governments from levying an income tax, property owners bear the heaviest tax burden.
Two more local bridge projects were supported by Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Paul Heimel and Barry Hayman at their Nov. 3 meeting. Grants of $20,000 each were approved for the Elliott Street Bridge in Austin and the Hillcrest Road Bridge in Bingham Township.
Each year, the commissioners invite local governments to apply for a share of the Pa. Act 13 Bridge Improvement Restricted Use Fund received by the county through a state fee on shale gas wells.
Under Act 13, county commissioners have the authority to distribute the funds as they see fit, as long as they address at-risk bridges. Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Barry Hayman and Paul Heimel, together with the County Planning Department, developed a system whereby the money is expended according to an evaluation/ranking framework to address the most critical needs. Several other counties have since adopted the Potter County system as a model.
Under Act 13, Potter County receives $40,000 annually in the Restricted Use Fund. Details can be found on the county website, pottercountypa.net, under the Planning Commission tab. More information is available from Potter County Planning Director Will Hunt at 814-274-8254.
At 9:33 AM on Thursday, Roulette ambulance has been dispatched to Trout Brook Road for a woman ill.
Bradford, Pa.: The Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative (KQDC) announces that Saturday, 12/3, is the last chance hunters will have to get their deer to the two KQDC Deer Check Stations in order to get into the cash raffles. The two DEER CHECK STATIONS are on SR 59 just east of Timberdoodle Flats Trailhead and at the Willows Restaurant on SR 346 west of Bradford. Both check stations will be operated from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Hunters bringing in antlerless deer will be eligible for a $500 raffle. Hunters bringing in an antlered deer will be eligible for a $250 raffle.
All deer will be weighed, measured, and aged for FREE for hunters. Hunters will receive a fluorescent orange KQDC hat for bringing their deer to the check station.
The KQDC is managed for Quality Deer and a Quality Forest Ecosystem to provide a Quality Hunting experience. Other goals are to provide quality forests for landowners to manage for timber products, local employment, numerous outdoor recreation activities, and quality habitat for all wildlife.
The Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative is an on-going demonstration, begun in 2000, of how hunting can be used to meet the goals of multiple publics for managing deer. A partnership of forest landowners, forest managers, biologists, hunters, and local businesses developed the program which relies on hunters to manage deer density on a representative forested area. The program is conducted on a 74,000-acre forested demonstration area in northwestern Pennsylvania.
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Bradford, PA — The United Way of the Bradford Area has awarded the fourth round of Quarterly Impact funding. This funding stream is available quarterly throughout the year.
The agencies receiving the fourth quarter funding are; CARE for Children’s McKean County for Cribs, Destinations-Bradford Emergency Housing Program, Evergreen Elm Therapeutic Swimming Program, Willow Creeks Sportsman’s Club Youth Conservation Day and the Bradford Community Pride Lion’s Club’s Senior Center and Living Christmas Giving Program.
Innovation and Impact funds are available to qualifying 501 ( c ) 3 organizations in Bradford, Smethport and Port Allegany. Innovation applications do not have a request limit but are subject to availability of funds. Impact applications are capped at $1,500.00 per request and again, are subject to availability of funds. An announcement will be made in January for the submission of applications for 2023’s first quarter. If you have questions regarding Innovation and Impact funding through the United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc., please call the office at 814-368-6181 or email us at admin@uwbanews.org. Information regarding lines of funding are also available on our website at www.uwbanews.org.
Galeton weather for November was fairly normal. Daytime highs were mainly in the 40s and morning lows were in the 20’s . However, it did hit 60 on the 6th and it dropped into the teens from the 19th through the 24th. We reported 6 foggy mornings.
Tomorrow is the beginning of meteorological winter. The lawnmower may officially be put away until spring unless of course you would like to have them set outside to look at as a reminder that mowing season will be just around the corner. Now is the season when snow shovels should be brought out and a snow blower or blade installed on the tractor. Just a reminder.
Now to get back to the details of the November report. The average high temperature is 45 degrees and the average low is 28 degrees. The average rainfall total is 3.07″ This year we received 4.69″ and last year we recorded 1.63″ Snowfall. This year we received 4.3″ last year 5.2″ We had 2 days with 1″ or more snow on the ground with the greatest depth of 3″ on the 16th. We had 5 days with at least a trace of snow on the ground.
In three weeks we will begin to see longer days.
Henry W. Lush, National Weather Service Observer
At 5:05 PM on Wednesday, Roulette Fire Dept. dispatched to Sartwell Creek for lifting assistance for ambulance 3.
BRADFORD, Pa (November 23, 2022)– Beacon Light Behavioral Health System, an affiliate of Journey Health System, recently purchased the vacant 4,500 square-foot building, formerly housed by Bright Beginnings, at 17 Derrick Road in the Foster Brook Plaza at Bradford, Pennsylvania. Renovations will begin soon to prepare for relocating Beacon Light’s Custer City Private School there, next year. Classes at Custer City will resume until then.
“This move was the result of a recommendation that came out of a master facility plan that the agency engaged an independent architectural firm to complete,” said Journey Health System’s President and CEO Guy Signor. “The Custer City School building met our needs for the past 30 years, however the costs in utilities, distance from our main campus and upkeep were not ideal for our staff and students. This new location is newly constructed and offers better efficiency and accessibility. Our plan is to eventually sell the Custer City property, but until then the baseball field will remain open to the local leagues.”
In addition to constructing special education classrooms for high school students under the age of 21, the preliminary site plan includes: an Autistic support room, calming rooms, cyber-school, the Like Skills program, staff offices and more. The new site for the proposed name, “Beacon Light Academy”, is one-story for easy handicap-accessibility, offers free parking, more energy efficient space, overhead cost savings and is conveniently located near the main Beacon Light campus.
“The new location of our school will not only be beneficial for scaling business for the future but it will improve the learning environment for students, said Jennifer Gesing, MSEd, Beacon Light Behavioral Health System’s Executive Director. “This move is an example of our mission to ensure equity and excellence for all students.”
An additional office building at 58 Derrick Road was also purchased to relocate Beacon Light’s community-based staff from the school building. The 2,686 square-foot space will house the Intensive Behavioral Health Services and the Family Based Mental Health programs. These moves will bring the programs in close proximity to the main campus located at 800 East Main Street.
More information about the transfer of these programs and the Custer City Private School will be announced in the future.
Beacon Light Behavioral Health System was founded in the early 1900’s to provide services to children abandoned or orphaned by the early oil and lumber industries. Throughout its history, the agency has provided quality care to young people. As the needs of local society changed, Beacon Light Behavioral Health System evolved into a private, not-for-profit, social service agency providing quality, professional behavioral health and education services. Beacon Light Behavioral Health System’s continuum of care includes multiple programs of varying intensity that span across northcentral Pennsylvania. Regardless of the location and type of service accessed, qualified mental health treatment professionals provide individualized treatment planning and care.
For information about Beacon Light Behavioral Health System’s services, visit www.beacon-light.org.
OLEAN – Kathleen J. “Grammie” McGonnell, 71, passed away on Saturday (Nov. 26, 2022) at Olean General Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on March 15, 1951, she was the daughter of Clifford and Dorothy Taft Blakeslee. On May 25, 2002, at their family home, she married James McGonnell.
Kathleen was a 1969 graduate of Olean High School, then went on to attend the former Olean Business Institute and receive her certification in accounting. Kathleen retired as a civilian procurement specialist for the U.S. Navy.
She was a member of the Eagles Club Auxiliary, Portville American Legion Auxiliary and the Hinsdale American Legion Auxiliary.
Kathleen loved to do crypto-puzzles and mahjong. She was an avid sport fan, loved the Yankees and recently became a Buffalo Bills fan. Most of all she enjoyed watching her grandchildren play sports.
Surviving including her husband, is a daughter, Bridget (Michael) Retchless of Olean; two stepsons, James McGonnell II of Alden and Kurtis McGonnell of Salamanca; two sisters, Patricia (Phil) Smith of Olean and Sherry (Bill) Connor of Olean; two grandchildren, Sarah (Steve) Gerhard and Justin (Hannah Wilber) Retchless; three step-grandchildren, Marissa McGonnell, Grayson McGonnell and Kullan McGonnell; a special great-grandson, Colt John Gerhard; and many nieces and nephews with whom she was very close.
Preceding her in death, including her parents, was a brother, Amos Blakeslee; and a sister, Beverly Talbott Smith.
There will be no services at this time.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made to The Seeing Eye, a charity for the blind.
Online condolences may be made at www.framefuneralhome.com.
Wind Advisory issued November 30 at 2:57PM EST until December 01 at 1:00AM EST by NWS Buffalo
DESCRIPTION: …WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM EST THURSDAY…
INSTRUCTIONS: Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.
Issued By: NWS Buffalo (Western New York)
URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service State College PA
151 PM EST Wed Nov 30 2022
…WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM EST THURSDAY…
* WHAT…West winds 15 to 25 mph with occasional gusts between 45
and 50 mph.
* WHERE…Warren, McKean, Potter, Elk, Cameron, Northern
Clinton, Clearfield and Northern Centre Counties.
* WHEN…Until 3 AM EST Thursday.
* IMPACTS…Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…The strongest wind gusts will be on the
ridge tops and in the gaps of the ridges.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.
For high wind safety information, visit weather.gov/wind.
The latest forecast information can be found on the NWS State
College Facebook page and Twitter @NWSStateCollege, or on the web
at weather.gov/ctp.
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board (EQB) today adopted an emergency rule limiting volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and, as a co-benefit, methane emissions from existing conventional oil and gas sources, which will lower air pollution from conventional oil and gas sources in the commonwealth.
The regulation mirrors a final-omitted regulation that the EQB adopted on October 12, and that the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) approved on November 17.
Under the federal Clean Air Act (CAA), Pennsylvania has until December 16, to submit to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a State Implementation Plan, including regulations covering VOC emissions for all required oil and gas sources.
Governor Tom Wolf determined that this emergency certified final-omitted rulemaking is necessary to ensure the commonwealth complies with the CAA and with Pennsylvania’s Air Pollution Control Act. The emergency rulemaking was undertaken after the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee voted to review the final-omitted version of the regulation, causing a delay in the regulatory process that would extend beyond the December 16 deadline.
If the commonwealth does not submit this rulemaking to the EPA as a State Implementation Plan revision by December 16, federal highway funding will be withheld until the submission is made. For the upcoming fiscal year, federal highway funds subject to these sanctions are estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars in “nonattainment areas” – regions that have not met air quality standards for ozone – in the commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and the EPA have identified several hundred projects in nonattainment areas that would not receive funding and would therefore not be completed or would be subject to delay.
The Regulatory Review Act (RRA) allows an agency to immediately implement a final-omitted regulation when the Governor certifies that promulgation is necessary to respond to an emergency circumstance specified in the RRA. Today, November 30, Governor Tom Wolf issued a Certification of Need for Emergency Regulation finding that this rulemaking is required to prevent “the need for supplemental or deficiency appropriations of greater than $1,000,000.” (71 P.S. § 745.6(d)).
The emergency rulemaking establishes the VOC emission limitations for existing conventional oil and gas sources based on Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) requirements consistent with the EPA’s recommendations. The EPA defines RACT as “the lowest emission limitation that a particular source is capable of meeting by the application of control technology that is reasonably available considering technological and economic feasibility.”
These sources include natural gas-driven continuous bleed pneumatic controllers, natural gas-driven diaphragm pumps, reciprocating compressors, centrifugal compressors, fugitive emissions components and storage vessels installed at conventional well sites, gathering and boosting stations and natural gas processing plants, as well as storage vessels in the natural gas transmission and storage segment.
This rulemaking will be effective upon notice or publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.