NEWS

First place. Sutton,Eckert,Show Stoppers
Second Place. McCutcheon, Presbyterian Church, Lions
Third Place. Leet, Rainbow Paradise, Alliance Day Care

Prizes may be picked up at the Potter County Artisans Center, Monday to Saturday open 9-5 daily.
For questions call 814-274-0219

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is an always-fatal disease that is a threat to deer and elk in Pennsylvania. There is no vaccine or cure for CWD. It’s spread by deer-to-deer contact and through the environment.

Since the discovery of the disease in Pennsylvania a decade ago, the fight to slow the spread of CWD continues across the commonwealth. So hunters who harvest deer within any of the state’s Disease Management Areas (DMAs) or its Established Area (EA) must comply with special rules.

There are six DMAs across the state, one of them – DMA 7 – new this hunting season. Created in April after the detection of a CWD-positive deer at a captive facility in Lycoming County, it takes in portions of Lycoming, Northumberland, Montour, Columbia and Sullivan counties.

The boundaries of a few other DMAs, meanwhile, have changed since last season, with the most recent of those impacting DMA 2 in southcentral Pennsylvania.

Because some of those changes became necessary after publication of the Hunting & Trapping Digest that all hunters get with their license, hunters are advised to visit the Game Commission’s website at www.pgc.pa.gov to familiarize themselves with DMA boundary lines.

The EA, meanwhile, is within DMA 2 and includes portions of Bedford, Blair, Fulton, and Huntingdon counties. Approximately 90% of all CWD detections in the state have come from this area.

As a reminder, within a DMA and the EA, it’s illegal within a DMA and the EA to remove any cervid high-risk parts; use or possess cervid urine-based attractants; directly or indirectly feed wild, free-ranging deer; and rehabilitate wild, free-ranging cervids.

High-risk parts include: the head (including brain, tonsils, eyes and any lymph nodes); spinal cord/backbone; spleen; skull plate with attached antlers, if visible brain or spinal cord tissue is present; cape, if visible brain or spinal cord tissue is present; upper canine teeth, if root structure or other soft tissue is present; any object or article containing visible brain or spinal cord tissue; unfinished taxidermy mounts; and brain-tanned hides.

The parts-movement ban means hunters in a DMA and the EA must determine in advance what they’ll do with any deer they harvest. They can take them to a processor within the DMA/EA or to one included on a Game Commission-approved list for that particular DMA/EA, as those processors agree to properly dispose of the high-risk parts. Hunters can also dispose of high-risk parts within the DMA/EA in trash destined for a landfill. Or, while not preferred, they can quarter the animal and leave the high-risk parts at the kill site (preferably buried).

The meat, antlers (free of brain material) and other low-risk parts then can be transported outside the DMA and the EA.

Hunters getting taxidermy mounts must likewise take their deer to a taxidermist within the DMA, the EA or on the Game Commission list. The processor and taxidermist list is available at the Game Commission website. Click on “Wildlife,” then “Wildlife Health,” then “Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).”

There, too, hunters will find the locations of head drop-off bins within DMAs and the EA. Hunters can deposit deer heads – minus any antlers, double-bagged and with a legible harvest tag attached –there and have them tested for CWD for free. Test results can be obtained by calling the CWD hotline (1-833-INFOCWD) or visiting the CWD Results lookup page at https://pgcdatacollection.pa.gov/CWDResultsLookup.

For those who wish to keep their deer head but still get it tested, you can try your hand at sampling it yourself using this instruction video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnEdDmfY-i4.

Hunters can also explore opportunities to get Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) permits, which allow them to take up to two additional antlerless deer in areas where increased CWD surveillance is needed. Some permits may still remain. Hunters can check availability at www.pgc.pa.gov/CWD. Click on “CWD DMAP Area Look Up.”

Although there is no known case of it being transmitted to humans, the Game Commission and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend people do not consume meat from deer that test positive for CWD. The Game Commission manages wildlife for and in cooperation with the public. Because much is still unknown about CWD, it is important to do all we can to limit exposure of all species (including people) to this known pathogen.

Port Allegany School District

PIAA ‘A’ WESTERN FINAL

The District 9 Champion Port Allegany Gators (12-1) will face District 7 Champion Union-New Castle (12-3) on Friday, December 2 at 7:00PM at Clarion University.

Tickets may be purchased online

Officials from four Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) districts held a combined media event today to discuss winter preparations and how the central Regional Transportation Management Center (RTMC) assists with situational awareness for the traveling public.

Jason Powell, District 2 Maintenance Operations Manager, provided an overview of the center, which provides coverage services to 26 counties in the region. Powell noted, “The tools and technology we use allows us to respond quickly, make changes quickly, and share information quickly. The service we provide through the RTMC helps keep motorists safe as they travel through the region”.
 
RTMC services include 24/7 monitoring and posting of road and bridge restrictions/closures, managing traffic related and weather-related incidents, and oversight of the Intelligent Transportation System, which includes traffic cameras, message boards, and Highway Advisory Radio.

In discussing traffic safety, Powell explained that–as part of a signage pilot project– the department has [BM1] deployed variable speed limit, or VSL, signs at 63 total locations:

• 21 locations along I-80 in Clearfield (mile marker (MM) 100-133) and Clinton (MM 182-193) counties;
• Six locations on I-80 in Clarion and Jefferson counties on the approaches to Emlenton Bridge (MM 42-45), North Fork Bridge (MM 78-81), and Kyle Lake Bridge (MM 92-95); and
• 36 locations along I-81 from I-78 to I-80 in Lebanon (five locations), Luzerne (seven locations), and Schuylkill (24 locations) counties.

 When visibility or roadway conditions call for lower speeds, the VSLs help to quickly reduce speed limits—displaying the lower speed limit vividly for motorists. When speed limits are reduced, a yellow light at the top and bottom of the VSL will be flashing to further ensure motorists are aware of the change.

While the VSLs are in place through April, permanent speed limit signs will be covered, and the normal posted speed limit will be displayed on the VSL unless visibility or winter weather conditions call for slower speeds.

Earlier this year, the program was active in 12 locations along I-80 in Clearfield County. Preliminary results show this low-cost innovative solution effectively slowed traffic when needed and reduced or eliminated crashes. Locations were chosen based on crash and weather data, such as frequent wintry conditions and where crashes caused by whiteout conditions led to roadway closures of more than three hours.

With more than $212 million budgeted for this winter’s statewide operations, PennDOT deploys about 4,700 on-the-road workers, has more than 636,000 tons of salt on hand across the state and will take salt deliveries throughout the winter.

Ken Bair, Assistant District Executive – Maintenance with District 3 reported that PennDOT is prepared for the winter season.

“Our preparation for the winter season starts the prior spring,” said Bair. “Across our regions counties have adequate materials on hand, equipment has been prepped and personnel have reviewed their snow routes for the winter.”

If motorists encounter snow or ice-covered roads, they should slow down, increase their following distance and avoid distractions. Last winter in Pennsylvania, preliminary statewide data shows that there were 266 crashes resulting in two fatalities and 116 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways where aggressive-driving behaviors such as speeding or making careless lane changes were factors.

Motorists should prepare for potential wintry weather by ensuring they have supplies in their vehicles before heading out: food, water, blankets, extra gloves and hats, cell phone charger, hand or foot warmers, windshield brush and scraper, and any specialized items like medications or baby and pet supplies.

In addition, snow squalls can often produce dangerous and deadly travel hazards on otherwise clear winter days. The National Weather Service now issues “Snow Squall Warnings” which alert drivers of whiteout conditions and slippery roadways, so motorists can avoid traveling directly into these dangerous squalls.

The Dickens of a Book Sale is being held indoors for two weeks, starting Monday, Nov. 28 and ending on Sunday, Dec. 11 in the main area at the Green Free Library at 134 Main Street in Wellsboro.

Staff members are conducting the sale. Proceeds will be used to support the library.

Included will be gently used books, coffee table books, audio books and DVDs for Christmas gift giving. “We will be restocking throughout the sale,” said Director Leslie Wishard.

Hours the first week, which includes Dickens of a Christmas weekend, Friday, Dec. 2 to Sunday, Dec. 4, are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28 through Thursday, Dec. 1; from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2; from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3;and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4.  

Hours the second week, which includes Christmas on Main Street Thursday, Dec. 8 to Sunday, Dec. 11, are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5 through Thursday, Dec. 8; from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9; and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10 and 11.

A $150 early bird season pass to attend 13 Endless Mountain Music Festival concerts featuring world-class musicians is available only through next Wednesday, Nov. 30. 

On Thursday, Dec. 1, the price will increase to $199throughSaturday, Dec 31 and will increase to $250 onJan. 1, 2023.

“The early bird season pass is an opportunity to give a music lover a great gift for Christmas, a birthday, anniversary or just because,” said Cindy Long, EMMF executive director. 

The 17-day festival will offer a menu of music from Friday, July 21 through Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023 at venues in Pennsylvania and New York. 

Admission to six of the eight symphony orchestra concerts on Fridays in Mansfield and Saturdays in Corning, N.Y. is $39 each or $234 and to eight of the 10 chamber concerts is $30 each or $240. 

Two of the eight symphony orchestra concerts are free with one in Wellsboro on July 23 at 2:30 p.m.  and the other in Corning on Aug. 6 at 2:30 p.m.

Two of the 10 chamber concerts are free and will be in Pennsylvania, one outdoors under the stars at Cherry Springs State Park near Galeton in Potter County at 8 p.m. and the other indoors at the Yoked Church in Knoxville in Tioga County at 7 p.m. 

The total price to attend the 13 concerts is $474. Those who purchase a $150 early bird season pass will save $324 off the price of admission. For more information about the early bird season pass, call 570-787-7800. 

All of November through the week before Christmas, the Potter County Farmers Market will move indoors to the Riley Gallery, next to the Crittenden, on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The next market will be this Saturday, November 26th. Here is a list of who plans to be there and what they plan on bringing to the Market:

The LONG FAMILY will be in the Riley Gallery on Saturday with Handmade Birdseed Wreaths and Ornaments.  Adorned with a beautiful ribbon, these make the perfect gift and the birds love them!  

ME AND MY BOYS SOAP will be in the Riley Gallery on Saturday. We will have a selection of soap bars, shampoo bars, lotions, and bath bombs. We have also put together some gift boxes and have decorative jars filled with bath bombs. We accept cash or card payments. For more information you can email meandmyboyssoap@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page. 

KELLY’S QUILTS & CRAFT is planning on attending this week with quilt & Christmas items 

BLACK CATS AND PAPERCRAFTS is planning on being there with charms, quilled paper light boxes, wall hangings, hair accessories, paper and resin jewelry and other assorted paper crafts. We also have cards, gift tags and gift boxes for the holidays and are taking a few more commissions to be done by Christmas. For more information, or to make a custom order contact Leon at blackcatsandpapercrafts@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page to see sneak peeks of the new things we’re making at https://facebook.com/blackcatsandpapercrafts

Weis Markets Issues an Allergy Alert for Weis Quality Premium Sea Salt and Caramel Ripple Ice Cream Due to Undeclared Soy and Coconut Allergens

Sunbury, PA (NOVEMBER 23, 2022) – Weis Markets today said it has issued a recall for 108 containers of Weis Quality Sea Salt Caramel Ripple Ice Cream (48oz) since the product may contain undeclared soy and coconut allergens. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy or coconut allergens run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products.

Product may have been distributed in 197 Weis Markets’ stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Delaware and West Virginia.

The container says Weis Quality Sea Salt Caramel Ripple Ice Cream and the lid says Weis Quality Caramel Caribou Ice Cream. The ice cream is packaged in a scround container with a UPC of 041497-01288 and with a sell by date of 11/08/23. This was produced on 11/08/22. The sell by date can be located on the bottom of the container. An example of the container and lid has been included with this release.