NEWS

March 9–Pennsylvania’s Birthday: Celebrate King Charles ll granting William Penn the charter to establish the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with FREE ADMISSION to the museum! Join our partner Potter County Creative Council (PC3) who will lead visitors in a tree cookie printing art project in our program room. Watch apple fritter making demonstrations in the museum’s Mess Hall from 11:30am until supplies are gone.

$15 per meal. Door prize ticket included, additional raffles available for purchase.

Cornbeef, cabbage, potatoe, dessert, and beverages.

Please come support a great non-profit supporting the community. We provide clothing items for children along with supporting other meaningful causes that support the community. We even offer coats to children outside of Eldred, we support our area and need your support in return! Thank you.

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will host Dr. William Wagner, distinguished professor at the University of Pittsburgh, for a public lecture March 13 as part of the Dr. Carol A. Baker Speaker Series.

Wagner is a professor of surgery, chemical engineering and bioengineering. His free talk, “Fifty Years after the Six Million Dollar Man and Bionic Woman – How are we Replacing and Repairing our Parts?” will take place at 7 p.m. in the Mukaiyama University Room of the Frame-Westerberg Commons. Light refreshments will be served.

Wagner is the founding editor and editor-in-chief of one of the leading biomaterials journals, Acta Biomaterialia. He has been selected to the “Scientific American 50,” the magazine’s annual list recognizing leaders in science and technology from the research, business and policy fields.

Aidan Clark, a tenor, will advance to the PMEA Region II Chorus Festival March 20-22 at McDowell High School in Erie.  Aidan is a senior at Port Allegany High School. 

CARE for Children’s Rainbow Corner Preschool will begin registration for the 2025-2026 school year on Monday, March 10^th for new students. Children who will be at least three years of age by September 1^st are eligible to enroll.

There are two preschool sessions available: The 5 day-a-week preschool (Monday through Friday; 8am to 11am) curriculum focuses on Kindergarten readiness and STEM and is suitable for students who have previously attended preschool or students who will enter Kindergarten the following school year.  This is typically a mixed age class of 4 and 5-year-old students.

The 3 day-a-week preschool (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday; 8am to 11am) curriculum focuses more heavily on classroom routines, social-emotional development, and school-readiness skills, including pre-math, literacy and STEM.  This class is suitable for students who are new to preschool or for families who need the flexibility of a 3 day-a-week schedule.  This is typically a mixed age class of 3, 4 and 5-year-old students.

Registration for the Toddler Developmental Playgroup for children 24-42 months will begin on Monday, May 12^th.

Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) announced he will convene a meeting of the EMS Task Force on Wednesday, March 12, starting at 6 p.m. at the McKean County Department of Emergency Services.

“With all of the health care challenges we face in rural Pennsylvania, ensuring the sustainability of our emergency medical services system is more important than ever,” Causer said. “We’ll talk about some progress made and discuss new action items under consideration. I encourage our EMS providers, local government leaders and others who are interested to join us.”

Causer will provide an update about grants awarded to local EMS agencies, property tax incentives for volunteers and relevant legislation. Reports will be offered by area emergency services directors, as well as from EMS West and the Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania.

The McKean County Department of Emergency Services is located at 17175 U.S. Route 6, Smethport.

All who plan to attend should RSVP to Rhonda Race in Causer’s office at rrace@pahousegop.com.

Michael A. Lane, age 55, of Wellsboro, PA, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes at home, Saturday, March 1, 2025. 

He was born on January 8, 1970 in Wellsboro, PA, a son of the late Walter and Verna (Hollenbach) Lane.  Mike started his career in law enforcement as a police officer in Galeton, Pa, before being selected as the Chief of Police in Bethel, Pa.  Mike had a highly decorated career as a Master Trooper for the Pennsylvania State Police, and retired in 2018 after honorably serving 25 years.  To know him, was to love him. He was the king of shenanigans. His favorite thing to do was make people smile and laugh, and he was a master at it.  He enjoyed shooting guns, blowing up things with tannerite, working on his restored 1971 Pontiac LeMans, and doing “man things”.  He was an expert on all things muscle cars.  He started working at the age of 16 at Cliff’s Collision Repair in Wellsboro Pa, where he quickly became an expert at repairing and painting vehicles. He restored a 1971 Mustang Fastback, and if you lived in Tioga County in the late 1980’s, you knew Mike Lane and that white and black pinstriped Mustang. 

Penn College has scheduled Information Sessions for their upcoming LPN course beginning in September. When you enroll in the full-time Practical Nursing program, you’ll be on your way to a fulfilling career in just one year. With skilled faculty, hands-on learning labs, 1,546 hours of instruction, and access to Penn College student services, you’ll be confident and ready to take the Practical Nursing licensing exam (NCLEX-PN), and if you want to advance your career, we have pathways to get you there.   To learn more, attend one of the Information Sessions scheduled for Thursdays, March 6 or March 20, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at Penn College/Wellsboro, 22 Walnut Street, or live via Zoom at the Education Council’s office at 5 Water Street. Registration is required. For more information or to register for an Information Session, call Wendy Joachim at (570) 724-7703

March 9, 2025, Family and Friends join us to Celebrate Karen Robinson’s 80th Birthday. Open House, stop by anytime between the hours of 12PM-3PM at the American Legion Auxiliary Post 192, 2 Buffalo Street, Coudersport, PA 16915.   

A public meeting of the Potter County Jail Board originally scheduled for Friday, March 7, has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. Pending any new date being set for the March meeting, the board’s next public meeting will be held at noon on Friday, April 4, at the F.W. Gunzburger County Office Building Auditorium. Telephone access is available at 814-274-0844; PIN is #114477.

Those with questions or comments about the jail are reminded that they can submit them to the board through email sent to pcjailboard@pottercountypa.net. Jail Board members are Commissioner Paul Heimel (chair), Sheriff Kevin Siska (vice chair), Commissioner Nancy Grupp (secretary), Judge Stephen Minor, District Attorney Andy Watson, and Commissioner Robert Rossman. Chief Commissioners Clerk Jessica Giebel serves as administrator.

The SHCTC Networking and Security instructor, Mr. Bryant, is proud to announce Dylan Clancy as the Student of the Week for the week of March 3, 2025. Dylan is a 12th grade student from Austin School District. Dylan is a classic example of a student who keeps his head down and achieves. Dylan exhibits an outstanding work ethic in shop labs, on theory assignments, in his job as a capstone IT technician on our site, and in earning multiple industry certifications such as PC Pro, Network Pro, and Student Chromebook Repair Academy. Dylan is currently planning on pursuing an IT career with his next stop being Penn State University. 

Thomas Phillip Dewey, age 88, passed away on Friday, February 21 at Sweden Valley Manor in Coudersport, PA. He was born on December 22, 1936, in Coudersport, PA to Carl and Leah (Austin) Dewey. In his youth, Tom was an avid outdoorsman, hunting, fishing and hiking the back country of Potter County. He was a lover of animals, especially dogs of which he had many over the years and was an avid reader.  

Nancy M. BURTNER, 68, of Coudersport, PA, died Sunday, March 2, 2025, in UPMC Cole, Coudersport.  She was born January 11, 1957, in East Liverpool, OH. 

Embankment Stabilization Project Resumes on Route 44 in Lycoming County

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a two-year embankment stabilization project will resume next week on Route 44 between Route 973 and Waterville in Cummings and Watson townships, Lycoming County.

Starting on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, the temporary traffic signals located between Route 973 and Waterville will be placed in flashing mode while the contractor, Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc., begins to mobilize equipment and materials to the work site.

Award nominations due by April 7

The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc. (PA Wilds Center) is pleased to announce that Brass 16823 inside Titan Park in Bellefonte, Centre County, will be the location for the 2024 PA Wilds Dinner & Awards. Planned for Thursday, July 24, this special event is the premier networking opportunity in the Pennsylvania Wilds. 

The Port Allegany Ministerium has announced Lenten Services in Port Allegany as follows:  On Ash Wednesday, March 5, the Evangelical Covenant Church will have a self-paced experience set up from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. People are invited to stop in at their leisure and experience interactive, contemplative, and reflective stations.  At 6:30 p.m., community worship will be held at the Port Allegany United Methodist Church with Pastor Jim Cannastraci.  Imposition of ashes will be available.

There will be no noon services March 12 and 19.  March 26, a Lenten service and Luncheon will take place at noon with speaker Pastor Garen Smith of the First Presbyterian Church.  April 2nd, Pastor Stephen Kroh of the Alliance Church will speak and April 9, Pastor Jim Cannastraci of the Port UMC will speak.  

Good Friday Services will be held on April 18 at noon and will be followed by a luncheon.  Pastor J. T. Madison of the Evangelical Covenant Church will be leading the service.  

All Lenten services will be held at the Port Allegany United Methodist Church located at 307 North Main Street.  Luncheons will be provided for the noon Lenten Services and Good Friday Service by the United Church Women.  The lunch will be provided by the Sartwell Creek and Alliance churches on March 26; by the Evangelical Covenant and Gethsemane Lutheran churches

Susan H. Silvestri, who attended the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in the early 1970s and has been an active and loyal supporter of her alma mater, will receive the Presidential Medal of Distinction, the university’s highest honor.

Rick Esch, Pitt-Bradford’s president, will present the medal to Silvestri at Pitt-Bradford’s commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 4.

“Sue has been instrumental in shaping and strengthening our campus community,” Esch said. “Through her exemplary volunteer service, financial support and invaluable expertise, she has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to Pitt-Bradford’s growth and success over many years.

With just two months remaining until the May 7 federal REAL ID enforcement deadline, officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Philadelphia International Airport, American Automobile Association (AAA), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are encouraging Pennsylvanians to prepare now to ensure they can fly domestically without disruptions.

These efforts reflect the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to ensuring residents have the information and opportunities they need to comply with the federal deadline.

Getting a REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania, but beginning May 7, travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card, or another form of federally-acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight, and enter military bases and other federal facilities that require ID at the door. More than 2.5 million Pennsylvanians have gotten a REAL ID driver’s license or ID card since they became available in the state in 2019.

Disney’s ALADDIN JR. Playing at the Portville Central School Auditorium in Portville, NY

Portville, NY Tuesday, March 4, 2025 – Disney’s Aladdin JR. is playing at the PCS Auditorium from Friday, March 28 at 7:00 pm through Saturday, March 29 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm. The spectacular musical, designed for multi-aged performers, is based on the 1992 Disney film and the 2014 Broadway adaptation. The grades 2-12 cast and crew includes over 100 students (48 Drama Club members in grades 7-12 and over 60 elementary students) led by Director, Cheri Maxson, Vocal Director, Lynne Weimer and Stage Manager, Amanda Burdick.

Audiences will love this exciting stage adaptation of the legendary tale of the lovable thief with the heart of gold! Join Aladdin, Jasmine, and the fast-talking, wisecracking Genie as they discover mystical caves, take magic carpet rides, and outwit the evil sorcerer, Jafar. Adapted especially for young performers, this musical includes favorite Alan Menken songs such as “Friend Like Me,” “A Whole New World,” and “Prince Ali,” as well as wonderful new songs added for the Broadway production. With new, colorful characters and nonstop adventure, Aladdin JR. is sure to be a crowd-pleaser for all ages!

Every spring, we look forward to the days getting longer. In exchange, we lose an hour of sleep when the clocks ‘spring ahead’ every March, which often leaves people worried about the effect it will have on their sleep.

The beginning of daylight saving time can bring about a sense of dread. After all, the transition results in more than just a lost hour of sleep each spring. It causes a shift in our circadian rhythm, the 24-hour cycle that regulates our body’s sleep, appetite, and mood.

One study found that people get 40 minutes less sleep the Monday after ‘springing forward’. This “Sleepy Monday” describes the phenomenon of increased fatal car accidents, hospitalizations for conditions like heart attacks or atrial fibrillation, and a general sense of grogginess that people may experience. The misalignment of our circadian rhythm may also lead to accumulated sleep debt while our bodies adjust to the new normal.

Even though most people adjust quickly to the change, others may experience chronic sleep loss. If left untreated, this can cause increased blood pressure and heart disease, weight gain, decreased immune function, and the development of psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety.

Tips for a smooth transition into daylight saving time