Granny’s Gallery In Port Allegany
NEWS
G2 Gymnastics – Clean Sweep in Lewisburg
2nd Row: Mae Joyce, Kennadie Beck, Ava Gentzyel, Shelby Chamberlain, Emilia Lineman, Brinley Rossrucker
3rd Row: Mialyn Hite, Lydia West, Skyler Cooper, Avery Vosler, Emily Cobb, Kallie Root, Addie Pilon, Averi Luther, Aralyn Jennings
Back Row: Harper Joyce, Addison Amidon, Catence Taylor, Eliana Curcio, Irelyn Rounsville, Ashley Oswald, Kaitlyn Gentzyel, Carly Reed, Ava LaBella, Cenadee Ainsworth
Recently, G2 Gymnastics of Shinglehouse, traveled to Lewisburg, PA to participate in the Climb High Gymnastics Competition hosted by Dynamats Gymnastics Center. The event was held at The Miller Center and hosted almost 700 athletes from 20 gymnastics centers across PA, NY, and OH. Thirty-two members represented G2 Gymnastics at the event. G2 had a very strong showing as they had a clean sweep in the Team Division taking 1st place for Level 2, XCEL Silver, XCEL Gold, and XCEL Platinum. This is a great accomplishment for the small-town program as they beat out teams much larger in size.
NCDEA Elects New Leadership
The National Conservation District Employees Association (NCDEA) held its regular business meeting during the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA, February 11-15.
Penn State Extension to offer the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit webinar
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides tax incentives for homeowners to invest in energy-efficient home improvements. These incentives are designed to encourage homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient, which can help reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills. This credit allows homeowners to claim a credit of up to 30% or a capped amount of the cost of specific energy-efficient home improvements. Energy Efficient improvements that might qualify are things like windows, doors, energy audits, and heat pumps. Homeowners can claim the credit on their federal income tax return.
Extension Educators will provide information based on guidance from the IRS about what might qualify and the various stipulations. An electric bill will be reviewed to determine what the different numbers and charges mean. An Extension Educator will also discuss heat pumps, a focus of the tax credits, and how they function.
Matthew Minich of Minich Electric of Bradford, PA, will be a guest panelist. Matt is an electrical contractor who will give general advice and answer questions about upgrading electrical components eligible for the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit. Matt has over 25 years of industry experience and is a Pennsylvania College of Technology graduate. He is also on the advisory committee of Seneca Highlands CTC.
The webinar will take place on Thursday, March 16, at noon. The webinar is free, and pre-registration is required. Registered participants will receive a recording. You can register at the following website: www.bit.ly/energyMarch2023. Any questions about this webinar can be directed to Joseph C. Conklin, Ed.D., at juc50@psu.edu.
Emporium Food Market March Madness
For the second year in a row, Scott McCann the owner of Emporium Food Market giving away a $250 shopping spree to the person who can pick the winners from the 68 teams selected for the Men’s College Basketball March Madness competition. Teams will be selected on Sunday March 12. Brackets must be turned into Emporium Food Market by March 16 before the first round games begin.
Last year Cameron County school student Taylon Tucker beat out more than 12 adults in selecting Kansas as the winner.
ECCF welcomes new board members and slate of officers for 2023
At their February meeting, the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) announced the appointment of three new board members and a new slate of officers to their Board of Directors. The ECCF Board consists of 14 community-minded individuals representing many areas of expertise and community involvement.
Individuals appointed to serve as officers are Thomas Wagner, President; Jeff Marzella, Vice-President; Judy Allegretto, Secretary; and Robert Ordiway, Treasurer, each of whom offers the proficiency and knowledge to lead the Community Foundation forward in its mission to connect donors who care with causes that matter to them.
The Elk County Community Foundation congratulates and welcomes new board members Denise Cuneo, Mary DaCanal, and Mary McGrath. The Foundation is grateful and excited to have this group of individuals join the board and bring their unique talents, expertise and perspectives to the work of the organization.
The Community Foundation is grateful to all who serve on the board, and as they look forward to working together to advance the mission of the Elk County Community Foundation. ECCF, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies, is a non-profit organization that strives to strengthen our region through development, stewardship and grant making as it works with donors to achieve their philanthropic goals.
RECALLS
Russell Stover Chocolates Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Pecan in Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cups
Russell Stover Chocolates of Kansas City, Missouri, is voluntarily recalling two (2) Best Before Dates of its Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cups in 2.4 oz packaging due to the potential for undeclared pecans. The recalled Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cups may contain Sugar Free Pecan Delights. Pecans are not declared on the label. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to pecans run the risk a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
The recalled Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cups were distributed nationwide to wholesale and retail stores.
Rolling Roadblock on I-80 WB/EB This Sunday in Montour County
Montoursville, PA – Motorists who travel on Interstate 80 westbound and eastbound in Liberty Township, Montour County, are advised of rolling roadblocks that will take place this weekend between exit 215 (Route 254 / Limestoneville) and exit 224 (Route 54 / Danville).
On Sunday, March 5, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the contractor, MJ Electric, will be slowing traffic while performing utility work over the Interstate 80 westbound and eastbound lanes near mile marker 218, located 3 miles east of exit 215 (Route 254 / Limestoneville).
The contractor will be slowing traffic for approximately 15 minutes at a time. These traffic delays will be random throughout the day while work is being performed.
Motorists should be alert, slow down, expect delays, and drive with caution.
United Way Awarded First Quarter Impact Funds
Bradford, PA — The United Way of the Bradford Area has awarded the first round of 2023 Quarterly Impact funding. This funding stream is available quarterly throughout the year.
The agencies receiving the first quarter funding are; Bradford Landmark Society, CARE for Children, Emmanuel Lutheran Church and McKean County Special Olympics.
Innovation and Impact funds are available to qualifying 501 ( c ) 3 organizations in Bradford, Smethport and Port Allegany. Impact applications are capped at $1,500.00 per request and are subject to the availability of funds. An announcement will be made on April 1st for the submission of applications for the second quarter. If you have questions regarding Innovation and Impact funding through the United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc., please call the office at 814-368-6181 or email us at admin@uwbanews.org. Information regarding lines of funding is also available on our website at www.uwbanews.org.
Seneca Highlands CTC Students Earn Industry Certifications
Levi Culver (12th grade, PASD), Lane Crawford (10th grade, PASD), and Kristopher Herbert (12th grade, PASD) students in Mr. Bryant’s Networking and Security shop at the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center, recently earned their PC Pro Certification. Levi and Kristopher also earned their Network Pro certifications in 2022.
The certificates each come with a $1000 employment guarantee ensuring the examined skills are workforce-ready. For more information on the Networking and Security program, feel free to contact Mr. Bryant at bbryant@iu9ctc.org or (814) 642-2573. For more information on the benefits of the industry certifications, go to https://w3.testout.com/certification/certhome.
Kristopher, Levi, and Lane
Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center has recognized Cayden Black as student of the week
Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center has recognized Cayden Black, a 3rd year senior from Oswayo Valley High School, as the student of the week .
Cayden is part of the Building Construction Occupations program and has exhibited a remarkable understanding of the content and skills in both the classroom
and shop.
Cayden has the ability to engage in meaningful conversations, demonstrating his expertise in the subject matter. Cayden's performance in the program has earned him this recognition from the school.
In addition to his academic achievements, Cayden is also a talented athlete, participating in sports in his home school. Recently, he scored his 900th point in
basketball, which is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He lives at home with his parents Troy and Angel and older brother Garren.
Looking ahead, Cayden has set his sights on attending lineman school in Georgia, where he will learn to work on electric lines. With his passion for learning and his
commitment to excellence, Cayden is sure to achieve great success in his future endeavors.
The Building Construction Occupations program at Seneca Highlands CTC congratulates Cayden on his outstanding achievements and wishes him all the best in
his future pursuits.
Crack Sealing Project Continues Next Week in Lycoming and Tioga Counties
Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a crack sealing project will continue next week along state routes in Lycoming and Tioga Counties.
Lycoming County
On Sunday, March 5 through Saturday, March 11, the contractor, Kriger Construction, will be performing crack sealing on the following roadways between the nighttime hours of 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
- Interstate 180 and Route 15 ramps at the following locations: Route 15, Third Street, Maynard Street, Foy Avenue, Fourth Street, and Reach Road.
Tioga County
On Sunday, March 5 through Saturday, March 11, the contractor will be crack sealing on the following roadways during the daytime hours of 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM and nighttime hours of 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM
- Route 15 between Lycoming County line to the top of Bloss Mountain.
- Route 15 between the Canoe Camp exit to the New York State Line.
Motorists can expect alternating lane restrictions where work is being performed. Motorists should be alert, slow down, watch for lane changes, and drive with caution through the work zone.
Kriger Construction, is the primary contractor for this $772,600 crack sealing project.
Ruffed Grouse Society Volunteers and Army Corp of Engineers Plans Alder Renewal for Wildlife at Tionesta Lake
Tionesta, Pa.: The Army Corps of Engineers at Tionesta Lake and Volunteers for the Ruffed Grouse Society plan the renewal of alder for wildlife over the next several years. Woodcock, ruffed grouse, warblers, rabbits, mice, voles, bobcats, and fox all use the habitat created by an alder thicket. As alder grows and gets too old, it starts to ‘lay down’ and roots will decay. But, a simple and proven wildlife habitat management technique of stump cutting will remove the older stems and put abundant sunlight back on the ground and cut stump, and cause the alder to put up abundant new growth. This new growth will provide habitat for many birds and small mammals over the nest thirty years after the stump cutting.
The alder renewal process involves volunteers working in teams of three. One person with all the required safety equipment will operate a chainsaw to cut stumps that are one to five inches in diameter. A second person piles brush and uses loppers to cut stumps less than one inch in size. A third volunteer piles brush. Alder will be cut within an area of 30 feet square adjacent to a user-created trail through the thicket. Boots, jackets, gloves, and hats will be required of volunteers. The Ruffed Grouse Society will furnish any needed equipment.
No special skills are needed by volunteers to help on this project – come on out and help pile cuttings to create brush piles for wildlife! If volunteers are willing to help on this project, please contact Jed Hamberger at jedhamberger@gmail.com because we need to know what kind and how many of tools to bring to support the volunteer effort.
Tentative dates planned for the alder renewal are two Saturdays, March 11 and April 1 in 2023. The meeting spot will be the parking lot of the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church at 2048 German Hill Road, Tionesta, 16353. Volunteers should be at the parking lot by 10:00 a.m. and plan on two to three hours of work. We will caravan to the alder site from the parking lot. More dates will be planned in 2024, too. Please contact Jed if you want to help wildlife on this project, but cannot make the tentative dates, because we have a retired person willing to meet volunteers for a work day outside of a Saturday. Park staff and RGS Volunteers will be available to answer any questions.
Penn State Extension offers an agronomic pesticide update for applicators
Coudersport, PA. — Public and private pesticide applicators can get their recertification credits by attending an agronomic pesticide update workshop offered by Penn State Extension.
The update meeting will be held at 7 pm on Tuesday, March 7th, at the Penn State Extension Office in Coudersport. It will feature details of the pest management decision-making process and will conclude at 9 pm with a discussion of safe, proper, and legal use of pesticides.
The Penn State Extension Agronomic Pesticide Update is a traditional Core (two credits) and Category (two credits) session for private pesticide applicators. However, any applicator may attend.
The cost of the two-hour course is $10. To register, visit https://extension.psu.edu/agronomic-pesticide-update or call 877-345-0691. Registration closes Monday, March 6th, but walk-ins are welcome if space allows.
Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Loren Fitzgerald Running For Potter County Commissioner
My name is Loren Fitzgerald and I am running for Commissioner in Potter County. In the coming months, I will be traveling around Potter County to share my vision and to solicit your feedback on how we transform Potter County to a place where our residents thrive personally and professionally. A little bit about who I am:
Potter County Native – I grew up near Cherry Springs and graduated from Austin Area School District. I joined the Air Force ten days after graduation and spent the next 20 years serving this great country. I retired from the Pentagon in 2006 and moved back to Potter County to raise my family.
Family Man – I met my beautiful wife Sharon while we were both serving in Berlin, Germany during the end of the cold war in the late 1980s. We have a daughter, Heather, and a son, John. Both graduated from Coudersport School District and subsequently followed in their parent’s footsteps by serving in the U.S Air Force.
Veteran – During my 20 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, I assumed leadership positions during every assignment. In addition to attending formal leadership academies, I honed my leadership skills leading large teams of joint service personnel and was responsible for managing multi-million dollar program budgets. During my last assignment at the Pentagon, I was responsible for the utilization, training, and funding of the 1000+ airmen in my career field.
Community Volunteer – I’ve always believed volunteer civil service is necessary for communities to function and excel. After returning to Potter County, I volunteered with several organizations including The Boys & Girls Club of Potter County, Trout Unlimited, and Project Healing Waters. I am a member of the Masonic Lodge, Consistory, and the American Legion. I was elected to the Coudersport Area School District Board of Directors where I served on the budget and negotiations committees. During my four years on the school board, I voted for STEM Labs and against wasteful spending and Common Core curriculum. In 2020, I was appointed to the Potter County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities. As a leading voice on the board, I worked to put Authority-held properties back on the tax rolls. I’ve also served as the head coach for the State Champion Black Forest Falcons Youth Trap Team for the last six years. We currently have a record 54 youth shooters from Coudersport, Austin, Galeton, Northern Potter, and Emporium school districts, and 15 volunteer coaches. The Trap Team raises significant financial funding annually to ensure this program continues.
Local Business Owner – I am the co-owner of God’s Country Upland Preserve, LLC…a full service upland bird hunting preserve. I started the preserve four years ago and have turned the operation into a premier experience for upland bird hunters from Pennsylvania and surrounding states.
Potter County desperately needs proven leadership and fiscal management experience to lead our county out of negative population growth and declining career opportunities. We need to make certain our county employees feel valued and appreciated. We also need to spend responsibly and not create/staff unnecessary positions. These are just a few items that we need to address and I look forward to hearing from my fellow Potter County citizens. I respectfully ask for your support in the May 16th Primary to put my leadership and fiscal management skills to work for you!
Follow my Facebook page – Loren Fitzgerald For Potter County Commissioner
PA Fish & Boat Commission Approves $2.9 Million Proposed Fee Increases
PFBC BOARD GIVES PRELIMINARY APPROVAL TO PROPOSED FEE ADJUSTMENTS NECESSARY TO DELIVER QUALITY FISHING AND BOATING
HARRISBURG, Pa. (March 1) – During a special meeting held today, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) Board of Commissioners gave preliminary approval to a list of proposed fee adjustments for various fishing licenses and permits for the 2024 license year.
“Through these modest fee adjustments, we are keeping pace with the rising costs associated with maintaining vital infrastructure, services, and programs that anglers and boaters deserve and have come to expect,” said Robert BJ Small, PFBC President and District 6 Commissioner. “Our goal is to keep the prices of fishing licenses and permits as low as possible, while still being able to upgrade and invest in the equipment, staff, programs, and facilities, such as our fish hatcheries and hundreds of public access areas, that deliver quality recreation throughout the Commonwealth. Adjusting fees to match our business needs, when necessary, will ensure that Pennsylvania remains a destination for fishing and boating for a very long time.”
Under the proposal, the price of the most common fishing license and permits, a Resident Annual Fishing License, Trout Permit, and Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit, would increase by $2.50 each in 2024. Separate increases would be applied to other license and permit categories for non-residents, seniors, and tourists. If approved, revenues from these fee increases are expected to generate an estimated $2.9 million annually for the PFBC’s Fish Fund to support fishing related programs.
In accordance with Act 56 of 2020, which provided the PFBC with the authorization to set fees, the proposed fee adjustments must be given preliminary approval by the Board, be presented during a public hearing, and given final approval by the Board. Also, in accordance with Act 56, after final Board approval, the fee adjustments will be shared with the Pennsylvania House and Senate Game and Fisheries Committees for their review.
The date for the public hearing has yet to be established and is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Governor Shapiro Appoints Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis Chairman of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency
HARRISBURG, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro announced he is appointing Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis as the Chairman of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). The Shapiro-Davis Administration has made public safety a top priority, working to invest in the safety of our children, families, and neighbors.
