NEWS

In many situations when you ask how things are going, the answer is “same old, same old” – not bad perhaps, but not overly exciting either.

When it comes to bear hunting in Pennsylvania, however, the “same old, same old” is something special.

Pennsylvania’s earliest 2025 bear hunting seasons got underway in late September. Additional seasons are still to follow. These offerings are the latest in a long line dating back more than a century to the state’s first bear season in 1905.

Yet, the 25 largest bear harvests in Pennsylvania history all have come since 1998. Last year’s take was 2,642. The traditional statewide firearms season contributed 823 bears to that, while the archery season added 756, the extended season 425, and the muzzleloader and special firearms season 634 combined. Hunters got another four bears in the early archery season in select Wildlife Management Units (WMUs).

HARRISBURG, Pa. (October 10) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) announced today that the Union Access, which provides fishing and boating access to the Susquehanna River in Union Township, Luzerne County, will be temporarily closed from October 27-31, 2025.

During this time, improvements will be made to the boat ramp. 

While work is being completed at the Union Access, anglers and boaters should plan accordingly to find alternate access to the Susquehanna River by using the PFBC’s Hunlock Township Access upstream.

The PFBC thanks the public for their patience and understanding as these improvements are completed.​

ATTENTION ROULETTE RESIDENTS: THERE IS A BURN BAN IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!!!

The Galeton Rotary Club meets weekly at the Permastone Inn. At the October 9th meeting, Tony Adami was presented with a golden spike hammer in thanks and recognition of all the work he completed over several years to make sure the annual Woodsmen’s Show went on successfully. The show was the second most attended tourist attraction in Potter Co., Stargazing at Cherry Springs is number one.

Club member Superintendent Clyde Pierce presented the program.  He discussed the Galeton Area School budget.  The state budget has not been approved, and now the federal government being shut down is causing severe funding problems for the Galeton school and all schools in the state.

Effective immediately, all Ripley Water District customers — both residential and commercial — must take steps to reduce water usage. These restrictions will remain in place until further notice.

Ways You Can Conserve Water:
• Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth, shaving, or washing dishes.
• Only run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads.
• Take short showers; turn off water while lathering.
• Skip pre-rinsing dishes; most dishwashers can remove food particles and stains without pre-rinsing.
• Use disposable plates, cups, and utensils.
• Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator or microwave — not under running water.
• Clean vegetables in a bowl of water, not under the tap.

BRADFORD, Pa. — The vibrant sounds of the marimba will fill the Studio Theater in Blaisdell Hall at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at noon, when La Marimba will perform as part of the Pitt-Bradford Arts series. The concert is free and open to the public.

Coudersport, Pa., October 8, 2025 – UPMC Cole welcomes families and their trick-or-treaters to its annual Halloween Path on Sunday, Oct. 19, 1 to 3 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 Movies.” Attendees can expect special goodies from several stations.

For more information, call 814-274-5452.

Bradford, PA — The United Way of the Bradford Area is currently accepting applications for the fourth quarter of Quarterly Impact funding for 2025. Deadline to apply is November 1st with award announcement on November 28th and fund distribution set for December 1st to award recipients.

The SW Smith Library is excited to host A Night in the Country, the 36^th Annual Library Dinner Auction. Grab your boots, your flannels, and your cowboy hats and head on down to celebrate on Saturday, November 8th! Tickets are available at the library or online, and donations are still being accepted for live and silent auction items. Head to swsmithlibrary.org or give us a call with questions!

• Young Artisan Painting Class is being offered on Thursday, October 9, from 3-4:30. During this class students will be painting a watercolor fox sitting on a pumpkin.  Students will learn to draw a fox and then practice techniques like glazing and shading.  Price of the class is $25.00.  Materials and snack will be provided. 

• A SHORT STORY CREATIVE WRITING COURSE with Lisa Post is being offered on Tuesdays, from September 9 – November 4 from 6-7:30.  Price of the class is $25 per session or $200 upfront for all 9 sessions (due before or on September 9^th.)

The Potter County Farmers Market will be outdoors AT OUR NEW LOCATION on the Courthouse grounds, at the corner and across the street from the square, every Friday (weather permitting) from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm. The next market will be this Friday, October 10th. Below is a list of who plans to be there and what they plan on bringing to the Market:

[NOTICES: 

Joan H. Leidwinger, 81, a resident of Pinecrest Manor and formerly of Johnsonburg, passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at Pinecrest Manor.  Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc.

Nancy M (Brown) Hummer, age 82, of Wellsboro, PA,

died on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. She was born

on May 15, 1943 in Carlisle, PA a daughter of the late

Woodrow and Anna (Jacobs) Brown and had

worked for Hershey Foods for many years. She is survived

by a son: Darwin Gray, a daughter: Dawn

Suter and several grandchildren. Services will be

private and are entrusted to the Carleton Funeral

Home, Inc. www.carletonfh.com Wellsboro, PA.

Settlement Grants Smaller than Requested Rate Changes, Seeks to Enhance PGW’s Methane Gas Detection, Decarbonization & Customer Assistance Efforts

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved smaller than requested rate changes for natural gas distribution services provided by Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) and further directed PGW to continue evaluating key initiatives related to methane gas detection, decarbonization and customer assistance programs.

10/9/2025 UPDATE: Pleasant Valley Road will remain closed into Saturday, October 11, while crews continue work on the pipe replacement. The roadway is anticipated to open on Saturday, October 11, late afternoon. Starting on Monday, October 13, motorists can expect single lane conditions with flagging during daylight hours, while the remaining work is completed.   

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a pipe replacement project will close a portion of Pleasant Valley Road (Route 2022) next week in Hepburn and Eldred townships, Lycoming County.

DESCRIPTION: * WHAT…For the Frost Advisory, areas of frost will be possible
this morning as temperatures fall into the low to mid 30s. For the
Freeze Warning, temperatures will fall into the mid 20s to low 30s
tonight into early Friday morning.

* WHERE…Portions of central New York and northeast Pennsylvania.

* WHEN…For the Frost Advisory, until 9 AM EDT this morning. For
the Freeze Warning, from 11 PM this evening to 9 AM EDT Friday.

* IMPACTS…Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other
sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor
plumbing. Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive
outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered.

INSTRUCTIONS: Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.

Issued By: NWS Binghamton NY

DESCRIPTION: * WHAT…For the Frost Advisory, temperatures in the low to mid 30s
will result in frost formation. For the Freeze Warning,
sub-freezing temperatures in the upper 20s to lower 30s expected.

* WHERE…Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties.

* WHEN…For the Frost Advisory, until 9 AM EDT this morning. For
the Freeze Warning, from 11 PM this evening to 9 AM EDT Friday.

* IMPACTS…Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other
sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor
plumbing. Frost could kill sensitive outdoor vegetation if left
unprotected.

INSTRUCTIONS: Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.

To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes
they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those
that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover
above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.

Issued By: NWS Buffalo NY

Life can be tough sometimes. We often fear the big challenges, but it’s usually the small things that wear us down. Like tiny gnats, they annoy every part of our lives. Like small insects, we spend our time swatting at what we can’t see. Finding the source of the problem is often missed because we don’t realize what’s right in front of us. Years ago, I heard someone say that they only deal with the gnats that land on them; the others they ignore. I wonder if that is true for the irritating gnats of everyday life?

We do let the small things get to us, don’t we? The car not starting, the broken shoelace, and the phone we forgot to charge. The list of everyday annoyances is overwhelming. Focusing only on the ones that affect us is like the Serenity Prayer: “God grant me the serenity to change the things I can, courage to know the things I can’t, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Sometimes we spend too much time on what we can’t change.

Have you ever considered making a list of things we can’t change? The first thing that comes to mind is people; I can’t change others. Yet, we keep trying, don’t we? Why is that? Are we so naive to think we have that kind of power? Can’t we see that the energy we spend trying to change others is draining us? And then, we wonder why we feel overwhelmed.

I learned years ago that healing others is beyond my abilities. I can suggest and even guide, but the choice to change ultimately rests with the individual. Just because we put up a stop sign at an intersection doesn’t mean everyone will obey it. Sadly, many ignore the stop signs of life just as they do in their cars. Distractions are everywhere; making people aware of them is only part of the solution. Getting them to actually heed those warning signs is another challenge.

Maybe we become overwhelmed because we’re trying to do too much. Perhaps we need to let go of the control we try to exert and trust God. Think about it.

The Elk County Council on the Arts (ECCOTA) is thrilled to announce a stunning new exhibition featuring the encaustic artwork of local artist Merry Ryding. The show opens October 13 and runs through November 14 at the ECCOTA Gallery in Ridgway.

Merry, a longtime artist based in Kane, PA, has devoted the past decade to exploring the ancient medium of encaustic painting, a technique that suspends finely ground pigments in molten beeswax and applies them to a rigid surface. Used by the early Minoan and Mycenaean cultures of the Aegean Sea, this method produces artwork that is enduring and ethereal.

Ryding’s exhibition will feature a captivating collection of mixed-media, multi-layered encaustic pieces, each showcasing her deep connection to her world. “The natural and built environments that we inhabit inspire and influence the daily path we take and launch our creative work,” says Ryding.

A public artist reception will be held Friday, October 17, from 5–8 p.m., offering guests an opportunity to meet Merry, discuss her process, and experience the richness of her work in person. All exhibited pieces will be available for purchase.

For more information, please visit the ECCOTA Gallery on Main Street in Ridgway or by visiting their website http://www.eccota.com.

10/9/2025 UPDATE (OPEN): Pipe Replacement Project Next Week on Route 414 in Liberty Township, Tioga County

10/9/2025 UPDATE: Route 414 is now open between Blockhouse Road and Old Mill Road in Liberty Township, Tioga County.

10/7/2025 UPDATE: Due to inclement weather, Route 414 will remain closed through Thursday, October 9, 2025, while crews complete the pipe installation.  A detour using Blockhouse Road, Williamson Trail Road (Route 2007), Mase Road (T-800), and Route 414 will remain in place.

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a pipe replacement project will take place next week on Route 414 in Liberty Township, Tioga County.

Between Monday, October 6, 2025, and Friday, October 10, 2025, a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) maintenance crew will install a 30-inch cross pipe and reset an outlet section for another drainage pipe. Work on this project will be performed during daylight hours.

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that maintenance and an inspection is planned next week on Route 54 at the cut and cover, also known as the tunnel, in Danville Borough, Montour County.

On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, and Wednesday, October 15, 2025, a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) maintenance crew will be performing maintenance along the cut and cover. Motorists can expect lane restrictions on Front Street between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

On Thursday, October 16, 2025, between the hours of 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, Route 54 westbound lanes will be closed between Front Street and West Mahoning Street, while maintenance work continues in the cut and cover. Route 54 westbound traffic will be detoured using Front Street, Mill Street (Route 2054), and Route 11.

Between Thursday October 16, 2025, at 10:00 PM and Friday, October 17, 2025, at 6:00 AM, Route 54 will be closed in both directions between Front Street and West Mahoning Street, while a PennDOT inspection team inspects the structure. A detour using Front Street, Mill Street, and Route 11, will be in place.

Motorists should be alert, slow down, expect delays in travel, and drive with caution.

The October 7,2025 meeting of Township Supervisors was called to order at 6:00 p.m. with 3 Supervisors, 3 residents, and secretary in attendance. 

OLD BUSINESS 

Paradise Energy Solutions email was received stating that they would not remove a portion of solar panels as requested and legal action would be taken if permit was not signed. 

Barden Brook Project is completed, grant monies received, and Glenn OHawbaker paid. Grant Closed. 

Clean up Days held September 11, 12, 13. Two dumpsters of refuse were collected. 

NEW BUSINESS 

There were 2 bids received for the 1998 Massey Ferguson Tractor with boom mower. Winning bid was Todd Maxson with a bid of $5,183.65. Fall Mowing was discussed and decided to not mow the roads a second time this year. All roads will be done again in the spring. An Ordinance for Coon Crossing Bridge Removal giving PennDOT permission to get rights-of-way, utility permits, and to enable Supervisor Chairman, AJ Plants to sign agreement with PennDOT on the Township’s behalf was approved for advertising. This ordinance will be presented for adoption at our November 4, 2025 meeting. Resolution for the Coon Crossing Bridge Removal giving Penn Dot approval to act on the Township’s behalf was approved and signed. Building Assessment Permits were approved for Sid Cradduck, Adam Jandrew, and Paradise Energy. A Permit extension for James Watson was approved. Mark Knapek – SMJ info submitted for review of old equipment to be replaced with new. This will be forwarded to Code Enforcement Officer. Decision was made to purchase the blower that was rented for trial at a cost of $6,850. Barbertown bridge inspection report was received and no repair required to the bridge. The Supervisors approved a funds transfer of $15,000.00 from PLIGIT account to State Fund. Roadmaster’s Report