NEWS

Kawasho Foods USA Inc. Announces Expansion of Voluntary Recall of GEISHA Medium Shrimp 4oz. Due to Possible Under Processing

Kawasho Foods USA Inc. of New York, NY, is announcing an expansion of its February 26, 2023, voluntary recall of canned GEISHA Medium Shrimp 4oz. to now recall all lots of this product. Kawasho Foods is taking this step out of an abundance of caution due to a concern that there is a possibility that the product has been under processed, which could lead to the potential for spoilage organisms or pathogens.

Kawasho Foods made this decision after receiving additional information from the Food and Drug Administration.

The Product was distributed to retailers nationwide (AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI) from Dec 2022 to Apr 2023.

EuroPharma, Inc. Issues Voluntary Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Terry Naturally® BioActive Vitamin B™ and EuroMedica® Active B Complex

HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), Republican chairman of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, today applauded the testimony of Arthur Stewart, owner of Cameron Energy Company in Warren County, as he set the record straight about orphan and abandoned wells, as well as well bonding in the Commonwealth.

The hearing was called by Democrat Chairman Greg Vitali and featured testimony by groups including the Sierra Club, Environmental Defense Fund and PA Environmental Digest.

“These groups claim wells are being abandoned in large numbers across the Commonwealth, and that simply isn’t true,” Causer said. “The ‘hundreds of thousands’ of wells to which they refer are those that were dug many decades or even more than a century ago for which the responsible party is no longer living. Rather than blame today’s operators for these legacy wells, we should be working together to plug them.”

To that end, Causer and Stewart advocated for full implementation of Acts 96 and 136 of 2022, which guide the use of federal infrastructure funds for well plugging. While the majority of the funding would go to the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) existing well plugging program, 20% would be directed to a new grant program designed to maximize use of the federal money and expedite well plugging by providing funding opportunities to experienced well-plugging companies. Thus far, DEP has dragged its feet on implementing the grant program. Watch Causer’s exchange with Kurt Klapkowski, acting deputy secretary for the Office of Oil and Gas Management, on the issue: https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pagopvideo/263327166.mp4

 Key takeaways from Stewart’s testimony include:

• There is a difference between orphan and abandoned wells. Orphan wells are ancient wells, abandoned long ago, and for which there is no responsible party. An abandoned well typically belongs to a known responsible party and is considered abandoned when it hasn’t produced for a period of 12 months. DEP’s database shows 1,836 abandoned wells in the Commonwealth. The number of orphan wells is not known but is estimated to be more than 200,000.
• DEP has more effective tools than bonding to go after a company that abandons wells, including civil and criminal penalties, fines and even jail time.
• Higher bonding will not aid in plugging orphan wells, which pose the biggest challenge to the Commonwealth. It would, however, have dire consequences for small operators who would be forced to tie up greater capital in bonding, leaving less money available for updated equipment or salaries for employees.

“Conventional wells drilled since the imposition of bonding are not being abandoned like a fast-spreading cancer, and the outcry for higher bonding amounts is not supported by the statistical data. We are tired of fighting demagogues who preach a false narrative to pursue a global environmental agenda,” Stewart testified. “Every year my company plugs more wells than it drills; and my company has NO abandoned wells. There is no need to punish my company, and the entire cadre of responsible conventional operators, via unnecessary bonding, when: 1) bonded wells are not being abandoned at a reckless pace; and 2) the state already has an adequate solution in the laws that exist.”

Stewart closed his testimony by inviting committee members to visit conventional operations like his to see the wells they responsibly and routinely plug, the employees whose jobs would be in peril if unnecessary higher bonding is implemented and the people who can plug wells for half of what it costs DEP to do so.

View the entirety of Stewart’s testimony here: https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pagopvideo/589561344.mp4

To watch the full hearing, click here: https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pagopvideo/995447930.mp4

Clarion SBDC is offering a QuickBooks 2022 course, and you can attend the in-person workshop or via Webinar. Level I: If you’ve recently purchased QuickBooks or plan to in the near future, we can help you learn the basics. Learn to create, use and maintain your books with ease. Keep track of your payables and receivables. The Level I course will meet Wednesday, May 3^rd from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Education Council’s Coudersport office. The cost is $199*per person.

Level II: Now that you’re familiar with the basics, come and see what else this amazing accounting program can do for you. Learn how to run professional looking reports, personalize your forms, send letters through Microsoft Word, export to Excel, and more. The Level II course will meet Thursday, May 4^th from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Education Council’s Coudersport office. The cost is $199*per person. Discount rate* for those registering for both Level I and II is $360, a savings for $38. Class size is limited, so register today. For more information or to register, call (814) 393-2060, email sbdc@pennwest.edu  or visit www.clarion.ede/sbdc.

Roulette Township

***WATER LEAK***

***WATER UPDATE*** Service has been restored to Burleson Ave.

Customers on Burleson Ave between 4th St. and Conable Ave. will be without water while the repair is made. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Director of Maintenance

McKean County is seeking qualified candidates for the Director of Maintenance position. 

Reporting to the Commissioners, responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide supervision and assistance for full-time maintenance staff and full-time

custodial staff.

• Manage and direct work programs, PM and routine maintenance activities of buildings, plumbing systems, electrical systems, boiler systems, HVAC systems, landscaping/mowing, and snow removal programs.
• Coordinate and oversee the activities of all outside contractors.
• Maintain mechanical, plumbing, electrical, boiler systems and HVAC systems. Coordinate and order contracted services as needed to accomplish repairs not practical to be done by County maintenance.
• Manage and coordinate the County’s Safety Program and ensure County compliance with all relevant state and federal regulations and provide information on compliance to the Commissioners.
• Supervise and perform work requested or needed on work orders.
• Prepare plans, material lists and estimates for County renovation projects and new projects.
• Purchase supplies and equipment within the County’s purchasing guidelines.
• Maintain facility and custodial supplies.
• Maintain utility consumption records of all County facilities as to develop and promote energy saving programs.
• Prepare an annual maintenance expense/capital budget for the County.
• Prepare safety grants.

Qualifications include:

       Education:

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Technical education in applicable field or equivalent

       Experience:

• Five (5) years progressively responsible experience in facilities management and safety.
• Five (5) years or more experience in the operation of electrical system

             and infrastructures, plumbing, building/construction, boiler systems and HVAC systems.

• Basic computer skills; proficient in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.

Salary Range:  $47,000-$60,000 annually

Interested applicants are invited to apply by completing a McKean County job application and resume.  Please forward it to: Michele Jubon, Human Resources Director, McKean County Courthouse, 500 West Main Street, Smethport, PA 16749 or emailing it to: mmjubon@mckeancountypa.org by May 8, 2023. We are an equal opportunity employer, M/F/D/V.

House Appropriations Chairman Seth Grove (R-York) along with State Reps. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) and Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming) toured the Pennsylvania College of Technology on April 18, visiting a variety of its instructional areas. Penn College, located in Williamsport, offers a variety of career and technical education, from certificates in welding, to a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and even a master’s degree in nursing. The representatives observed the hands-on education students receive as they prepare to join the workforce in high-need job areas. 

“Penn College is providing students with a 21^st century education our Commonwealth needs,” Grove said.  “During budget hearings, the Appropriations Committee wanted to understand how colleges are preparing students for the jobs we need. The fact Penn College has a 96% graduation placement rate is proof this can be done.”

“We were honored to host Rep. Grove, along with his colleagues Rep. Owlett and Rep. Flick, for a tour of our renowned instructional labs and other key facilities for students on the Pennsylvania College of Technology campus,” said President Michael J. Reed. “We take great pride in our industry-standard facilities and equipment – and our talented faculty and staff team members. Together, they provide the foundation for a hands-on Penn College education, which offers students the best opportunity for long-term success in lucrative STEM-related career fields.”

Owlett, who serves on the board of directors for Penn College, was pleased to organize the tour. “It’s important for our legislative leaders to understand the asset we have in Penn College,” Owlett said. “The training offered at Penn College is nationally recognized, ranking in the top five in four categories by US News and World Report’s best colleges.”

“As a graduate, and now as the state representative for the home of Penn College, I am a proud to share the great work they are doing,” said Flick.  “Growing the economy of the Williamsport area is my top priority, and having a partner like Penn College to achieve that goal is great help.”