Reporting North Central PA & Southern Tier NY News As It Happens
CLICK ABOVE TO SEE OUR FACEBOOK EDITION.
The Potter-Tioga Maple weekend is celebrating their 21st year of hosting the art of maple syrup creation. There are 17 participating farms and educational experiences throughout the two counties on March 15 and 16 from 10 AM - 4 PM. Photo by Andy Lychalk, Jr.
List your Yard Sale FREE on our Auction & Yard Sale page: Send to shurfine40@gmail.com
Tuesday afternoon AVFD took delivery of our new 2022 Wheeled Coach Ford F-550 4×4 Ambulance. The unit was purchased from Atlantic Emergency Solutions. Extensive financial planning and grant work made this purchase possible. The new unit will replace our 2008 Ambulance which has been in service for over 13 years!
The unit was taken immediately to Cousins Designs for lettering / detailing and was picked up last evening. A few more tasks must be completed, and we hope to have Ambulance in service next week!
We are so proud to have a new unit to serve our community!
Around 3:55pm Wednesday(110922) Elkland SAR responded to the forest fire north of Rt. 555 at the request of Elk Co. Chief 5, with 12 members and all available equipment. Once arriving at the Command Post Chief 5 requested Elkland to work the eastern flank of the forest fire and report to Elk Co. Deputy 1, at the forward operations post. 2 Elkland members worked traffic control on Rt. 555, Elkland 2 stayed at Command and Elkland 1 and 8 others headed to the forward ops post.
Deputy 1 asked the team to head to the eastern fire break on the pipeline to hold the fireline. Elkland members teamed up with Elk Co. 1 equipment, members who were already working the fire with a DCNR team. Once Elkland members drove the 1/2 mile south to the fire, it was discovered the pipeline was already jumped and the fire was heading further north and east. Departments in that area regrouped and members went to work to stop the eastern flank on the fire with other departments already in the area working to stop the western flank fire from spreading north and west.
The fire heading north was stopped on the eastern flank at the top of the mountain, but the fire was still burning east and up the next ridge, heading north that direction. As the team was refilling water backpacks, they were met up with an additional department and the work resumed on the eastern flank and ridge. This department was another DCNR team of about 12 to 16 individuals I believe. After returning again to the UTVs for more water and to get a drink, additional departments arrived to help. I believe the was the team from Elk Co. 7, Sykesville and Brockway that formed a team of forestfirefighters to help at the fire and continued to work the eastern flank. Elk Co. 8 and I believe McKean Station 5, Kane, also arrived on scene with their brush unit and manpower to assist on the eastern fire line.
While this was going on, other departments were working their way up the mountain from the bottom. Im sorry i can’t identify what departments were coming up from the bottom but this was a HUGE TEAM EFFORT BY ALL DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED! They were also working to contain the fire by building fire break lines and working on the fire line itself to stop it. This was all of the eastern side of the fire. While this was going on, the western flank was just as busy or busier. As I write this only from my view of what I seen going on at the eastern flank.
Once the eastern flank was contained and able to be watched at night by DCNR so the fire wouldn’t jump the line, Elkland members returned to the Rt. 555 Command Post.
Around 9:45pm, as all the Elkland equipment was loaded up and the members were ready to return, it was discovered the western flank escaped the fire line and was heading west again around the first bench on the mountain . Elkland members traveled west of the Rt. 555 Command Post about a quarter of a mile and staged awaiting orders. Elkland, along with other departments, were requested to hike up the mountain and work to contain the area where the fire jumped the line. 8 members went up and using hand tools and water bladders work with the other departments to contain the fire. Around 1:45 am, the fire was contained and we were released to return home. It should be noted DCNR stayed on scene to protect the fire line and work on hotspots that were still burned within the fire line.
Notes:
This article only reflects on the efforts of Elkland SAR. This was a HUGE TEAM EFFORT on EVERYONE’S PART THAT WAS INVOLVED WITH THIS INCIDENT! This fire shows the EXTREME EFFORT Every Fire Department and Emergency Responder will take to support their fellow emergency responders no matter where they are requested to go. It was humbling to see so many departments working together for the community.
A shout out to ALL the Dispatchers who worked tirelessly also! These individuals were manning the radios and talking to numerous departments that were dispatched via radio at the same time. They were requesting agencies from other departments and counties. All the while bringing in resources to fill the departments that were on scene of the forest fire. They are also covering the phone lines talking to other counties and checking for additional resources. While all this was going on, they are also handling other 911 calls and taking phone calls to keep the rest of the county and surrounding areas safe.
Elkand SAR encourages you to look around on other sites and view the other photos from this fire.
A Thank You to the fire auxiliaries and agencies that worked to bring food and drinks for the emergency responders or for their departments as they arrived back home.
The attached pictures are an accumulation of many FB posts and also some from our team.
Elkland SAR can only be a part of situations like this because of Your Financial Support that You the community provides us to work with. Without You, we can not do what we do!
Are you interested in becoming a member of Elkland Search and Rescue?
The next membership meeting is January 10th at 8pm. Please attend the meet and greet at 7:30 that evening to start the joining process. Please be a resident of Elk County Pa and at least 18 years old and attend that meeting. I encourage you to put that date on your calendar as a reminder of the meeting.
Clearfield, PA –The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Ferguson Township Police, Department and Highway Safety Network held a media event today near the intersection of Blue Course Drive and West College Avenue where they stressed that aggressive driving behaviors are significant contributing factors to crashes and fatalities on our roadways. They explained that police conduct high visibility enforcement details each year to curb these behaviors and reduce the number of crashes on Pennsylvania roadways.
“It’s about stopping crashes and saving lives,” said Ryan Hendrick, Ferguson Township Police Sergeant. “Slowing down and increasing your following distance not only keeps you from being pulled over, but it also significantly reduces you chances of being injured or killed in a crash.
In addition to aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding and tailgating, Hendrick said law enforcement have been cracking down on violations of the state’s Move Over Law during the current wave of aggressive driving enforcement. The wave started Monday, October 24, and continues through Sunday, November 13.
Hendrick explained the state’s Move Over law requires drivers approaching an emergency response area who are unable to safely merge into a lane farther away from the response area that they must “pass the emergency response area at a speed of no more than 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit and reasonable for safely passing.” He explained an emergency response area is where an emergency vehicle has its lights flashing, or where road crews or emergency responders have lighted flares, posted signs, or try to warn travelers.
Hendrick noted that changes enacted to the law in 2021 included the creation of a new point system that imposes two points for failure to merge into the lane not next to the emergency response area. Changes also set fines at $500 for first-time offenders, $1,000 for a second offense, and $2,000 for a third or subsequent offense. Third or subsequent offenses also require a 90-day license suspension.
Josh Woods, Community Traffic Safety Project Coordinator with the Highway Safety Network, reminded drivers that the school bus stopping law requires them to stop at least 10 feet away from buses with their red lights flashing and stop arm extended. Motorists meeting or overtaking a stopped bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped must stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety. If a physical barrier such as a grassy median, guide rail or concrete median separates oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping.
Approximately 300 municipal police departments and the Pennsylvania State Police are participating in these enforcement efforts, and they are concentrating efforts on roadways known to have high numbers of aggressive driving crashes.
According to PennDOT 2021 data, aggressive driving behaviors were a contributing factor in 6,206 crashes. Those crashes resulted in 126 fatalities and 481 suspected serious injuries. In Centre County, aggressive driving behaviors were a contributing factor in 53 percent of crashes in 2021.
Kicking off on Saturday, Nov. 19, the regular firearms bear season will be here before you know it, and hunters in and around Lycoming County need to be aware a check station location has changed.
The check station at Trout Run Fire Hall, north of Williamsport along state Route 14, will operate as planned on Saturday, Nov. 19 and Sunday Nov. 20, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on each day. There also will be a check station at the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Northcentral Region Office, 1566 South Route 44 Highway, Jersey Shore, Pa., which also will operate on Saturday, Nov. 19 and Sunday Nov. 20, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on each day.
The check station at the Northcentral Region Office is not included on the list of regular firearms bear season check stations provided in the 2022-23 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest. That’s because it’s a recent change to accommodate hunters who ordinarily would have checked bears at the Antes Fort Fire Hall. The fire company has opted not to host a check station this year, so that check station instead will be held at the Northcentral Region Office, which is less than a quarter-mile away.
Hunters are advised that the Antes Fort Fire Hall remains on the list of check stations on Page 41 of the Hunting & Trapping Digest, but those who go there will be redirected to the region office.
Meanwhile, all bear hunters should be advised the days and hours of operation have changed for check stations statewide this year. All check stations will operate on Saturday, Nov. 19 and Sunday Nov. 20, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on each day. Hunters who harvest bears on Monday, Nov. 21 or the season’s final day, Tuesday, Nov. 22, should call the Game Commission’s Centralized Dispatch Center at 1-833-PGC-HUNT or 1-833-PGC-WILD for instructions on having their bears checked.
In the extended bear season, which overlaps all or a portion of the firearms deer season and is held in 16 of 23 Wildlife Management Units, bear check stations are open on various dates and times. Those check stations and their dates and hours of operation are found on Page 42 of the 2022-23 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest.
Winter Weather Advisory issued November 12 at 12:35PM EST until November 13 at 6:00PM EST by NWS Buffalo
DESCRIPTION: …WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM EST SUNDAY…
WHAT…Lake effect snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches in the most persistent lake snows. The greatest accumulations will occur across the higher terrain.
WHERE…Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.
WHEN…From 7 PM this evening to 6 PM EST Sunday.
IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions.
INSTRUCTIONS: Lake effect snow will fall in relatively narrow bands. If traveling, be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions and visibilities. Submit snow reports through our website or social media.
At 12:41 PM on Saturday, Wellsboro & Galeton Fire Depts. have been dispatched for a land rescue at Colton Point State Park. An individual and a dog are stuck on a ledge of a cliff on the Rim trail.
At 2:00 PM the man has been rescued from the cliff. Rescuers are now working to extricate his dog.
BRADFORD, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will continue its celebration of Native American Heritage Month with three more events during November.
On Nov. 14, the White Pine Singers and Dancers will highlight Iroquois-style social dances during a performance at noon in the Mukaiyama University Room of the Frame-Westerberg Commons.
The performance will include dancing with encouraged participation from the audience and explanations of the traditional dances, instruments and outfits. A traditional lunch of Indian tacos, scone dogs, corn soup and strawberry drink will be served beginning at 11:15 a.m.
On Nov. 16, Hanley Library will host a noon session to discover the library’s newest books on indigenous topics, learn about native authors and uncover indigenous resources. A light snack will be served. Participants should feel free to bring their own lunch or stop by the Starbucks Café in the library prior to the presentation.
Finally, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30, “Lake of Betrayal: The Story of Kinzua Dam” will be shown in the Bromeley Family Theater of Blaisdell Hall, followed by a discussion with producers Paul Lamont, Scott Sackett and Caleb Abrams via videoconference.
“‘Lake of Betrayal’ looks at how Kinzua Dam so drastically affected the Senecas’ way of life, and it examines the hidden agenda and political debts behind the United States government’s abrogation of the Canandaigua Treaty of 1794 which had guaranteed the Seneca Nation the free use and enjoyment of its lands, forever.
The creation of the Allegheny Reservoir in 1965 forced the removal of more than 130 Seneca families from their homes and properties.
Additionally, art and artifacts from regional Indigenous artists are on display in Blaisdell Hall throughout the month.
This is one of the eight illustrations created by Chris Jones under his pen name Jubalee for Kevin Coolidge’s new book, “The Cat Board and the Cardboard Caper.” When he first began illustrating Coolidge’s Totally Ninja Raccoon series in 2015, Jones lived in Wellsboro but now lives in Florida.
Kevin Coolidge, children’s author, will be releasing “The Cat Board and the Cardboard Caper” later this month. The book is the first in his new series involving the Cat Board, the main antagonists in his Totally Ninja Raccoons series.
“Writing the Cat Board scenes in the Totally Ninja Raccoons is a lot of fun. I also felt the Cat Board deserved its own series,” said Coolidge.
“Currently, 65 percent of those reading the Totally Ninja Raccoon books are boys between the ages of 7 to 10 and 30 percent are girls in that same age group. The remaining 5 percent are adults,” he noted.
“By focusing on cats, my goal is to encourage more girls to read the first book in my new series, which may lead them to get interested in also reading the Totally Ninja Raccoons,” said Coolidge.
“At the same time, I want to give my current readers another exciting adventure series,” he said.
“The Cat Board is the international organization that is plotting against the Totally Ninja Raccoons and humanity,” said Coolidge.
“Cats love boxes. Boxes are important to commerce. Control the flow of cardboard and boxes and you control the world, or at least that’s the Cat Board’s plan. You might have suspected that cats want to take over the world, and now you know it’s true,” he laughed
“People often ask me where my ideas come from. It’s often hard to explain, but the new book is definitely influenced by my blue-collar background and my most recent experience of working in a box factory,” said Coolidge.
“I love writing and working in the bookstore, but the pandemic has been hard on retail. I went to work at the factory to help the bookstore through tough times. This idea came to me while I was there and I decided it was a perfect first book for the new series,” he said.
Coolidge is planning to write more Cat Board and Totally Ninja Raccoon stories. Readers don’t have to be familiar with the Totally Ninja Raccoons to enjoy the new series.
Signed, personalized copies of “The Cat Board and the Cardboard Caper” can be ordered now in advance of its publication by calling From My Shelf Books & Gifts at 570-724-5793. Copies can also be reserved in-person by stopping in at Coolidge’s bookstore at 7 East Avenue in Wellsboro.
The Hamilton-Gibson Children and Youth Choirs 2022 Poinsettia Sale is now underway and will end on Monday, Nov. 21, which is the last day orders will be taken.
Proceeds will benefit the members of the three Hamilton-Gibson choirs. They include: Choir, Too students in grades 2-4, Children’s Concert Choir youth in grades 5-8, and Young Women’s and Young Men’s Ensemble students in grades 9-12. Involved second through twelfth grade singers attend public, or private schools throughout Tioga County or are homeschooled.
Profits from the sale will be credited to each singer’s account. Those who would like to designate a singer are asked to do so with their order; otherwise Hamilton-Gibson will use those undesignated sales for singers who are in most need of financial support.
Members of the two older choirs will use their funds to help pay for their three-day trip in May 2023. They will be singing at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Stony Creek Township, Somerset Countyand at other sites in and around Pittsburgh.
The poinsettias come in a choice of red or white in two different sized pots. A 6.5-inch pot of poinsettias (one plant) is $15 and an 8-inch pot (three plants) is $20. A “Welcome Christmas” planter with evergreens and pinecones is $25.
The poinsettia and planter orders will be available for pick-up at the Warehouse Theatre at 3 Central Avenue in Wellsboro on Wednesday, Nov. 29.
To place an order online and pay, go to hgp.booktix.com. Scroll down to find the size and color of poinsettias and the Welcome Christmas planter and order.
Or, place an order by calling the Hamilton-Gibson office at 570-724-2079 or sending an email to hamgib@gmail.com, Attention Tara Gordon. The person ordering is asked to provide his or her name, phone number and email address and send a check with “Poinsettia” on the check memo line for the total amount of the order to the Hamilton-Gibson Children and Youth Choirs, 29 Water Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901.
Families whose children are interested in joining HG’s choral program, are welcome to call the Hamilton-Gibson Children and Youth Choirs at 570-724-2079 or email hamgib@gmail.com.
At 10:30 PM on Friday, there are multiple road closures in Cattaraugus County from flooding. Route 16 is closed in the Town of Ischua. Other routes also have water over the roads. Best to delay travel until daylight. Fire stations have been activated for flooded basements in many locations.
Olean General Hospital facilities department employees pose in the newly renovated Interventional Cath Lab.
Olean, NY – Olean General Hospital (OGH) is set to reopen the Interventional Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, “cath lab,” after a five-week hiatus due to renovations and upgrades. OGH now has the state-of-the-art Siemens Artis Icono Lab that will continue to allow the cardiology team to continue to provide full comprehensive cardiology services to the region.
Since 2013, the cath lab at OGH has performed nearly 5,000 cardiac catheterizations and treated over 700 heart attack (STEMI) patients with excellent outcomes. Led by Dr. Christopher Mallavarapu, a world-class interventional cardiologist, the cardiology team provides comprehensive care that ranges from treatments as simple as lifestyle changes to performing pacemaker and defibrillator implants right here in the community.
“We are pleased to continue to provide advanced cardiac procedures close to home,” said Christopher Mallavarapu, MD, FACC, FASCAI, medical director, cardiology. “With this new technology and experienced team of cardiologists, clinical and non-clinical staff, the community is in great hands for cardiac care!”
The team of cardiologists include Dr. Mallavarapu, Christopher Michaeles, MD both local community members along with Gates Vascular Institute (GVI) interventional cardiologists, Vijay Iyer, MD, Kishor Phadke, MD, Selvakumar Chockalingam, MD, and cardiac electrophysiologists, Chee Hoon Kim, MD and Donald Switzer, MD.
“This team performs life-saving procedures every day,” said Dr. Mallavarapu. “Having the service, technology, and accessibility are very important to effectively treat patients with heart diseases. The community is fortunate to have a hospital that offers these services in such a rural region. The accessibility alone increases the patient’s chances of a positive outcome because every minute counts.”
Though Olean boasts a population around 14,000, 1% of all heart attacks in New York State are treated at Olean General Hospital. The newly enhanced cath lab will allow the cardiology team at OGH to continue to treat these cardiac patients for years to come.
The American Heart Association (AHA) sets guidelines for cardiology cases to ensure that patients receive timely cardiac care because “time is muscle.” The cardiology team at OGH has continued to surpass these metrics since its inception in 2013.
The AHA sets a 90-minute threshold that starts upon entering a facility to receiving the procedure, also known as the door to balloon time. The OGH team’s average is 60 minutes for the door to balloon. Another guideline set by the AHA is a 120-minute threshold with transfers from other hospitals — door to door to balloon. OGH averages 96 minutes for door to door to balloon metrics, besting the AHA threshold by 24 minutes.
The last metric that AHA sets is 90 minutes from first medical contact to balloon meaning from first contact by emergency medical services (EMS) to the patient receiving the procedure. OGH’s average is only 83.5 minutes. This average is most notable due to the increased transport times from home to the hospital in this rural region. The partnership and open communication with local EMS allows the OGH team to mobilize and be ready upon the patient arrival, bypassing the emergency room and the patient being transported directly to the cath lab for immediate treatment.
The OGH cardiac cath lab has been recognized multiple times by the American Heart Association’s Mission Life Line for performance and last awarded the silver plus distinction. Olean General Hospital was also recognized in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” American College of Cardiology for implementing high standards of care and protocols for patients.
The lab is operated in partnership between Olean General Hospital and Kaleida Health’s Gates Vascular Institute in Buffalo, the largest provider of cardiac services in Upstate New York. Olean General Hospital is the only hospital in Southwestern New York to offer advanced cardiac care, including interventional cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology, in partnership with Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute. OGH is a designated heart attack receiving center and an accredited stroke center.
“This project wouldn’t have been possible without the help from the OGH Foundation, its board members, and the community,” said Jill Owens, MD, president, BRMC, OGH. “We can’t thank everyone enough for their commitment to understanding the needs and the importance of having quality healthcare in this region.”
All of November through the week before Christmas, the Potter County Farmers Market will move indoors to the Riley Gallery, next to the Crittenden, on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The next market will be this Saturday, November 12th. Here is a list of who plans to be there and what they plan on bringing to the Market:
CARD CREEK BAKERY will be at the Fall Farmers Market on Saturday. We will have cheese garlic, rye, cinnamon and many seeded bread. A selection of several kinds of sweet treats will be available. If there is something special you would like this week or in the future please let me know. netrabaker@hughes.net. 814-544-7313
ALPACA CREATIONS will be bringing new and beautiful hand knit alpaca apparel. There will be a large variety and sizes of alpaca socks. Time to also think about your winter projects using roving for felting and yarns for knitting socks. Dryer balls and an assortment of other alpaca items products. Accepting credit. 814-601-0049 for special orders.
BLACK CATS AND PAPERCRAFTS is planning on being there with charms, quilled paper light boxes, wall hangings, wind chimes, hair accessories and an assortment of other things made from paper. Now introducing the Catcula Photo Booth. For more information, or to make a custom order contact Leon at blackcatsandpapercrafts@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page to see sneak peeks of the new things we’re making at https://facebook.com/@blackcatsandpapercrafts
CARING CRAFTS will be attending this week’s market! We will be bringing our homemade wreaths, hand sewn travel pillows, plastic canvas ornaments/magnets and scrabble word letter ornaments ! Hope to see everyone there! We accept cash payments! Like us on Facebook
ME AND MY BOYS SOAP will be there on Saturday with soap bars, shampoo bars, lotions, and bath bombs. We do have some bath bomb gift sets put together for you holiday needs. We accept cash or card payments. For more information contact us at meandmyboyssoap@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page.
It’s that time of year again. Leaves are falling and it’s getting colder. Our days are getting shorter and shorter. Soon it will be snowing. In fact, even while I write this, I’m aware of a winter advisory for the area that I grew up in.
Falling leaves represent many things to many people. For me it’s time to put the summer activities away and to prepare for winter. The snow blower gets checked out, the lawn mowers are put away, air conditioners are removed and stored, and of course the raking of leaves begins. At a previous house that was a full two-day chore or more. I have a 5×9 foot trailer with 2-foot sides and I pack it full. The riding mower mulches what’s left over. I also have a walk behind vacuum that does a great job but if there are a lot of leaves, I’m emptying the bag every other pass, and that’s not fun.
The natural seasons are each unique. To each season there are positive and negatives, but try as we might, they come, and they go regardless of our thoughts about them. The truth be known there are things I like about each of them. The seasons of life are similar in that they come as they are supposed to. The writer of Ecclesiastes states, “There is a time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.” The seasons of life and the natural seasons are not going away. Perhaps the question we all must ask isn’t about what but rather how. How am I going to deal with the changes that are coming. Am I willing to embrace them as part of life’s many challenges and roll with them, or am I going to buck and complain at every turn?
We find that there are two different things that people do when faced with the challenges of life. They either react or respond. Those that react often create more problems for themselves because they don’t think through their actions. Those that respond create less drama and tend to have a greater sense of peace through the journey. Both natural and life seasons come and go. The journey will be affected by our reactions or our responses. We have a choice in either case.
Description: Environmental Health & Safety violation issued on 11/08/2022 to SENECA RESOURCES CO LLC in Middlebury Twp, Tioga 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 11/08/2022 to SENECA RESOURCES CO LLC in Middlebury Twp, Tioga county. 78a56(a) – TEMPORARY STORAGE – Operator failed to contain regulated substances and wastes used at or generated at a well site in a tank, series of tanks or other storage structures approved by the Department.
Description: Environmental Health & Safety violation issued on 11/08/2022 to SENECA RESOURCES CO LLC in Middlebury Twp, Tioga county. SWMA 301 – MANAGEMENT OF RESIDUAL WASTE – Person operated a residual waste processing or disposal facility without obtaining a permit for such facility from DEP. Person stored, transported, processed, or disposed of residual waste inconsistent with or unauthorized by the rules and regulations of DEP.
James, this is a special moment — a historic moment — because Pennsylvania chose unity over division, love over hate, progress over extremism. Pennsylvania chose to elect the first Black Lieutenant Governor in our Commonwealth’s history.
And I am humbled.
From the bottom of my heart — thank you. I can’t even put into words what this moment means — and the message this sends to millions — throughout Pennsylvania and this nation.
Throughout this campaign, I’ve crisscrossed this Commonwealth — and it’s been an honor to meet and to listen to Pennsylvanians in rural, urban, and suburban communities — and in communities across our state that are too often left behind.
I saw people from all walks of life come together, from kids in North Philly and hard-working men and women in union halls, to church parishioners at Sunday masses and families at county fairs and picnics — no matter Republican, Democrat, or Independent — people came together, got off the sidelines, and made the choice to denounce hate and extremism and to unite behind a vision that would move Pennsylvania forward for everyone.
They chose to stand by leaders who they know will work for them, and put them first.
As the son of a union bus driver and a hairdresser, I know what it’s like to come from a family that oftentimes had to get creative to make ends meet.
It was because of a community that loved and cared for one another, a good public school and good teachers, and a union that allowed my father to make a living wage that allowed him to support our family, that a young Black kid from a small and old steel town too often overlooked by the powers in Washington and Harrisburg, was able to grow up to become the first Black legislator outside the city of Pittsburgh — and now the first Black Lieutenant Governor.
But this is more than just my moment — it’s so much larger than that.
This is a moment that defines us as a Commonwealth. That says to extremists, to those who sought to roll back women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, voting rights, and workers’ rights — to those who wanted to restrict our fundamental freedoms — that we won’t go back and we will never back down.
Most importantly, Pennsylvania has sent a message to young people across our Commonwealth — the next generation of leaders — that Pennsylvania will always be a place where all are welcomed and where all will have opportunities to succeed.
In the weeks leading up to this moment, I’ve thought a lot about my grandparents. One grandfather was a steel worker and the other was a railroad foreman for B&O railroad. Both of them came to Pennsylvania from the South to create a better life for our family, just like I’m sure many of your families.
I don’t think my grandparents ever imagined that their grandson would be elected to the second highest office in this Commonwealth, but they fought to make sure that I had that chance. That I had the right to vote and that when I walked into a room — that my voice would not only be respected, but heard. They ensured that I had the opportunity to chart my own path and that I could be standing on this stage with you all right now.
I often say the people closest to the pain should be closest to the power.
That’s why I have a message for all the hardworking families across our Commonwealth. I say to you, that you are not alone, that I hear you and understand your worries, because I’ve lived them, and that as your next Lieutenant Governor — I will be your champion.
I will make whatever sacrifices are needed — just like my grandparents did for me — to ensure that every child and family in this Commonwealth has opportunities to succeed — so that every generation that comes after can be better off than the one that came before.
Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro and I are going to create an economy that works for everyone, to help working-class folks struggling with inflation, to make sure people have more money in their pockets. To make sure our kids have good schools, and that our working families have more opportunities to succeed. And because of you, starting tonight — we get to work on making those things a reality.
Thank you.
Let’s get to work,
Austin Davis Lieutenant Governor-Elect of Pennsylvania
Robert M. Wiesner, 86, of George Street, St. Marys, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, November 10, 2022, following a brief illness.
He was born on February 5, 1936 in St. Marys, PA, a son of the late Emerson and Joan Frey Wiesner.
Bob was a member of St. Marys Church and had worked as a clerk at his family’s grocery store on George Street for many years. He liked to listen and communicate on Ham Radio with Peking China, and also enjoyed listening to the radio at home. He enjoyed a quiet evening studying astronomy, always enjoying the moon and stars. Bob was a simple man who took solace in spending time at his home and watching re-runs of Gunsmoke and Raw Hide. He could often be found playing his guitar and smoking his pipe, and will be fondly remembered as the “Bullshitter of George Street”.
He is survived by several dear friends; Mary Thorwart and her husband Ed of Ridgway, Gloria Lodes of St. Marys, and his longtime friend and caregiver; Philomena Sonpon of Philadelphia.
In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by a sister in infancy.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Robert M. Wiesner will be celebrated on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the St. Marys Church, 315 Church Street, St. Marys, PA 15857 with Fr. Thomas More Sikora, OSB, as celebrant.
Burial will follow in the St. Marys Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at the Lynch-Green Funeral Home on Saturday, November 12, 2022 from 9:30-10:30 AM.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Elk County Catholic School System, 600 Maurus Street, St. Marys, PA 15857.
Lynch-Green Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 151 N. Michael Street, St. Marys, PA 15857 is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be offered at www.lynchgreenfuneralhome.com
