HARRISBURG, Pa. (April 17) — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) reminds anglers and boaters that even as warmer temperatures arrive and the spring season begins to bloom across the Commonwealth, the annual cold weather life jacket requirement remains in effect through April 30.
Smethport – Linda C. Huntington, 74, of East Smethport, passed away Monday (April 14, 2025) at Olean General Hospital, Olean, NY.
She was born June 3, 1950 in Kane, PA, the daughter of Wesley and Katharine (Abbey) Eckstrom. On August 7, 1982, in Smethport, PA, she married Gary C. Huntington, who died November 7, 1999.
BRADFORD, PA / OLEAN, NY – Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and Olean General Hospital (OGH), Kaleida Health facilities, will be hosting April community blood drives in partnership with ConnectLife, the region’s only community blood bank.
OGH will host its blood drive on Wednesday, April 23, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The drive will take place on the ConnectLife Bus, located at the Mildred Milliman Outpatient Surgery Center, directly across from the hospital. Anyone who would like to schedule an appointment can visit www.connectlifegiveblood.org and use sponsor code 000485, or call (716) 529-4270.
Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised of overnight ramp closures on Interstate 80 at Exit 232 (Route 42 / Buckhorn) in Hemlock Township, Columbia County. This project is part of a multi-year reconstruction and resurfacing project on Interstate 80 in Columbia County.
Starting Tuesday, April 15, 2025, the contractor will begin work on the entrance and exit ramps at the Interstate 80 / Route 42 interchange (Exit 232 / Buckhorn). Motorists can expect the below closures.
HARRISBURG – In a letter to the Commonwealth’s Congressional Delegation, Pennsylvania’s Public Utility Commissioners are urging Congress to take immediate action to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – including the preservation of $19 million in LIHEAP funding already allocated to Pennsylvania for the 2024-25 heating season.
STATESVILLE, NC – April 10, 2025– Blue Ridge Beef is recalling 1,080 lbs. of their 2 lb logs of Kitten Mix Lot # N26 0114 and 1,380 lbs of their 2 lb logs of Puppy Mix Lot # N25 1230 (Lot numbers are stamped in the clips on the end of the chubs/bags) due to contamination with Salmonella and Listeria.
Salmonella and Listeria can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.
Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised of daytime road closures next week on Salem Road (Route 1011) in Penn Township, Union County, for pipe replacement projects.
Starting on Monday, April 21, 2025, Salem Road will be closed between Route 522 and Fair Oak Road (Route 1002), while a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) maintenance crew replaces two cross pipes. Work includes milling of the roadway, removal of the deteriorated cross pipes, installation of the new pipe, and paving.
Motorists will use the following daytime detours while work is being performed.
Work will be performed between the hours of 7:30 AM and 2:30 PM, weather permitting. Work on this project is anticipated to be completed on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
Motorists should be alert, slow down, expect delays in travel, and drive with caution.
Next Friday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m., Running On Jackson, an unforgettable tribute concert to the incomparable Jackson Browne will be in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.
This show captures Browne’s sound and embodies the look and feel of one of his concerts.
Earlier today, I had the opportunity to join officials with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) and Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) to help with trout stocking on Havens Run in Norwich Township and visit PGC’s habitat project in State Game Lands 30 on Potato Creek Road.
Hunting and fishing are among the many outdoor opportunities that help make our region a great place to live. Thanks to PFBC Executive Director Tim Schaeffer and PGC Executive Director Stephen Smith and their teams for organizing this collaborative stocking event.
HEATWAVE TURNED UP THE HEAT
“Turn up the heat, feel the flame! Heatwave’s here to change the game! Big energy, we’re bringing the blaze. Watch us shine and set the stage. Who are we? HEAATTWAVVEEE!”
HeatWave has made their debut at Storm Athletics All Star Cheerleading for Season 15. This Senior Level 2.1 team, comprised of 8 athletes, has taken 1st place and Championship Titles at every competition they have competed during the season. HeatWave has earned a very prestigious bid for The Liberty Spirit Championships. The Grand Finale Nationals Elite 2025 cheerleading competition is scheduled to take place on May 10-11, 2025, in Miramar Beach, Florida. HeatWave will be representing our area and competing at this Championship.
The on-mat success comes from dedication, perseverance, and a strong community foundation. HeatWave has displayed nothing short of the best anyone could ask from an athlete. Their teamwork is phenomenal. A small team earning such a high level of awards is what makes this earned bid so unbelievably exciting! It’s a tough sport and the numbers do go against you when it comes to the size of your team. (I am sending two photos. The second one is right after their team finished competing and ran to huge each other.)
Storm is a very popular Cheerleading Program for children 3–18-year-olds based at Olean Center Mall in Olean NY. Storm Athletics has kids from all over! Our athletes come from Olean, Bradford, Smethport, Hornell and everywhere in between!
Program Provides Air Conditioning Units for Those Susceptible to Extreme Heat and Humidity, Older Adults and Families With Young Children Applications Accepted Beginning April 15 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that applications are open to help low-income New Yorkers stay cool this summer through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).
Overseen by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the program will pay for an air conditioner and installation for eligible households that include someone who has a documented medical condition exacerbated by extreme heat, or households with young children or older adults.
Artists gathered at Elcam in Saint Marys to share first look at products
SAINT MARYS, PA – Artisans and manufacturers from the Pennsylvania Wilds region gathered for a pre-launch event on April 8, celebrating the inaugural PA Wilds Artisan Collaborative program offered by the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship Inc. (PA Wilds Center) and sharing a first look at some of the products they created together.
The Port Allegany Wine Walk, now in its 7th year, was held Saturday and has once again been deemed a huge success. Over the past six years, the event has raised approximately $35,000 for local groups. Totals from this year have not yet been calculated, but details will be announced as soon as they are available. Recipients of this year’s proceeds are the Port Allegany Women’s Club Small Town Christmas and The Port Allegany Historical Society.
Phyllis A. Evans, 81, of Painted Post, NY, passed away on April 14, 2025 at the Corning Center for Rehabilitation, Corning, NY. Born August 13, 1943 in Corning, she was a daughter of the late George and Mildred (Johnson) Evans.
She was a graduate of Northside High School in Corning and went on to work at Phillips Lighting in Bath, NY. Phyllis loved quilting, crocheting and sewing.
Hilda E. Schroll-Smith, 77, of Lady Lake, FL and Port Allegany, passed away Monday (April 7, 2025) at Chatham Glen Healthcare & Rehabilitation Ctr., The Villages, FL.
She was born June 7, 1947 in Port Allegany, the daughter of William and Carole (Manning)Varney. On September 18, 1965, in Roulette, she married Kenneth S. Schroll who died on January 25, 2003.She later married Roy Smith, Sr. on October 13, 2012, in Port Allegany, he died on March 14, 2021.
“Slip on your sneakers and get ready for SW Smith Library’s annual Fun(d) run! Register online to reserve your spot in the 5k fun run, 1k fun walk, or Kids’ Fun Run. T-shirt orders close April 23rd, but registration is available until race day. Visit swsmithlibrary.org, find us on Facebook, or click here to register. On your mark, get set, go!”
**Bradford, PA – April 14, 2025** – The City of Bradford Police Department proudly participated in the Blue and Gold event hosted at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Gymnasium this past weekend, sponsored by McKean County Special Olympics and the Pitt Bradford men’s basketball team. On April 12th, the Bradford community gathered to celebrate and support this outstanding event.
City of Bradford Patrolman Evan Schmidt and Sgt. Jason Daugherty had the privilege of presenting awards to the participants, highlighting the dedication and achievements of all involved. This event exemplifies the spirit of collaboration in our community, fostering strong ties between the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, McKean County Special Olympics, and local law enforcement.
We are honored to have been part of such a meaningful event. “The Blue and Gold event not only showcases the talents of our athletes but also underscores the power of community partnerships. We commend McKean County Special Olympics and Pitt Bradford for their commitment to inclusivity and athleticism.”
Events like the Blue and Gold exemplify the City of Bradford’s dedication to supporting initiatives that promote unity and mutual respect among its residents. The City of Bradford Police Department remains committed to serving and engaging with the community through collaborative efforts that enhance the quality of life for all.
Penn State Extension will offer the ServSafe Food Safety Manager course, which is aimed at restaurant and food service managers and others who need food safety certification.
The course will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 29 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 6 at Six & Kane, 63 N. Fraley St., Kane, PA. The exam will begin at 11 a.m. May 6.
These in-person trainings, led by certified ServSafe instructors, will teach participants how to prevent contamination by properly receiving, storing, preparing, cooking, cooling and serving food and by sanitizing food service facilities.
The classes are taught by food safety experts — extension educators with advanced degrees, extensive food safety training and industry experience.
