Potter County Winter Clothing Drive
NEWS
UPMC Cole to Host Halloween Path
Coudersport, Pa., October 18, 2023 – UPMC Cole welcomes families and their trick-or-treaters to its first Halloween Path on Sunday, Oct. 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. This free event will be held outdoors, rain or shine, at UPMC Cole’s East Entrance, East 2nd St., Coudersport.
This year’s theme is “Children’s Books: A World of Imagination.” Attendees can expect special goodies from the characters of “Where’s Waldo,” “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” “Wizard of Oz,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “The Cat in the Hat,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” and more.
For more information, contact Kari Kurtz, director, Community Relations, at 814-274-5550.
Dickinson Center, Inc. Parents as Teachers Group Met Oct. 13th in Elk County
Dickinson Center, Inc. Parents as Teachers hosted their parent-only group called Coffee and Chit Chat on October 13, 2023.
This is a free parent/guardian/caregiver workshop for Elk County Families with children five years of age and under. This is a great opportunity to connect with others to discuss a variety of parent/child/family topics.
This month The Mama Coach – Karie Zoschg RN, BSN, CLC shared potty training tips. The group had good conversations, learned a few new tips, and where to go for more information.
Check out the next Coffee and Chit Chat workshop on December 8 from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. The PA District 2 Community Traffic Safety Project will present on winter safety tips.
Call 814-834-2602 to pre-register to attend. Space is limited for childcare.
Bill to Boost Reimbursements for EMS Heads to Governor’s Desk, Causer Says
HARRISBURG – Emergency medical services (EMS) companies across the Commonwealth would see a significant boost in reimbursement rates under legislation approved by the state House and sent to the governor’s desk today, said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter).
“This is great news for all Pennsylvanians, and especially for those of us living in rural communities where EMS agencies are really struggling to keep their doors open,” Causer said. “It provides a much-needed lifeline for our EMS services and is truly a vital investment in public health and safety.”
Memorial luncheon for friends of Mick Davies of Smethport
There will be a memorial luncheon for friends of Mick Davies of Smethport on October 21st starting at 11am till 1:30pm at the Christian Gospel Church social hall to share memories with the family. All are welcome.
PORTIONS OF CROOKED CREEK HAPPY VALLEY ROAD ACCESS IN ERIE COUNTY REOPENED FOR ANGLERS
HARRISBURG, Pa. (October 18) –The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) announced today that portions of the Crooked Creek Happy Valley Road Access, which provides fishing access to Crooked Creek in Springfield Township, Erie County, have been reopened following a temporary closure.
Areas that have been reopened include the parking lot and access to Crooked Creek located on the northeast corner of the PFBC property. It is anticpated that more areas will be reopened in mid-November, however, anglers should continue to avoid all restricted areas until further notice.
Shapiro Administration Has Plugged 100 Orphaned & Abandoned Wells in Just 10 Months, Surpassing Total Over Previous 6 Years Combined
October 18, 2023–Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, the PA Department of Environmental Protection has dramatically ramped up capping and plugging, reducing methane emissions, improving public health, and creating jobs in Western Pennsylvania.
Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro, the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) highlighted the Shapiro Administration’s historic work to cap and plug orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells across Pennsylvania.
As of today, the Shapiro Administration has capped and plugged 100 wells under the Governor’s leadership – more wells than in the prior 6 years combined. The 100th well was plugged at Hillman State Park under an emergency contract with Yost Drilling after DEP followed up on reports from local residents concerned about the risks abandoned wells pose to public health and safety.
CHERRY SPRINGS STATE PARK IS HOLDING FREE IN-PERSON PROGRAMS THIS SATURDAY, OCT. 21
Free, in-person programs are being held this Saturday, Oct. 21 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.
Registration is not needed for any Oct. 21 programs. All visitors should arrive at the park before dark whether they are attending a stargazing program or are observing on their own. Stargazing programs are in the Night Sky Public Viewing Area. Park in the gravel lot and follow the walkway next to the restrooms to the seating area. Since seating is limited, bring a lawn chair and/or blanket. Leave pets at home.
Check the Clear Sky Chart or Astrospheric for 48-hour forecasts of cloud cover and viewing conditions. All programs will be cancelled if the forecasted wind chill is below 25°F, or if rain or snow is forecast.
Night Sky Tour: Introduction to the Fall Sky is This Saturday, Oct. 21, 7pm to 7:45pm
Experience the wonder of the night sky at Cherry Springs State Park through a laser-guided tour conducted by park staff. Explore the constellations of Ursa Major (Big Bear, containing the Big Dipper), Sagittarius, and Cygnus the Swan. Listen as staff recounts the legends and myths surrounding these mysterious patterns in the sky. Learn about park history, current use, and the importance of dark night skies.
International Observe the Moon Night is This Saturday, Oct. 21, 8pm to 9pm
International Observe the Moon Night is a worldwide public event that encourages observation, appreciation and understanding of Earth’sMoon and its connection to space science, exploration, and human culture. This annual event connects scientists, educators and lunar enthusiasts from around the world.
Under the guidance of Cherry Springs State Park volunteers and staff, embark on an amazing telescope tour of the moon’s surface to view its natural features. Explore the moon’s diverse landscape from highlands to volcanic plains and discover where moon mission landings took place among them.
Telescopes are available on a first-come, first-served basis subject to staff and volunteer availability, weather conditions, and crowd size limitations.
Robert V. Howard, 80, of 110 Wehler Road, St. Marys, PA.
A funeral service for Robert V. Howard will be held in the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at 10:30 AM, with the Rev. Ann Foor officiating. Burial will be in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Benezette.
Visitation will be held in the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Saturday morning, from 9:30 AM until the time of the service.
Structure Fire At The Dollar General In Port Allegany
On October 18 at 9:39 am, Port Allegany, Coudersport, Roulette, and Emporium Fire Depts. were dispatched to Main St. in Port Allegany for a building fire at the Dollar General. Smoke is coming from the back corner from an unknown source. All employees have been evacuated. Update: There appears to be an electrical fire in the ceiling.
McKean County Ballots To Be Replaced After Mistake Noticed
This Notice is to inform any Absentee or Mail-In voter in McKean County of an error that was made on any 2023 Municipal General Election Ballot that was postmarked October 13th 2023 or prior.
These ballots instructed voters to “vote for not more than 3” candidates on the 2023 county commissioners contest.
This was an error.
Voters are permitted to vote for not more than 2 candidates for the county commissioners contest.
New revised ballots will be sent to all individuals who requested an Absentee or Mail-in Ballot by the deadline of October 31st 2023. The new revised ballot will be distinguishable from the erroneous ballot by a colored stripe at the top of the front page of the ballot, as well as the instructions to “vote for not more than 2” for the county commissioners contest.
Any voters who have received the 2023 Municipal General Election Ballot with the error, but have not returned it, are asked to disregard that ballot and wait until they receive the new revised ballot to return their vote. For those voters who have already returned absentee/mail-in ballots, please re-vote the new revised ballot you will receive and return it per the included instructions.
The McKean County Elections Office and the McKean County Board of Elections would like to apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Every vote is of the utmost importance to any election and we will do everything possible to make sure every voter is represented.
Brett Perry, McKean County Director of Elections
Get your Halloween-on at our Spooky Lantern Tours event; happening at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum this Saturday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.
JOURNEY HEALTH SYSTEM ANNUAL BOARD MEETING RESULTS
BRADFORD, Pa (October 13, 2023)– Journey Health System (JHS) and their affiliates held their annual Board meeting on October 13, 2023, at the main JHS office located in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Over 30 individuals from each agency’s Board, executive team members and guest speakers gathered remotely and in-person for the election of officers and to review the fiscal year. The theme of this year’s meeting was “Working Together for You”.
Journey Health System provides administrative support for the following behavioral health affiliates: Beacon Light Behavioral Health System (BLBHS); Beacon Light Adult Residential Services (BLARS); Deerfield Behavioral Health (DBH); Dickinson Center, Inc. (DCI); Forest-Warren Mental Wellness Association (FWMWA) and Stairways Behavioral Health (SBH). The JHS Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from each organization which deliver mental health care to a total of 23 counties across Pennsylvania.
Journey Health System’s President and CEO Guy Signor welcomed attendees to the meeting prior to presentations by each affiliate’s executive director regarding last year’s results. Additionally, the guest speaker Scott Nick of J.L. Nick & Associates presented, “The State of Human Resources Today”.
The annual meeting’s proceedings and Board elections were conducted by Journey Health System’s Board Chair Gregory LaRocca.
Alan J. Peyno, 65, of Coudersport, PA
Alan J. Peyno, 65, of Coudersport, PA passed away with his loving son by his side on Monday, October 16, 2023, in Sweden Valley Manor, Coudersport, after a short illness.
Funeral arrangements, entrusted to the care of Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, are incomplete and will be announced with a full obituary
Seneca Highlands IU9 Chooses NPRC as Provider for Paraprofessional Pathways Program
SMETHPORT, Pa. – Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit IX (IU9) has chosen Northern Pennsylvania Regional College as the two-year educational provider for the Paraprofessionals Pathway Program. This program will begin in January at the beginning of the Spring 2024 term. This program is designed to assist current paraprofessionals in the IU9 service area with earning valuable special education preparedness and eventually a special education bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution.
IU9 partnered with NPRC as their community college partner because NPRC’s delivery model is flexible and accessible to students across the 10-county service area. Seneca Highlands IU9 includes 14 school districts in Cameron, Elk, McKean, and Potter counties. NPRC’s learning model can cater to students from across this region in different classrooms; making it possible for students from various communities to attend class at a location close to them.
The program was made possible after IU9 was awarded the Paraeducator Preparation Pathways grant funding through a program from Governor Shapiro. The grant provides 1.5 million dollars for paraeducators to enhance their special education credentials and knowledge. According to the grant, this initiative will create new special education career pathways for paraeducators; increase the number of practicing paraeducators earning certifications, and/or postsecondary credits/degrees; and increase the number of practicing paraeducators pursuing Pre-K-12 special education teacher certification through enrollment in a Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) approved special education Pre-K-12 certification program.
Railroad Work to Close Route 219 at East DuBois Avenue Intersection
Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that Frontier Railroad Services will close Route 219 at the intersection of Route 255 (East DuBois Avenue) on Friday, October 27, to replace the surface of one of their crossings.
PA State Rep. Martin Causer Warns Seniors of Sophisticated New Scam To Steal Your Money
PA State Rep. Martin Causer
Senior citizens and all Pennsylvanians are being warned to be on the lookout for a new scam called “The Phantom Hacker,” which involves convincing victims that their financial accounts have been hacked.
According to the FBI, perpetrators of the Phantom Hacker scheme gain the trust of victims in three phases: First, they pose as a tech support representative and convince the victim to download a piece of software. Then they call a second time, pretending to be from the victim’s bank or another financial institution. Finally, they claim to be an employee of a federal agency. The goal of the scam is to convince people to move their money into an “alias” account, where the scammers can steal it. The scam can include emails, texts, phone calls and even letters sent via the U.S. Postal Service.
Learn more: https://www.patreasury.gov/…/2023/10-10-Scam-Alert.html
Keystone Welcome Center at Tioga will reopen on Friday
10/17/2023 UPDATE: (Keystone Welcome Center to Open 10/20/2023) Facility Energy Efficiency Project to Temporarily Close Keystone Welcome Center at Tioga, Three PennDOT District 3 Facilities and Selinsgrove Driver License Center
10/17/2023 UPDATE: The Keystone Welcome Center at Tioga will reopen on Friday, October 20, 2023, at 4:00 PM. The Keystone Welcome Center at Tioga is located on Route 15 southbound, 7-miles south of the Pennsylvania / New York border.
LAST WELLSBORO GROWERS MARKET IS THIS THURSDAY, OCT. 19
Gary and Cheryl Keeney will be bringing pumpkins, gourds and winter squash to this Thursday’s Wellsboro Growers Market.
The last Wellsboro Growers Market for 2023 will be open this Thursday Oct. 19 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the front lawn of the First Presbyterian Church at 130 Main Street in Wellsboro, next to the Green Free Library, weather permitting.
LYMAN RUN STATE PARK IS HOSTING FREE FAMILY FUN CIDER PRESS THIS FRIDAY, OCT. 20
Squeeze the last tasty bit out of fall in an old-fashioned cider squeeze during the free Family Fun Cider Press this Friday, Oct. 20 from 4pm to 7pm at Lyman Run State Park.
The park is at 454 Lyman Run Road, Galeton, PA 16922, 8.7 miles from Route 6 in Galeton via West Branch Road and Lyman Run Road.
Stop by the Daggett Run Picnic Area by the pavilion to try your hand at running the park’s human-powered cider press. Learn about the history of apple trees in Potter County and taste some of your delicious hard work. Stay a few minutes, or the whole time.
People of all ages are welcome. The event will be hosted in light rain, but will be cancelled if there are thunderstorms or downpours.
PFBC QUARTERLY MEETING TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 23
HARRISBURG, Pa. (October 16) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will hold its quarterly business meeting on Monday, October 23, 2023, beginning at 10:15 a.m. at its Harrisburg headquarters, located at 1601 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110. The meeting is open to the public.
The complete schedule and agenda for this meeting and information on how to provide public comment is available on the PFBC website (Fishandboat.com).
This meeting may be viewed remotely by joining the webinar from your internet browser using this link: https://bit.ly/CommMtg-Oct23
If prompted, enter the webinar access number code: 2632 453 1532
Password: public (782542 from phones)
Causer to Host Hard-to-Read License Plate Replacement Event
HARRISBURG – Responding to the growing number of residents dealing with illegible license plates on their vehicles, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) is hosting an event to help get those plates replaced at no cost.
The event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 4-7 p.m. at the Lewis Run Volunteer Fire Department, 46 Main St., Lewis Run.