NEWS

Kids Fun Paint-and-Pour Acrylic Painting Class.  The Potter County Artisan Co-op is hosting its next class in the Kids’ Art Series, led by artist Gary Perkins, on May 15, from 3-4:30, focusing on Acrylic Paint and Pour.  This class aims to inspire children, grades 2 – 6, to create works from their imaginations while learning from a local artist.  Gary Perkins is an artist from Potter County, who creates work in different painting media.  Gary’s work can be viewed at the Potter County Artisan Co-op.

A little about Gary Perkins’ Artistic Inspiration: Gary draws from the beauty of his surroundings and aims to convey peace through his art, often working from photographs.   Gary has been inspired to paint by his mother, who was an artist herself, his third-grade teacher, Ester Howe and his wife have all been a big encouragement. Gary says his training comes from the study of numerous art books at the local libraries, artist magazines, visiting art museums, several art courses on the web and lessons from a former local artist, Leora Heitmeyer. He hopes that his paintings will give others much joy and pleasure while drawing them away, if only for a moment, to a place of solitude and peace.                                         

Johnsonburg, Pa.:  The Rolfe Beagle Club, an active bird dog and sportsmen’s group in Johnsonburg, completed another important piece of their wetland improvements for 2025.  “It became necessary for us to slowly drawdown our front wetland to repair some beaver damage,” said Ray Erich, Vice-President of the Rolfe Beagle Club.  “At the same time, we had the opportunity to repair an eroding section of our access road that was contributing sediment to the wetland.  So, we repaired the road in the last couple of weeks while we continue to slowly draw down the wetland for outlet repair.”

Buddy Decker, an active member of the club, did the repair work to the access road.

The road work on Railroad Ave is complete. The road is now open to the public for use. Thank you for your patience.

On 04/25/25 at approximately 11:54pm, the Bradford City Fire and Police Departments were dispatched to 17 Avenue B Street, Bradford City for a reported structure fire. Upon their arrival it was determined an unknown actor(s) caused a fire on the exterior of the home utilizing a flammable substance.

The residents were home at the time the fire was discovered and were able to extinguish the fire and call 911. Anyone with information pertaining to this investigation, specifically with information regarding any person observed in the area of 17 Avenue B and High Street near King Street during this time, is asked to contact the Bradford City Police at 814-887-4911 or PA State Police- Lewis Run Station at 814-368-9230.

The Potter County Farmers Market will be outdoors AT OUR NEW LOCATION on the Courthouse grounds, at the corner and across the street from the square, every Friday (weather permitting) from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm. The next market will be this Friday, May 9th. Below is a list of who plans to be there and what they plan on bringing to the Market:

*  We’re back on our summer schedule of Friday markets, BUT AT OUR NEW LOCATION due to renovations on the square.  We’ll be across the street from the square, along the sidewalk to the right of the courthouse entrance, and around the corner on East Street to the driveway.

*  The outdoor market is held each Friday from May through October (weather permitting; on very rainy days, we will relocate into the Riley Gallery (if available)).  In November, the farmers market goes indoors for the winter market.

*  Market times have been established after many trial times over the years.  If you are not able to visit us and would like something particular from one of the vendors, please contact them directly.  They are willing to try to accommodate your request.

*  If you are interested in joining the market this year or have any questions please contact …. Netra Baker, 814-598-0649 netrabaker2@gmail.com]

MILL CREEK MARKET will be attending this week with a variety of sustainably grown mushrooms, hydroponic greens, and Grow Kits. Accepting cash, check, and Venmo. Our farm is registered with the Department of Agriculture, and our facility is inspected by the Bureau of Food Safety. For more information, find us online at: https://papreferred.com/Member/Index/1429 

CARING CRAFTS will be attending this week’s Market! Weather Permitting! We will be bring a variety of Homemade Travel Pillows! Along with our Plastic Canvas Magnets/Ornaments! Our selection of both is very wide and unique! We have something for everyone! Don’t forget to like us Facebook! If your not able to stop by or would like to place an order please contact Jess at 814 203 2482! Caring Crafts excepts Cash  payment! Hope to see everyone there! 

ME AND MY BOYS SOAP will be there on Friday. We will have a selection of goat milk based products. We accept cash or card payments.

HAY HOLLOW GARDENS AND GREENHOUSE will be there Friday with hanging baskets, vegetable plants and some flowering pots. We accept cash only.

BLUE MARBLE FARM will be at the market with local, organically grown beautiful produce and plants.  For produce we will have Spinach and Lettuce Mix.   We will have garden vegetable plants and herb plants.  We accept cash, checks and credit cards. For more information, contact Lisa at bluemarblefarm@outlook.com, 814-320-1308 or bluemarblefarm.weebly.com 

MARKET MANAGER NOTE:

It is still early in a farmers market season, but be assured that vegetable and fruit produce, seasonal items, and honey will be joining the market as the season progresses. Thank you for supporting the Potter County Farmers Market.

Citing grave concerns about the impact it would have on the health of children and families throughout the Commonwealth, Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) today cast a resounding “no” vote on a bill to legalize recreational marijuana.

House Bill 1200 would authorize the existing Liquor Control Board (LCB) to regulate and sell recreational marijuana to adults at state-run stores similar to those that sell alcohol. Gov. Josh Shapiro has called for legalization to help fund his proposed $51.47 billion budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year.  

“The absolute LAST thing we should be doing is sacrificing the health and safety of our children and families to balance the state budget,” Owlett said. “We can cut spending or we can cut the lives of our children short by essentially encouraging the use of this highly addictive drug. The right answer should be obvious to everyone.”

We are having a gathering of friends and family for Leslie Tyler-Frank on Saturday, May 10th from noon-3pm at the Lewis Run firehall. 

Leslie Tyler-Frank, 45, of 35 Boser Road, Bradford, passed away Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Buffalo General Hospital.
 
Born September 7, 1979, in Coudersport, she is the daughter of Lee and Theressa Tyler, III of Eldred.
 
She was a 1997 graduate of Bradford Area High School and attended Clarion University and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

The Bradford Area Public Library (BAPL) is gearing up for a great week of programming, offering two exciting opportunities for the community to connect, learn, and be inspired.

Meet the Author: Angela Enos – Thursday, May 15 at 7 PM

In partnership with the local Book Friends book club, BAPL will welcome author Angela Enos for a special Author Visit on Thursday, May 15 at 7 PM. Enos will share insights into her writing journey, with a spotlight on her latest release, Under the Roof, a rom-com, mystery that was released in November 2024.

A storyteller with heart and humor, Enos draws on her 15 years of experience as both a legal assistant and a youth pastor to craft relatable, moving stories. Her first book, The Weight is Over—a nonfiction exploration of wellness—is currently being refreshed for a second edition, promising readers a new approach to health and fitness.

Angela lives near Harrisburg, PA with her husband John, a former Bradford resident. When she’s not writing, she enjoys hitting the gym, golfing, cooking, and cherishing time with the couple’s five children and five grandchildren.

Attendees will have the chance to meet Angela, enjoy a Q&A session, and get their books signed. Limited copies of Under the Roof will be available for purchase, and light refreshments will be served courtesy of the book club.

History Comes Alive: The Franklin Expedition – Saturday, May 17 at 6 PM

On Saturday, May 17 at 6 PM, BAPL invites history buffs to a fascinating presentation marking the 180th anniversary of the Franklin Expedition, the doomed Arctic voyage of the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror.

Former Bradford resident, Matthew Picklo will guide attendees through the harrowing saga of the expedition’s mysterious fate, backed by research and discoveries. Picklo, a Social Studies teacher at the Falk Laboratory School (University of Pittsburgh), holds degrees in both Music and History and a Master’s in History Education. His love of history brings this tragic piece of maritime history to life.

This free program is open to adults—no registration required. Light refreshments will follow the presentation.

Whether you’re a literature lover or a history enthusiast, the Bradford Area Public Library has something special in store for you this coming week.

Bradford, Pa.:  The Bradford Gun Club, synonymous with excellent shooting opportunities in NC PA, announces they will be offering another partnership shooting opportunity at their facilities on SR 770 in McKean County.  In addition to their trap, skeet, sporting clays, and 5-stand shoots, they will offer an Iron Grouse Shoot on Saturday, July 12.

SR 770 is also called West Warren Road for people from outside of NC PA.  The Bradford Gun Club has nine regulation trap fields, three skeet fields, a 5-stand shoot, and an 18-station sporting clays range.  They have a full commercial kitchen, a campground with 26 camp sites, and are members of the Amateur Trapshooting Association. 

The Iron Grouse Shoot, in partnership with the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS), will consist of trap, 5-stand, skeet, and sporting clays shoots, therefore it will involve the shooting of 125 shells.

Garrett Baker, a leader within the RGS in NC PA, says, “We are excited to be able to partner with the Bradford Gun Club on this event.  Many of our RGS members are also shooters, so we see this as a real opportunity.”  Contact Garrett Baker at bakgar42@yahoo.com or Trey Murphy at w.l.murphy86@gmail.com for further information.

Robert Strony, D.O.UPMC Emergency Medicine May is Stroke Awareness Month, a time to educate ourselves and our communities about one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States.

Stroke can happen suddenly and without warning. When it occurs, time is brain. Every minute that passes can mean the difference between recovery and long-term disability, or even life and death.That’s why it’s critical to recognize the signs of a stroke and act fast. Many people’s first instinct is to call their primary care provider when something feels “off.” But if you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of a stroke, do not call your doctor. Call 911 immediately.

The city of Bradford has been awarded a $150,000 state grant for phase two of its ongoing rehabilitation of Callahan Park, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) announced today.

“Callahan Park is the largest recreational park in Bradford and offers so many opportunities to people of all ages to enjoy the outdoors,” Causer said. “I am pleased to continue advocating for state investment in this important community asset.”

The scope of work for this project consists of the removal of the existing picnic shelter building and restroom building; preparation of new concrete pads for two new picnic shelters and restroom facility; installation of the pre-fabricated picnic shelters; construction of a new restroom facility; replacement of existing sidewalks and the addition of new sidewalks to comply with ADA requirements; reconstruction and paving of the parking lot on Poplin Avenue, purchase and installation of a new park entrance sign; installation of new benches, trash receptacles, grills and water fountains.

“We are excited for this phase of the project to begin, as these improvements are essential for our community. Our local park is a valuable recreational asset, and this investment is extremely important, said Karen Costello-Pecht, executive director of the City of Bradford Office of Community and Economic Development. “We greatly appreciate Rep. Causer’s help in securing these funds and his ongoing support for the project.”

Callahan Park is an approximately 28-acre park within walking distance of the Bradford Area High School, School Street Elementary School and the Bradford Regional Medical Center. Park amenities include an indoor ice rink, two pools and a pool house, a splash park, a playground, three basketball courts, four tennis courts (which include pickleball courts), and three baseball fields. There are two pavilions within the park that can be rented for celebrations or special events.

The grant was awarded through the Department of Community and Economic Development and is in addition to a prior state grant of $300,000 for the park improvements.

Every May, Dickinson Center, Inc. (DCI), an affiliate of Journey Health System, proudly takes part in recognizing National Mental Health Awareness Month. This year, they are prioritizing raising awareness about mental health issues and highlighting the importance of well-being in the community.

Mental Health impacts everyone, regardless of age, background or circumstance. Over 20% of American adults (more than 50 million) experience some sort of mental illness every year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). These individuals that experience mental illness could be loved ones or even ourselves. Fortunately, their dedicated mental health professionals are always there to support both adults and children on their healing journeys, assisting them in their recovery and making sure they do not feel alone.

The Potter County Artisan Center was alive with creativity and community spirit on Saturday, May 3, 2025, as it hosted the 2nd Annual County-Wide Art Show. The event was made even more engaging through a partnership with Remake Learning Days of North Central Pennsylvania.

Thanks to the support of Remake Learning Days, the event featured newly funded display partitions and a hands-on craft activity for attendees. Participants of all ages had the opportunity to paint and decorate wooden frames and spring-themed ornaments, turning the event into a true maker experience.

Bethany Brown, art teacher at Austin Area School District and a grant recipient, led the maker station from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Artisan Center’s classroom. Her guidance and enthusiasm helped foster an interactive environment where learning and creativity flourished.

The student art gallery will remain open to the public through May 17, 2025, allowing visitors to enjoy the wide range of artwork created by local students.

At 7:30 p.m. this Friday, May 9, the Bell Bottom Blues will present their  “Live Eric Clapton Experience” concert in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.

This New Jersey-based Clapton tribute band is named after “Bell Bottom Blues”, a song Clapton wrote with keyboardist and singer Bobby Whitlock about unrequited love. That song was performed and recorded by Clapton, Whitlock, bassist Carl Radle and drummer Jim Gordon, all founders of Derek and the Dominos, which released it on Nov. 9, 1970 on their double album “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.” It was Derek and the Dominos only studio album.

DESCRIPTION: * WHAT…Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

* WHERE…Portions of central and western New York, including the following counties, in central New York, Jefferson, Lewis, Northern Cayuga and Oswego. In western New York, Allegany,Livingston, Monroe, Ontario and Wayne.

* WHEN…From 2 PM EDT this afternoon through Wednesday morning.

* IMPACTS…Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– Showers and thunderstorms will increase in coverage this afternoon and evening. Periods of heavy rain may produce amounts of 1 to 2 inches, with localized heavier amounts
possible. This rainfall falling on already saturated grounds will result in the potential for flash flooding.
– http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

INSTRUCTIONS: You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that Route 4002 (Owens Way) in Bradford Township will be closed between Route 219 and Route 4005 (Main Street/High Street) beginning at approximately 8:00 AM on Thursday, May 8. A detour will be in place while a contractor for Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad repairs the railroad crossing on Owens Way. The project will improve ride quality and safety for motorists crossing the railway.

The detour will utilize Routes 219, 770, and 4005 for a detour length of just under three miles. Reponing is expected by the evening of Friday, May 9. All work is weather dependent.

The League of Women Voters of Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties invites all to attend a discussion about the ongoing Olean Wastewater crisis, entitled:
Sewage in the River: Defend Ohi:yo’ and Olean’s Wastewater Crisis on  Wednesday, May 14 at 6:00 pm  in the Olean Public Library Gallery Room.

 Guest Speakers, Glenn Wahl and Degawëno:da’s will enlighten us all about this critical situation.  We are proud to offer this event free and open to the public with light refreshments served.  No RSVP required.  All are welcome!  For more information, please contact Margie McIntosh at cattarauguslwv@gmail.com

We are excited to recognize Dalton Stepp as our Student of the Week for the week of April 28, 2025. Dalton is a third-year student from Smethport. He has grown into a great leader in the weld shop and has been group foreman many times. Dalton takes direction well and can relay information to others very effectively. Dalton takes a great amount of pride in his work and the shop.  He will be a great addition to any workforce.