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 tohttps://w3.testout.com/certification/certhome.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
A large portion of downtown Buffalo is blocked off as fire crews work to put out this fire happening right now on Main Street. We’ll have a live update at noon on @news4buffalopic.twitter.com/ITUhe4lNaQ
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.
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.
Elk County- Doug Gaffey, St. Marys Area United Way President presented a $80,000 grant award to the Boys and Girls Club of St. Marys Chief Executive Officer Joe Jacob, Tracy Snyder, Program Director; and Emily Crowe, Group Supervisor.
The St. Marys Boys and Girls Club was one of the first rural club started by the National Boys and Girls Club. St. Marys Area United Way has a long-standing relationship of over 98 years with the club. When this relationship first started, United Way was known as the Community Chest. This kinship has only been possible because of strong community support. The Boys & Girls Club plans to use this grant, as it has always in the past, to help fund a portion of its operating expenses. The balance of expenses is covered by the club’s annual campaign. The club receives no funding from state or government grants. Therefore, besides the minimal membership fees, the Club relies on grant funding and local donors to help keep the club functioning and viable since 1923.
In 2022, the club served 81 youth members on average after-school each day. Some of the more notable after-school programs, offered to the youth members, include: Homework Club where certified teachers from Saint Marys Area School District are available to help children with their homework; Cooking Club to learn how to cook easy meals at home; Ukelele Lessons; Drama Club; S.T.E.M Hour to further skills relating to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; Recycling Club where children learn to recycle and clean up the downtown area and local parks; and, much more! The club is currently taking registrations for their 2023 Great Futures Summer Program, with new and exciting summer activities. Full details and applications are available online and at the club. For more information on the Boys & Girls Club of St. Marys, call 814-781-1910 or by emailing jjacob@smboysandgirlsclub.com.
Over the next couple of weeks, the United Way will continue to notify the public of all the grant recipients and award amounts. The grant funding disseminated in 2023 is as a result of the funding raised during the St. Marys Area United Way 2022 campaign. Funding raised in 2023 will be available for organizations to seek grant funding in 2024.
The St. Marys Area United Way relies on the contributions from companies and local individuals. If you would like to become one of these individuals or corporate donors, please call 781-6000 or mail your check to the St. Marys Area United Way, 44 So. St. Marys Street, St. Marys, PA 15857
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is alerting area drivers that preliminary work on a slope repair project in Clinton County begins Monday, March 6. The slope/slide area is located along Route 120 in East Keating Township.
Crews will get started Monday and work for 7 to 10 days trimming trees in preparation for actual repair work. Crews are expected to return in early May for the start of slope stabilization.
During tree trimming work, traffic will be controlled by an alternating traffic pattern enforced by roadway flaggers. Channelizing devices and signage will also alert motorists to the lane restriction. Motorists should expect short travel delays. PennDOT reminds drivers to use caution in work zones, obey posted speed limits, and always buckle up.
Once repair work gets underway, it will feature construction of a retaining wall, repairs to the eastbound lane of Route 120, roadway overlay, drainage updates and guide rail updates. Once complete, these corrective measures will repair damage to the slope.
HRI, Inc. of State College is the contractor on this $1.4 million project. PennDOT expects work to be complete in mid-August.
The Potter County Education Council, Tri-Co Connections, the Potter County Human Services Area Agency on Aging, and our local school districts are continuing to team up to implement a county-wide program called Seniors 2 Seniors. This program is teaching basic computer skills, digital literacy, and cybersecurity to senior citizens so that they have the skills and knowledge to utilize the many benefits of high-speed Internet, which can include: Staying connected to friends and family; Sending and receiving emails; Using search engines to navigate the Internet; Utilizing telemedicine (healthcare from home); Using on-line banking; and Shopping from home (for items not available in the local area).
As a part of this program, local high school students volunteer to provide on-site support to each of the adults who participates in the course. The area high school students are a logical resource to support the senior citizens as they learn about the Internet since this generation of students has grown up with technology as a part of their daily lives. They are a true “tech savvy” population and can provide valuable support to older adults who are learning to navigate and use new technological skills and information.
The Seniors 2 Seniors technology course is being offered at each of the four senior centers in Potter County on a six-week rotating schedule, meeting on Wednesdays (following the school districts’ calendars), throughout the 2022-2023 school years. The course will meet at the Ulysses Senior Center on Wednesdays, April 5th – May 10th from 12:45 – 2:15 p.m.
The registration deadline for the Ulysses course is Wednesday, March 29th. Register yourself, a parent, or grandparent by calling the Potter County Education Council at (814) 274-4877 or by stopping by the Potter County Education’s Coudersport office at 5 Water Street.
Sugar is added to most processed foods, which most Americans consume daily. Refined sugars are also found in all of the sweet treats lining your pantry shelves. They are even found in yogurts, salad dressings, ketchup, and other common condiments. On average, Americans consume 66 pounds of sugar per person per year. That equals nearly 20 teaspoons per day.
Sugar can affect your heart by:
Increasing the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Spiking blood sugar levels (and so insulin levels), which increases your risk of obesity and heart disease.
Stopping triglycerides (fat in the blood connected with cardiovascular disease) from breaking down.
Lowers the level of HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) while raising LDL (“bad” cholesterol) levels.
Sodium’s Effects
A good portion of salt is made up of sodium, a mineral that is essential for life. It’s regulated by your kidneys, and it helps control your body’s fluid balance. It also helps send nerve impulses and affects muscle function.
Too much salt in the body can:
Raise Your Blood Pressure– Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of your arteries. When your blood pressure is at a high level for longer periods of time, your heart may become damaged from a decreased flow of oxygen to your heart.
Make you Dehydrated – Dehydration occurs when your body uses more fluids than you take in. This may be a result of your kidneys’ attempt to regulate your body’s increased sodium levels. Your heart becomes affected as it would need to work harder and pump faster to make this possible.
Harden Your Arteries – Higher levels of sodium cause blood vessel walls to tighten or harden. When this occurs over a longer time period, plaque may buildup and cause a blockage or heart attack.
Tips to Reduce Intake
You do not need to completely eliminate sugar and salt from your diet to decrease your risk of heart disease. The daily suggestions for sugar are 24 grams for women and 36 grams for men, and for salt, it’s about 2,300 milligrams for either sex. A few tips to help you salt and sugar intake are:
Eat more whole foods like fruits and vegetables to help avoid processed foods. Think of DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) or the Mediterranean diet. Both nutritional methods focus on foods rich in fiber, legumes, and fruits, ultimately lowering sodium intake.
Check labels at the grocery store and purchase items with lower sodium and sugar content. Go for options that have “reduced” labels.
Avoid sugary drinks. Replace soda with carbonated water with a squeeze of lemon or other fruit juice.
Use different spices and herbs to add flavor to your meals in place of salt.
It’s never too late to start putting more of an effort toward your heart health. Making healthy choices now can lessen your chances of developing heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.
Steven Herrmann, M.D., Ph.D., is a cardiologist with UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute of Bradford, 1001 East Main St., Bradford, and he also sees patients at UPMC Cole, 1001 East Second St., Coudersport. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Herrmann in Bradford, call 814-368-1000, and for Coudersport, call 814-260-5576. For more information, visit UPMC.com/HeartNCPA.
Shapiro Administration Awards $1.5 Million to Help Municipalities, Schools, and Businesses Switch to Clean Transportation
Small business owners, the City of Pittsburgh among those receiving funding for electric vehicles and renewable natural gas vehicles, improving air quality in communities across the Commonwealth
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today awarded $1.5 million in 2022 Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant funding to help municipalities, schools, and businesses around the state switch to clean transportation and improve air quality in their communities. The DEP Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant program helps municipalities, businesses, and nonprofit organizations replace older gasoline or diesel fueled vehicles with clean fuel transportation. This funding builds on Governor Shapiro’s agenda to create a bold, comprehensive climate and energy plan that will grow Pennsylvania’s economy, protect and create jobs, and address climate change.
The grant recipients, ranging from a small borough to rental car, garbage truck, and school bus companies, will replace 88 old gasoline or diesel vehicles with 78 electric and 10 renewable natural gas vehicles and install 36 chargers for electric vehicles.
In Potter County • Protektor Model Company has been awarded $15,000 for two electric pickup trucks for deliveries and travel to trade shows and competitions for this manufacturer of rifle shooting accessories.
Harrisburg, PA – The Shapiro Administration announced today that the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is opening a Health Resource Center in Darlington Township, Beaver County for residents of Beaver and Lawrence counties who have health concerns following the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, OH on February 3, 2023. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will also be on hand at the Center to help interested residents sign up for free, independent water testing and to provide guidance on food and animal safety, respectively.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is working with local leaders and healthcare providers to open the center starting Tuesday, February 28 at the Darlington Township Building, 3590 Darlington Rd., Darlington, PA 16115. The Center will be open weekdays from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and is scheduled to operate through March 10.
Howie, a cat once found homeless and injured, is at Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries waiting for a new family.
Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries is inviting animal lovers to help “Raise the Region” March 8-9.
Raise the Region is a 30-hour online giving event fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. An initiative of the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania, Raise the Region benefits nonprofit organizations serving Northcentral Pennsylvania, including Second Chance.
“Since our formation more than 20 years ago, we’ve been guided by our name – Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries. We strive to help lost, abandoned or at-risk dogs and cats by providing them with life-saving care and sanctuary,” said Jim Howe, Second Chance board president. “All funds from Raise the Region will go toward veterinarian costs and other direct rehabilitation of these at-risk pets. These expenses are often high and we never know the needs of the next animal that finds its way to our doorstep. Thanks to the generosity of others, that next animal, and all coming after it, will get its best second chance possible.”
This year’s Raise the Region is 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, until 11:59 p.m. Thursday, March 9. Donations made during that time at www.raisetheregion.org/organizations/second-chance-animal-sanctuaries have the potential to stretch even farther with matching or additional gifts from sponsoring businesses and organizations.
“We are honored to participate again in Raise the Region, and are grateful to its organizers and sponsors,” said Howe. “This opportunity is especially important as Second Chance receives no governmental funding. We exist and continue due to the hearts, funds, donations and volunteer support from our neighbors. We sincerely thank you all.”
Learn more about Second Chance at www.secondchanceas.org or follow their page on Facebook. For more information on Raise the Region, visit www.raisetheregion.org.
Harmony, a senior dog with Cushing’s Disease residing at Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries, requires specific care and food that only donations make possible.
