District Attorney and McKean County Law Enforcement Remember Patrolman Steve Jerman (McKean County, February 20, 2026);
McKean County Law Enforcement honors the memory of Patrolman Steve Jerman, who was shot and killed during a traffic stop on February 20, 1999.
District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer: “On this solemn anniversary, we remember Patrolman Stephen Jerman’s heroic sacrifice. A true hero whose legacy will continue. He will forever be honored by McKean County Law Enforcement.
It is a life well-lived that lets us know how deep of an impact his death has made.
On this anniversary, we honor Patrolman Stephen M. Jerman and pray for his family.
On behalf of the McKean County District Attorney’s Office and the McKean County Law Enforcement community, I express our sympathy and respect. We vow to honor and remember our fallen officer Patrolman Steven Jerman.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 13, 2026 – North Kansas City, Missouri, Shaman Botanicals, LLC is voluntarily recalling one lot (Lot B# AAW.501.3) of Alkaloids Chewable Tablets—White Vein to the consumer level. Recent testing showed that the Alkaloids Chewable Tablets—White Vein product contains 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) in an amount more than the declared value of 7.5 mg/tablet.
Risk Statement: Use of the Alkaloids Chewable Tablets—White Vein product could result in consumers ingesting a higher dose than intended, which could result in adverse health effects.
Shaman Botanicals, LLC has not received any reports of adverse events related to this lot of Alkaloids Chewable Tablets—White Vein.
“Orchards of a Futile Heaven” was written by Matthew Derby, whose credits include the feature film “Gone in the Night” (2022) starring Winona Ryder and two audio dramas, “Harley Quinn & The Joker: Sound Mind” (2023) featuring Christina Ricci and Billy Magnussen, and “Sandra” (2018) with Ethan Hawke and Kristen Wiig.
The Wellsboro Film Festival is this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 20, 21 and 22 during Wellsboro’s Lights, Canvas, Action Winter Weekend. The public is invited to attend.
During the festival, 47 short films are being screened with 24 of them represented by attending filmmakers.
The filmmakers who submitted shorts this year are from Buenos Aires, Argentina and California, Connecticut, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Texas in the United States.
“The festival requires that all short films be under 40 minutes long to compete,”said Thomas Verdi, executive director.
“Thomas Smith, my colleague and I were looking for a place to hold a film festival when I decided to visit the dark skies at Cherry Springs State Park. My GPS brought me through Wellsboro and I fell in love with this town – Main Street, the diner, the hotel…” Verdi said. The first Wellsboro Film Festival was held in 2025.
An entrepreneur and filmmaker, Verdi founded and runs Discontent Media Group, which owns The Film Fund that has awarded more than $150,000 to independent short film producers.
At this year’s festival, there are six competitive short blocks, representing five genres – horror, drama, comedy, music videos and documentaries.
At 4 p.m., eight documentary shorts will be shown: “Strouse Entertainment: Starting a Business from a Wheelchair,” “Time is an Ingredient,” Memphis Massacre,” “Fjallferd,” “The Shaver’s Creek Farmland Raptor Project,” “The Spirit of the People” and “You’ve Seen Us Before.” “50/10 Saul Turteltaub” is a documentary film about Saul who wrote comedy and produced television shows for 50 years. He wrote for “That Girl,” “The Carol Burnett Show” and “Sanford and Son.” He talks about how he broke into the world of television comedy and offers his opinions on comedy writing.
At 7 p.m. Saturday, 14 comedies will be screened: “Murphy,” “The Open House,” “Jerry Tarpini: Fitness Expert,” “Nub City,” “The Pitch,” “Dating Audrey,” “Behind the Signal: The Making of Blood Signal 4G,” “Fireflies in the Dusk,” “Trash Talk,” “Marry Me,” “Waiting for Bigfoot,” “Cart Bay Republic,” “Just Be Awesome” and “The Correction.”
Through its first 25 games, the Penn College women’s basketball team has reached not only new NCAA era (since 2014) heights, but program marks, as well. Going into Saturday’s United East Conference quarterfinal, it looks to go even farther.
On Saturday at 1 p.m., the second-seeded Wildcats of coach Britni Mohney, 19-6 overall and 11-2 in the conference, will host No. 7 Lancaster Bible College, a 68-63 winner over No. 10 Gallaudet University on Wednesday. In the regular-season meeting against LBC, Penn College won, 63-44.
The winner of Saturday’s game will advance to a semifinal on Tuesday, with the conference championship game set for Saturday, Feb. 28.
The annual Property Tax/Rent Rebate Clinics hosted by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) continue with events in Oswayo Valley, Coudersport, Port Allegany and Mt. Jewett. The schedule is as follows:
Join us for a night of fellowship and great music at the Port Allegany CMA church located at 414 E Mill st. Port Allegany. The date is February 21st 6pm-8pm. This is a free event with music by Christian artists, Michael and April Prutsman of the band, “Chord Of Three Stands” You can find out more about their ministry at https://www.facebook.com/share/1BQ5N7Fjhq/
Light Refreshments will be served following the concert.
A love offering will be collected.
Please invite your family and friends! It is sure to be a great night.
OLEAN, N.Y., February 17 – The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation’s Community Fund grant application process is open, with grant applications due April 15.
The Community Fund makes possible two rounds of annual funding, one in May and one in November, for unrestricted grants intended to support projects and initiatives that respond to the changing needs of the community.
Applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations or a government entity or school district.
BRADFORD, PA — Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) submitted a formal closure notice to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania effective today, with anticipated closing of inpatient, emergency, and long-term care services bymid-2026, pending Pennsylvania Department of Health approval.
The region’s declining population and severely reduced patient census that was already minimal in 2019 combined to create financial losses averaging $10.1 million each year since 2021.
If you love trout fishing, there was a sure sign of spring today, as annual trout stocking operations got underway ahead of Pennsylvania’s spring trout season! Opossum Lake in Cumberland County received the first stocking of the year, which included cutting a hole into the ice with a chainsaw. This year, the Fish and Boat Commission, with the help of volunteers, will stock 3.2 million trout into 684 streams and 130 lakes. Trout stocking occurs in all 67 counties.
The most common species being stocked is Rainbow Trout, but anglers will also have the chance to catch Brown Trout, Brook Trout, and golden Rainbow Trout.
All waters managed as Stocked Trout Waters are now closed until 8 a.m. on the Opening Day of Trout Season on Saturday, April 4, with the exception of Mentored Youth Trout Day on Saturday, March 28th.
For the 2026 trout stocking schedule, regulations, and more information on trout fishing, visit Fishandboat.com.
PA Wilds Champion Award nominations due by April 6
The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc. (PA Wilds Center) is pleased to announce that DuBois Country Club in DuBois, Clearfield County, will be the location for the 2026 PA Wilds Dinner & Awards. Planned for Thursday, July 30, this special event is the premier networking opportunity in the Pennsylvania Wilds. The theme for this year’s event is “The Power of Partnerships.”
Located along the I-80 Frontier landscape within the Pennsylvania Wilds region, the DuBois Country Club served as the venue for the annual PA Wilds Dinner in 2017 and 2019. The nonprofit will return to the venue for 2026, using its spacious facilities and convenient location as the backdrop for the night’s celebration.
(left to right): Jill Grosch (Field Rep. for State Rep. Martin Causer), Tamara Bleggi (Field Rep. for State Sen. Cris Dush), Will Hunt (PA Route 6 Alliance Board/Potter Co. Planning), Nancy Grupp (Potter Co. Commissioner), Shelley Butler (Coudersport Chamber of Commerce), Caroline Powers (Coudersport Chamber of Commerce), Danielle Stilson (PA Route 6 Alliance), Daniel Glotz (PA Route 6 Board President/Warren Co. Commissioner), and Candace Hillyard (PA Route 6 Executive Director).
Recognizing outstanding people, groups, and communities along PA Route 6!
The PA Route 6 Alliance is requesting nominations for their 16th Annual “Do 6” Awards, which recognize individuals, groups, projects, and communities that exemplify and advance the Alliance’s mission of protecting, preserving, and promoting the scenic, cultural, historic, and recreational resources across the 11-county corridor of PA Route 6.
Johnsonburg, Pa.: Ron Holly, new hunter at Rolfe Beagle Club’s Statewide Coyote and Fox Hunt or Trap this year, showed he was having a good time at his camp in McKean County over the last weekend by bringing in three coyotes. Ron shoots a .243 rifle with a thermal scope and uses a Fox Pro electronic call. He hunts private lands predominantly.
Ron started off Friday evening near 9:00 p.m. by harvesting a female coyote weighing in at a hefty 37.6#. On Saturday evening near 10:00 p.m. he was able to harvest a pair of coyotes that came in together. The male coyote weighed in at 33.0# and the female weighed 33.8#. Congratulations, Ron.
Hunters are reminded that if they choose to participate during the second weekend of this hunt or trap from 2/20-22, they must have their registration postmarked by Thursday, 2/19.
Weigh-in is at 4:00 p.m. every day. Categories include coyote, fox, largest female coyote, and largest female fox. Additional information at the Facebook Page, Rolfe Beagle Club.
